Recommended filesystem replacement for FFS... SFS or PFS?

[StevenJGore]

Hi,

I've been using the standard Commodore FFS-DC filesystem for over 10 years now, and since I'm about to completely repartition and reformat my Amiga's hard disk, I thought it was time to try a new filesystem (mainly because I'm fed up of the lengthy validations after a crash during hard disk activity).

I've read about Professional File System (PFS) and Smart File System (SFS), but can't decide between the two. I'm looking for the best balance of performance and stability... any recommendations?

And are they both free?!!

Thanks!
Steve.

[xeron]

You've been using dir cache on hard disks for the last 10 years? Oops :-)

[StevenJGore]

You've been using dir cache on hard disks for the last 10 years?

Yes, sad isn't it! Mainly because I didn't know any better. It was only because of a post on these boards the other week about a new version of SFS, that I started to realise that maybe I should try something else!

[StevenJGore]

Now I've gone and confused myself...

I found Professional File System (PFS) on Aminet (PFS95.lha in disk/misc) of which the latest version is 9.5.4, but I've also found Professional File System 3.3 (PFS3) by doing a google search, which would appear to be different and also cost money. Are there two PFS's?!!!

[Framiga]

Hi StevenJGore

no, PFS3 is a commercial, expensive and no more updated from 1999 but it is the fastest.

SFS lastversion 1.214, is free, reliable and fast enough (more and more than FFS).

Download it HERE

Read the doc carefully :-)

Ciao

[AmiDelf]

Yes.. Read it well. I've been using the same SFS version since 1999, and then now. it suddendly said byebye. Allways backup things, as I've forgot to do so. My partitions is healthy though, but my AmigaOS aint installed,.. and now as hell is near,.. the Multimedia CD from Elbox and installing Voodoo drivers and so on.. Gah.. thats something Amiga need to fix. An better way to install rtg files and drivers.

Regards,
Michal

[Framiga]

Hi AmiDelf

your is not a SFS related problem!

Check you flat cables or better, replace it.

Ciao

[Framiga]

Hi StevenJGore

forget those ancient PFS95 and install SFS without problems.

Good luck :-)

[xeron]

Well, using FFS for 10 years isn't necessarily sad; its the standard, it has well tested salvage tools etc. but dir cache shouldn't ever be used on hard disks.

[lempkee]

steven:  PFS is expensive and development has been stopped...

SFS is free and works just as well (a tad slower than pfs3.x)

but all in all both systems are not 110% secure, crash's can happen, though not as often as FFS crash..

good luck.

pps: i used to use PFS3 and when that crashed i went to SFS and i havent looked back!! ;()

[StevenJGore]

Many thanks for the quick responses so far!

...install SFS without problems.

I've just downloaded SFS 1.214 and briefly read the docs. Am I right in thinking that all I need to do to use SFS is put "SmartFilesystem" in the "L" directory, and then format the drives using the normal "Format" tool? Or am I missing something?! Will it be enough just to use the default settings, or should I try and tweak them with the command line tools?

Thanks!
Steve.

[StevenJGore]

dir cache shouldn't ever be used on hard disks

Why, just out of interest?  :-?

[Jope]

It slows down your HD accesses and eats up more ram. :-)

If you decide to go SFS or PFS, I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised. :-)

[AmiDelf]

heh, its not the flatcables.. its all in order, the disk is in superb condition. Could you send me a Emergancy Disk? Would you?

Regards,
Michal

[xeron]

Well, dir cache is an attempt to make reading directories a little faster. It kind of makes sense on floppy disks, but on hard disks it gives no gain, but causes more pain.

Using FFS-DC on hard disks takes up space on the disk, uses more RAM, and makes the already annoying validation process take a lot longer.

A more detailed description is in this publically readable CAM article by Olaf Barthel. Scroll down to section 1.6.