Defrag query

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M

MB

My new computer system came with XP. I have been using W98.

With W98, about every 6 weeks or so I would do a Complete Scan and then do a
Defrag. The defrag always took a LONG time (it stayed at 10% for quite
awhile).

Should I be doing the same kind of maintenance with my new system? How
often? Does it take as long?

Mel
 
Hi,
It normally depends on the usage but if you are an "average" user, not
involved in too much of installation/uninstallation of programs etc., and
you are not copying/downloading too much of music, videos i think you should
defrag your HD every two weeks.

Defrag in Windows XP is hugely improved and normlly for me it takes not more
than 10-20 mins.
 
Just want to offer a slightly different slant from what is a very reasonable
approach you were just given:

The native defrag in XP is a watered down version by the same company, Exec
Soft, and Diskeeper's native defrag they made for MS to include in XP does
a significantly diminished job of defragging compared to the one sold by
Exec Soft at this site: http://www.diskeeper.com/diskeeper/diskeeper.asp.

Here is a comparison chart of the watered down XP versus the full version:

http://www.execsoft.com/diskeeper/dkvsbuiltin/dkvsbuiltin.asp

I tried them and compared them both for a good while, and I think that the
more substantial version will have a significant impact on your computer and
your XP OS, in terms of speed of use and speed of defragging. You can "set
it and forget it" or let it defrag in real time. I defrag manually with an
80 GB HD full of programs and it takes a few minutes--to do all 4
drives--under 5 but I do it every other night and it pays off.

You can do what I did and download the full version of Diskeeper 8.0 just
out and compare them. They will coexist peacefully. Run one and a few days
later run the other.

*The most important point on defragging is that you leave 20-30% free space
on each drive y ou defrag to give space perform a competent defrag. The
MSKB says 20% but the white papers by the company who makes it for MS say
30-33%.*

In addition, you can defrag the page file and the MFT (master file table) on
boot with the better version. Whether the page file becomes fragmented
depends on software you use. Graphics intensive software, imaging and video
or gaming software can fragment the page file, but it may be rare on some
machines. While you can defrag the page file in XP without a 3rd party app,
the steps are lengthy and awkward.

I think it's well worth the move up to Diskeeper or Perfect Disk from what
Exec Soft made for inclusion in Windows XP and maybe Longhorn maybe not.

Chad Harris
 
Just want to offer a slightly different slant from what is a very reasonable
approach you were just given:

The native defrag in XP is a watered down version by the same company, Exec
Soft, and Diskeeper's native defrag they made for MS to include in XP does
a significantly diminished job of defragging compared to the one sold by
Exec Soft at this site: http://www.diskeeper.com/diskeeper/diskeeper.asp.

Here is a comparison chart of the watered down XP versus the full version:

http://www.execsoft.com/diskeeper/dkvsbuiltin/dkvsbuiltin.asp

I tried them and compared them both for a good while, and I think that the
more substantial version will have a significant impact on your computer and
your XP OS, in terms of speed of use and speed of defragging. You can "set
it and forget it" or let it defrag in real time. I defrag manually with an
80 GB HD full of programs and it takes a few minutes--to do all 4
drives--under 5 but I do it every other night and it pays off.

You can do what I did and download the full version of Diskeeper 8.0 just
out and compare them. They will coexist peacefully. Run one and a few days
later run the other.

*The most important point on defragging is that you leave 20-30% free space
on each drive y ou defrag to give space perform a competent defrag. The
MSKB says 20% but the white papers by the company who makes it for MS say
30-33%.*

In addition, you can defrag the page file and the MFT (master file table) on
boot with the better version. Whether the page file becomes fragmented
depends on software you use. Graphics intensive software, imaging and video
or gaming software can fragment the page file, but it may be rare on some
machines. While you can defrag the page file in XP without a 3rd party app,
the steps are lengthy and awkward.

I think it's well worth the move up to Diskeeper or Perfect Disk from what
Exec Soft made for inclusion in Windows XP and maybe Longhorn maybe not.

Chad Harris
Click to expand...
I have used Diskeeper, and it is good............ but I have the same
gripe with the "full version" as I do with Windows version..........
Depending which one you use, 15% - 30% of the hard drive must be left
free. This ludicrous........ what is the sense of having an 80G
drive, if you have to leave 12 - 24G empty to defrag? Imagine how
much you'd have to leave free on a 200G ? I remember defragging in
Win98 with only 250MB free on a 40G drive. Logic tells me there is
no way in hell a program should HAVE to have that much free space.

I'm about to try Raxco's PerfectDisk ........ it claims to need a
minimum of 5% drive space........ we'll see......


§kullywag©-
 
I also use diskeeper and have if set to defrag when my
screensaver is on,It works great and is worth the $
Later
 
Your response is very logical--but I can't change the fact that you need the
space. Some very good ref. material on hard drives including a free defrag
manual can be found at the Diskeeper site under tech support. I haven't
used it but several people who have made comparisons of Diskeeper which
works well for me to Perfect Disk are crazy about Perfect Disk.

Chad Harris


___________________________________________________________
 
I agree this is a logical response but you do need the space--MS says 20% in
KB's and many other sources incl. Tech Support at Diskeeper say more. There
is good info at Exec Soft's site under Tech Support. Have not tried Perfect
Disk, but several I know who have used both are very happy with Perfect
Disk. I am very satisfied with Diskeeper and has done everything I could
expect.

Chad Harris


_________________________________________________
 
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