Defragging Software.

[DSTM]

I have been useing JK Defrag for 2 years, without incident.

Which Program do you Guys use besides O&O Defrag?

Is there a free Version of O&O?

Jk Defrag has been steamrolled by you Guys,but whats wrong with this Screen shot?

 

http://i34.tinypic.com/33db9zs.png

[Dalo Harkin]

I have had my say on this subject and will allow others to answer first

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

I cant remember when was the last time i actually did do a defrag. I would also just like Dave said only defrag as a last resort. And when i defrag i just use the Windows inbuilt one.

[RandyL]

From DOS to NT I've never had a problem with the Windows defrag. It's always done the job. As far as speed goes that's a matter of the system specs and how long it's been. (other variables not included)

 

Third party programs should always be suspect unless you are absolutely sure. An expert might know but for the average user stick with what is known.

[DSTM]

Appreciate all your thoughts,Guys.I don't know,and just want the best software for every application.

That's why I am seeking your guidance.:)

I will add,when I used Windows Defrag,it left red lines,when I expected them to all go.

Edited August 21, 2008 by DSTM

[Dalo Harkin]

Doug they all leave red lines, some files just cannot be completely defragged -

[rowal5555]

FWIW. I reckon that defragging has to be the most labor intensive job you can ask your hard drive to perform, and the longer you leave it the harder on it it is.

With that in mind, I use AShampoo Magical Defrag, which works continually in idle moments, to keep my C: drive perpetually defragged. Have used it for years quite happily.

I believe IObit has a free program which will do the same but haven't used it.

 

Cheers

[Dalo Harkin]

I have mentioned that defrags STRESS the HDD - IMHO the ones that continually defrag are the worst kind (they continually shuffle your files around and it cannot place them near each other which is the purpose of a defrag utility) - you will end up in a right mess if you use big files regularly.

 

I cannot stress enough the amount of physical and file damage these programs cause when used regularly.

 

It is my honest opinion that people leave defrag programs well alone unless you have a system that has lots of large files.

 

If we use Mara's post as an example of what they can do, proceed at your own risk.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Dalo Harkin

[rowal5555]

Fair comment.

I will just say that my C: drive always looks like this

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8684/defragvb9.th.png

[RandyL]

Defragging is not needed like it used to be Doug. The old DOS and small drive days are gone. In my opinion it should be done rarely these days.

[Dalo Harkin]

Fair comment.

I will just say that my C: drive always looks like this

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8684/defragvb9.th.png

 

 

Rob, it may always look like that - if you tried to run another defrag program (NOT RECOMMENDED) and I bet they show a different result.

[Seth]

I agree with what the mods and the admins said.

 

One of the common things I hear from my customers when they have a computer problem is, "I defragged but it didn't help".

 

I also often hear from people who defrag every week, and some who do it every day:eek:

 

Defragmentation is yet another completely misunderstood computer utility.

[Seth]

In contrast to public thought, DF won't fix anything and won't speed up your computer to any significant degree. In some minor cases you might see a small improvement if the drive is severely fragmented (unlikely) and you are using a program that constantly accesses files on the drive (unlikely as well). But even that's a stretch given the utilization of drive caches and read ahead abilities of drives/os's in the last few years.

 

...and as was mentioned, a DF is very hard on the drive.

[DSTM]

Excellent Points, and one question that I would like you Guys, to answer.

I have had a Windows box, come up when analysing the Hard Drive,which says, "You should Defragment"and looking at the Colours, there wasnt all that many red lines.Should we Defragment, when Windows says, or disregard,till the System slows? Thanks.

[Seth]

Go with what Windows says.

[Dalo Harkin]

Windows has a certain percentage that 'it sees' as too much probably 60-70% and again if you defragged the drive depending on what it is used for you may get a benefit but it will be hard to tell the difference in speed of the program unless its as previously stated a large file that is accessed frequently.

They are normally really fragged because people install and remove programs all the time, and it does have a toll on the HDD as there are files everywhere.

[AdvancedSetup]

If you do Video and Music editing on your computer then you will want to defrag your drive from time to time as it will make a difference on speed. There are also some games that have GB size files that will benefit from a defrag at times. This does not mean daily, but again as said it will depend on how often you create, move, add, delete files and folders.

 

If the file(s) you're trying to load are not fragmented then a defrag won't help at all, it will only help if they are fragmented with multiple fragments.

 

 

.

[danzil]

i find the best defragging tool to be defraggler its made by the same guys that bought us c,cleaner..its a very good program in my opinion.takes ages the first time but is a lot quicker after.

regards

danzil