Defragmenters! Which do you recommend? - Page 4

Adrian Wong · 3rd Oct 2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vccy118

just defragged my HD...nothing different.

It depends on what you defragged. Did you just defrag the partition where you stored MP3s or small files?

Or did you defrag the partition containing the operating system or large media files?

vccy118 · 3rd Oct 2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

It depends on what you defragged. Did you just defrag the partition where you stored MP3s or small files?

Or did you defrag the partition containing the operating system or large media files?

I defragged my whole HD.... Well, there is a difference that I din't notice earlier.

Seems like my free space increased from 35% to 37% after i defragged it overnight.

bassmadrigal · 3rd Oct 2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werty316

Diskkeeper of course. I don't trust Micro$oft,... but wait then why am I using XP?.... damnit! Ah well Diskkeeper works great.

Microsofts defrag is actually a stripped version of Diskkeeper. I downloaded the diskkeeper trial, but found it doesn't do much to prevent fragmentation short of running their Set it and Forget it thing (which just slowed my access times). With the XP built-in it would re arrange the files on the hard drive to open up big spaces, but diskkeeper would just remove fragments but never bunch up the data.

Don't know if what I am saying makes sense so I will do a make shift example.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::
Windows built in after defrag

::::::: ::::::: : : :: : :::::::::: ::::::::::: ::
Windows after diskkeeper defrag.

If you have a big lets say 2GB file and you need to put it on that drive it is going to get fragmented right away on the one using diskkeeper where the windows will not.

I haven't tried any of the others except for speeddisk (which actually made things worse), but I will have to check out the other programs. If I can get something that works as good or better then the microsoft one... then great one less piece of M$ crap I have to use.

Have Fun
Jeremy

slyf0z_87 · 4th Oct 2005, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmadrigal

Microsofts defrag is actually a stripped version of Diskkeeper. I downloaded the diskkeeper trial, but found it doesn't do much to prevent fragmentation short of running their Set it and Forget it thing (which just slowed my access times). With the XP built-in it would re arrange the files on the hard drive to open up big spaces, but diskkeeper would just remove fragments but never bunch up the data.

Don't know if what I am saying makes sense so I will do a make shift example.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::
Windows built in after defrag

::::::: ::::::: : : :: : :::::::::: ::::::::::: ::
Windows after diskkeeper defrag.

If you have a big lets say 2GB file and you need to put it on that drive it is going to get fragmented right away on the one using diskkeeper where the windows will not.

I haven't tried any of the others except for speeddisk (which actually made things worse), but I will have to check out the other programs. If I can get something that works as good or better then the microsoft one... then great one less piece of M$ crap I have to use.

Have Fun
Jeremy

So you're suggesting we just stick to the built in Disk defrag software right?

bassmadrigal · 4th Oct 2005, 02:11 PM

That is what I do. There are some programs that state they can organize your hard drive better by monitoring what files are being used more often and stick them on the outside of the hard drive, but I have never seen any performance increase with these. Only a drop because their is a program in the back monitoring what files are being used.

For a free scanner the one that is built into XP works great. Just defrag every couple of weeks or every month to prevent really long defrag sessions.

Just an FYI... your hard drive gets fragmented almost any time you put on a file (really small files are usually exempt). So if you install a game or copy a lot of stuff onto the computer it would be beneficial to run it before and after. Sometimes you may not have time to run it before but at least run it after.

The two benefits I can see to running 3rd party defragers is that some are faster, and some can defrag when there is little space on the hard drive left. I know that Diskkeeper was able to defrag the drive faster then the built in one, but I don't think it did as good of a job. Norton Speeddisk seemed to take about the same time as windows. But the biggest benefit I see (at least for me) is that some defragers can run when there is very little space left on the hard drive. I constantly fill my hard drives and I am usually left with under the 15% that is recommended free by windows. Usually I ignore the warning but it doesn't defrag some of my larger files. With both speeddisk and diskkeeper they were able to defrag some (not all) of those larger files.

Most people, however, do not fill their hard drives like I do so the second point could be pointless. The first one, though, I think is pointless also because diskkeeper may have been able to defrag faster but you ran into the problems I stated in my above post.

So to sum everything up, I think the windows defrager works fine for most people and they will not see any difference in performance between any of the softwares as long as they keep the hard drive defraged (at least once a month if not more).

Good Luck
Jeremy

bassmadrigal · 4th Oct 2005, 02:17 PM

OK after reading this comparison I think I will give perfect disk a shot.

Perfect Disk vs Disk Keeper

I will keep people informed of my observations.

Good Luck
Jeremy

slyf0z_87 · 4th Oct 2005, 05:20 PM

alright, great.
do that please and keep us informed.
i think i'm uninstall my diskeeper

bassmadrigal · 4th Oct 2005, 06:43 PM

OK, so far I am extremely impressed with Perfect Disk. I defragged my laptop hard drive with all options except Aggressive Free Space Consolodation. My hard drive was a 45.4GB partition C: drive with 626MB free or about 1.3% free. (I know it is really filled.)

Before Defrag:

Code:

10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	Statistics for Volume C:
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	Percent completed: 100
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Elapsed Time: 00:00:00
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    CPU Time: 00:00:00
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Total Files Scanned: 54875
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Number of Fragmented Files: 3427
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Number of Fragmented Directories: 120
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Number of Excess Fragments: 13469
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Percent Fragmented: 6.9
10/4/2005 12:34:48 AM	SmartPlacement Optimization starting for Volume C:

After Defrag:

Code:

10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	Statistics for Volume C:
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	Percent completed: 100
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Elapsed Time: 03:46:41
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    CPU Time: 00:04:39
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Total Files Scanned: 54871
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Number of Fragmented Files: 76
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Number of Fragmented Directories: 0
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Number of Excess Fragments: 151
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Percent Fragmented: 0.2
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	SmartPlacement Optimization completed for Volume C:.

So the big thing here is Fragmented files went from 3427 to 76 and excess fragments went from 13469 to 151. This is incredible considering I had slightly over 1% of free space. I have never seen a scanner do this well. And there is an option I love where it consolidates all free space.

So now the test will be the general performance after defraging. Unfortunately this process will take a while to determine. But so far I am extremely impressed with this software. I may even purchase it if it pans out.

Have Fun
Jeremy

vccy118 · 5th Oct 2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmadrigal

OK, so far I am extremely impressed with Perfect Disk. I defragged my laptop hard drive with all options except Aggressive Free Space Consolodation. My hard drive was a 45.4GB partition C: drive with 626MB free or about 1.3% free. (I know it is really filled.)

Before Defrag:

Code:

10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	Statistics for Volume C:
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	Percent completed: 100
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Elapsed Time: 00:00:00
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    CPU Time: 00:00:00
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Total Files Scanned: 54875
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Number of Fragmented Files: 3427
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Number of Fragmented Directories: 120
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Number of Excess Fragments: 13469
10/4/2005 12:33:32 AM	    Percent Fragmented: 6.9
10/4/2005 12:34:48 AM	SmartPlacement Optimization starting for Volume C:

After Defrag:

Code:

10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	Statistics for Volume C:
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	Percent completed: 100
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Elapsed Time: 03:46:41
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    CPU Time: 00:04:39
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Total Files Scanned: 54871
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Number of Fragmented Files: 76
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Number of Fragmented Directories: 0
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Number of Excess Fragments: 151
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	    Percent Fragmented: 0.2
10/4/2005 4:21:29 AM	SmartPlacement Optimization completed for Volume C:.

So the big thing here is Fragmented files went from 3427 to 76 and excess fragments went from 13469 to 151. This is incredible considering I had slightly over 1% of free space. I have never seen a scanner do this well. And there is an option I love where it consolidates all free space.

So now the test will be the general performance after defraging. Unfortunately this process will take a while to determine. But so far I am extremely impressed with this software. I may even purchase it if it pans out.

Have Fun
Jeremy

Basically you are saying that perfect disk is good?
Include where to download it as well, thx!

bassmadrigal · 5th Oct 2005, 05:25 PM

So far it is good, although I haven't had a whole lot of time to test it.

Website is here http://www.raxco.com/products/perfectdisk2k/

Just click on the free evaluation link and you get a 30 day trial.

Good Luck
Jeremy

View Poll Results: Which Disk Degragmenter?
Windows Built-In	15	30.61%
Diskeeper	15	30.61%
PerfectDisk	8	16.33%
SpeedDisk	1	2.04%
Others	6	12.24%
dont defrag	5	10.20%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

4th Oct 2005, 02:11 PM	#35 (permalink)
bassmadrigal Official BOG Supporter! Join Date: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 15 Reputation: 12 Rep Power: 0	That is what I do. There are some programs that state they can organize your hard drive better by monitoring what files are being used more often and stick them on the outside of the hard drive, but I have never seen any performance increase with these. Only a drop because their is a program in the back monitoring what files are being used. For a free scanner the one that is built into XP works great. Just defrag every couple of weeks or every month to prevent really long defrag sessions. Just an FYI... your hard drive gets fragmented almost any time you put on a file (really small files are usually exempt). So if you install a game or copy a lot of stuff onto the computer it would be beneficial to run it before and after. Sometimes you may not have time to run it before but at least run it after. The two benefits I can see to running 3rd party defragers is that some are faster, and some can defrag when there is little space on the hard drive left. I know that Diskkeeper was able to defrag the drive faster then the built in one, but I don't think it did as good of a job. Norton Speeddisk seemed to take about the same time as windows. But the biggest benefit I see (at least for me) is that some defragers can run when there is very little space left on the hard drive. I constantly fill my hard drives and I am usually left with under the 15% that is recommended free by windows. Usually I ignore the warning but it doesn't defrag some of my larger files. With both speeddisk and diskkeeper they were able to defrag some (not all) of those larger files. Most people, however, do not fill their hard drives like I do so the second point could be pointless. The first one, though, I think is pointless also because diskkeeper may have been able to defrag faster but you ran into the problems I stated in my above post. So to sum everything up, I think the windows defrager works fine for most people and they will not see any difference in performance between any of the softwares as long as they keep the hard drive defraged (at least once a month if not more). Good Luck Jeremy __________________ AMD 2600+ Barton OCed to 3400+ (11.5x200=2300MHz) MSI KT6V-LSR V1.6 Tt Volcano7 1x512 MB PC3200 ATI 9800 Pro 128MB 1x250GB WD SATA 1x160GB WD PATA Primary Master 1x60GB Maxtor PATA Primary Slave LiteOn DVD-ROM/CD-RW Secondary Master Realtek AC97 Onboard Audio w/ Monsoon PM9 2.1 Speakers Antec SmartBlue 350W 3.3v~28, 5v~35A, 12v~16A Windows XP SP2 - All Current Updates

4th Oct 2005, 02:17 PM	#36 (permalink)
bassmadrigal Official BOG Supporter! Join Date: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 15 Reputation: 12 Rep Power: 0	OK after reading this comparison I think I will give perfect disk a shot. Perfect Disk vs Disk Keeper I will keep people informed of my observations. Good Luck Jeremy __________________ AMD 2600+ Barton OCed to 3400+ (11.5x200=2300MHz) MSI KT6V-LSR V1.6 Tt Volcano7 1x512 MB PC3200 ATI 9800 Pro 128MB 1x250GB WD SATA 1x160GB WD PATA Primary Master 1x60GB Maxtor PATA Primary Slave LiteOn DVD-ROM/CD-RW Secondary Master Realtek AC97 Onboard Audio w/ Monsoon PM9 2.1 Speakers Antec SmartBlue 350W 3.3v~28, 5v~35A, 12v~16A Windows XP SP2 - All Current Updates

4th Oct 2005, 05:20 PM	#37 (permalink)
slyf0z_87 Getting there Join Date: 10 Aug 2003 Location: Key Ell My New Home. Study study work work. Life's hard. Posts: 240 Reputation: 13 Rep Power: 5	alright, great. do that please and keep us informed. i think i'm uninstall my diskeeper __________________ Work, Game Rig AMD64 3800+ x2 \| DFI Lanparty NForce4 Ultra-D \| Kingston Value 1GBx2 PC3200 \| WD Raptors 36GB (x2 RAID-0) \| Hitachi Deskstar 500GB SATA-2 (x2 RAID-0) \| XFX 256MB 7800GTX \| Dell 2005FPW 20" Ultrasharp LCD \| NEC 3540A 16X DVD+-RW (x2) \| Creative Xi-Fi Music \| Edifier HA11 \| Edifier T1900-T3 \| Logitech Dinovo RF \| Enermax Coolergiant 600W PSU \| Lian-Li VB1000 \| 24/7 crunching, 12/5 Rendering, Media, Photoshop, 24/7 Downloading. Secondary Rig Acer Aspire T630

5th Oct 2005, 05:25 PM	#40 (permalink)
bassmadrigal Official BOG Supporter! Join Date: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 15 Reputation: 12 Rep Power: 0	So far it is good, although I haven't had a whole lot of time to test it. Website is here http://www.raxco.com/products/perfectdisk2k/ Just click on the free evaluation link and you get a 30 day trial. Good Luck Jeremy __________________ AMD 2600+ Barton OCed to 3400+ (11.5x200=2300MHz) MSI KT6V-LSR V1.6 Tt Volcano7 1x512 MB PC3200 ATI 9800 Pro 128MB 1x250GB WD SATA 1x160GB WD PATA Primary Master 1x60GB Maxtor PATA Primary Slave LiteOn DVD-ROM/CD-RW Secondary Master Realtek AC97 Onboard Audio w/ Monsoon PM9 2.1 Speakers Antec SmartBlue 350W 3.3v~28, 5v~35A, 12v~16A Windows XP SP2 - All Current Updates