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Disk defragmenting apps

WarriorX

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Nov 18, 2006
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Hi im looking for a alternative to the windows disk defragmenting app. Freeware is prefered but trial versions without lots of restrictions will also work. Also if I defrag my hd, does it have to complete or can I stop it mid way through and not be a waste for stopin it. Thanks
 
PerfectDisk is the only thing I recommend, period.

As for stopping, it hurts nothing; it merely stops the defragmentation process wherever it was. You can always start again later, and the defrag app will typically do another analysis pass, note everything that's notfragmented, and start from that point - it won't typically remember where it left off, and since it's running another analysis pass, that would be pointless anyway.

It's best to run an analysis pass before every defrag, especially if you're trying to pick up from where you left off. This ensures the total defragmentation of a drive at any given time when the defrag is begun.

In my own testing, PerfectDisk (v8 is the latest) stomps Diskeeper (v2007 is the latest) and O&O Defrag (v8.5 is the latest) into the ground, both of 'em. Neither of the competitor's products could defrag a specially created 20GB image file I have with 259,000 fragments from 4K files.

I created it specifically for testing defragmentation software using a tiny command line defragger tool that has a "reverse" mode and can purposely fragment a drive like crazy - it's called a "shotgun" fragmenter because when it's done, it's like taking all those files, putting them on CDs/DVDs, and holding it at the end of a 12 gauge shotgun and pulling the trigger: the files get blasted all over the place in tiny pieces. :)

PerfectDisk v8 defragmented the entire partition in 1 hour 5 mins and in one single pass. Diskeeper v2007 took over 9 hours and required 7 passes. O&O v8.5 took 12 hours and 17 mins and 11 passes to fully defragment the drive back to 0% fragmentation.

This was all done on a Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz laptop, 2GB of PC2-4200 RAM, 160GB SATA I 5400 rpm drive with XP Pro SP2, NTFS.

Maybe someday I should post the results with a bunch of pretty piecharts and schtuffz... :D
 
here is what I been using for the last 6 months.


AusLogics Disk Defrag

Disk fragmentation leads to system slowdowns, PC crashes, slow startup and shutdown and sometimes to system failures. Auslogics Disk Defrag® is designed for fast optimization of today's modern hard disks. Get the maximum performance out of your expensive hardware investments. And it's absolutely FREE.

Improve computer performance and stability
Increase your productivity - no more waiting for files to open
Defragment disks in only a few minutes
Useful disk fragmentation map and detailed fragmentation report
Windows XP Home and Professional, 2000/2003 and Vista supported

http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag/
 
This is getting alot of attention : UltimateDefrag


http://www.disktrix.com/ultimatedefrag/ultimatedefrag.htm


The downside to that is that page. It's a typical spam/cheap product advertisement, of which there are literally a few billion pages on the Internet. One incredibly long webpage, tons and tons of bullet points, no real meat and potatoes, a lot of hype, a lot of claims, a lot of "give 'em what they want" hyperbole.

I gave the trial version a chance a bit ago on that shotgun image I have for defrag testing. It said "17 hours" estimated time to completion so I uninstalled it.

Quick.

:)
 
disk keeper!
its the company that makes the defrag in windows, except the windows version is watered down (a lot)
 
here is what I been using for the last 6 months.


AusLogics Disk Defrag

Disk fragmentation leads to system slowdowns, PC crashes, slow startup and shutdown and sometimes to system failures. Auslogics Disk Defrag® is designed for fast optimization of today's modern hard disks. Get the maximum performance out of your expensive hardware investments. And it's absolutely FREE.

Improve computer performance and stability
Increase your productivity - no more waiting for files to open
Defragment disks in only a few minutes
Useful disk fragmentation map and detailed fragmentation report
Windows XP Home and Professional, 2000/2003 and Vista supported

http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag/



I have this installed on ALL my systems now. It's lightweight, and very quick. I've had absolutely no problems with it.
 
another vote for O&O defrag. I just prefer the features and interface on this one. Lots of good options, can get a bit overwhelming if you dont know what your doing, but a solid performer, and very thorough. :cool:
 
dont forget, just cause something degs a hard drive fast, doesn;t mean it does a good job of it.

the opposite is also true, just cause it works forever does nto mean that it will do a good job.


Does O&O allow you to set sertain folders (files?) to be put at the front of the disk?
so that you yourself could basically prioritize where your files should be?
 
dont forget, just cause something degs a hard drive fast, doesn;t mean it does a good job of it.

the opposite is also true, just cause it works forever does nto mean that it will do a good job.


Does O&O allow you to set sertain folders (files?) to be put at the front of the disk?
so that you yourself could basically prioritize where your files should be?

You can go by size, alphabetical, last access, frequently accessed, and I think there is 1 more.
 
I use PerfectDisk 8.0 myself, I just downloaded the trial one day, and was so impressed with it, I ended buying it when the trial ran out.
 
PerfectDisk has left me with corrupted disks one time too many. I'll stick with Diskeeper. There's one company that truly knows the inner workings of Windows, and how to defrag it, it's the company who built the built-in defragger. The last thing I want from a defrag app is corrupted data.
 
Diskeeper here, even though the owner & most employees are Scientologists :( When I purchased it, it was the only available option for Windows x64. O&O is my favorite, and will purchase the new version soon..
 
Defraggler - www.defraggler.com
From the same guys who make CCleaner and Recuva. I use it heavily and LOVE the scheduling.
Freeware - no ads. You can stop, pause, analyze, etc.
 
Call me n00b but I use Windows 7's automatic scheduled ones.
 
Call me n00b but I use Windows 7's automatic scheduled ones.

I haven't had a reason to defrag since Vista came out. Vista did the same scheduled defrag that 7 does. I just let the system take care of itself. :)
 
I haven't had a reason to defrag since Vista came out. Vista did the same scheduled defrag that 7 does. I just let the system take care of itself. :)


I do the same. Don't Windows 7 (and Vista for that matter) have a much more mature built-in defrag app? Are any of these older defragmenting apps even worth it anymore? Are they really that much better than the build-in on in Windows 7? Will it really speed up performance? I would like to find a good (current) discussion on the subject, because I feel like using special non built-in apps to defrag is becoming just another one of those unnecessary tweaks from the days of XP being dragged along, like turning off SuperFetch to speed up performance.
 
I do the same. Don't Windows 7 (and Vista for that matter) have a much more mature built-in defrag app? Are any of these older defragmenting apps even worth it anymore? Are they really that much better than the build-in on in Windows 7? Will it really speed up performance? I would like to find a good (current) discussion on the subject, because I feel like using special non built-in apps to defrag is becoming just another one of those unnecessary tweaks from the days of XP being dragged along, like turning off SuperFetch to speed up performance.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/the_disk_defrag_difference?page=0,0
 
7 automatically keeps my drive defraged. IMO if you are still wasting time with 3rd party defraggers you're still stuck in the XP dark ages or your a noob.
 
If you can afford it, Perfect Disk is the best thing out there right now. The boot defragmentation ability is quite nice, I must say. The program is also completely certified for Windows 7 and will install either the 32 or 64 bit version of application depending on your version.
 
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