File move instead of Defrag?

[Dinosaur]

Sorry if I asked this question before.

I have some big files (2Gigs each)in large partitions. The last time I defragged a partition with big files like these, it took forever, even though my system is reasonable fast (1000MHz processor & ATA 7200rpm disks).

Suppose I moved all the big files to another partition and then moved them back? It seems to me that copying files into an empty partition would be equivalent to defragging.

would the above work?

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Gouverneur, the Dinosaur from pre-compter era.
Eschew Obfuscation!
If one hundred million people believe a foolish idea, it is still a foolish idea.

[pentachris]

If you move all of the files off of the partition, and then back onto the partition, you have defragged it. You haven't "sped up most frequently used applications," but you've defragged it. If you move some of the files off of a drive, you leave "holes" where those files used to be. There may be other holes on your drive where you have deleted files before. When you write files to a drive, your computer looks for the first hole of a certain size (I think in Win 9x it defaults to anything greater than 512 KB, but I'm not sure) and starts writing the file. If it can't fit it all there, it looks for the next empty space, and if it's big enough, continues writing.

If you move some files off of a partition, defrag that partition, and move them back on, they will be written in an unfragmented state.

There's a way to adjust the minimum "hole" size that Windows looks for before it starts writing to disk, but I can't remember offhand how it's done. Post back letting me know you do or don't want to know about this - I think I can find it with not too much difficulty. EDIT: Well, that was even less difficult than I thought. This (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/win98/maintain/first.asp?frame=true) is one of my favorite bookmarks. Go there and click on the last link - Reducing Filesystem Fragmentation.

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[This message has been edited by pentachris (edited 03-05-2002).]

[Dinosaur]

Pentachris: thanx for the input.

I have enought space to move every file of the partitions I want to defrag. Since it is a matter of about 6 files with 2Gigs each, this approach seems faster that defragging.

I suspect that the Defrag utility has problems with large files. The last time I tried to defrag one of these partitions, it took forever.

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Gouverneur, the Dinosaur from pre-compter era.
Eschew Obfuscation!
If one hundred million people believe a foolish idea, it is still a foolish idea.

[Jumby]

Are you using Win98se by any chance? If so, download defrag from WinMe and then run it in "safe mode". It'll be done in 30 minutes (or less). I can't remember where to get WinMe defrag, but if I find it, I'll let you know....if you need it.

[Jumby]

I found a copy of WinMe defrag. Let me know if you want it and I'll send it to you.

[Dinosaur]

Jumby: Thanx but no thanks. I will stick with Win98 SE Defrag.

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Gouverneur, the Dinosaur from pre-compter era.
Eschew Obfuscation!
If one hundred million people believe a foolish idea, it is still a foolish idea.

[Paleo Pete]

Sounds like a lot of trouble...

Here's how to make a long defrag run quicker:

Shut down all applications.
Start defrag
Go to bed
Wake up in the morning and it's done already!! If it took 3 hours, you never noticed... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I never run defrag any other way, I hate sitting there waiting, and mine only takes about 20-30 minutes. That's one of the reasons I have four 5GB partitions too, instead of one 20GB one...Power management shuts everything down after it's done, so it can snooze too.

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If your nose runs and your feet smell...
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Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

[Jumby]

The problem is Pete, I tried that a few times and after waking up at 2 am then 6am and it was still at 10%, I realized there was a problem. Someone told me about Me's defrag, so I tried it. Like night and day.

[bassman]

Dinosaur, it sounds like you are on the right track with your idea of moving those big files out of the way. Along with the other tips you have been given, I would say this one is covered.
I just have 1 question and 1 more tip for you.
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When you say it takes for ever, how long are you talking about?
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Do not be afraid of ME's defrag. Of all the things that ME may or may not be, it's defrag is an excellent tool. That has been discused here several times recently http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Jumby, the fact that your defrag time changed that dramaticly (10% in excess of 4 hours) I believe is partialy coincidence that you used ME's defrag. It is faster and I believe more complete, but, that kind of performance would indicate a problem with your earlier attempts.
As long as it works now, thats all that matters http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Waiting patiently for the future to arrive. Frank's Place (http://dreamwater.net/tech/frankscomp/)



[This message has been edited by bassman (edited 03-06-2002).]

[sea69]

Dinosaur-

trust us we would NOT tell you to do anything to your computer that either we had not already tried or KNOW works.

get the winME defrag- install and use it, you will be happily surprised.

the only improvement that works 100% as it should all the time from winME (IMO)

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif




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