Defrag log

[Richard]

Every time I finish defragging the log says "not all files were able to
defrag" (or something like that) it is always the same file (Some file in
Delorme Street Atlas) no matter how many times I re-defrag it is still in
the log. Is there a trick to get this cantankerous file to defrag? (It did
the same thing on an older version of the same program) are there some files
that just won't defrag? I'm sure it isn't hurting anything, just curious.

 

[Ted Zieglar aka Rocky]

"...are there some files that just won't defrag?"

Correct.

"I'm sure it isn't hurting anything..."

Also correct.

"...just curious."

Curiosity killed the cat. But to put it in a nutshell: Windows does not
defragment files that are currently in use by Windows, files that are on low
priority paths (e.g. restore points) and files that would not benefit by
defragmentation (e.g. the hibernation file, which has no use after your
computer comes out of hibernation.)

Ted Zieglar

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Adding to what Ted says.

The amount of free space is very important when running Disk Defragmenter. A
minimum of 15% is required but sometimes 20% is desirable if the drive /
partition
contains one or more large files. You can run Disk Defragmenter a second and
third
time if files are still fragmented after the first run. You can put files
more prone to
fragment in their own partitions.

If you use Outlook Express regularly compacting Outlook Express before
running
Disk Defragmenter is helpful.

Disk Defragmenter provides a "Most fragmented files" list. When a fragmented
file is
larger than the largest pocket of free space available then the files is not
fragmented.
Running Disk Defragmenter a second or third time does move files around and
can
reduce / eliminate the contents of the "Most fragmented files" list. The
more free
space on the drive / partition, the more likely it is that all fragments
will be
eliminated.

Free space cannot be defragmented with the Windows XP Disk Defragmenter.
Neither can your pagefile cannot be defragmented because the file is in use
whilst
Disk Defragmenter is running. You can purchase other Defragmenting Utilities
e.g.
Perfect Disk, which will defragment your pagefile and free space. Another
option is to
place your pagefile in it's own partition. A pagefile partition is best
located as the first
partition on a second hard drive. You should leave a small page file at the
original
location.
http://www.raxco.com/

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Hope this helps.

Gerry
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