Defrag the white space - How to

[Just Me]

The work I do on my computer involves changing maybe a couple of dozen files
over and over.

I believe if there were no space between the files after defrag the new
files would be generated at the end of the used space rather then be
fragmented into the unused spaces between the files that never move.

Is there some way I could get all the file moved so that they use a
contiguous section of memory?

Thank

 

[Elector]

The work I do on my computer involves changing maybe a couple of dozen files
over and over.

I believe if there were no space between the files after defrag the new
files would be generated at the end of the used space rather then be
fragmented into the unused spaces between the files that never move.

Is there some way I could get all the file moved so that they use a
contiguous section of memory?

Thank

The easiest way to do this is for you to set a partition of limited capacity
and have the files located in that area. This way they are confined to say
drive "e" for the want of a better name. While your other files can sit
safely on "C"

You can also accomplish this via a Thumb Drive loaded with only the files
you need to work on and it keeps them from taking up space on the primary
drives.

Elector

 

[Just Me]

Thanks, can I conclude from your reply that there is no simple way to have
all the files moved close to each other?

 

[Elector]

Thanks, can I conclude from your reply that there is no simple way to have
all the files moved close to each other?

Well I guess that would be the answer
The best way is to use removable media IE: Zip Disks, Thumb Drives, LS120
Disks, CD-RW, Travan Drives, External Hard Drives, or a dedicated partition
for just those files as I stated earlier.

I know of no other way to manipulate the hard drive to keep files from
fragmentation. Sorry.

Elector

 

[Just Me]

thanks

Well I guess that would be the answer
The best way is to use removable media IE: Zip Disks, Thumb Drives, LS120
Disks, CD-RW, Travan Drives, External Hard Drives, or a dedicated partition
for just those files as I stated earlier.

I know of no other way to manipulate the hard drive to keep files from
fragmentation. Sorry.

Elector

 

[Kristi]

The work I do on my computer involves changing maybe a couple of dozen files
over and over.

I believe if there were no space between the files after defrag the new
files would be generated at the end of the used space rather then be
fragmented into the unused spaces between the files that never move.

Is there some way I could get all the file moved so that they use a
contiguous section of memory?

Thank

No. The easiest way is probably in a dedicated partition as someone
suggested. PerfectDisk will likely put them near each other if you defrag
using "SmartPlacement" (I do this frequently for my boot drive). Maybe
this would be good enough for you...
hth
Kristi

 

[Alex Nichol]

I believe if there were no space between the files after defrag the new
files would be generated at the end of the used space rather then be
fragmented into the unused spaces between the files that never move.

Is there some way I could get all the file moved so that they use a
contiguous section of memory?

The inbuilt defrag program, and also (unless they have changed their
minds) the commercial Diskeeper, do not consolidate free space, as a
matter of policy. I don't agree with that and use Perfect Disk
(www.raxco.com) which does do it

 

[R. McCarty]

Consolidating Free space actually helps to prevent future fragmentation.

If you use Perfect Disk and correctly set options, do a Boot defrag &
then a GUI defrag the drive will not become as fragmented over time
and use.

Once you do that initial session, a week or two later a GUI defrag will
usually only take a minute or two at most.

If you want a program that just works and doesn't need constant updates,
patches, etc look into Perfect Disk. As another indication of how well it
works, Raxco recently took down their forum site. Their state reason
was a server change, But it could just as well be from not having that
many issues posted for Perfect Disk.

Best I remember over a 6 month period there were maybe 8-10 customer
postings on it.

 

[Just Me]

Thanks to all. You can't all work for Perfect Disk so I think I'll give it
a try.

Thanks again

 

[Elector]

Thanks to all. You can't all work for Perfect Disk so I think I'll give it
a try.

Thanks again

However, I did find that a Disk Quota can be made for users in the
Properties of the hard Drive. But I don't think it means to assign separate
space to programs.
Use the methods I already told you to use and you will have no problems. I
can tell you that using the "Thumb Drives" has been a god send!
Elector

 

[Just Me]

However, I did find that a Disk Quota can be made for users in the
Properties of the hard Drive. But I don't think it means to assign separate
space to programs.
Use the methods I already told you to use and you will have no problems. I
can tell you that using the "Thumb Drives" has been a god send!

Thanks, I'll look into this!

 

[Greg Hayes/Raxco Software]

It actually was due to a server change - Raxco upgraded operating systems on
our web server and the forum software that we were using was no longer
supported/available for the new OS. As the forums weren't actually used
that much *grin*, it was just easier to do away with it rather than
evaluate/acquire new software.

- Greg/Raxco Software
Microsoft MVP - Windows File System

Disclaimer: I work for Raxco Software, the maker of PerfectDisk - a
commercial defrag utility, as a systems engineer in the support department.

Want to email me? Delete ntloader.

Consolidating Free space actually helps to prevent future fragmentation.

If you use Perfect Disk and correctly set options, do a Boot defrag &
then a GUI defrag the drive will not become as fragmented over time
and use.

Once you do that initial session, a week or two later a GUI defrag will
usually only take a minute or two at most.

If you want a program that just works and doesn't need constant updates,
patches, etc look into Perfect Disk. As another indication of how well it
works, Raxco recently took down their forum site. Their state reason
was a server change, But it could just as well be from not having that
many issues posted for Perfect Disk.

Best I remember over a 6 month period there were maybe 8-10 customer
postings on it.