Defragmenting takes forever!

[snsd]

Just did a clean install of VISTA Home Premium SP2 including all MS
updates on an AMD dual core, 3GB RAM, 250GB HP. Also installed MS
Office 2007 and a few other mainstream apps.

Tried using built-in disk defragmenter but gave up after 10-12 hours.
Tried running from the command line with a few switches - and gave up
after 8 hours. Running defraggler right now. Got to 50% in first 2.5
hours. At 74% after an additional 11 hours - just hit 75%. I think it
took 2-3 hours to go from 74-75. It's still flipping through the files
but doesn't seem to be progressing. Defraggler shows "8 fragmented
files (22GB); 43 total fragments; 22% fragmentation." I guess I'll let
it run through the night.

How long should it take to defrag a clean install of VISTA? On XP, a
long defrag might be an hour or so. I'm so frustrated.

Any comments/help would be appreciated.

 

[ray]

Just did a clean install of VISTA Home Premium SP2 including all MS
updates on an AMD dual core, 3GB RAM, 250GB HP. Also installed MS Office
2007 and a few other mainstream apps.

Tried using built-in disk defragmenter but gave up after 10-12 hours.
Tried running from the command line with a few switches - and gave up
after 8 hours. Running defraggler right now. Got to 50% in first 2.5
hours. At 74% after an additional 11 hours - just hit 75%. I think it
took 2-3 hours to go from 74-75. It's still flipping through the files
but doesn't seem to be progressing. Defraggler shows "8 fragmented files
(22GB); 43 total fragments; 22% fragmentation." I guess I'll let it run
through the night.

How long should it take to defrag a clean install of VISTA? On XP, a
long defrag might be an hour or so. I'm so frustrated.

Any comments/help would be appreciated.

A modern file system should not need continual defragmenting - this is
the 21st century. I have Linux boxes that have been running for nearly
six years without a defragment application.

 

[Michael]

Just did a clean install of VISTA Home Premium SP2 including all MS
updates on an AMD dual core, 3GB RAM, 250GB HP. Also installed MS
Office 2007 and a few other mainstream apps.

Tried using built-in disk defragmenter but gave up after 10-12 hours.
Tried running from the command line with a few switches - and gave up
after 8 hours. Running defraggler right now. Got to 50% in first 2.5
hours. At 74% after an additional 11 hours - just hit 75%. I think it
took 2-3 hours to go from 74-75. It's still flipping through the files
but doesn't seem to be progressing. Defraggler shows "8 fragmented
files (22GB); 43 total fragments; 22% fragmentation." I guess I'll let
it run through the night.

How long should it take to defrag a clean install of VISTA? On XP, a
long defrag might be an hour or so. I'm so frustrated.

Any comments/help would be appreciated.

"8 fragmented files (22GB)" ???
If these are compressed video files or compressed files of any kind they're
gonna take forever.

 

[ray]

Uhhh...read what the OP wrote...this is the first time he has defragged.

- this is

Well duh!

I have Linux boxes that have been running for nearly

linux is a bastard, stolen child of unix...a very old os and it is still
questionable whether or not to defrag it. Obviously some feel it is
necessary as defrag apps for it are available for it. Oops!

There is indeed a defrag tool for ext2 - though I've never known anyone
to use it. As far as I can find out, there is not even one for reiser -
which many folks do use. Yes, it is interesting that Linux has an old
heritage and is still decades ahead of MS.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

"8 fragmented files (22GB)" ???
If these are compressed video files or compressed files of any kind they're
gonna take forever.

And, pray tell, what difference does compression make?

 

[Michael]

And, pray tell, what difference does compression make?

I can't give you a technical explanation why. My statement is based on
experience. I've used many defrag programs and on all of them they seem to
choke on compressed files including MP3's. Large .avi's take the longest.
Download and run defraggler. Keep an eye of the files it's processing and
watch how it slows down when it hits a 700MB .avi...

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I can't give you a technical explanation why. My statement is based on
experience. I've used many defrag programs and on all of them they seem to
choke on compressed files including MP3's. Large .avi's take the longest.
Download and run defraggler. Keep an eye of the files it's processing and
watch how it slows down when it hits a 700MB .avi...

Sounds more like the *file size* is the issue...

 

[Michael]

Sounds more like the *file size* is the issue...

Dunno about that, Gene. I have .vob files that defrag programs have no
problem with.

 

[Michael]

Instead of guessing in the dark somebody should turn on a light. Do a
diagnostic. Then we have some data to argue about.

Good idea, Mr. Ahead.
<cracks you in the head with a flashlight>