Is Defragging a Waste of Time?

[Bill in Co.]

Well, in the case of OE, it is "compaction", not "compression", per se, in
the sense that the latter ("file compression") implies that some compression
algorithms are being used to reduce the file's size, and that's not really
the case here. In other words, as an, this is NOT the same as what JPGs
are in comparison to BMPs; THAT is a case of file "compression", per se.

 

[jeffareid]

defragging

Makes more sense to do this as part of a backup operation that
involves a second hard drive:

backup partition by copying it to folder on second hard drive.

verify backup using file by file compare (I use windiff)

format paritions

restore partition by copying it from folder on second hard drive.

verify restore using file by file compare (I use windiff)

I wrote my own copy program that retains date, time stamps, and
short file names for the files and directories copied, but I
assume that any of the "backup" utilities available on the
internet would do the same thing.

For the OS parition, you need to be running a second instance
of the OS (or a different OS) from another paritition in order
to be able to do operations on the primary OS parition.

In the case of Windows XP, and perhaps NT -> Vista, the folder
\windows\installer will self delete after a few minutes and/or
restarts. After this happens, restore \windows\installer from
the backup on the second hard drive and it won't get purged
again.

compaction (versus compression)

In databases and in some file systems, deleted files are simply
marked as deleted, and this leaves "gaps" in the data stream.
Compaction eliminates the gaps by "compacting" the data so
that all the empty gaps are filled with valid data.

using a second hard drive for defrag (or compaction)

Hard drives random access times are very slow compared to the
streaming transfer rates. If the number and size of gaps is
large enough, it's faster to copy all the data to a second
hard drie and then copy it back. Plus you now have a backup
of your data in addition to a defragged (compacted) paritition.

 

[Bill in Co.]

In databases and in some file systems, deleted files are simply
marked as deleted, and this leaves "gaps" in the data stream.
Compaction eliminates the gaps by "compacting" the data so
that all the empty gaps are filled with valid data.

That's a good explanation to help further illustrate the difference.
Gerry, did you see this too? So again, for OE, it's really "compaction",
and not compression, per se.

 

[Gerry]

Bill

There are many ways to solve a problem if one thinks round a problem.

Large file will not defragment! Copy large file to another partition.
Shift + Delete file on original partition and defragment that partition.
Copy large file back and delete Shift + Delete large file from temporary
location.

--


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Gerry]

Bill

I knew we agreed about compaction. I was just posting for the benefit of
others some helpful easily understood explanations of the two
operations.

--


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Bill Sharpe]

If you read up on defragging on another NG
(comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage) you'll find that the general
consensus is that defragging is risky and a waste of time. That
sentiment doesn't appear to be reflected on here.

Can I invite comments from this group on this please? I'm no PC
"boffin" and neither am I a numpty but I'd like to know whether or not I
should defrag periodically.

Thanks.

Sometimes it is; sometimes it isn't. I defrag about once a month.

Bill