safe mode defraggler command line == slow

[jfj]

it seems to me that defraggling in safe mode is far slower than defraggling in regular mode. i always had assumed it would be faster since theres less ram overhead, more files free from lockage, etc... but running df.exe (which is a great addition btw) on my drive seems to crawl.

 

 

questions to the powers that be or anyone in the know:

- anyone else notice this seemingly obvious slow down in safe mode?

- is there a reason why it runs better in regular mode?

- am i getting a better defrag by running in safe mode?

 

thanks for any responses

[jfj]

damn, bummed out this has no replies

[jfj]

one last bump

[Andavari]

There's plenty of things which are slow in Safe Mode rather it be defragmenting, or running anti-malware scans.

[davey]

it seems to me that defraggling in safe mode is far slower than defraggling in regular mode. i always had assumed it would be faster since theres less ram overhead, more files free from lockage, etc... but running df.exe (which is a great addition btw) on my drive seems to crawl.

thanks for any responses

Hello jfj,

Regarding your questions

- anyone else notice this seemingly obvious slow down in safe mode? Like Andaari said everything runs slower in "safe mode". Safe mode is a stripped down OS with all the software that makes things faster and safer unloaded.

 

- is there a reason why it runs better in regular mode? The availability of system "caches" and fast drivers etc speed things up considerably.

 

- am i getting a better defrag by running in safe mode?

No.

You might want to run PageDefrag every now and then. This defrags Windows system files that are not available after Windows starts.

PageDefrag download or Live

Run PageDefrag now from Live.Sysinternals.com Right upper corner of page

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinte...s/bb897426.aspx

 

MOST users can get along fine with only using "Defraggler" file defragmentation.

I run "Defraggler" file defragmentation just prior to running CCleaner. I check the box that checkmarks all fragmented files and select Defrag checked.

This results in larger contiguous ares being available after running CCleaner and when System Restore files are deleted by Windows.

 

I use "Defraggler" file defragmentation and never have to turn off Anti-virus or Firewall programs.

You can turn them off if you haven't defragmented your files in quite awhile and defragmenting will be quicker. DO NOT FORGET TO TURN THEM BACK ON . Paste a note on your screen.

 

I have not needed to do a "whole disk defrag" in months.

I let Windows do any disk optimization that is needed.

My system runs faster now than when it was new 4 1/2 years ago.

 

All the old "safe mode" stuff is just that, Old stuff, if you are running WinXP or Vista.

 

Good luck,

davey

[jfj]

thanks for following up davey. to reply to your suggestions for the next persons who read this:

 

page defrag is necessary if you allow your pagefile to grow as windows feels necessary. this actually serves to slow your entire machine down, so you should go into your virtual memory settings for your windows box. it suggests a reccommended pagefile and you should set that as the minimum and maximum values. no more need to defrag your page file.

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

 

you say you defraggle before you cclean but maybe you should actually cclean first. then you wont have to defraggle the files that get deleted.

 

you say you let windows do any disk optimizations. i assume you are running vista? otherwise windows doesnt do anything... which is why we need programs like defraggler.

 

 

a tip for anyone interested: i dont actually use the defraggler program. its not necessary. the command line program (df.exe) provided in the defraggler directory works faster and better than the gui. what ive ended up doing is created a scheduled task to run df c: nightly at 2am. i leave my computer on 24/7 so its nice and optimized by morning. this does a full drive defrag.

 

if you would like to use the command line to run the equalivent of what youve done you would do df c:\ /s

this will analyze and defrag the fragmented files. you could also easily set this as a system task or make a shortcut to do it on one click.

[davey]

page defrag is necessary if you allow your pagefile to grow as windows feels necessary. this actually serves to slow your entire machine down, so you should go into your virtual memory settings for your windows box. it suggests a reccommended pagefile and you should set that as the minimum and maximum values. no more need to defrag your page file.

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

This is true for the Page file and does keep it defragmented. However PageDefrag defragments many other system files that are not available once Windows starts. PageDefrag works on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinte...s/bb897426.aspx

 

you say you defraggle before you cclean but maybe you should actually cclean first. then you wont have to defraggle the files that get deleted.

I used to believe that myself. Defragmenting all the fragmented files before CCleaner means that larger contiguous areas will be released for use instead of more and more, and smaller and smaller free spaces being produced. This holds true for my System volume files as well.

I end up with larger free space areas in many places on the disk. I don't defrag the whole disk because then the first files to be changed or added must be put only to the inside of the disk. This area is slower and results in constant head movement. Whereas, having many large free spaces all over the disk results in less head movement.

 

you say you let windows do any disk optimizations. i assume you are running vista? otherwise windows doesnt do anything... which is why we need programs like defraggler.

I am running WinXP. XP and Vista both optimize where the most used or important programs and files are kept. I can see my most used files and programs being moved to the outside of the disk. It does this automatically. I can also see that my daily browsing files are filled in closer to the outside of the disk. Like most users Windows does a good job for me. My 80 GB hard drive is 88% full but you would never know it because I have larger free spaces available everywhere.

This method will work for most users, especially those with mostly full hard drives and small amounts of RAM like I have.

 

Specialist users and IT professionals use other methods. Many It professionals use Defraggler because of it's fast file defragmentation.

 

Most times when I am testing or checking where certain files are being put I use the Defraggler GUI.

If I am doing manual cleaning in Windows Explorer or adding large files, I will use Andavari's Defraggler Shell. I can defrag files and folders as I go.

Andavari's Defraggler Shell

http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?showtopic=17287

 

As a result, my Defraggler file defragmentations only take a few minutes. Most of my fragmented files have very few fragments.

I will use Defraggler "whole disk" defragmentation when it has developed options to "Do not do free space defragmentation" and/or use strategies similar to Windows Disk Defragmenter.

For now Windows Disk Defragmenter is what I use for "whole disk" defragmentation. It always tells me that I don't need to defrag my drive and I don't. I have not needed to do one in months. This all results in less wear and tear on my old hard drive.

 

Each user has his own approach to defragmenting and disk optimization. I like to keep things simple and this works best for me and my PC. Many users get along fine using only Windows Disk Defragmenter or Vista's improved version.

Then there are some users that see no difference whether they Defragment or not. I believe them.

Best wishes,

davey

[jfj]

ahhh very good points there davey. certainly shed some light to me, maybe it will do the same for others who stumble across it.