Simviation Forum - Understanding "defrag language"

Jan 21^st, 2006 at 11:50am

flyboy 28 Offline
Colonel
Jacksonville, FL

Posts: 13323

Alright so I defrag my hard drive every week, like a good little computer nerd. The only thing I don't understand is what does all this nonsense mean?

I'm talking about the different colors that look like a bar code.

Any help is appreciated (just for my own curiosity)

James

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Reply #1 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 11:58am

Apex Offline
Colonel
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 732

The disk defragmenter has a pop-up window which appears when you click on the 'Analyze' button; it will tell you if you need to defrag or not, so once a week may not be necessary, but can't hurt. There is a legend (visible in your screen shots) at the bottom which explain what the bars are all about, in general, the red bars denote fragmented files and those are the ones that the defragmenter gets back together; when the task is complete you should have few or no red bars. For reasons unknown to myself, files get separated over time, and that reduces PC performance; defragmenting puts them back together again, after a defrag, the blue lines should more or less be continuous. That's a non-tech explanation, but I think pretty accurate.

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Reply #2 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 12:17pm

Saitek Offline
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UK

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James - I know exactly what you mean and it is very frustrating to look at I know. It is only curable by formatting that I have experienced I'm afraid.

Compressing the hard drive to make more space can make it a little tougher.

Can I guess that you started defragging regularly when it was already bad? I doubt you defragged every week from day 1. Wink

I did this one this morning.

Drive C
Now I'd like to know on mine what on earth that green bar of the unmovables is doing all lost at the end!

Drive E

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Reply #3 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 12:19pm

Craig. Offline
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Birmingham

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Best way to explain it.
Red: Bad
Green: ignore
blue: good
white: great:)

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Reply #4 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 12:24pm

flyboy 28 Offline
Colonel
Jacksonville, FL

Posts: 13323

Quote:

Can I guess that you started defragging regularly when it was already bad? I doubt you defragged every week from day 1.

Co-rrect!

Thanks for the laymans terms, Craig.

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Reply #5 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 1:18pm

Saitek Offline
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UK

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Ah I thought so James. Sad

Unless anyone else knows of a remedy, bite your tongue. If there is a remedy I'd like to know because we have another computer that is looking pretty poor. Grin

Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Intel Core 2 Duo E2180 2GHz
GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2x2) DDR2 6400C4 800Mhz
GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
2 x 22" monitors
200GB Sata
Be Quiet! Straight Power 650W

Flying FSX with Saitek's pro flight range:
Radio
Switch panel
Auto-pilot
Yoke and throttle quad
Pedals

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Reply #6 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 1:22pm

Craig. Offline
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Birmingham

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Just so you guys know, its not a big problem if the blue sections are not to the far left. It has no effect on your computer or how it runs. Maximise the window and you get an even clearer idea of the file spread. They dont need to be connected either. Its just a basic diagram to show you what files are not in the right place (as shown in red) and those that are (as shown in blue)

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Reply #7 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 2:46pm

CharlottesDad Ex Member

Quote:

Best way to explain it.
Red: Bad
Green: ignore
blue: good
white: great:)

Perfect explanation Craig.
Rob.

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Reply #8 - Jan 21^st, 2006 at 6:56pm

Marlin Offline
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NEW Mexico

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Oh my God dude!!!!

I take it that that was a first huh??? LOL

Does FS9 run better now??

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Reply #9 - Jan 23^rd, 2006 at 12:43am

richardd43 Offline
Colonel
Edmonton AB

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I found it interesting that after I used the MS defrag utility I ran my Norton defragger and it showed my disk with a lot of fragmentation (can't remember the % now).

I am not real sure why the programs are so far apart or which one is the better.

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Reply #10 - Jan 23^rd, 2006 at 12:49am

<Ramos> Ex Member

Quote:

I found it interesting that after I used the MS defrag utility I ran my Norton defragger and it showed my disk with a lot of fragmentation (can't remember the % now).

I am not real sure why the programs are so far apart or which one is the better.

NEVER EVER!!!!! dont ever use a program to defrag, the best derag option is the windows defragger. mostly because the program has to defrag itslef sometimes, hanging the system. the windows DF cannot move, it's permanent.

i know this from personal experience.

Ramos

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Reply #11 - Jan 23^rd, 2006 at 6:37am

richardd43 Offline
Colonel
Edmonton AB

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Posts: 764

Quote:

NEVER EVER!!!!! dont ever use a program to defrag, the best derag option is the windows defragger. mostly because the program has to defrag itslef sometimes, hanging the system. the windows DF cannot move, it's permanent.

I have been useing Norton Utilities for 25 years and have never had a problem with it hanging my computer.

Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe
Intel I7 3770K w/ Corsair H100
Thermaltake Level 10 GT
Silverstone 1000W PSU
Corsair 120G Force 3
2 x Seagate Sata 3
16 G Corsair Meemory
2 x EVGA GTX 295
Windows 7 Ultimate

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Reply #12 - Jan 23^rd, 2006 at 10:49am

<Ramos> Ex Member

Quote:

I have been useing Norton Utilities for 25 years and have never had a problem with it hanging my computer.

well, to each his own. i've always had problems, but if you didn't, hey stick with it. just giving my opinion. Wink

Ramos

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