Defrag Tools
Monday, September 17, 2007 by Leo the Lion | Discussion: Community
I have been using Norton Systemworks for years to keep my PC clean and tidy but recently I noticed that the file defrag and optimization tool was not doing as good a job as I expected. Tried the Windows tool that comes with XP and that was no better so I went in search of something different and visted quite a few sites to see what other users were using and what they recommended. One of the most popular tools appeared to be PerfectDisk. I downloaded the free trial and I must say that I am very impressed. WWW Link
So what do you guys use and what experiences do you have?
So what do you guys use and what experiences do you have?
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canmandeco
Reply #2 Monday, September 17, 2007 10:37 AM
Reply #2 Monday, September 17, 2007 10:37 AM
Sysinternals has a command line defragmentation tool called Contig. I use this with a program called Power Defragmenter which provides a Gui for Contig. You can defragment your files in one pass or use the "PowerMode" which defragments the files twice. Their both free and its easy to set up. Just drop the Contig exe into the folder with the Gui.
After that I run PageDefrag, also from Sysinternals and free as well. This program will defragment my registry and pagefile at the next bootup.
Contig: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/contig.mspx
PageDefrag: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/PageDefrag.mspx
Power Defragmenter: http://www.excessive-software.eu.tt/
After that I run PageDefrag, also from Sysinternals and free as well. This program will defragment my registry and pagefile at the next bootup.
Contig: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/contig.mspx
PageDefrag: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/PageDefrag.mspx
Power Defragmenter: http://www.excessive-software.eu.tt/
Philly0381
Reply #3 Monday, September 17, 2007 10:41 AM
Reply #3 Monday, September 17, 2007 10:41 AM
I use O&O Defrag V4, it was offered as a free version of their Professional Version. I like it because it gives several different defrag schemes to use. Not sure if the free version is still offered.
WWW Link
WWW Link
Leo the Lion
Reply #4 Monday, September 17, 2007 1:13 PM
Reply #4 Monday, September 17, 2007 1:13 PM
Bobby,Canmandeco and Philly, Thanks guys I'll have a look at your suggestions. Norton certainly does not seem to be as good as it used to be and the XP fragmenter does not seem to have been upgraded in years. Thanks, again guys. 
bobbyhundreds
Reply #5 Monday, September 17, 2007 1:29 PM
Reply #5 Monday, September 17, 2007 1:29 PM
You're welcome Leo.I forgot to mention also that the people who make CCleaner (Piriform) have just released a free defrag app. called Defraggler(beta).If CCleaner is anything to go by this should be a great piece of kit. -Defraggler-
Philly0381
Reply #6 Monday, September 17, 2007 1:46 PM
Reply #6 Monday, September 17, 2007 1:46 PM
Your welcome Leo. The key here is to try several defrag programs. Like all the other suggestions that you see here, settle on one that provides you what you want.
An extra hint, the user interface (GUI) should be easy to use and understand.
An extra hint, the user interface (GUI) should be easy to use and understand.
Leo the Lion
Reply #7 Monday, September 17, 2007 2:05 PM
Reply #7 Monday, September 17, 2007 2:05 PM
Bobby, That's interesting. CCleaner is one of the best apps out there and so my guess is their defrag tool will be pretty good too. I'll have a look at that one very closely. Thanks again guys, it's good to air stuff like this as everyone can learn and as much as one person can scoure the internet for info, first hand experience and suggestions from others is always invaluable.
canmandeco
Reply #8 Monday, September 17, 2007 2:36 PM
Reply #8 Monday, September 17, 2007 2:36 PM
Defraggler does look very promising, I'll definitely be trying it out. Thanks
Leo the Lion
Reply #9 Monday, September 17, 2007 6:58 PM
Reply #9 Monday, September 17, 2007 6:58 PM
Diskeeper seems quite popular with many on forum polls at other sites WWW Link
WeatherBound
Reply #10 Tuesday, September 18, 2007 3:26 PM
Reply #10 Tuesday, September 18, 2007 3:26 PM
Thanks bobbyhundreds for the info on Defraggler.
Has anyone given it a try yet? If so, Did you like it?
Has anyone given it a try yet? If so, Did you like it?
jelvis
Reply #11 Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:37 PM
Reply #11 Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:37 PM
I have used JKDefrag for a time and I am happy with the results. Seems to give an additional boost over using the builtin defrag in XP. Not that I have any hard facts to prove that, but at least I imagine that the system feels a little more responsive.
Leo the Lion
Reply #12 Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:47 PM
Reply #12 Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:47 PM
Jelvis, I have heard several ggod things about this program too and it seems the makers have been updating the program recently
lesvind
Reply #13 Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:28 AM
Reply #13 Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:28 AM
I use Diskeeper Pro 2007, and am eally happy with it's performance. Easy, trouble-free automatic defragmentation FTW! 
Leo the Lion
Reply #14 Friday, September 28, 2007 1:57 PM
Reply #14 Friday, September 28, 2007 1:57 PM
I'm trying out the Tune Up utility suite at the moment and I must say I am very impressed. It cleared out nearly 2 GB of crap off my drive and found several issues. My machine is running as quick as ever and so this looks like it could be a purchase. Also trialing PerfectDisk Suite too which also looks good.
By the way......a new version of CCleaner came out today so hit your update buttons
By the way......a new version of CCleaner came out today so hit your update buttons
Leo the Lion
Reply #15 Saturday, October 6, 2007 2:15 PM
Reply #15 Saturday, October 6, 2007 2:15 PM
If anyone is interested here is an unbiased review/test on various defrag tools on the market
WWW Link
WWW Link
Philly0381
Reply #16 Saturday, October 6, 2007 2:26 PM
Reply #16 Saturday, October 6, 2007 2:26 PM
Thanks for the link Leo. Comparisons of software are always a good start for someone looking to change what they are currently using. Information is the key here. Can never have enough
I'm still using O&O Defrag 4, it's free and they offer a discount if you want to upgrade. Seems to work well for me.
I'm still using O&O Defrag 4, it's free and they offer a discount if you want to upgrade. Seems to work well for me.
AtlanticCanadianScot
Reply #17 Sunday, October 7, 2007 12:32 AM
Reply #17 Sunday, October 7, 2007 12:32 AM
outstanding contributions with big time impact men...muchas gracias;from your recommendations + links provided I installed + achieved the perfect defrag tools combo that leaves my system optimally performing;namely - Diskeeper Light in tandem w IObit SmartDefrag, both freeware;the IObit having superb features like automatic real-time defrag, manual defrag as well as optimization, making up for the features Smart Defrag lacks in its freeware version + only available on it full version requiring a subscription...my laptop has never been quite this efficient + yet I thought it was previos...
Leo the Lion
Reply #18 Sunday, October 7, 2007 2:38 AM
Good to hear that some of the info was useful. I am just about done testing some of this software on my machines and it looks like I will shell out some cash on PerfectDisk and TuneUp Utilities. I have been using the 30 day free trials. I also tried some of the other trials and freeware too.
PerfectDisk has a lot of options and it also defrags your page file etc on reboot. Some of the defrag utilities don't do this. Diskeeper ran it a close second.
TuneUp Utilities is amazing. This piece of software cleared out 2GB of crap and unused stuff off my drive and as a result a fairly quick machine is now a lean, mean fighting machine. Together with PerfectDisk it has made my machines so much quicker and responsive. There are many other utilities within the suite, all designed to speed up your machine and keep it clean. I think it was CNET or PCMag who called it Norton Systemworks on steroids and I am inclined to agree.
I also use CCleaner but this 'little beauty' may have to go with the purchase of TuneUp.
Reply #18 Sunday, October 7, 2007 2:38 AM
outstanding contributions with big time impact men...muchas gracias;from your recommendations + links provided I installed + achieved the perfect defrag tools combo that leaves my system optimally performing;namely - Diskeeper Light in tandem w IObit SmartDefrag, both freeware;the IObit having superb features like automatic real-time defrag, manual defrag as well as optimization, making up for the features Smart Defrag lacks in its freeware version + only available on it full version requiring a subscription...my laptop has never been quite this efficient + yet I thought it was previos...
Good to hear that some of the info was useful. I am just about done testing some of this software on my machines and it looks like I will shell out some cash on PerfectDisk and TuneUp Utilities. I have been using the 30 day free trials. I also tried some of the other trials and freeware too.
PerfectDisk has a lot of options and it also defrags your page file etc on reboot. Some of the defrag utilities don't do this. Diskeeper ran it a close second.
TuneUp Utilities is amazing. This piece of software cleared out 2GB of crap and unused stuff off my drive and as a result a fairly quick machine is now a lean, mean fighting machine. Together with PerfectDisk it has made my machines so much quicker and responsive. There are many other utilities within the suite, all designed to speed up your machine and keep it clean. I think it was CNET or PCMag who called it Norton Systemworks on steroids and I am inclined to agree.
I also use CCleaner but this 'little beauty' may have to go with the purchase of TuneUp.
AtlanticCanadianScot
Reply #19 Sunday, October 7, 2007 3:53 AM
Reply #19 Sunday, October 7, 2007 3:53 AM
well hey Leo, totally relate to what you are saying about TuneUp Utilities however in my case with the optimization IObit SmartDefrag profides in addition to its auto defrag in tandem with Diskeeper Light's truly defragging + compacting my C + 40 G USB drives, I am currently using on average 20% less memory !...& I am running everything you can possibly load on a desktop;DeskTopX, ObjectDock, WindowBlinds, IconPackager, Yahoo! Widgets, SysMetrix, Rainlendar, Windows Live Hotmail + Live Today...& I thought I needed a new + more powerful memory stick !...your Forum Post certainly was a timely + extremely helpful posting that I had been hoping someone would have a few words about...amazing that defragging + optimizing comprehensively has this kind of impact
Leo the Lion
Reply #20 Monday, October 8, 2007 2:33 AM
Yep, mate you are totally right. It's an area that a lot of PC users neglect and I can honestly say that about 90% of the PC's that I have seen - some very high spec - are full of 'crud' and are hugely under-performing. Some people rely on the Windows utilities that are included in the OS to do the job but they are simply not enough or not good enough for todays machines.In the last few days I have looked at a friends PC which is a 'top dollar' model and about four months old. It seemed to be running fairly quickly but I knew it could do better. After downloading and running the progs I watched his face and the wow effect. The machine booted up quicker from standstill and was fully loaded in the half the time that it had been doing previously. He was 'gobsmacked' and was even more thrilled when he loaded programs like Office 2007 and Nero and found they were loading so much quicker than they had before. Two of my machines are really rocking now and like you I am pleased with the result and I hope this thread helps others in our community look carefully at this sometimes neglected area. You mentioned the progs that you had running and I dare say that many others on this site have just as many progs, if not more running and with a little bit of TLC they can get some outstanding performance improvements too.
The reason I started this thread was I was 'Norton Systemworks Boy' for many years and I came away from computers and skinning etc to do other things. I started to get interested again about two months ago and I noticed that Systemworks was just not 'cutting the mustard' as we Brits say. I spent quite a bit of time doing my investigation - talking with others,looking a reviews and listening to others opinions and then tried out a few products and sure enough my gut feeling was right - There is life after Systemworks - and there are some fantastic products out there which are far better.......some free/some you have to pay for.......but the benefits from the right product are incredible and have to be seen to be believed.
Reply #20 Monday, October 8, 2007 2:33 AM
well hey Leo, totally relate to what you are saying about TuneUp Utilities however in my case with the optimization IObit SmartDefrag profides in addition to its auto defrag in tandem with Diskeeper Light's truly defragging + compacting my C + 40 G USB drives, I am currently using on average 20% less memory !...& I am running everything you can possibly load on a desktop;DeskTopX, ObjectDock, WindowBlinds, IconPackager, Yahoo! Widgets, SysMetrix, Rainlendar, Windows Live Hotmail + Live Today...& I thought I needed a new + more powerful memory stick !...your Forum Post certainly was a timely + extremely helpful posting that I had been hoping someone would have a few words about...amazing that defragging + optimizing comprehensively has this kind of impact
Yep, mate you are totally right. It's an area that a lot of PC users neglect and I can honestly say that about 90% of the PC's that I have seen - some very high spec - are full of 'crud' and are hugely under-performing. Some people rely on the Windows utilities that are included in the OS to do the job but they are simply not enough or not good enough for todays machines.In the last few days I have looked at a friends PC which is a 'top dollar' model and about four months old. It seemed to be running fairly quickly but I knew it could do better. After downloading and running the progs I watched his face and the wow effect. The machine booted up quicker from standstill and was fully loaded in the half the time that it had been doing previously. He was 'gobsmacked' and was even more thrilled when he loaded programs like Office 2007 and Nero and found they were loading so much quicker than they had before. Two of my machines are really rocking now and like you I am pleased with the result and I hope this thread helps others in our community look carefully at this sometimes neglected area. You mentioned the progs that you had running and I dare say that many others on this site have just as many progs, if not more running and with a little bit of TLC they can get some outstanding performance improvements too.
The reason I started this thread was I was 'Norton Systemworks Boy' for many years and I came away from computers and skinning etc to do other things. I started to get interested again about two months ago and I noticed that Systemworks was just not 'cutting the mustard' as we Brits say. I spent quite a bit of time doing my investigation - talking with others,looking a reviews and listening to others opinions and then tried out a few products and sure enough my gut feeling was right - There is life after Systemworks - and there are some fantastic products out there which are far better.......some free/some you have to pay for.......but the benefits from the right product are incredible and have to be seen to be believed.
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Reply #1 Monday, September 17, 2007 9:51 AM
-MST Defrag-