Dave
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Post by Dave on Apr 1, 2013 19:38:17 GMT
Hi Guys, A long time ago a work colleague advised me to use a program called Defraggler which moved fragmented files around the hard drive, thereby making them less fragmented and able to run a little better. This is a link to what I use: - www.piriform.com/blog/2012/1/23/defraggler-v209When I took my laptop into the local PC hospital they told me they had loaded CCleaner on it to enable me to get rid of a lot of rubbish that inevitably gets left on PCs and adds to the unwanted clutter. This is a link to what I use: www.piriform.com/ccleanerIn both cases I use the free version. I am not sure that I have noticed any benefit from running Defraggler or CCleaner but CCleaner now has a new facility to scour all hard drives on the PC and list all duplicate files it finds. In my case this amounts to literally hundreds, if not thousands. Before deleting any to make a bit more room I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience, knowledge or advice about any aspects of these two programs. Any comments? TIA, Dave.
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dicky
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Post by dicky on Apr 1, 2013 19:56:16 GMT
Hi Dave,
I don't use the programs you have mentioned but I do use similar to keep the registry in good condition etc. I have noticed that my machines have been much more stable since using these programmes. I've been using Winoptimiser and Registry Mechanic for nearly 3 years now and haven't had any problems with PC or laptop. Unlike my work PC that routinely BSODs which doesn't have this software loaded.
BTW, I paid for these - about £45 in total if I recall. Well worth it in my opinion.
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Apr 1, 2013 20:43:46 GMT
I've been using Defraggler for quite a few years. Used to have Diskeeper before but this one is just as good and free. In don't think it makes a huge performance difference but if you ever have to run a disk repair it is way better to have it defragged.
Haven't used CCleaner though.
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Post by freddypipsqueek on May 2, 2013 20:48:41 GMT
Clever defraggers place files in a single block and also monitor usage so that files are placed close to those used at the same time; for example files loaded automatically on boot up are placed near each other. The reasoning is that with a conventional hard drive there is a delay at the drive head moves and there are speed improvements to be had by reducing the movment. This is also good and useful though with solid state drives, degraggers make no difference, as the data is fetched off memory.
Registry cleaners remove registry entries that remain after unwanted software is deleted or the registry contains unwanted data. Generally I have found such cleaners are worthwhile but I have not been able to quantify the benefit.
As for deleting old files. 20 years ago hard drive space was costly. Keeping a single copy of a file (in Windows/system32 etc) was worthwhile if duplicates could then be removed. Now as space is cheap it seems pointless and can create errors when a programs need a specific version of a .dll file but it has been deleted as a duplicate.
Whenever somebody gives me an old PC and do run a registry cleaner and defragger. Often though there is another piece of software messing it up but at least I feel comfortable the basics are right (the PC hospital version of blood tests I suppose).
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 3, 2013 15:39:11 GMT
When i refer to Defragger in my post above I mean the free download version rather than the one available under the Command Prompt. I have no idea as to whether they do identical jobs or, if not, which one does the best job. I can tell you that the downloaded free version does not do a complete job first time round. If you run it again immediately after the first run it defrags further and I suspect doing it a third time will result in an even better job, all according to the little coloured square grid. Perhaps our PC experts might be able to add something to this view? Dave.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on May 3, 2013 19:53:42 GMT
I used defraggler and CCleaner in the past. Didn't do much for the speed but possibly when having a slow XP machine that has been working for a few years, using those programs could well give speed improvement. A reasonably well defragged PC and cleaned that is maintained won't show much improvements in speed.
I recently made a fresh install (nothing can beat that) of XP and with all the programs I want on it made a clone (Acronis true image) and if I want to speed it up again (XP becomes slower over the years) I back-up my files (do that regularly anyway, wised up through hardship) and simply put the image back. Takes 10 minutes and everything works as new again.
b.t.w. welcome to the forum Adrian !
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Javier
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Post by Javier on May 3, 2013 21:34:16 GMT
Defragging does not only bring "theoretical" performance benefits, it increases by quite a big margin the chances of recovering data if disaster strikes. Those who have found themselves using partition or file recovery advanced utils will tell you. Also, disk integrity tools like CHKDSK run much faster hwen disks are defragged.
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Post by mcfrede on May 3, 2013 21:43:09 GMT
For the "defragging" part I believe that is only true for conventional hard drives, people with SSD's (solid state drives) shouldn't bother defragmenting, it will only wear down the drive if I understand correctly! On a side note, upgrading my system/boot drive to SSD has been the single most beneficial "speed-upgrade" in recent years for me.
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Javier
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Post by Javier on May 3, 2013 22:00:25 GMT
people with SSD's (solid state drives) shouldn't bother defragmenting, it will only wear down the drive if I understand correctly! Absolutely!!! SSD drives only need to consolidate free space once in a while and most modern OSs will do the optimization (TRIM & Garbage collection) automatically in the background to keep performance up and increase the drive's life.
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Post by freddypipsqueek on May 4, 2013 20:16:40 GMT
Yes - good point about data recovery. If I remember correctly a file is stored in the MBR as start & length and then a 'pointer' to the next 'fragment' start point etc. If the file is continuous then you only (theoretically) need the start and length data once to recover the data (if the MBR is buggered) and not pointers to the other fragments. Does that make sense ?.
Franz - Thank you for the welcome. Agree with you about backups. I have all my data on a NASbox and the PCs are largely 'dumb' terminals which can be quickly restored, though there is still an antique PC with a 8 year old install and all the games I used to play !!.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 20:10:01 GMT
i had ccleaner recommended to me, and have used it for some time. i also use tune-up utilities. my pc knowledge is limited but both these programs seem to find stuff that the other doesnt. touch wood they appear to work for me
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jun 1, 2013 21:40:51 GMT
On the subject of tune-up utilities, I've always avoided the 'free' pop-up versions that I'm constantly bombarded with 'cos they seem to carry so much unwanted 'baggage' ('your PC can't manage without this' type of thing). Are there any freeby or cheapy ones out there that do a worthwhile job? Which do you use Oldson and do our resident computer professionals have any opinions on these? Dave.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2013 14:31:48 GMT
Depending on the PC age, most PCs of less than 2 years old should have the tune up utility coming with the PC. My HP laptop has. My Dell Desktop doesn't.
On the subject of defragging, Windows already has a residential defragger. So why all others to bother about? If I wanted a paid defragger, I will go for the Norton Utility program. It has a defragger and much more things to do only good stuff for your PC. The defragger does make the PC goes faster. Depends on how many softwares your PC is loaded. If only a few, don't bother about defragging as really don't feel the difference subjectively although objectively the PC is already speeded up.
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