Windows Vista Best Way to Defrag System Volume

Actually, I have this problem on both XP and Vista, but quite bad on Vista. One reason is because that's a single boot system, where the other is dual boot, and I can defrag 1 partition quite well from the other. However, Vista gets VERY fragmented (25-35%), and I've tried Defraggler, JkDefrag, and Ultimate Defrag, after the useless Diskeeper that comes stnd.

I mean, sometimes with the PageFile I can Move it to another Logical partition and defrag that there, but I'm not sure if I can do that with the Sys Vol.

Thanks,
GPL

 

Think about why it gets fragmented. Is the system using Pagefile a lot? Do you run programs that make (large) temporary files? Do you have plenty of space on the system drive/volume?

If you move the Pagefile to another drive, defrag the system drive before you bring it back or it will just fragment back to it's original location. Look at setting the minimum size of the Pagefile to the same as the maximum size. That way, it should not grow and shrink. Do you have enough RAM that the system does not need to rely on Pagefile?

If you have programs that have temporary files (like burning programs or those that use a "scratch file "), look at moving the temporary files to a different drive, at least off the system volume and preferably onto a "temporary file drive" of their own and keep that regularly defragmented (at least keep them separated from the system volume). You can move the Temporary Internet Files folder (check and reduce it's size, if it is set to 10%, that is 100GB of temporary files on a 1TB HDD).

I suggest not to run more than one defragging program. They will rearrange the files differently and just waste time shuffling files around the drive.

Matt

 

Defrag a page file? There's actually a really neat tool for this: Sysinternals PageDefrag will take care of it.

The princple is something like this: Even when you're defragging, you're using the pagefile. Can't defrag the pagefile because it's in use. This tool solves that problem.

Maybe some of the BBS team members can vouch for it...? Anyone else had experience with the tool?

 

You got my vote Steve

 

Setting the pagefile as static (i.e. same max/min size) is indeed the best idea.

On my XP desktop, I also use a static page file and it's placed on a dedicated small partition (8GB) of a secondary physical drive. Works without a hitch, and there's no need to defrag it even if I set it to be system managed.

On my XP laptop, I have a 500GB drive now, so space is plentiful and that too has a fixed size pagefile but in the same volume as the OS (drive is not partitioned). I also use Diskeeper 2009 Professional edition for defragging both the systems, and it works flawlessly.

BTW, pagedefrag does not work on Vista I think. Haven't tried it myself but i read this elsewhere elsewhere.

To the OP: Not sure if I understand your question properly, but cant you set the pagefile to zero, reboot and defrag and then re-enable the pagefile after the defrag? Should solve your problem. Or are your system restore points the files that are un-defragable?

PS: the Vista defragger is not Diskeeper but all MS, and the Diskeeper 'lite' version that ships with XP is 8 years old and many features are removed.

 

Just wanted to add my little bit. After being a Diskeeper fan for years I realised that it got too complex and wasn't doing an extremely good job at defragmenting my 250GB drive and I wasn't seeing much notable increase in performance after defragmenting. I went on a hunt and found Auslogic Disk Defrag which is free and does an excellent job at defragmenting. After you are finish you can feel the difference in your system.
Additionally I like the interface and how it actually shows you the files as they are defragmenting. Furthermore, it is very quick in comparison to all the others that I've tried.

Try it out: http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag

I hope I haven't infringed on any rules since I am still new here.

 

Thanks for the help folks. I got a bit flustered. Sorry, but I haven't seen any settings where I can set it to static. I currently use Defraggler that's pretty good in comparison to others. I have used Auslogics in the past, but one thing that confused me was when I look at the Fragmentation Report that lists the fragmented files I always see their path to the System Volume, but in Explorer that folder is empty. Also, confusing me more is that the graphic showing what's fragmented is not what you typically see as a BIG glob called the PageFile, but several unattached smaller fragmented globs. That's what led me to believe that the System Volume was a different entity than the Pagefile. Does that make sense?

Thanks,
gplea