posted
So, I am using PerfectDisk 8 right now to defrag my hard drive. Just as all other defrag programs I have used, there are files that just refuse to be defragmented. The system just won't allow them to be moved. Now, granted, the files that get skipped due to being unable to move probably won't effect performance much if the rest of the hard drive is defragmented.
Still, it bugs me. I'm a person who asks "why" and I don't know why some files can never be defragmented. My hard drive is 50% empty, so space isn't the problem. I also wonder if the files not being defragmented will have poorer performance when being accessed.
For example, some of the files that I can never get moved are Oblivion texture and voice files. I play Oblivion a lot, but lately it has started to lag quite a bit in FPS, even when standing still and just staring in one spot for a while. Since those files won't move, can that cause the game to run slower, even though the rest of the drive is 99% defragmented?
And finally, is there a way to move (defragment) these files? Even if they don't affect performance, I am a perfectionist and I wan't ALL of my files to be cleaned up. Posts: 684 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
For the most part, fragmentation doesn't even affect your computer's speed until you get around 30%-40% fragmented. Even at 80%, system speed decrease is only barely noticeable. However, if you want, you can check the files to see if they're set as read only (right click on one of the files and click properties), If they are, that may cause the defrag to skip them. Other than that, I can't think of any reason why they couldn't be moved around. Of course, you could also try running a defrag in safe mode (hit f8 a bunch before the windows loading screen pops up and select safe mode from the menu).
What's more likely, though, is that you've got some stuff using up memory that's causing Oblivion to slow down. Memturbo is a handy utility for determining if you've got memory issues. You may also want to run anti-virus and anti-spyware software (I assume you already have them, though the brand you use can be an issue. Norton and McAfee are notorious memory hogs) to make sure you're not getting screwed over in that area.
Posts: 3003 | Registered: Oct 2004
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Most non-defraggable files are system files, read-only files, or files that necessarily must have a specific file path. I'm not aware of how Oblivion figures into this, but if it lags, try freeing up RAM. Defragging those files probably wouldn't do anything for your speed anyway.
Posts: 1594 | Registered: Apr 2006
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Please don't delete this yet. My mom has slow computer issues, and I'm supposed to look at her computer after church (technically later today). I can use the advice. Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
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I'm also using Perfect Disk, and I have to wonder if you done a 'Boot Time' defragment?
'Right Click' on the drive you want defragmented and select 'Offline Defragment' from the pop-up meue that appears.
Then you must restart your compute. Frequently files that can't be moved during a normal defragment, can't be moved because they are currently in use. When you start Windows, you start a lot of files and programs just to get to the Desktop. Those files, for the most part can't be move while in use. So, a DOS or boot-time defragment works better because none of those files are loaded when the defragment is performed.
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