Is that free to download or do you have to buy it?

JA if you have done any benchmarking on normal use desktop computers before and after a defrag I'd be interested is seeing the stats. I've never seen a noticeable speed increase from defragmentation except on heavily used servers.

Also serious pagefile fragmentation is quite unusual as the pagefile doesn't normally change size a lot. While paging and swapping make extensive use of the pagefile, the disk doesn't get fragmented because the pagefile locations are nearly static. This is one of the major reasons for having a single large pagefile.

The point I'd like to make is there are various ways of speeding a computer up and defraging is low on the list. Defragging PC's is often slow and doesn't achieve much. This is because modern operating systems are generally very good at avoiding the problem.

If anyone is looking to speed their Windows computer back up to its original speed, try cleaning out the registry. This is quick and can make a big difference. JA, do you know what the current good free ones are? Someone also mentioned the disk clean up tool - this is also very worthwhile.

JM,

I have on (at home) so cannot get to it ATM. Will edit this when I can.

As for benchmarking, No, done none, but have 'anecdotal evidence' only. I'd be interested too.

I mentioned the windows cleanup - it is a bit chotto, but!

l8r

TB, it is free.

I currently use RegCure.

Always worry a bit when I do stuff like that. No idea what is going on with it all and glad to see my files and things working when it is finished.

cheers, actually after posting I did a search and found it, I also downloaded their disk cleanup software as well, its only a 15 day trial but works fine. I7ll get something else when it runs out.

And for the big question, is your puter any faster?

If your comp seems slow even after defrag, try claening the registry as this is one of the biggest culprits of slow computers.

A program I use once in a while to keep everything sweet and in order is PC Pitstop optimize 2, you have to buy it but well worth it.
It works by scanning all the files on your computer anaylsing them and then tells you what problems there are if any, and give you the chance to decided whether or not you want any adjustments made before it starts.
It will also optimize your internet settings, clean out rubbish files, internet browsing history too if you so wish.
It takes a matter of seconds, I tried it on my old desktop and it made it boot up, shut down and run faster.

It is espcially great for erasing crap that sometime gets downloaded with other packages that slows the boot up.

I forget what it cost, but I think it is only like 20$ or something.

www.pcpitstop.com/store/optimize.asp

Check out the page above, it will scan your comp for free, but if you want it to make any adjustments you have to buy a license key.

auslogics does a great job - and you can use the full version for 15 days for free. So you can try it out installed on your machine. I'd recommend it.

I think you've all missed the plot. The question was "how to de-fag". Now, let's have some ideas.

I think I mentioned if you got Norton 360 it has defrag built into it, just run it and it will soon sort your drive out.

In general though if you do a regular defrag, ie at once or twice a month for moderate use or maybe once a week or so if you do heavy computing and constantly moving files, then it should only take a very short time no matter which defrag you use.

In general if your drive is less than 25% defraged you not likely to notice much difference in speed after defrag, anymore than you will notice it.

If it still runs slow after defrag, it more likely that your registry has corrupted in files in it.

The windows defrag is fine if used regulary from the start, when you buy the machine, not good for sorting out a heavlily defraged drive later on.

Remember internet clutter, spyware, viruses, partly deleted files, conflicting programs, to many back ground applications running at the same time can all contribute to slowing down a computer.

That is why not just defrag, but a general clean-up once a week should be the go, if you want to keep your computer running like new for 2 or more years.

I usually run defrag, registry clean-up, internet history clean-up and of course scan my computer for viruses every 2 or 3 days or so to keep it running at its optimum.

It may seem like a pain in the back side doing this all the time, but most programs are automated and can be set to run in the back ground at a time when your not using your computer, and once set up requires minimum user input.

Unfortunately, Norton has some issues.

The worst problem I have ever had was because NIS refused to uninstall, and that meant that using any other A/V software was virtually useless.

Norton was once, when Peter Norton owned and developed it, a very good product. It has become hugely bloated and a right royal pain in the bum!

hahaha...nice one Thurs!!

Did it speed up my computer......by a measly 2% according to the after report

Wohoo!

I've never had a noticable speed up on a laptop/desktop with any defrag products. Disk clean ups and registry cleaners are far more effective for the effort put in.

I used their disk cleanup software as well, it hasn't noticeably changed anything

Such a clean computer you have

Sparkly

Good download that was cheers!

All those flashing blue and green and red lights when a defrag is being done.... is that actually "whats happening" (and what exactly is happening?) or is it just bullshit show!?