[neveh-l] What is Fragmentation, Does it Matter:
- From: "reuw" <reuw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "neveh-vc" <neveh-vc@xxxxxxxxxxx>,"Neveh-tech" <neveh-tech@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,"neveh-l freelists" <neveh-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 21:15:09 +0200
What is Fragmentation, Does it Matter:
Disk fragmentation occurs moment to moment as one uses his/her computer. This
decreases system reliability, in some cases rendering a system unstable or
provoking errors in operation. Running Diskeeper to defragment system files,
particularly the MFT and Page File, increases system reliability.
Research of various fragmentation-related factors that can cause the above
reliability issues on a volume narrowed the target down to these four major
factors:
1. MFT (Master File Table) Fragmentation
In-house testing showed that a system disk with an extremely fragmented MFT
caused the boot-up time to almost double. Response time of some applications
increased about 50%. Installation of a software product took 4-5x longer. On
NT4, some system applications were missing their icons and reported missing dll
errors.
2. Page File Fragmentation1
In-house testing showed that an extremely fragmented Page File can degrade
system response time so much it can almost seem like a hang. Responses of some
operations, including mouse movement, were delayed by almost 30 seconds. A
disk-intensive application ran twice as long.
3. File Fragmentation performance loss
In general, fragmentation worsens response time. Which applications are
affected depends on what files are fragmented and by how much. In an extreme
case where all the files except the Page File and MFT on a new windows
installation were fragmented, Boot-up times increased by about 15% and response
times worsened by about 15%.
4. Available Free Space
Low free space can affect system reliability as some applications can fail due
to insufficient free space.
Each of these four factors have been found to cause one or more of the
reliability issues noted above. Naturally, a combination of two or more of
these factors markedly worsens the reliability of the disk.
Defragmentation with Diskeeper lessened or eliminated the problem in every
case.
A future major release of Diskeeper will include monitoring and alerting
features to warn the user when disk reliability is threatened or significantly
degraded by fragmentation. In the meantime, frequent defragmentation of the
MFT and Page File, in addition to data files, is strongly recommended to
prevent reliability problems due to fragmentation.
Disk fragmentation decreases system reliability, in some cases rendering a
system unstable or provoking errors in operation. Running Diskeeper to
defragment system files, particularly the MFT and Page File, increases system
reliability.
For prices and to download a trial version or buy it online, go to:
http://www.softwareshelf.com/products/prod_main.asp?p=5
Reuven Werber
Ed Tech Coordinator
Neveh Channah HS - Gush Etzion, Israel
www.nevnet.etzion.k12.il
Virtual Reference Desk Information Specialist
Instructor - Herzog Teacher's College - Yeshivat Har Etzion
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