Defrag and Image backup/restores

Discussion in 'Acronis True Image Product Line' started by Mediaman, Dec 3, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Mediaman

    Mediaman Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2007
    Posts:
    53
    I thought I read somewhere that defragging the hard drive (mine was autoscheduled for once per week by default), is something that should NOT be done as it renders the image useless if one attempts to recover files. Is that trueo_O

    I would think that if the image can be used to recover from real disasters, surely it could handle a defragged drive.

    Can someone clarify?
     
  2. babac

    babac Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2006
    Posts:
    372
    Location:
    Montr?al,Qc.Ca
    Hi,
    This is completely untrue.I personnaly autodefrag weekly and I have made at least three full image restores.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2007
  3. K0LO

    K0LO Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2006
    Posts:
    2,591
    Location:
    State College, Pennsylvania
    No, there is nothing wrong with defragmenting your drive.

    If you ever restore a backup image the first thing that TI does is to delete the existing partition, then it restores the image. It then becomes irrelevant whether the just-deleted partition was defragmented or not.
     
  4. Mediaman

    Mediaman Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2007
    Posts:
    53
    ok thanks for the clarification. Thats good news. I must have read it in relation to something else.....
     
  5. shieber

    shieber Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2004
    Posts:
    3,710
    Where defragging is pretty much useless re backups has only to do with disk read/write performance. A huge file like a tib that's in 3, 8, 30, etc frags won't perform appreciably faster if you defrag it. Yes, you can save a few milliseconds when you restore, but if the restore takes 10 minutes, what does that really matter. With even larger tibs, the benefits can be even less. Say, you save a feew seconds on a 3 hour restore? So what?

    And for the small benefit, defragging such large files as tibs can takes hours and hours, especially if you have many of them on a drive.
     
  6. Mediaman

    Mediaman Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2007
    Posts:
    53
    I was not referring at all to defragging the tib files.

    I was referring to defragging my main drive , Drive C:, the one I am taking an image of. The tib file is stored elsewhere, and I would not dream of defragging that drive.

    Anyways, question is answered - perfectly safe to defrag.
     
  7. shieber

    shieber Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2004
    Posts:
    3,710
    Aha.

    ATI doesn't give two hoots about defragging the source drive. Do it. Don't do it. Makes no diff. In fact, because my defragger runs on a schedule, I've accidentlay had a defragger and ATI both operating on a disk at the same time and in all combinations of before and after. It's never been a problem -- of course, if both are running concurrently, it really slows things down ;-)
     
  8. Mediaman

    Mediaman Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2007
    Posts:
    53
    Again, wasnt referring to the benfits of defragging to ATI. I agrees, it doesnt care.

    My question I was trying to get answered was this : given defrag has system benefits in general, and is a good thing to do, does it interfere with or undermine ATI when ATI takes an image or restrores from an image.

    Answer is no ; one can continue to enjoy the syustem benefits of defragging and have no concerns re use of ATI.
     
  9. MudCrab

    MudCrab Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2006
    Posts:
    6,483
    Location:
    California
    The question regarding running a defrag on a drive may be related to the "problem" caused if you are doing Incremental or Differential backups.

    If you have a Full backup image and then defrag the source drive (the drive you backed up) and then run an Incremental or Differential backup, the backup created will usually be as large as the original Full image because so many sectors have moved.

    So, if you use Incremental or Differential backups, it's best to schedule the defrag to run before the next scheduled Full backup.

    There is nothing wrong with the defrag running. It's just a matter of saving time and space if you use Incremental or Differential backups.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.