Is there a need to stop running programs before defrags?

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by sweater, Jul 4, 2006.

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  1. sweater

    sweater Registered Member

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    Is it really necessary to stop all running programs in our system before we start the actual defragmentation process? o_O

    What's your technical opinion on this? o_O Coz I defrag for more than a year now without ever trying to stop any running programs (antivirus, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc...) but still my system works fine, and defragmented successfully..:cool: ;)
     
  2. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    Stopping programs before defragging should give you a more complete defrag as no reading\writing to disk is being done, the files\folders of any program can not be defragged while in use. Just a suggestion, I have done it for years, run defrag in safe mode. Much easier then ending tasks individually with task manager. I have found that the XP defragger seems a bit more complete in its job. I really question if it is or if MS just "dumbed down" the post defrag report.
     
  3. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

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    Perfect Disk has no need for anything to be shut down. Moves files and folders just fine. Only thing I would do is shut down any real time scanners as they will try and check every file as it is accessed.

    Pete
     
  4. sweater

    sweater Registered Member

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    Run defrag in safe mode? o_O :rolleyes: I thought I could only use safe mode for uninstalling some "hard headed" programs and scanning with anti-virus, antispywares... :blink:

    At present, I am using O&O Defrag v8.5 Pro. Is it safe and ok to use this defragger in safe mode? Coz there's no instructions in their help file in doing so...in safe mode...:rolleyes:
     
  5. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    Do not know about O&O in safe mode. Sense a minimal set of drivers are installed when in safe mode O&O may not load\be able to run at all. But have used the MS defrag in safe mode for years.
     
  6. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

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    No.

    Indeed that's impossible, as certain programs are always running.

    ALL defrag programs use the defrag API provided by MSFT.
    The only differences are:

    1. THe user interface and options.
    2. How they choose to layout the files.

    Use a good defrag program such as Pefrect Disk.
     
  7. Lindburgh

    Lindburgh Registered Member

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    I am so impatient that I could not wait for Defrag to finish and never have

    However I use O&O and invariably leave it running when I go to bed
     
  8. beetlejuice69

    beetlejuice69 Registered Member

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    I use mstDefrag and it`s running continuously and keeping things running smooth.
     
  9. WSFuser

    WSFuser Registered Member

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    most defraggers (or, in fact, any program) that uses a service willl likely not run under safe mode. ive tried o&o and it doesnt run under safe mode.

    contig + power defragmenter gui works nicely in safe mode tho.

    and to answer ur original question, i do not shut down any programs, and the defrag runs ok. maybe i should shutdown some programs tho, O&O never quite hits 0.00% fragmention.
     
  10. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    Great program(s). Run the MS defrag in safe mode followed by the above mentioned in safe mode as well. Not quit 100% defragmented......but , when it dose`t cost me anything but a little time....:rolleyes: .....I can live with it. :D ;)
     
  11. MikeBCda

    MikeBCda Registered Member

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    The only problem I've found with trying to defrag in safe mode (XP home) is that all kinds of errors get written to Events because drivers aren't loaded. I suspect this would also happen doing anything in safe mode.
     
  12. Franklin

    Franklin Registered Member

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    Well if you can beat under 1 min smart placement defrags with Perfect Disk then don't listen to me.

    Shutdown all running apps including explorer,with a blank desktop point to your defragger through taskmanager and go for it!

    Not that I need to as I have only ZAP and Sandboxie running realtime and sill under a minute for smart placement defrags.
     
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