by Nick N » Sun Jul 22, 2007 2:54 pm
I want to issue a warning about the new version of O&O Defrag v10.0
They changed the GUI layout, algorithms and placement method in version 10.0
It works the same with the exception of COMPLETE\NAME defrags now LEAVE BLANK CLUSTER SPACE between the files during the defrag process.
In a communication with the company, I expressed my concern about this change since they are adding free space between the files and increasing the overhead to the disk read. I was told they made the change for 2 reasons:
1. To allow the defrag to run faster. By leaving space between the files the defrag program no longer has to move every single file that is in the wrong place to the end of the disk and then move it back where it belongs.
2. This also allows for a disk which is nearly full to be defragged where before the program would be limited by space if a disk or partition was nearly full.
I disagree with their head engineer. Although I do agree what they did will allow a disk or partition with is very full to be defragged, anyone running a disk or partition that full is not getting proper disk performance anyway and all they have done is defragged a poorly optimized disk which does next to nothing to increase performance due to the system being choked by disk access calls and the MFT zone being stripped of its catalog space.
What they have done is forced the program to run a full COMPLETE\NAME defrag even if the file system does not need it and after such a defrag it will never remain clean for very long because as the disk is used that free space left behind by the program will fill up with files out of place, constantly.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
As per my instructions, with version 10.0 you can no longer run a SPACE defrag in between the COMPLETE\NAME defrag semi-monthly maintenance because the SPACE defrag will DESTROY the NAME defrag and fill in all the spaces and gaps.
I have forwarded my analysis to their engineer however they tend to be quite stuck on themselves and their smarts and I doubt any change will come from it.
I highly recommend no one use O&O Defrag v10.0 and stick with O&O Defrag v8.0 or 8.5 which will do the job specified in my list, perfectly.
Last edited by
Nick N on Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.