XP/Windows Setup, System Optimizing and Drivers

[idahosurge]

I dont see it making a lot of difference unless you have installed/uninstalled/reinstalled a lot of software

Ok and thanks!

[Gary D.]

Hi Nick, I am following this guide, and down to defragging. I downloaded O&O ver. 11. I am totally confused. I am being extremely particular to follow EXACTLY your instructions.
I see no "FILE MENU/OPTIONS", can't find"DISABLE THE TRAY SYSTEM",

[Gary D.]

Disregard my previous post. I'm slowly finding the paths on O&O. Feel like an idiot, but I was expecting the terms to be exactly like you said(and they were) but they weren't right up in my face initially. Getting tired I guess, I've been working on this project all day. It will be worth it, if I can get it all right.
       Thanks again,, sorry for dumb questions.

[tspcrowther]

  I followed these instructions after a compleate system reinstall and major hardware upgrade.  It made a huuuge difference to just the hardware improvements alone.  Was well worth the effort.  Thanks a lot NickN.

[RichD]

Hi Nick, would you mind if I copied and paste your instructions to this website http://www.codboards.com/index.php clearly stating you as the creater of this master peice, or would you prefer me to link them back to here?

Also, can I add that, I found that your instructions work even better if you mess your rig up , like I did , and format said rig to the point that your ready to start reinstalling FS, the blitz it with you list and bingo, mine runs better than ever.....Many Thanks.

[NickN]

answered in PM

[Howard B]

Nick,
I just installed Windows 7 64 bit.  Are the instructions changed for this os?
Thanks,
Howard

[Dougal]

Interesting question that.  I've just installed that too.

I suppose I would expect it to be about the same as for Vista.

But then I know 'didly squat' 

[NickN]

I dont use W7

Xpx64 works just fine

however W7 optimizing is very similar to Vista and O&O defrag v12 can be used for W7. So if you follow the instructions posted for Vista and do a little sloothing of the Vista optimizing link I posted its basically the same

[Gridley]

Apologies if you've covered this someplace, Nick, but i have a question about texture packages (REX for example) and new installs.

Basically, what are your recommendations for installing themed textures (like weather-influenced textures) and their effect on fragmentation?

Also, after installing large packages such as a new scenery or many AI aircraft, is there anything you'd recommend doing?

Thanks for compiling all of this information - it has really helped me.

Best,
sg

[NickN]

If you are one that swaps themes all the time, you need to make the call on defrag.. A space defrag should be fine, its fast and targeted at small fragmented clusters.

Regular maintenance should always be name defrags

[Thai09]

I use O&O Defrag 11 wiht Windows7, and have it set up as per the Vista instructions in this thread.

Not sure if the defrag is working like it should... It takes forever to defrag both "space" and "name", 20 to 25 time
each, and actually it's still chugging away!

Why is this?

If I understand the procedure correctly, the "layout.ini" file in XP makes sure the defrag is performed correctly.

This file is not present in W7 due to the "DO NOT USE FOR VISTA" paragraphs...

What about the defrag then? Is it performed the most effective and proper way by O&O, i.e. "space" and "name"?

My defrag is STILL chuggin away, 2 days now, with endless reboots and "Please wait - Loading data...".

Clarification appreciated...

PS: 2 min. after posting I found this:

http://forums.simviation.com/cgi-bin/ya ... 959973/271

Reply #271

Can I use this for W7 too?

[NickN]

Something is not right

v12 is made for W7 not v11

Name defrags on any OS partition, or, a drive that has had data changes will always start from the beginning and can take time but if you have files that wont defrag that is because you have locked areas such as system restore and other OS features enabled that the software can not access correctly.


and no, dont use that reg edit or for W7

[Thai09]

Ok, thanks...

I'll check if somethings locked somewhere and skip the edit and v.11.

PS: Just found a trial version of Perfect Disk 10, I'll try that for Windows 7, until I find the dough for O&O 12.

[Thai09]

Found a solution:

I have Windows XP and Win7 installed on the same PC. I just do the defrag from C: - where I have O & O 11 and XP installed - to F: where I have FSX in Win7. Actually it's A_FSX, to keep it at the beginning of the HDD, and it works OK!

PS: You were right, I had both "Hiberfile" and "Shadowcopies" active before. NOT any more! Thanks...