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    simple question about defragmenting

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Forced, May 23, 2008.

  1. Forced

    Forced Notebook Geek

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    I'm a bit confused as to what to do with defragmenting in Vista.... It says it's set to automatically defrag at 1:00 in the morning once a week, but my computer is turned off overnight. Surely it doesn't defrag while it's powered off? I look at it and it says it was completed successfully, though.

    Should I let it defrag automatically by itself, or should I run it manually? I've read where people recommend both ways, which is best?

    Thanks.
     
    Forced, May 23, 2008
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  2. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    there is no difference but defragmenting at 1 am in the morning is better since it wont affect your use of your computer ( it will slow everything down) unless that is, you're on your computer at 1 am lol like me. just let it run auto.
     
    jisaac, May 23, 2008
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  3. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

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    If it's switched off at that time,it's not going to defrag.
     
    The_Observer, May 23, 2008
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  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    You can double check, but it is probably enabled to 'Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed' So it runs whenever you turn on your computer after it missed its scheduled slot. I just noticed that there is an option to wake your computer to run the task. So if you do want to run it at night you can remember to sleep your computer before it runs and it'll get done.
     
    atbnet, May 23, 2008
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  5. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    sorry i shud have confirmed i never turn my laptop off and so defrag always runs as scheduled :)
     
    jisaac, May 23, 2008
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  6. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    Vista also defrags while the system is idle, and it will do this all the time, no matter what the schedule. Let Vista handle it and don't change the settings.
     
    orev, May 23, 2008
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  7. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

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    I would recommend you defrag manually. Because auto defrag never completes fully unless your computer is powered on for more than an hour.

    Because when I ran the defragmenter manually it did for more than an hour even though the defragmentation was completed successfully by schedule.
     
    coolguy, May 23, 2008
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  8. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    I've noticed the opposite. If I defrag using another tool, then when idle Vista tries to defrag constantly. If I just let the vista defrag finish (even though it might take days) it finally finishes then settles down.

    IMO, it's not worth the trouble or the time it takes to defrag manually. Let Vista handle it and be happy with the extra time you have to focus on something else.
     
    orev, May 23, 2008
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