Path: utzoo!yunexus!maccs!cs4g6ag From: cs4g6ag@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca (Stephen M. Dunn) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: De-fragmentizer non-disaster Keywords: vopt fragmentizer Message-ID: <2510684C.17044@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca> Date: 15 Sep 89 03:11:08 GMT Article-I.D.: maccs.2510684C.17044 References: <[250ac239:1551]comp.sys.ibm.pc@vpnet.UUCP> <1989Sep13.143331.6397@jose.uucp> Reply-To: cs4g6ag@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca (Stephen M. Dunn) Organization: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario Lines: 32 In article <1989Sep13.143331.6397@jose.uucp> jim@jose.uucp (Jim) writes: >Gerry Swetsky writes: >> Maybe I've not kept touch with de-fragmentizer technology. >> The last I remember, if you had a power outage while running such a >> program, you could *definitely* kiss your data good-bye. >Yes, the de-frag programs have improved alot in the last few years. Most of >them now (The one you used, Mace, and several others) update the fat after >every move, so that if there is a problem, your disk isn't dead. PCTools' Compress program has been a "safe" one for at least a couple of years. Its scheme is something like: a) Read the data from where it is b) Write it into a currently-unoccupied area c) Update the FAT d) Read it back from where you just put it e) Write it where it's supposed to go f) Update the FAT Yes, it takes somewhat longer than less safe methods (especially if you have very little free space on your disk drive), but the only way you can lose data due to a power failure is if your read/write heads trash the surface. DISCLAIMER: I have no affiliation with Central Point Software; I just like their programs (generally). -- Stephen M. Dunn cs4g6ag@maccs.McMaster.CA ********************************************************************** = "\nI'm only an undergraduate!!!\n"; "VM is like an orgasm: the less you have to fake, the better." - S.C.