[X4U] Re: Defragmentation, was Cause of kernel panics

[Jon Warms]

On Mar 15, 2005, Randy B.Singer <randy at macattorney.com> wrote:

> http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html
> Item #5 and Note #2

Use of a defragmentation  utility is a time-consuming, and
hazardous procedure. Furthermore, its use masks the real
underlying problem: careful hard drive management.

Randy's excellent Item 5 covers defragmentation extensively
and informatively.

He cites Apples guidance, but recommends periodic, though
infrequent, defragmentation. Essentially, Randy cites a
MicroMat technician and his own experience, saying that
extreme fragmentation may prevent a drive from operating
properly even at 80 percent of capacity.

FIne, but the better fix is to either make more room or get
a larger drive.

I've lost data using optimization utilities. Defragmenters
perform radical surgery on your file system in the goal of making
it better. Any interruption or anomaly in the process and your
data is shredded. I won't take the chance any more.

Also, defragmentation is slow - very slow. If the
the drive has only 20 percent or less of free space, there isn't
much room for the defragmenter to work. It takes a long time.

Jon