optimization/fragmentation

[BOB]

New to XP. I find that I have to frequently optimize and
defragment my pc. I run Symantec NDD, and use it's
optimization feature. Is the "sorting" and "optimizing"
also defragmenting ? When I use the XP system tool to
defragment, the report shows large list of files that
cannot be defragmented. One in particular is 191 MB with
29 fragments for "\UNDO\BACKUP.CAB Does this seem
acceptable ? Would the NDD defragmenting program correct
what the sytsem tools defragmenter can't ?
Thanks .. any help appreciated

[Mac]

You should not use both Norton's Speed Disk and XP's defragmenter.
Although Speed Disk both optimizes and defrags, the optimization is an
attempt to make loading applications faster by putting their .exe
programs at the front of the disk while leaving the rest of the
application at its usual location. That in itself will cause a slight
amount of fragmentation considered acceptable because of the faster
application loading.



XP's defragger will undo what Speed Disk has done because it sees the
separation of the .exe file from the rest of the application as a
fragmentation that needs to be corrected. In effect you have to
decide which application you want to use, Norton's Speed Disk or XP's
defragger, but not both.



Defrag programs differ in what they will defrag. In no case, however,
is the difference significant. In all cases, the drive will be
defragged to an acceptable degree. It is not something you need worry
about. I would suggest running either Norton's or XP's every few
weeks or so. There is no need to do it any more often unless you are
installing or uninstalling applications. You should always run a
defrag program both before installing an application and after
uninstalling one.



Gene


"BOB" > wrote in message
...
> New to XP. I find that I have to frequently optimize and
> defragment my pc. I run Symantec NDD, and use it's
> optimization feature. Is the "sorting" and "optimizing"
> also defragmenting ? When I use the XP system tool to
> defragment, the report shows large list of files that
> cannot be defragmented. One in particular is 191 MB with
> 29 fragments for "\UNDO\BACKUP.CAB Does this seem
> acceptable ? Would the NDD defragmenting program correct
> what the sytsem tools defragmenter can't ?
> Thanks .. any help appreciated