Cleaning LAYOUT.INI

On Wed 12 Oct 2005 15:07:11, David Candy wrote:



Full install, that takes all of 30 seconfs doesn't it?



Hi David. An uninstall and then a manual sweep of the later
version's registry keys takes a little longer than 30 seconds.

Sometimes earlier versions will refuse to re-install if a later
version has been installed and left behind its marker. I had this
with O&O's defrag software.

I believe that frodo has explained how PerfectDisk handles things.

Sometimes just rebooting will fix Insufficient space or Insufficient
Resources. I have no idea why. You would think if there were insufficient
space that would be all she wrote, but that message must include other
things besides drive space as well.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Alex Coleman hunted and pecked:
On Sat 08 Oct 2005 20:22:34, Wesley Vogel wrote:

Disk Layout can be manually forced by...
Start | Run | Type: cmd | OK |
Type:
Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks
Hit Enter

[[It can take 10 to 15 minutes for idle tasks to complete. Task
Manager will report processes running, and the disk will likely
be active during this time.]]

To see what happened, navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOpt imizeFunction
Value Name: OptimizeComplete
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: Yes or N
If Yes, boot optimization was completed.
If No there will be an entry in OptimizeError.

Value Name: OptimizeError
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: Insufficient space or Insufficient Resources



Wes, I try CMD and then
Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOpt imizeFunction
shows this:

OptimizeComplete=N
OptimizeError="Insufficient Resources".

How can overcome "Insufficient Resources"? What does it mean by
"Insufficient Resources"?

wrote:

[PerfectDisk does] its own version of the prefetch optimize whenever
you trigger perfect disk to defragment - it does not do any
"background" or "when idle" defrag in place of defrag c: -b. IMHO it
does a slightly better job, because it moves the bootup files to the
front of the disk (the purple files in its display), rather than to
just any open place as defrag c: -b does. But it only does it for the
boot partition (the one w/ \windows), and not any others (PD 7 at
least). So, if you're in the habit of using a diff partition for
your \Progam Files directory the it won't benefit. You can use defrag
d: -b for it (d: or whatever its letter).

This isn't true. I run PerfectDisk 7, and when I analyze a non-Windows
drive, I see purple "Boot" files indicated. And I've verified that the
ones so colored are actually used by programs that run during startup.

For example, I use Copernic Desktop Search, but I have it configured to
keep its data on a secondary drive. PerfectDisk (correctly) identifies
Copernic Desktop Search's huge Keywords.ksb file as being part of the
boot process. And not surprisingly, this is because the Keywords.ksb
file is listed in Layout.ini.

Anything listed in Layout.ini will be flagged as "Boot" by PerfectDisk,
and will be optimized, just the same as the files on the boot drive.
But if it's a small file (unlike Keywords.ksb), it won't show up in
PerfectDisk's display. But PerfectDisk will still process it.

You can prove this to yourself by identifying a file in Layout.ini that
is on a non-boot drive, renaming it temporarily, then creating a
same-named file, and filling it with enough data to make it large in
size (100-200 MB or so). Then, after re-analyzing the drive in
PerfectDisk, the file will appear in its display as a "Boot" file,
because it now occupies enough sectors to warrant being colored as such.
You can use the View | "Find File" function in PerfectDisk to ensure
what you see is in fact the correct file.

And, of course, if you let PerfectDisk defrag that drive, the "Boot"
file(s) will be moved to the front.

In microsoft.public.windowsxp.general null wrote:
wrote:

[PerfectDisk does] its own version of the prefetch optimize whenever
you trigger perfect disk to defragment - it does not do any
"background" or "when idle" defrag in place of defrag c: -b. IMHO it
does a slightly better job, because it moves the bootup files to the
front of the disk (the purple files in its display), rather than to
just any open place as defrag c: -b does. But it only does it for the
boot partition (the one w/ \windows), and not any others (PD 7 at
least). So, if you're in the habit of using a diff partition for
your \Progam Files directory the it won't benefit. You can use defrag
d: -b for it (d: or whatever its letter).

This isn't true. I run PerfectDisk 7, and when I analyze a non-Windows
drive, I see purple "Boot" files indicated. And I've verified that the
ones so colored are actually used by programs that run during startup.

That is true, but you should also notice that it did not move those purple
files to the front of the volume, as it does for the windows volume.
Hence my remark.

I use Perfect Disk 7.0 and for the Boot/App defined modules (Purple) to
be placed at the beginning of the volume you have to change PDisk's
Tools, Advanced Configuration to "Let Perfect Disk Manage all the
Layout.Ini Files", which is not the default setting. On my non-XP disk
partitions all the Purple (Boot) files are placed at the start of the
volume.

wrote in message
...
In microsoft.public.windowsxp.general null
wrote:
wrote:

[PerfectDisk does] its own version of the prefetch optimize whenever
you trigger perfect disk to defragment - it does not do any
"background" or "when idle" defrag in place of defrag c: -b. IMHO it
does a slightly better job, because it moves the bootup files to the
front of the disk (the purple files in its display), rather than to
just any open place as defrag c: -b does. But it only does it for the
boot partition (the one w/ \windows), and not any others (PD 7 at
least). So, if you're in the habit of using a diff partition for
your \Progam Files directory the it won't benefit. You can use defrag
d: -b for it (d: or whatever its letter).

This isn't true. I run PerfectDisk 7, and when I analyze a non-Windows
drive, I see purple "Boot" files indicated. And I've verified that the
ones so colored are actually used by programs that run during startup.

That is true, but you should also notice that it did not move those purple
files to the front of the volume, as it does for the windows volume.
Hence my remark.

In microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain R. McCarty wrote:
I use Perfect Disk 7.0 and for the Boot/App defined modules (Purple) to
be placed at the beginning of the volume you have to change PDisk's
Tools, Advanced Configuration to "Let Perfect Disk Manage all the
Layout.Ini Files", which is not the default setting. On my non-XP disk
partitions all the Purple (Boot) files are placed at the start of the
volume.

Mine is set that way, and it doesn't move the purple files to the front
for the non-system volumes. Hum.... I will investigate further...
Thanks for the tip.

R. McCarty wrote:

wrote:
null wrote:
wrote:

[PerfectDisk does] its own version of the prefetch optimize
snip But it only does it for the boot partition (the one
w/ \windows), and not any others (PD 7 at least). snip

This isn't true. I run PerfectDisk 7, and when I analyze a
non-Windows drive, I see purple "Boot" files indicated. And I've
verified that the ones so colored are actually used by programs
that run during startup.

That is true, but you should also notice that it did not move those
purple files to the front of the volume, as it does for the windows
volume. Hence my remark.

I use Perfect Disk 7.0 and for the Boot/App defined modules (Purple)
to be placed at the beginning of the volume you have to change PDisk's
Tools, Advanced Configuration to "Let Perfect Disk Manage all the
Layout.Ini Files", which is not the default setting. On my non-XP disk
partitions all the Purple (Boot) files are placed at the start of the
volume.

Same here. I have the same option enabled, and always have. I
overlooked that setting, but it does explain the difference in the
behavior we're noting here.

I wrote to Raxco support some time ago to obtain clarification on this
setting, and the reason it isn't "recommended" is simply because if it
is enabled, defrags can take longer--because PerfectDisk needs to move
more stuff (i.e. "Boot" files) around.

"R. McCarty" wrote in message
...
I use Perfect Disk 7.0 and for the Boot/App defined modules (Purple) to
be placed at the beginning of the volume you have to change PDisk's
Tools, Advanced Configuration to "Let Perfect Disk Manage all the
Layout.Ini Files", which is not the default setting. On my non-XP disk
partitions all the Purple (Boot) files are placed at the start of the
volume.

Same here!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

Following up:

very interesting.....

1) I _DO_ have the advanced setting set to "let PD manage"

2) my volume config: E: - system disk (the 1 w/ boot.ini; pagefile too)
F: - boot disk (the one w/ \windows)
G: - data disk (I install most Programs here,
rather than on F:\Programs...)

All on the same drive, a SATA Raid 0 setup.

3) layout.ini refs many files from F:, and from G:, as expected since
many of my programs live on G: rather than F:

4) PD Analyze of F: shows the light-purple files, all moved to the front
- just great, and as expected.

PD Analyze of G: shows no light-purple files at all. "Files" tab
shows count of "boot" files as 0. NOT what I'd expect.

Goto Advanced setting, change "let PD manage" to "disable", re-analyze
G: and now the light-purple files show up, "Files" tab says there are
about 700 of them; they are scattered all about. But defrag it and it
doesn't move them (again, as expected since I disabled PD's management of
them). Recheck "Let PD Manage", and light-purples go away again. So, I
can't get it to move them to the front of the disk, nor even consolidate
them.

Weird!

I tried doing a standard XP "defrag g: -b", and it _TOO_ did nothing.
[I swear it used to, by my memory may be affected by all the halfling weed
over the years]. Apparently drive G: is not "eligable" for boot
optimizing, and PD "knows" this (presumably by calling something in XP).

I don't know why, and I'm tired! Time for some Ol' Tobby, XP is getting
heavy, very heavy.... and my brain hurts too!

I may remove and reinstall PD, but frankly I don't expect that to
resolve anything. My system DOES work, and I don't feel like "fixing" it
tonight. And it's plenty fast, I doubt "fixing" it would actually result
in any real improvment. But it is a mystery...

----------

So, you guys are saying that your non-system partitions show
light-purple files all moved to the front, huh?

BTW, I have PD 7 build 31

Thanks for listening...

Current build for Perfect Disk 7.0 is build 42. Part of your problem may
be the need to do an Offline session on your non-XP partitions/volumes
before doing the GUI based. I'm assuming you have your PD set for the
"Aggressive" consolidation mode.

wrote in message
...
Following up:

very interesting.....

1) I _DO_ have the advanced setting set to "let PD manage"

2) my volume config: E: - system disk (the 1 w/ boot.ini; pagefile too)
F: - boot disk (the one w/ \windows)
G: - data disk (I install most Programs here,
rather than on F:\Programs...)

All on the same drive, a SATA Raid 0 setup.

3) layout.ini refs many files from F:, and from G:, as expected since
many of my programs live on G: rather than F:

4) PD Analyze of F: shows the light-purple files, all moved to the front
- just great, and as expected.

PD Analyze of G: shows no light-purple files at all. "Files" tab
shows count of "boot" files as 0. NOT what I'd expect.

Goto Advanced setting, change "let PD manage" to "disable", re-analyze
G: and now the light-purple files show up, "Files" tab says there are
about 700 of them; they are scattered all about. But defrag it and it
doesn't move them (again, as expected since I disabled PD's management of
them). Recheck "Let PD Manage", and light-purples go away again. So, I
can't get it to move them to the front of the disk, nor even consolidate
them.

Weird!

I tried doing a standard XP "defrag g: -b", and it _TOO_ did nothing.
[I swear it used to, by my memory may be affected by all the halfling weed
over the years]. Apparently drive G: is not "eligable" for boot
optimizing, and PD "knows" this (presumably by calling something in XP).

I don't know why, and I'm tired! Time for some Ol' Tobby, XP is getting
heavy, very heavy.... and my brain hurts too!

I may remove and reinstall PD, but frankly I don't expect that to
resolve anything. My system DOES work, and I don't feel like "fixing" it
tonight. And it's plenty fast, I doubt "fixing" it would actually result
in any real improvment. But it is a mystery...

----------

So, you guys are saying that your non-system partitions show
light-purple files all moved to the front, huh?

BTW, I have PD 7 build 31

Thanks for listening...

In microsoft.public.windowsxp.general R. McCarty wrote:
Current build for Perfect Disk 7.0 is build 42. Part of your problem may
be the need to do an Offline session on your non-XP partitions/volumes
before doing the GUI based. I'm assuming you have your PD set for the
"Aggressive" consolidation mode.

I have done offline's in the past, not recently tho.

I've tried both agressive free space and non-agressive, same situation.

I'll investigate a bit more today, time willing. Thanks...

In microsoft.public.windowsxp.general wrote:
I'll investigate a bit more today, time willing. Thanks...

Did so, reinstalled PD just for grins, same thing. G: drive does not do
the boot files thing, as described in prior post. I'm at a loss to
explain why...

OK, following up one last time:

My issue has been resolved, and doing so takes us full circle, back to
Original Poster's "problem" [and I'm sorry we veered wildly astray before
actually resolving it!].

After doing the reinstall, I noticed the PerfectDisk.adm file in the
install directory. I read it w/ notepad. It defines the Group Policy
settings for PD, and in it you can see the reg setting values for doing
boot file optimization. These correspond to the reg value at

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Raxco\PerfectDisk\7.0]
"PDManageLayoutIni"=dword:00000001

as listed above, I changed this w/ regedit from its "as installed" value
of 3 to 1.

Now, when I choose Tools | Advanced Configuration, the General tab's
"Optimization of files..." section has the 2nd line choosen ("Let PD
Manage ALL the layout.ini files") instead of the 1st line. And now the
light-purple files do show up, on both volumes, and they do get optimized
to the front of the volume. Yeah!

HOWEVER, this 2nd line (and the 3rd too) are dimmed and can not be choosen
using the GUI. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL POSTER'S COMPLAINT. I only got it
set that way because I edited the registry entry above by hand.

FWIW, my apps do SEEM to load a tad faster now that the non-windows volume
has been optimized too, but that could just be my imagination.

---

Thanks for leading me down this path, I bid you all a fond farewell and
pass into the West a happier (and optimized) little fellow. I hope others
benefit from this exchange too.

-F-