What A Difference A Defrag Makes

[Vern]

Having commented in other threads about various performance issues, reinstalling TS12 to 49922 then still finding choppy performance and lock-ups in Surveyor I decided it was time for drastic action particularly as TS2014 was also starting to drag on loading times.

With thoughts of a reformat in the back of my mind, I thought let's try a defrag first. Having read somewhere the built in Windows 7 defrag tool isn't that good, I downloaded the freeware Smart Defrag programme. After this analysed the drive, it reported back massive fragmentation so I let it run the defrag and deep optimisation function. This took around 5 hours on a 250 Gb hard drive and I'm pleased to report performance in all aspects of TS12 has drastically improved. Not saying there aren't areas where Trainz functions couldn't be improved (and I haven't installed SP1/HF4 as yet) but I'm a much happier bunny working on my route this morning than a few days ago.

 

[shaneturner12]

That's why I defrag mine on a regular basis.

Shane

 

[JCitron]

Same here as Shane. I defrag all the time especially after doing any kind of stuff in Content Manager.

If you do this periodically, instead of waiting like you did, you'll maintain the performance much longer and the defrag process will only take a few minutes even on a 250 GB drive.

John

 

[amrail2000]

I just read this and then I had a face palm moment. Way back when I used to defrag my computer at least twice a week. Really didn't need to but I do so any way. Talk about smooth. Now for some reason I haven't done so over the last couple of years. So it is with great appreciation that I say thank you on the name of a good defrag program. I'm running now. This is one old habit that I need to get back to. Again thanks for tip.

 

[Vern]

The only caveat I would add is that I've heard people with SSD drives shouldn't/don't need to defrag them, but for conventional HD's it should be a definite PC housekeeping exercise several times a year.

 

[shaneturner12]

Agreed re: SSD drives. However, some of the commercial defrag tools can identify an SSD drive and use a different method (TRIM), although I believe it only works on Windows 7 and later.

Shane