Technical information

Getting started
O&O Defrag - 24
The COMPLETE method is particularly suitable for databases and file servers. It is important to bear in mind that this
method requires quite a lot of main memory due to file reorganization. If this is likely to be a serious problem for your
system, we recommend you use the STEALTH or SPACE methods.
Algorithm
Files are sorted according to the date on which they were last changed. The files which have not been changed
recently are placed at the beginning of the partition and those recently changed are placed at the end. This option is a
good one for file or database servers containing files that have never been changed (e.g. system files), but where
others, on account of their size or content, are frequently modified. (e.g., database files)
This strategy means that future defragmentation will require the least amount of time, as only a few files need to be
checked and defragmented.
Recommended Application
If you want to use the COMPLETE/Modified method for your regular defragmentation runs, you should bear in mind that
you only use this method on your drive. Combining various methods (COMPLETE, STEALTH, and SPACE) can result
in defragmentation taking much longer, as the file system would need to be reorganized each time.
l Maximizes the performance for write access on servers
l For regularly defragmenting your volumes
l On computers that have sufficient resources available when the defragmentation takes place – CPU usage is
likely to increase significantly (it is strongly recommended that you use the O&O ActivityMonitor). A larger
amount of free disk space is necessary with this method.
COMPLETE/Name Method
The COMPLETE/Name method defragments your files and also reorganizes your file structure. Although this method
is slower than the STEALTH and SPACE methods, it guarantees maximum system performance when your files are
being read.
The COMPLETE/Name method is particularly suitable for system drives. It is important to bear in mind that this
method requires quite a lot of main memory due to file reorganization. If this is likely to be a serious problem for your
system, we recommend you use the STEALTH or SPACE methods.
Algorithm
Files are sorted alphabetically from the beginning to the end of the partition and this leads to quick access to files in a
directory. When Windows starts up, many system files will be read in sequence from the \WINDOWS and the \WI-
NDOWS\system32 directories (DLLs, system drives, etc.) and the start-up time will therefore be shorter.
This method is particularly recommended for computers on which the files rarely change. This reduces the reor-
ganization time that is needed for every defragmentation.
Recommended Application
Please bear in mind that if you use the COMPLETE/Name method for your regular defragmentation runs, it should be
the only one used on the drive. Combining various methods (COMPLETE, STEALTH, and SPACE) can result in defrag-
mentation taking much longer, as the file system would need to be reorganized each time.
l Maximizes the performance for the read access to workstations
l For regularly defragmenting your volumes
l On computers that have sufficient resources available when the defragmentation takes place – CPU usage is
likely to increase significantly (it is strongly recommended that you use the O&O ActivityMonitor). A larger
amount of free disk space is necessary with this method.
l All kinds of servers and workstations