New optimization method

[jeroen]

Where you put the "layout.ini" files? In the beginning of zone 2?

The "layout.ini" file is not yet supported by JkDefrag.

And why not put the directories before or after MFT to improve the seek time?

JkDefrag always places zone 1 (directories) as the first zone on the volume. As far as I know Windows always places the MFT at the beginning of the volume when formatting a harddisk. So JkDefrag does exactly the same as UltimateDefrag, it places the directories as close as possible to the MFT.

It's theoretically possible to place the MFT somewhere else on the harddisk. Some defraggers can do just that (very bad idea, if you ask me). JkDefrag does not scan for that eventuality.

[rdsu]

Where you put the "layout.ini" files? In the beginning of zone 2?

The "layout.ini" file is not yet supported by JkDefrag.

Hope you can support it sooner...

And why not put the directories before or after MFT to improve the seek time?

JkDefrag always places zone 1 (directories) as the first zone on the volume. As far as I know Windows always places the MFT at the beginning of the volume when formatting a harddisk. So JkDefrag does exactly the same as UltimateDefrag, it places the directories as close as possible to the MFT.

It's theoretically possible to place the MFT somewhere else on the harddisk. Some defraggers can do just that (very bad idea, if you ask me). JkDefrag does not scan for that eventuality.

If you put the directory in the beginning because Windows put MFT there on installation, PerfectDisk said that it put the MFT in the best place based on what Microsoft says that is the best place, so what should we have to follow since PD is a Microsoft certified product(doesn't mean that is better than others)?

[jeroen]

If you put the directory in the beginning because Windows put MFT there on installation, PerfectDisk said that it put the MFT in the best place based on what Microsoft says that is the best place, so what should we have to follow since PD is a Microsoft certified product(doesn't mean that is better than others)?

Translate "in the best place based on what Microsoft says" from commercial sales pitch into plain text and it reads "we don't move the MFT". Which is exactly what JkDefrag does.

[rdsu]

If you put the directory in the beginning because Windows put MFT there on installation, PerfectDisk said that it put the MFT in the best place based on what Microsoft says that is the best place, so what should we have to follow since PD is a Microsoft certified product(doesn't mean that is better than others)?

Translate "in the best place based on what Microsoft says" from commercial sales pitch into plain text and it reads "we don't move the MFT". Which is exactly what JkDefrag does.

That is not true

I use PD and it moves MFT to another location on disk, and is, as far as I know, the unique program that change the position of 'pagefile.sys' and MFT...

You can also read this, from its help file, on PD Features:
Master File Table (MFT) Placement - PerfectDisk is unique in its ability to optimally place the MFT on the drive where Microsoft recommends to gain an additional 5-10% improvement in drive performance.

[jeroen]

1. There are other defraggers that can move the MFT. Perfectdisk is lying.

2. If Microsoft recommends a different place for the MFT, then why does the Microsoft formatter place the MFT at the beginning of the volume? I choose to believe that the Microsoft formatter follows the Microsoft recommendations, and that PerfectDisk is just trying to sell their product with a pompous sales pitch.

3. The begin of a harddisk is up to 200% faster than it's end. See the DiskSpeed32 utility in the "See Also" section and measure it yourself. The MFT is by far the most accessed data on disk. The optimum place for the MFT is therefore at (or very near to) the begin of the volume, and nowhere else.

But please feel free to believe the Perfectdisk fluff and give them your money. I'm sure their defragger is a perfectly good piece of software.

[rdsu]

I'm only trying PD...

I know that outer tracks of the disk is much more fast inner tracks, that is why I like the UD philosophy, and your JkDefrag since you add the option to put files and/or directories at the end of disk...

If the original place of MFT was changed, why not put the directories before or after it? Wouldn't be better?

You know +/- when you will add support for "layout.ini", and how do you think to implement it?

[jeroen]

If the original place of MFT was changed, why not put the directories before or after it? Wouldn't be better?

Yes, it would be better.

You know +/- when you will add support for "layout.ini", and how do you think to implement it?

It's very high on my list, so probably within the next one or two versions. I haven't thought about how yet.

[jtulp]

What happened to optimization method 4? Is it gone and what is the next "best" thing, 3?

[rdsu]

If the original place of MFT was changed, why not put the directories before or after it? Wouldn't be better?

Yes, it would be better.

So, you will change your program for that, or you don't mind?

[rdsu]

What happened to optimization method 4? Is it gone and what is the next "best" thing, 3?

Read this: JkDefrag 3.9 & Full Optimization (-a 4)

[jeroen]

So, you will change your program for that, or you don't mind?

I don't think so. If the MFT is not at or near the beginning of the harddisk then it's the MFT that should be moved. Not the directories.

[rdsu]

So, you will change your program for that, or you don't mind?

I don't think so. If the MFT is not at or near the beginning of the harddisk then it's the MFT that should be moved. Not the directories.

How can I move it to the original place?

[jtulp]

@ VaMPiRiC_CRoW thanks for the heads up. Could have looked a bit better myself, but had a lazy moment.

[jeroen]

How can I move it to the original place?

I've read that the Microsoft defragmentation API on Vista can move the MFT, but I haven't looked at that yet. Sometime in the future. At the moment all I have for you is this:
- Find a program that can do it, try commercial defraggers. I don't know any free tools that can do it and I do not have any recommendations.
- Format your disk.

[rdsu]

It seems that I have to wait then...

Few more thoughts about the MFT position:
- If the MFT is at the beginning of the disk, the disk always have to go there to check for a file.

- If we use the UD philosophy, I think that left MFT on its original position is better because the most used files are on the outer tracks.

- If we use the most common philosophies, like PD, O&O, Diskeeper, maybe put the MFT like you can see in the picture would better, because is more closer to major files and still is in a fast section of the disk.

- On your program, if you put the most used files on section 2, the MFT could be on its original place to have the system optimized.

So, I think that JkDefrag and UD use the best methods to achieve the best performance, relatively to MFT.

What is your opinion?


Note: In this picture, I used the PerfectDisk to make the offline defrag, and UD for online defrag.