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Power Defragmenter for Windows 7 and Windows Vista and Windows XP based on Contig

Nerd Grind — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:58:52 +0000

If you’ve noticed your computer getting slower over time you might need to defragment the files and folders on your hard drive. From Windows XP forward a basic defragmenter was included, but it was very poor. Microsoft did include a Windows defragmentation API that could be hooked into to provide better defragmentation.

The reason you might want to defragment your hard drive using something other than the included software would be to defrag files 64 MB and smaller, which are ordinarily ignored, but can still impact overall performance.

One program that hooks into the defrag API is called Power Defragmenter. The Microsoft Sysinternals Contig core, or defrag API, is called simply Contig. Power Degragmenter is a GUI for Contig, with which you can select files and folders to degragment. The software is not yet automated.

The author warns not to use Power Defragmenter on USB flash drives, or SSD (solid state) drive, because they consist of a type of memory where fragmentation does not occur, and trying to defragment those drives can ruin them.

Click here to download Power Defragmenter, and here to view the home page.

The core program from Microsoft that Power Defragmenter uses is called Contig. You can run Contig from the command line without installing Power Defragmenter. Be sure to run Contig from the command line as "Run as administrator," or it will fail to run.

Click here to download Contig.

Here’s some information on Contig from the program’s page:

Introduction

There are a number of NT disk defraggers on the market, including Winternals Defrag Manager. These tools are useful for performing a general defragmentation of disks, but while most files are defragmented on drives processed by these utilities, some files may not be. In addition, it is difficult to ensure that particular files that are frequently used are defragmented – they may remain fragmented for reasons that are specific to the defragmentation algorithms used by the defragging product that has been applied. Finally, even if all files have been defragmented, subsequent changes to critical files could cause them to become fragmented. Only by running an entire defrag operation can one hope that they might be defragmented again.

Contig is a single-file defragmenter that attempts to make files contiguous on disk. Its perfect for quickly optimizing files that are continuously becoming fragmented, or that you want to ensure are in as few fragments as possible.

Using Contig

Contig can be used to defrag an existing file, or to create a new file of a specified size and name, optimizing its placement on disk. Contig uses standard Windows defragmentation APIs so it won’t cause disk corruption, even if you terminate it while its running.

To make an existing file contiguous use Contig as follows:

Usage: contig [-v] [-a] [-q] [-s] [filename]

-v Use the -v switch to have Contig print out information about the file defrag operations that are performed.
-a If you want to simply see how fragmented a file or files have become, use the -a switch to have Contig analyze fragmentation.
-q The -q switch, which over-rides the -v switch, makes Contig run in "quiet" mode, where the only thing it prints during a defrag run is summary information.
-s Use the -s switch to perform a recursive processing of subdirectories when you specify a filename with wildcards.

For instance, to defragment all DLLs under c:’winnt you could enter "contig -s c:’winnt’*.dll".

To make a new file that is defragmented upon creation, use Contig like this:

Usage: contig [-v] [-n filename length]

How it Works

Contig uses the native Windows NT defragmentation support that was introduced with NT 4.0 (see my documentation of the defrag APIs for more information). It first scans the disk collecting the locations and sizes of free areas. Then it determines where the file in question is located. Next, Contig decides whether the file can be optimized, based on free areas and the number of fragments the file currently consists of. If the file can be optimized, it is moved into the free spaces of the disk.

Stop Indexing Service in Windows Vista and Windows 7 and Windows XP

Nerd Grind — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:11:18 +0000

This article will help computer users who have found their computer getting slower and slower over the years. It’s when a person’s computer starts to slow down that they notice ads, like the example below, asking if their computer has slowed down, and then tries to sell them software to remove worms, viruses, spyware, malware, and to optimize your computer, whatever that means, but most often the problem is just a bloated Windows index database.

As the years go by, and you add more and more files and programs to your computer, it slows down incrementally until one day you start considering purchasing a newer faster computer, or start to become concerned that the computer has become infected.

Before buying a new computer, adding RAM, buying a faster hard drive, or purchasing software to clean infections that can waste time and slow your computer down even further, turn off the indexing service first and see if that fixes the problem, and restores your computer back to its old fast self.

The indexing service is supposed to speed up a search for files on the hard drive, which is rarely done by most people, so it’s not like there’s much to lose by turning indexing off.

This tutorial will walk you through turning off the indexing service in Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Window XP.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

Click the Windows Start button -> Control Panel -> then click Programs and Features.

Now click the link on the left for Turn Windows features on or off.

In the Windows Features window make sure the Indexing Service is unchecked. It probably is, because this is a remnant from Windows XP. If you need to uncheck it, click OK when done.

Now click the Windows Start button -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services. Locate the Windows Search service, and double click on it.

On the General tab locate Startup type: and select Disabled from the pull-down menu. Click Apply, then the Stop button, and finally the OK button.

Next click the Windows Start button -> Computer -> then right click the C: drive -> then click Propterties

Un-check the box next to Index this drive for faster searching.

Choose Apply changes to drive C:’ only, and click OK. Repeat this for any external, or additional internal hard drives, you have installed. Windows indexing all drives by default, so you’ll need turn indexing off for each one.

Reboot your computer. After the computer finishes restarting click the Windows Start button -> Control Panel -> Indexing Options.

If the Windows Indexing Service is not longer running you’ll see the message Indexing is not runnig.

Now click the Windows Start button -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services. Locate the Windows Search service, and make sure it says Disabled.

Windows XP

Open “Control Panel”, select “Administrator Tools”, and open Services applet. Alternatively, type services.msc in the Rn text box from Start menu, and then hit Enter.
Scroll down and locate Indexing Service service, and then double click on it.
Click on Stop button to immediately stop the indexing service if the service status shows “Running.
Under the “Startup Type”, select Disabled to permanently disable the indexing service so that it won’t run again.
Click OK.

If the indexing service was slowing down your computer you should now notice a speed improvement.

How to Partition a Hard Drive in Windows Vista

Nerd Grind — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:06:10 +0000

Microsoft included a disk partition tool in Windows Vista, which can be handy when you want to create a partition to boot another operating system from.

To partition a hard drive click the Windows button → All Programs → Administrative Tools → Computer Management. If the User Account Control window pops up click Continue. Select the Volume to work with, then right click the Volume, and left click Shrink Volume.

In the example below your new partition would be 2028 MB, or 2 GB.

Right click the new 2 GB partition, then left click New Simple Volume.

We will format the File system as NTFS, and choose a Volume label, which can be anything, but it’s best to keep it short. Click Next.

You will be able to see the status of the formatting job for your 2 GB partition.

Once the formatting is complete you can start using your new hard disk drive partition just as if it was another hard drive. You can install another operating system to boot from, or usage for storage.

Asus Ships R50A Portable Computer – Runs Vista and Extremely Expensive

Nerd Grind — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:21:37 +0000

The Asus R50A is shipping and it’s quite expensive. The UMPC will cost an estimated $1,878. It may be worth it for some of you, as the portable unit will run Windows Vista and features a 1.33GHz Intel Atom processor. It also features a gig of RAM, a 32GB SSD hard drive, a 5.6"screen at 1024 x 600, three USB ports, a microSD slot, a wireless keyboard and an external DVD reader / writer. The R50A will also allow you to connect wirelessly via 802.11 b / g WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G. The unit is currently shipping if you have the money.

Alienware Releases Budget Gaming Desktop – Area-51 750i

Nerd Grind — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:45:47 +0000

Alienware has released a budget-priced gaming desktop. The Area-51 750i is based on the NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI motherboard and can be equipped with a Core 2 Extreme QX9650. The unit can feature either twin ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 or twin GeForce GTX 280 graphics cards, depending on your preference. It also has 8GB of DDR2 RAM, Windows Vista 64-bit, an optional Blu-ray burner and an array of ports. The baseline price for the rig is $1,049 which is pretty good considering Alienware PCs used to clock in at nearly four grand.

Windows 7 Due in 3 Years

Nerd Grind — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:12:32 +0000

Even though Vista seems brand new, the next OS is already in development over at MS. It was named Vienna, but that internal code name has been changed to Windows 7.

"”Microsoft is scoping Windows 7 development to a three-year time frame, and then the specific release date will ultimately be determined by meeting the quality bar,” according to the representative.

Like Vista, Windows 7 will ship in consumer and business versions, and in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The company also confirmed that it is considering a subscription model to complement Windows, but the next step is getting out Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista, which is expected before year’s end.

64-Bit Windows Does Not Support The iPhone

Nerd Grind — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:16:50 +0000

Some users are having difficulty using their new iPhone coincide their Windows computers. An error message appears stating: "The software required for iPhone is not installed. Run the iTunes installer to remove iTunes, then install iTunes again."

The problem is simple: iPhone will not work when used on a 64-bit Windows Vista or XP system. This detail is listed in the "minimum system requirements" at Apple, but is apparently very easy to overlook. So, if you’re worried if your new gadget will work on your computer or not, do yourself a favor and check the system requirements first.

Inovy Innovations

Nerd Grind — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:06:20 +0000

HTPC-manufacturer Moneual has a slew of sweet and colorful PCs with a $695 base pricetag. Choose from pink, black, white, green, blue or orange cases. [I'll take one of each!] But there is more than just beauty here.

They feature liquid-cooled 64-bit dual-core Athlon 4400+ processors, integrated NVIDIA 6100 graphics, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and a vertically-mounted dual-layer DVD burner.

Also listed in the specs is a:
1 x Floopy Port supports up to 2.88MB

Floopy? Is this something new?

Read on for Tech Specs…

Technical Specifications
Processor AMD 64 Athlon X2 4400 Processor
AMD Cool & Quiet Technology
CPU Cooler Noiselimit Watercooler
Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100 + 405 single chip
Operating system Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory Dual channel 1GB
Graphic Card Integrated NVIDIA Geforce 6100 Graphics
Windows Vista Premium H/W Ready
HDD 250G
ODD DVD R / RW
LAN On board Gbe LAN
Back Panel I/O 1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
1 x D-Sub
1 x Serial port
1 x Parallel port
4 x USB 2.0
1 x RJ-45 LAN connector
7.1 CH Audio connector (Front, Line-in, MIC-in, Center/Subwoofer, Surround, Rear Surround)
Expansion Slots 1 x PCI-E X16
1 x PCI-E X1
2 x PCI
Internal I/O 1 x Floopy Port supports up to 2.88MB
1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 IDE connector
2 x USB 2.0 header (support 4 ports)
2 x SATA 3Gb/s connector
1 x FP-Audio connector

source:Moneual.com

ATI HD2400 / 2600 Shipping Now

Nerd Grind — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:09:35 +0000

AMD is now shipping ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2400 and ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2600 graphics processors. Both deliver DirectXÂ® 10 gaming and high definition video for Windows VistaÂ®.

The new graphics cards will be available at online retailers within a few weeks from board customers including Asus, Club 3D, Diamond Multimedia, GeCube, Gigabyte, HIS, MSI, Palit, PowerColor, Sapphire and VisionTek.

The ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2400 and ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2600 cards are designed for use in entry-level and mainstream systems, in which the UVD technology is beneficial for watching high definition movies.

In contrast, the ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2900 XT is a high-end desktop card for gaming enthusiasts, and designed to be used in high-performance PCs with the fastest CPUs. In these environments, the CPU can perform software decoding of HD video without being overburdened and UVD technology is not required. The user will get a high-quality video experience (including watching Blu-ray or HD DVD movies) with any ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2000 series card.
source: Businesswire

More Browser Choices

Nerd Grind — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:23:28 +0000

As if the Netscape vs IE vs Firefox weren’t enough to confuse a person, another browser is being thrown into the mix.

Apple is shipping the third version of the Safari WebKit-based browser overseas to compete with the big boys (IE, Firefox, and Opera) and … on Windows no less!

The Mac-only browser has a 5% market share, and it wants to copy what iTunes did, namely, to grow the Mac fanbase.

Apple claims their browser is up to twice as fast as the competition, and the public beta of Safari 3 is being released today as a free download for Mac OS X, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

So, which one are you using?

NerdGrind - How-to Computer Help - Tutorials - Tech and Gadget News » Windows Vista

Power Defragmenter for Windows 7 and Windows Vista and Windows XP based on Contig

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Stop Indexing Service in Windows Vista and Windows 7 and Windows XP

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How to Partition a Hard Drive in Windows Vista

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Asus Ships R50A Portable Computer – Runs Vista and Extremely Expensive

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Alienware Releases Budget Gaming Desktop – Area-51 750i

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Windows 7 Due in 3 Years

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64-Bit Windows Does Not Support The iPhone

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Inovy Innovations

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ATI HD2400 / 2600 Shipping Now

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