how do i defrag / clean my harddrive

pkny · pkny #1 (**permalink**)

02-24-2005, 11:09 PM

uh how do i do that? like in windows - there defrag? i'm curious how would i do about in mac osx?
thx

trpnmonkey41 · trpnmonkey41 #2 (**permalink**)

02-24-2005, 11:20 PM

OSX uses a Journaled file system so there is no defragmentation necessary

technologist · technologist #3 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trpnmonkey41

OSX uses a Journaled file system so there is no defragmentation necessary

Rather, OS X Panther automatically degragments files whenever they are opened.

Journalling and defragmenting are seperate things. Defragmenting consolidates files on disk for faster opening. (Panther also uses "hot file clustering," which groups frequently accessed files together, to improve performance.)

Journalling helps to prevent errors in the event that a file system write is interrupted (by, say, a power outage.)

But anyway, trpnmonkey41 is right in that no defragmenting is necessary.

So long as we're on the topic of maintenance, though...you might want to look into running cron jobs manually, though. Cron jobs are maintenance tasks that normally run very early in the morning. Since most people keep there Macs asleep or off at 3AM, they often don't get run. MacJanitor will do this on command.

IChing · IChing #4 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 12:20 AM

I also use System Optimizer X which is designed to improve system, internet, and disk speed and stability using proven system-level operations and tweaks:
it is a shareware and can be found at http://www.mkd.cc/sox/

coach_z · coach_z #5 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 12:49 AM

semi off topic:

so if i leave my powerbook on all day and all night without it going to sleep i would NOT need a progam such as mac janitor???

-chris

Macman · Macman #6 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 07:33 AM

nope, though if its not in use, its best to sleep it, especially on a laptop, to conserver battery power.

schweb · schweb #7 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 07:43 AM

Even if you don't leave your machine on overnight all the time, on the occasional time that you do, it will run any of those things that it missed when it was sleeping.

Steel02001 · Steel02001 #8 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 01:06 PM

Does anyone use OnyX for stuff like that? Or is it junk?

Mr Bobbins · Mr Bobbins #9 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 01:58 PM

I have used OnyX in the past, works OK but I started getting Apple script errors with the last version. Didn't like that much.

Macman · Macman #10 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 02:09 PM

onyx is ok, but definitely not for beginners, and can cause problems even through correct use.

Steel02001 · Steel02001 #11 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macman

onyx is ok, but definitely not for beginners, and can cause problems even through correct use.

How so, because while I am not a computer beginner I am new to my powerbook and I dont want to mess anything. Can a get some hints/tips or maybe even a better program to use.

Padawan · Padawan #12 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 03:46 PM

I've never had OnyX cause problems with either of my systems, but if you're looking for something basic and "fool-proof", try Maintenance by Titanium Software (creator of OynX). It will allow you to run all maintenance scripts with a single click, but you'll have to use Disk Utility to repair permissions.

Titanium Software Downloads

Steel02001 · Steel02001 #13 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 04:38 PM

Macman: What should I be careful about on on OnyX?

Padawan, thanks, I do already have OnyX downloaded and used it a few times so I want to see what else macman has to say but AI will definately check out that site after I get the story on OnyX.

shaun89 · shaun89 #14 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 04:50 PM

to be safe, just repair permissions, and maybe search for some easy to use utilities on www.versiontracker.com

Macman · Macman #15 (**permalink**)

02-25-2005, 06:32 PM

dont clear any caches if you dont know what it is used for, dont checkmark anything to be done if you dont know what it is. Ive seen too many times a user go click happy, check everything, run it, then their computer wont startup. macjanitor, macaroni, cocktail, and maintenance are all good apps. theres also tinkertool.

trpnmonkey41 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 22, 2003 Location: Hamilton College Posts: 7,003 Mac Specs: 20" iMac C2D 2.16ghz, 13" MacBook 2.0ghz, 60gb iPod vid, 1gb nano	02-24-2005, 11:20 PM OSX uses a Journaled file system so there is no defragmentation necessary Don't forget to use the new User Reputation System
	QUOTE Thanks

schweb #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 27, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 13,213 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro \| LED Cinema Display \| iPhone 4 \| iPad 2	02-25-2005, 07:43 AM Even if you don't leave your machine on overnight all the time, on the occasional time that you do, it will run any of those things that it missed when it was sleeping. schweb \| community leader flickr » facebook » twitter » tumblr » google+ » about.me Mac-Forums: On Twitter \| On Facebook \| On Flickr
	QUOTE Thanks

Padawan #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 21, 2003 Location: Coruscant, Galactic Republic Posts: 1,185 Mac Specs: 14" iBook G3 900/640/40 _ _ Power Macintosh G3 All-In-One 315/768/20 _ _ 20 GB iPod	02-25-2005, 03:46 PM I've never had OnyX cause problems with either of my systems, but if you're looking for something basic and "fool-proof", try Maintenance by Titanium Software (creator of OynX). It will allow you to run all maintenance scripts with a single click, but you'll have to use Disk Utility to repair permissions. Titanium Software Downloads ~ Support the LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION -- LAF.org ~ Do you drive a Civic, Del Sol, or Integra & want more power & tighter steering feel? Click here for my inexpensive DIY Power-Steering Removal Kits.
	QUOTE Thanks

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pkny #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 10, 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 108 Mac Specs: stock 17" 2.8ghz unibody mbp.	02-24-2005, 11:09 PM uh how do i do that? like in windows - there defrag? i'm curious how would i do about in mac osx? thx
	QUOTE Thanks

IChing #4 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	02-25-2005, 12:20 AM I also use System Optimizer X which is designed to improve system, internet, and disk speed and stability using proven system-level operations and tweaks: it is a shareware and can be found at http://www.mkd.cc/sox/
	QUOTE Thanks

coach_z #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 23, 2004 Location: North NJ Posts: 3,169 Mac Specs: i dont have no mac's	02-25-2005, 12:49 AM semi off topic: so if i leave my powerbook on all day and all night without it going to sleep i would NOT need a progam such as mac janitor??? -chris
	QUOTE Thanks

Macman #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 30, 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,374 Mac Specs: PowerMac G4 Cube 450mhz 832mb	02-25-2005, 07:33 AM nope, though if its not in use, its best to sleep it, especially on a laptop, to conserver battery power.
	QUOTE Thanks

Steel02001 #8 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	02-25-2005, 01:06 PM Does anyone use OnyX for stuff like that? Or is it junk?
	QUOTE Thanks

Mr Bobbins #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 29, 2005 Location: Legoland Posts: 790	02-25-2005, 01:58 PM I have used OnyX in the past, works OK but I started getting Apple script errors with the last version. Didn't like that much.
	QUOTE Thanks

Macman #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 30, 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,374 Mac Specs: PowerMac G4 Cube 450mhz 832mb	02-25-2005, 02:09 PM onyx is ok, but definitely not for beginners, and can cause problems even through correct use.
	QUOTE Thanks

Steel02001 #13 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	02-25-2005, 04:38 PM Macman: What should I be careful about on on OnyX? Padawan, thanks, I do already have OnyX downloaded and used it a few times so I want to see what else macman has to say but AI will definately check out that site after I get the story on OnyX.
	QUOTE Thanks

shaun89 #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 09, 2004 Posts: 1,072	02-25-2005, 04:50 PM to be safe, just repair permissions, and maybe search for some easy to use utilities on www.versiontracker.com
	QUOTE Thanks

Macman #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 30, 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,374 Mac Specs: PowerMac G4 Cube 450mhz 832mb	02-25-2005, 06:32 PM dont clear any caches if you dont know what it is used for, dont checkmark anything to be done if you dont know what it is. Ive seen too many times a user go click happy, check everything, run it, then their computer wont startup. macjanitor, macaroni, cocktail, and maintenance are all good apps. theres also tinkertool.
	QUOTE Thanks

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