Very important new feature in Microsoft Windows XP is the ability to do a boot defragment. This basically means that all boot files are placed next to each other on the disk drive to allow for faster booting. By default this option is enabled but some upgrade users have reported that it isn't on their setup.

1. Start Regedit.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOpt imizeFunction
3. Select Enable from the list on the right.
4. Right on it and select Modify.
5. Change the value to Y to enable and N to disable.
6. Reboot your computer.

Boot defragment offers potential to improve system performance, but can introduce risks of system damage and data loss.

Some users go months with out defragmenting, and some have no idea what it is (a lifetime). Thus, your recommendation of a Boot Defragment is one of several good solutions -- but the risks must be weighed.

A question from many is: "What third party software do you use to defragment?" My response is NONE.

Windows has an inherent Defragment utility that gets the job done well. Any other software, in my opinion, is installed by users just for the sake of saying "I've got this or that." A waste of drive space!

Additionally, running the "Analyze" function often results in wrong defragment recommendations ("Your Computer Does Not Need Defragmented At This Time"). So I don't even bother with Analyze (unless I need the data) -- I just do it.

I've recently came across a White Paper for IT Administrators by Paul Del Piero and Susan Blount. This document was written for IT Administration, but will nonetheless be of assistance to the Home User and offers insite into the defragment process.

The White paper is attached to the bottom of this thread in PDF format, Zipped.

To download this file, please register as a Member. Thank you.

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