Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    Along with this sort of utility has anyone come across a disk file
    defragmenter??
    
    takes a long time to do a backup/delete /restore.....
    
    regards
    kevin

    RE B.A.D. - isn't that a utility that has it's own disk format?
    
    I hadn't looked at it because of this understanding.
    
    regards
    kevin

The latest Aus. Commodore and Amiga review had an add for
Quarterback Tools. I seem to recall something about a 
defragmenter included. Now whether or not this is from the
same people as Quarterback or someone else cashing in on
a well known and respected name...

Mike

    I'm not sure what you mean by it's own disk format. B.A.D. re-arranges
    the files and directory structure on the disk -- the end result
    is still AmigaDOS OFS or FFS format. It gives you the option whether
    to favor WorkBench ot CLI, but this just give preference to having
    all the .info files at the beginning of the directory structure
    so that they appear quickly on the screen. The end result being
    faster directory and file access. Is this what you are looking for?

    OK thanks - will look into B.A.D. as that sounds like what I am after.
    Will also contact Central Coast Software for the quarterback tools to
    check theirs out as well (I already have qback - really happy so will
    look at that).
    
    thanks
    k

    
    My understanding is that BAD munges the files system considerably and
    then relies on the disk-validator to straighten things out afterward.
    A number of people on Usenet have had their drives hosed by this
    program.  I wouldn't trust it on anything important myself.
    
    A more robust program that fully understands the file system would not
    need to use the disk-validator.  I wonder if Quarterback-Tools does?
    
    - steve

    I've used B.A.D. many times (avg once every 2 months, just after
    backups) on a 20meg and 40meg ST506, 32meg ST506 via Bridgeboard and
    Janus, and my new 100meg SCSI and have never had a problem. It even
    encountered a bad spot once on an ST506 and recovered. I've also run it
    on floppies, and have even used the system while it is running (being
    careful not to use the partition being altered). I can't speak for the
    disk-validator, but it doesn't "appear" that it works this way to me.
    I think the horror stories mostly come from people who don't take
    the proper precautions. I also make sure to:
    
    1) Have a decent backup of the system available. This is why I usually
    run it after performing my periodic backup.
    
    2) Terminate all background processes. I think this might be the
    one that screws people most often.
    
    3) Let B.A.D. run standalone. If I want to use the system while
    it's running, I make sure that I do not reference the partition
    being rebuilt in any way.
    
    4) Assume that you must let it run to completion and that the odds
    are likely that otherwise the partition will be corrupt.
        

    These are pretty much the same precautions you would take with any
    defragmenter.    

        Keith
    
    (Now that I said all that, watch it blow up on me next time I use it).
    

    Well I ended up getting QB tools. Nice. Has lots of great features -
    like being able to take snap shots of the disk structure and rebuilding
    them again in the event ofa crash, file defragmenting, some classy
    options for formatting disks plus more.
    
    I read in another note about some problems with V1.0 (which I have
    received) but am now unable to find that note. I have had no problems so
    am not too worried but would like to know what the latest version is so
    I can upgrade.
    
    I can recommend this product as well as their Quarterback and
    Dos-2-dos (satisfied user type recommendation - nothing more) On the 
    occasions I have talked to Central Coast Software on the phone they
    have also been helpful etc etc - pity there wern't more like them.
    
    regards
    k
    
    

    V1.0 is jam-packed with problems. Use at your own risk.
    
    I would recommend picking up V1.2a *BEFORE* using it.
    

    OK. I also just found the note about the QB tools. 
    
    I will be sending away for 1.2a, or newer if available, tomorrow.
    
    regards
    k