Page 1 of 1

torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:42 am
by Plan B
Recently when I download via a torrent, my system gets *extremely* slow.
Also, when I try to quit the client, there are issues;
I quit client, client continues. I quit via task manager, client continues.
I have to actually hard-reset and boot to discontinue the client.

During these episodes I noticed a lot of harddrive activity.
Also I have recently defragmented the harddrive.
And formatted before that.
(I'm somewhat of a compulsive optimizer.)

Puting these things together;
Could it be that, because of the *fragmented* nature of storing files when downloading via a torrent, the process of *defragmenting* (when you still have torrent downloads on the go) causes these downloaded fragments to be placed in unadventageous places?
Thereby causing your harddrive to get extremely slow, trying to put the bits together?


IOW: does defrag shit over your torrents?


It has never occured to me before, but seems sort of obvious, so just asking.

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:54 pm
by Foo
Don't defrag when torrenting.

Also, don't defrag more than once a month.

Activate the setting in your torrent client that allocates the necessary space at the start of the download.

Try a different client if it's refusing to shut down. Sounds a bit like your computer is fucked.

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:46 pm
by Plan B
Foo wrote:Don't defrag when torrenting.
Thought as much, but good to get it confirmed.

Also, don't defrag more than once a month.
More than once a month indeed seems a bit psychotic.

Activate the setting in your torrent client that allocates the necessary space at the start of the download.
So you ' anchor' the data.
Cool, didn't know I had that option.

Try a different client if it's refusing to shut down. Sounds a bit like your computer is fucked.
I have always used ABC, so I agree it's time to experiment.
I once tried Azereus which either is a bloated piece of crap or I unknowingly installed with too many options.


And the PC's an old fucker, but with heart like bull.

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:28 pm
by +JuggerNaut+
utorrent

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:23 pm
by Plan B
+JuggerNaut+ wrote:utorrent
Got it and installed it and the system is more responsive.
It uses a lot less memory, cpu-load is still highish, but I guess that goes for all torrent clients.

I also checked the 'pre-allocate all files' under prefs.


Thanks.

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:14 pm
by +JuggerNaut+
yw

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:38 am
by SoM
i'm using latest stable build of utorrent and that bitch still can hog upto 1 gig of ram or more, depending on torrent size 6-8 gig

with 2 gigs dual channel 800mhz and amd 64bit 3Ghz i too get slowdowns especially when the torrent runs for a few days cause of crap downloads speeds.

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:38 am
by creep
I guess crime doesn't pay after all.

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:00 am
by Foo
NO I JUST REALLY LIKE DIFFERENT LINUX BUILDS

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:21 am
by +JuggerNaut+
yes, yes i do.

Re: torrents + defrag = a nono?

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:09 pm
by SOAPboy
Plan B wrote: More than once a month indeed seems a bit psychotic.
Its not psychotic in any way.
I defrag weekly. But i also move around 30+ Gigs of files between 5 hard drives, install and uninstall alot of shitty korean MMOs. Thus, my drive is regularly fragged to fuck.

If you're torrenting ALOT, defrag more. If not, Defrag less. But like foo said, dont defrag while torrenting.