Hi Arjen, Glad you liked the video. Did you watch it all? More importantly, the end steps on simulation mode?It's hard to say what someone elses best settings is because I would need to know a lot more info. From what you said though, I can see your FSX install is on the same drive as Windows. That alone makes a lot of difference in what I reference in the video, but in any case, simulation mode should be used to test various settings 1st. IF I had FSX and my OS on the same drive, I would do things differently.You're seeing files in different locations because of how you set it up. For instance, you're using Archive, you're using respect layout.ini, and those two things alone are going to overwrite other settings. So if you're telling it to respect the layout.ini, it's going to go off that and some files in your FSX will be moved all over the place. If you Archive as you have then the same will happen. I wouldn't be using Archive in the way you did, or even at all. If I used it, it would only be in me telling it exactly what to archive such as using wild cards (*.zip, *.rar, or any specific extension I know isn't used - this is also something I deal with differently though with multiple drives).Is your FSX folder the only one you're custom selecting? Are you also then using wild cards? Again, these things will overwrite, or assist the other in your decision of choices. If I were to choose custom and then arrange these folders in order like so:

• D:HangarFSX
• D:HangarDan
• D:All_Other_Addons

And then tell it to follow AscDsc order, that is then telling it to take my custom choices and arrange them by folder name like so (so it's ignoring how I have them in custom options to a point)

• D:All_Other_Addons
• D:HangarDan
• D:HangarFSX

See how they're now alphabetically arranged? That's how they would go because of the AscDsc checked. BUT, if I then had respect layout.ini checked it's also going to go buy that which will overwrite even that if it sees differences. Now, if I archive also the way you have, then it's going to get further ripped apart since it's then going to be doing similar to what the respect layout.ini is telling it to do, such as "50% least frequently used data". That is something that it looks to see what the layout.ini is saying and possibly the system volume information. So play around with simulation mode and test. That's the best way to see how your options will work and a lot of the times it might show you something you want to change.So in a nutshell, to answer how I might set it up in your case (but not 100% since I can't even simulate this since I don't have it set up this way)"

• Use wild cards (since windows and FSX are on the same drive). Set them up in this order:
  • *.sys
  • *.dll
  • *.exe
  • *.bgl
  • *.bmp
  • *.dds (I am experimenting here since bmp files load a little slower than dds, but you might try both with dds being 1st also)
  • If you have AS12 (Active Sky 2012), then I would put *.bmpgfx here, or you could also change the earlier stated bmp option for a more robust wild card to include them with the other bmp files like this: *.bmp*
    • If you do that, the *.bmpgfx files will be listed 1st, but that shouldn't be a problem.

  [*]I wouldn't be using Archive at all unless specifically telling it files to archive.[*]I would not tell it to respect layout.ini for the same reasons I said in the video for my fsx drive.

Hope that helps

I use Diskeeper 2011 and I let it autodefrag.

Hi Arjen,Glad you liked the video. Did you watch it all? More importantly, the end steps on simulation mode?It's hard to say what someone elses best settings is because I would need to know a lot more info. From what you said though, I can see your FSX install is on the same drive as Windows. That alone makes a lot of difference in what I reference in the video, but in any case, simulation mode should be used to test various settings 1st. IF I had FSX and my OS on the same drive, I would do things differently.You're seeing files in different locations because of how you set it up. For instance, you're using Archive, you're using respect layout.ini, and those two things alone are going to overwrite other settings. So if you're telling it to respect the layout.ini, it's going to go off that and some files in your FSX will be moved all over the place. If you Archive as you have then the same will happen. I wouldn't be using Archive in the way you did, or even at all. If I used it, it would only be in me telling it exactly what to archive such as using wild cards (*.zip, *.rar, or any specific extension I know isn't used - this is also something I deal with differently though with multiple drives).Is your FSX folder the only one you're custom selecting? Are you also then using wild cards? Again, these things will overwrite, or assist the other in your decision of choices. If I were to choose custom and then arrange these folders in order like so:

• D:HangarFSX
• D:HangarDan
• D:All_Other_Addons

And then tell it to follow AscDsc order, that is then telling it to take my custom choices and arrange them by folder name like so (so it's ignoring how I have them in custom options to a point)

• D:All_Other_Addons
• D:HangarDan
• D:HangarFSX

See how they're now alphabetically arranged? That's how they would go because of the AscDsc checked. BUT, if I then had respect layout.ini checked it's also going to go buy that which will overwrite even that if it sees differences. Now, if I archive also the way you have, then it's going to get further ripped apart since it's then going to be doing similar to what the respect layout.ini is telling it to do, such as "50% least frequently used data". That is something that it looks to see what the layout.ini is saying and possibly the system volume information. So play around with simulation mode and test. That's the best way to see how your options will work and a lot of the times it might show you something you want to change.So in a nutshell, to answer how I might set it up in your case (but not 100% since I can't even simulate this since I don't have it set up this way)"

• Use wild cards (since windows and FSX are on the same drive). Set them up in this order:
  • *.sys
  • *.dll
  • *.exe
  • *.bgl
  • *.bmp
  • *.dds (I am experimenting here since bmp files load a little slower than dds, but you might try both with dds being 1st also)
  • If you have AS12 (Active Sky 2012), then I would put *.bmpgfx here, or you could also change the earlier stated bmp option for a more robust wild card to include them with the other bmp files like this: *.bmp*
    • If you do that, the *.bmpgfx files will be listed 1st, but that shouldn't be a problem.

  [*]I wouldn't be using Archive at all unless specifically telling it files to archive.[*]I would not tell it to respect layout.ini for the same reasons I said in the video for my fsx drive.

Hope that helps

Ok, thanks a lot for helping me! And yes, C:/FSX is the only folder that is checked, I don't choose any other directories like REX or GEX or UTX, because those programms simply replace original textures (I think), so would it make a difference if I check those?Also, you say that I should choose Asc/Desc? But I can only choose one of both! So probably I have to select this somewhere else? Btw, I'm using the FOLDER/FILENAME mode. Is that the correct mode? And please not, I mainly defrag for FSX, I don't mind if my Windows gets slightly slower, it's all about FSX for me.And yes I watched your whole video. But I'm not english, so I can't remember everything, so I might have missed something, yes.

Ok,...

I go over most of the options in the video, but the key is at the end in using the simulation. It is what I emphasized in the video and my post above. It is how you'll better learn what is going to happen on your computer since no one but you has your computers file structure. That is why at the end I say "It doesn't matter if you understood anything I said, what matters is you understand how to change your settings and test them using simulation mode". It only takes a minute and again, is the main way you'll learn. I'm not saying this to step away from the questions, but seriously, it is the best way to learn. Asking others for advice on certain things is ok, but anyones advice on some things (like this) should only be taken with a grain of salt. It's better to learn how to use the program. It would be like me helping someone do a paint, each time they did a paint. It would better them if I just taught them to use Photoshop and working with layers, which is why I think you should spend less time asking for answers to something no one can accurately answer.Like I've mentioned now too many times to count. You can expect sluggishness after a defrag, just as would a fresh install. Sometimes you won't but often you will. It doesn't mean anything is wrong, and you have no reason to panic. It will sort itself out. Trying to just launch a flight and basing anything on what you see right away is the worst thing you can do. It needs time to rewrite the layout.ini (or known to many as a break in period). Anything you see right away and asking for advice on those things is only going to have people incorrectly give advice basing it on what they think it is, when it's absolutely nothing. You'll then try all this junk people are saying and it will just make matters worst. Stop being impatient and just give it some time.Also keep in mind what I said in the original post that this is a video of a series, and is actually one of the last in that series. The others are done but too much editing to do them right now. So be satisfied with what you have, don't touch anything, don't defrag anymore! You're doing nothing by doing that but wasting your time. I promise.

I go over most of the options in the video, but the key is at the end in using the simulation. It is what I emphasized in the video and my post above. It is how you'll better learn what is going to happen on your computer since no one but you has your computers file structure. That is why at the end I say "It doesn't matter if you understood anything I said, what matters is you understand how to change your settings and test them using simulation mode". It only takes a minute and again, is the main way you'll learn. I'm not saying this to step away from the questions, but seriously, it is the best way to learn. Asking others for advice on certain things is ok, but anyones advice on some things (like this) should only be taken with a grain of salt. It's better to learn how to use the program. It would be like me helping someone do a paint, each time they did a paint. It would better them if I just taught them to use Photoshop and working with layers, which is why I think you should spend less time asking for answers to something no one can accurately answer.Like I've mentioned now too many times to count. You can expect sluggishness after a defrag, just as would a fresh install. Sometimes you won't but often you will. It doesn't mean anything is wrong, and you have no reason to panic. It will sort itself out. Trying to just launch a flight and basing anything on what you see right away is the worst thing you can do. It needs time to rewrite the layout.ini (or known to many as a break in period). Anything you see right away and asking for advice on those things is only going to have people incorrectly give advice basing it on what they think it is, when it's absolutely nothing. You'll then try all this junk people are saying and it will just make matters worst. Stop being impatient and just give it some time.Also keep in mind what I said in the original post that this is a video of a series, and is actually one of the last in that series. The others are done but too much editing to do them right now. So be satisfied with what you have, don't touch anything, don't defrag anymore! You're doing nothing by doing that but wasting your time. I promise.

Ok, one problem. I'm trying to use the simulation option. I set all my settings correctly, like I did last time, (archive section unchecked). I clicked simulate, but after 5 minutes of waiting, my HDD is still totally green.And about the Layout.ini, I didn't know that I should be rewritten entirely. Makes sense actually, because each time I load up FSX it's a little less stuttery (if that's word...), so I'm happy to hear that. I'll see tomorrow, after doing several more flights, if it has really worked well. And you know what? I didn't take any peoples advices, I didn't defrag using Command Prompt, or something else. I waited until I got an answer from you. I didn't notice it in the beginning because you didn't quote my post (no problem btw), that's why I made this topic, hoping that people could give me just as good advice as you, on how to use UD3 and what I was doing wrong in my settings. I defragged once using info from your video, but still made some mistakes. The second time I defragged with the Archive section unchecked and it had worked out better already. Now it's just a matter of time (don't know how long but I don't think very long) until the Layout.ini is rewritten entirely.

Ok, one problem.

My main concern (believe it or not) is that people get correct information and those trying to help can also have all the facts to better help. I don't care where an answer comes from but often people leave the important parts out.Anywho, the layout.ini isn't the only factor but it takes time (days) to build accurately. Each time you defrag is only moving things around what was done last time, so the main thing is giving each one fair time and run FSX for a few days. The cmd prompt advice is actually good advice, but like I said, not for this topic, or UT3. They're only trying to help but again, may not know anything at all about this programs abilities.If you're hard drive is staying green after you choose simulate then look in the top right corner. Does it give the amount of time estimate? If so, then it's done simulating. Simulating an already formatted drive may show the same results and not even run the simulation thoroughly. If that's the case. Close it, count to 10 and restart it. Be sure you're clicking ok and not cancel to after making changes. If still nothing changes then be sure you're changing things that will make a difference (not sure that makes sense). In other words do something drastic of a change, just to see what it does. I never saw that problem but that seems to give windows a nudge if something else is hindering it from running right. If that doesn't work, first "analyze" the drive, then run the simulation (that really shouldn't be needed, but...).Lastly, after you click simulate be sure to then click "Start". Just simulate does nothing but let it know when you click start, it is to only run the simulation.

Edited January 4, 201214 yr by Turbine777

I personally use O&O as well, since NickN from AoA made a ver comprehensive tutorial on how to set up FSX,and one of the parts was on defragging. If u don't already know, it's probably worth that you look it up, they are at simforums.

I just downloaded Ultimatedefrag3 over the weekend and I do have to say that I am seeing a good performance increase (quicker load times) over Windows Defrag!

I personally use O&O as well, since NickN from AoA made a ver comprehensive tutorial on how to set up FSX,and one of the parts was on defragging. If u don't already know, it's probably worth that you look it up, they are at simforums.

Which was what sold me on it years ago also. Having been an owner of both, UT3 is far superior. Nick's tweaking was great for the most part, as was his advice on defragging but mainly the key of being sure you do them and how to maximize your drives performance with O&O. Although, his post is years old now and you can do with UT3 in one defrag what took several with O&O, not to mention the fact it has many more options and less likely to ruin your boot sector like O&O can do. I normally back up anything that I bought, but since installing and getting familiar with UT3, I've actually deleted my O&O backup since I'll never, ever use it again.

I just downloaded Ultimatedefrag3 over the weekend and I do have to say that I am seeing a good performance increase (quicker load times) over Windows Defrag!

Yeah, Windows Defrag is a joke all around. I haven't liked it since Windows 98, 2nd & 3rd edition.

Edited January 4, 201214 yr by Turbine777