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General discussion

Diskeeper and Spinrite

Oct 14, 2006 2:42AM PDT

O.K. I know I should know by now. Spinrite is as old as dirt, does some file recovery, etc. And I know that Diskeeper is mainly about defragmentation. But what is the difference....really. Should I have them both. I've used diskeeper for some time now. I've never tried Spinrite. Should it be in my utility bag?? Thanks for your ideas!

Konocti

Discussion is locked

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See link below ....a independent reveiw on SpinRite
Oct 14, 2006 4:59AM PDT

that makes me wonder why almost everyone doesn't own and use SpinRite . . . especially those with these new large hard disks.

http://www.kickstartnews.com/reviews/utilities/spinrite_v6.html

I've used it SR for years. I can't eliminate disk failure but can reduce/minimize disk read/write errors and problems.

VAPCMD

PS . . Here's an important extract from the linked article

'For the uninitiated, a few drive technology definitions are in order. First and foremost it's important to know that every hard drive contains thin, round, hard platters, spun at high rotational velocities. Floppy disk platters are, well, thin and floppy and made of acetate plastic. Both kinds of platter surfaces are coated with microscopically tiny magnetic particles. Remind you of something? All those who said "magnetic recording tape" take a bow. In fact, storage technology has advanced not because of changes in fundamental theory (those changes are coming over the next few years mind you) but because of advancements in the type, physical amount, density and consistency of magnetically coercible platter coatings, because of the advancements in design of the drive heads which are used to read and write data to the exotic coatings, and because of the incremental improvements in drive motor and bearing technology which have enabled faster rotational speeds and controlled operating temperatures. If nothing else external happens (unusual cold, excessive heat, physical damage) and if the drive is turned off with the computer every night, under normal use a typical hard drive can theoretically last for a decade. The problem is that the drive surface coatings develop inconsistencies, data is incorrectly written from time to time, physical bumps & bangs take place and excess heat takes its toll on drive electronics. The fallacy surrounding hard drive problems is that once the drive starts throwing errors all over the place, it's time to replace it. That's not true most of the time. As a matter of fact, more often than not if the drive is not making unusual noises and if you haven't actually burned out any of the drive electronics, the balky old thing may just needs some tender loving care. That's where SpinRite 6 comes in.'

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Spinrite Reveiw
Oct 14, 2006 9:37AM PDT

VAPCMD, thanks for the link. Totally worth reading. Of course it make SR sound like a great utility to have. I guess I'm just going to have to cough up a few more bucks and try it out. Thanks again for your response. Konocti

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Glad to help ... PS allow plenty of time for SR to run
Oct 14, 2006 9:47AM PDT

as it will take many hours to run at level 4 on a large HDD.

VAPCMD