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"Optimising" a memory stick |
aqualung
Joined: Dec 02, 2005
Posts: 175
PM |
Hi all
I have a 2G MS ProDuo ( Sandisk ) in my P990i.
While I've had no problems whatsoever with it, I've been wondering whether it will eventually slow down as information becomes more and more fragmented across it.
I use it daily ( pictures / documents are both added and deleted ) and I'm wondering if copying it's contents across to a PC, deleting all folders on it and then copying them back across, will restore contiguity of the files.
I've Googled this, and read enough to understand that a true 'defrag' is not advisable, and why.
The other option is to copy all files off it as above, then 'format' it.
Thoughts/comments/experiences ?
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ahmed-sama
Joined: Apr 02, 2007
Posts: 291
From: here
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Never heard of this before.
I always defrag normally 
I am a beta product |
masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
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we have had a lot of discussions on this topic and indeed, we have a Memory Stick FAQ which links to a discussion of "Is it safe to defrag my mem card"
but probably, and most importantly, Sony themselves say...
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umerhayat
Joined: Feb 27, 2005
Posts: 285
From: Pakistan
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Hi.i am using mine memory stick for 4 months.copying and deleting songs.i do not think it slows down.its working the same till now
This message was posted from a W810i |
dualist
Joined: Oct 12, 2005
Posts: 98
PM |
After using a Memory Stick for many months, moving music and other files around, etc., I have sometimes noticed that certain files fail to play or become corrupt. This happens very rarely, but I'm pretty sure it's due to data fragmentation. I've not noticed any speed decreases though.
Copying all data off, doing a full format and then copying data back again solves the problem. |
abubakar
Joined: Sep 15, 2005
Posts: 109
From: Nigeria
PM, WWW
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juniji
Joined: Apr 24, 2007
Posts: 116
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Guys,
Defragmenting memory cards is a waste of time.
The concept of defragmentation comes from the disk drive industry where a fragmented spinning disk slows because of the delay of a mechanical arm moving from one part of the disk to the other.
In a memory card there is just as much delay going from one sector to the next sequential sector as there is to any other sector in the memory space.
There is a phenomenon similar to defragmentation, where the physical flash memory becomes fragmented and requires "garbage collection" by the low level firmware. This can slow a card periodically. However, the end user has NO control over this level of frag/defrag from the logical level.
HOWEVER - The Memory Stick PRO format has a feature to solve this issue. It's called Full Format or Quick Format. Full Format is preferable. Full/Quick format is a firmware level feature that is designed by the firmware architect at either Sony or SanDisk. It will format the card and align the physical blocks to the logical blocks and provide the BEST and most efficient and actual FACTORY format of your card.
NOTE - MicroSD does not have this feature.
HOW to do this - for Quick format - use any Sony Memory Stick host including your SEMC handset. Some smartphones M600 or P1 use Full Format, but the majority are quick format. Full Format is your best bet. You will know Full Format by the time required - usually 2-3 minutes versus quick format of a few seconds.
The difference between Quick and Full Format is a block by block erase management of Full Format vs. a simple header restructure of Quick format.
If you are a real MS propeller head, you can search the net for the Memory Stick Utility software that can provide either quick/full format on a SONY USB reader. Not a knockoff SanDisk, Kinston or other USB reader - MUST be a SONY.
Did I miss anything??
Best of Luck
Juniji
[ This Message was edited by: juniji on 2008-07-27 19:50 ] |
mode
Joined: Jan 12, 2007
Posts: > 500
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I'm using an 8GB MSPD and considering of getting a 16GB one mainly because 1) The performance has been flawless all this while 2) I'm running out of space already. From point 1, you know I'm a satisfied user and from my experence there are no speed slowdowns whatsoever if your files are organized neatly in folders. There will only be slowdowns if you keep like a thousand songs in one folder. Categorize everything and keep them in folders like how you do for your office and it'll never have such problems.
P/s: Yes, I do format my ms once in a while for good measure when I format my phone as well. AFAIK, there has been no difference in performance aside from the phone itself getting relatively quicker after an internal format.
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Posted: 2007-06-03 16:47
