How often should disk maintenance scripts be run?

[sirgeekalot]

I know that system maintenance scripts will automatically run if a Mac is left on overnight.

I could use OnyX or MacJanitor to run the maintenance while I'm away from my computer during the day.

I've heard that Macs can be more resistant to fragmentation than windows computers because of the filesystem size settings, etc.

Windows users are advised to defrag weekly/monthly if the computer is used on a regular basis.

How often should system maintenance scripts be run to keep the computer from becoming fragmented or the performance decreasing?

Any website references or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

(I'm running Leopard)

Thank you,

~ Sirgeekalot

 

[mad jew]

It's just not necessary, mate. I know it's difficult to come to terms with after dealing with a Windows machine, but you just don't have to do anything on the Mac and it'll be fine.

 

[sirgeekalot]

Thanks for the answer.

I know for certain that even the most perfect OS will still have some fragmentation, but Apple has done a good job to keep it from affecting performance.

 

[AV8TOR]

It's just not necessary, mate. I know it's difficult to come to terms with after dealing with a Windows machine, but you just don't have to do anything on the Mac and it'll be fine.

As a new iMac owner I do trust that but what is surprising to me is just how many apps are out there to run PC related maintenance on Macs. That sheds a degree of doubt however.

 

[MisterMe]

As a new iMac owner I do trust that but what is surprising to me is just how many apps are out there to run PC related maintenance on Macs. That sheds a degree of doubt however.

There will always be people who will ask you to waste your time. There will always be people who have time to waste. The existence of neither group is proof of the need to waste time.

 

[emptyCup]

Any website references or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

It does not hurt to restart your machine once a week and run Disk Utility > First Aid. If you are not using Time Machine (you should) do a backup then.

 

[lefooey]

I know that system maintenance scripts will automatically run if a Mac is left on overnight.

Can't test with Leopard at this moment, but under Snow Leopard the daily/weekly/monthly scripts will run automatically the first time your mac comes out of sleep after the designated time has passed. In other words, they'll still run even if you don't leave it on overnight.