Programs to compact the hard disk?

[raymondu999]

Hey all... just wondering if there are any programs to compact the hard disk around for mac os? So that all my data uses up the inner sectors and I have a contiguous lump of free space in the outer sectors?

Thanks

Preferrably free of course

 

[GGJstudios]

Hey all... just wondering if there are any programs to compact the hard disk around for mac os? So that all my data uses up the inner sectors and I have a contiguous lump of free space in the outer sectors?

There is rarely, if ever, a need to do this on Mac OS X.

 

[old-wiz]

The defrag programs only make contiguous blocks. There's very little you can do to control the physical location of files on the disk. What would be the point of doing it anyway? If you are thinking it would be faster, you couldn't measure it and modern disks usually have a buffer anyway.

 

[raymondu999]

My main purpose isn't to compact the disk per se, it's that I need to create a partition and right now I can't because it keeps telling me that some files can't be moved

 

[AlphaDogg]

My main purpose isn't to compact the disk per se, it's that I need to create a partition and right now I can't because it keeps telling me that some files can't be moved

I was trying to do the exact same thing. I had finally gotten a copy of windows, to install on my MBP, and it returned the same error message. Fortunately, I have just ordered a new hard drive, and before I clone my old drive to it, I will partition it. Therefore bypassing the problem.

 

[raymondu999]

Yes, I get the feeling I'll have to bite the bullet and format this thing. But then again... I hear iDefrag is able to compact drives

 

[davidlv]

Yes, I get the feeling I'll have to bite the bullet and format this thing. But then again... I hear iDefrag is able to compact drives

Drive Genius also has a defragmentation function. Of course you have to boot up from another drive on order to use it. And it takes forever to work on a 500 GB drive that only has 150GB used. However, just to resize a repartition, buying the software, installing it and then running it seems like a little more work than repartitioning the drive, reinstalling the OS and restoring from a time machine backup.
Your call.

 

[mulo]

My main purpose isn't to compact the disk per se, it's that I need to create a partition and right now I can't because it keeps telling me that some files can't be moved

iDefrag does exactly what you want
using "full defrag" it will move all files to one end, while leaving the hotband empty for osx to use, it will also allow you to move files around manually if you want.

 

[raymondu999]

iDefrag does exactly what you want
using "full defrag" it will move all files to one end, while leaving the hotband empty for osx to use, it will also allow you to move files around manually if you want.

Sounds great, will give it a go

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

When my dad and I were trying to install BootCamp, we hit the same issue. The only way we fixed it was to restore from TimeMachine and give it another go.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Hey all... just wondering if there are any programs to compact the hard disk around for mac os? So that all my data uses up the inner sectors and I have a contiguous lump of free space in the outer sectors?"

iDefrag offers a "compact" option along with its other options.

This does what you're looking for.