>Yesterday, trying to observe how the two different "Advanced" settings for memory management (Programs or system cache) on XP-Home (SP1) react, I created 3 DBFs with CDXs and FPTs and used them in testing. Prior to the tests I ran the Analyze function of the Disk Defragmenter utility and saw that the files in question were "well" (lots of) fragmented.
>I ran my tests and all was well.
>
>This morning, after the system had been sitting there for around 15 minutes doing nothing UI-wise, I saw/heard the HD (light) blinking rapidly and the sound indicated significant I/O happening. Moving the mouse to end the screen saver I saw the I/O activity continuing but there was also no activity happening on the (high speed ADSL) network connection. After about a minute more the HD activity stopped.
>
>I wondered what it could be and thought back to the fragmented files from yesterday's tests. Running the Analyze again I now found that only the .DBFs remained fragmented but the CDXs and the FPTs no longer showed in the list. This astounded me, so I deleted the files involved and recreated them afresh. I also confirmed that they were "well" fragmented (report output below, timestamped 0919hr today):

---------------------------------------------------------
>Fragments       File Size       Most fragmented files
>5,545           31 MB           \VFPmisc\Frag03.FPT
>5,095           20 MB           \VFPmisc\Frag01.FPT
>2,069           140 MB          \VFPmisc\Frag03.DBF
>1,801           114 MB          \VFPmisc\Frag01.DBF
>1,032           64 MB           \VFPmisc\Frag02.DBF
>374             23 MB           \VFPmisc\Frag02.CDX
>374             23 MB           \VFPmisc\Frag01.CDX
>374             23 MB           \VFPmisc\Frag03.CDX
>320             20 MB           \System Volume Informa...

Next I rebooted and let the machine just sit there.
>Sure enough, in a short time (maybe 15 minutes) the HD activity started again and went on for a while. When it abated I again ran an Analyze and that report is shown below, timestamped at 0956hr today:

---------------------------------------------------------
>Fragments       File Size       Most fragmented files
>2,069           140 MB          \VFPmisc\Frag03.DBF
>1,801           114 MB          \VFPmisc\Frag01.DBF
>1,032           64 MB           \VFPmisc\Frag02.DBF
>320             20 MB           \System Volume Informa...

>
>Does anyone have any idea as to how to explain this? Does anyone know how to put a stop to this? I plan to leave the machine sitting inactive again for a longer while and see if the .DBFs later get defragmented too.
>
>Any information gratefully accpeted.
>Thanks

Jim;

This is very interesting, as I have just built a Digital Audio Workstation with multi channel audio capabilities, using XP Professional as my operating system. Activity like this while recording or any number of activities could be a serious problem. I will be interested in what anyone has to say on this topic. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

Tom