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PS4 Rebuild Database Makes A Huge Difference

Brohan

Member
So does doing this remove anything? Saves etc?

If not i might try rebuilding the database since i have been having some stuttering in dragon Age.
 
OK, I just followed the steps and it's working now.

This is going quicker than I thought it would.. Please don't tell me I just accidentally formatted the HDD. T_T

No, it's good thankfully. Going to load up GTA V. (digital version)
 

Loefah

Banned
I did the same thing last month. Shadow of Mordor was stuttering during cutscenes, and something felt off during gameplay so I though my hard drive was on the blink. This fixed it though fortunately.
 
Is it ? Its name sounds more like registry cleaning. And I thought UNIX systems didn't have fragmentation issues ?

not 100% but this site seems to think it's a proper defrag tool. whatever it does it helps and that's what matters.

http://www.gadgethelpline.com/rebuild-sony-ps4-database/

One of the Features of the Sony PS4 Safe Mode menu is a Rebuild Database option which is version of a defrag that users can do on PC’s and computers. A defrag (or defragging) is a process on computers that does a clean-up of the data and memory on hard drives to free up space and clean out issues on memory.

The Rebuild Database option does a defrag of the PS4, which can solve a whole host of issues on the PS4 and free up some much needed space, speed up your console and fix issues. The Rebuild scans the drive and creates a new database of all content, thus cleaning the disc drive.
 

ShapeGSX

Member
The fact that this is required at all is just bizarre. Name another modern device where you need to rebuild databases in safe mode, outside of the regular OS just to keep it running smoothly. iOS? Android? Windows? OS X? Nope.
 

Kinthalis

Banned
The fact that this is required at all is just bizarre. Name another modern device where you need to rebuild databases in safe mode, outside of the regular OS just to keep it running smoothly.

Even that's n longr the case. It's so weird.

PC's went from having to constantly clean otu registry entries and defragging to needing NONE of that maintenance in modern OS's in the meantime consoles went from occasionally needing to blow on a cartridge to apparently having to boot into safe mode and rebuilding hard drive data tables.

No one would have believed me even a few years ago.
 
Even that's n longr the case. It's so weird.

PC's went from having to constantly clean otu registry entries and defragging to needing NONE of that maintenance in modern OS's in the meantime consoles went from occasionally needing to blow on a cartridge to apparently having to boot into safe mode and rebuilding hard drive data tables.

No one would have believed me even a few years ago.

pretty sure my Windows7 PC still defrags itself for maintenance. now, with the consoles being more and more like a PC it's only natural for it to have the same needs.
 

ShapeGSX

Member
pretty sure my Windows7 PC still defrags itself for maintenance. now, with the consoles being more and more like a PC it's only natural for it to have the same needs.

This isn't defragmenting, though. It's just rebuilding a database of content on the system. What kind of crappy database are they using if a stale one screws up the whole system? And why can't it be maintained during normal operation?
 
The fact that this is required at all is just bizarre. Name another modern device where you need to rebuild databases in safe mode, outside of the regular OS just to keep it running smoothly. iOS? Android? Windows? OS X? Nope.

It's not required. It's just something you can do if you are having issues operationally. The option is available for all devices, even modern OS. I don't even know where you got the idea that they don't do this. As others have said, software updates automatically do this for you anyways. So the "defrag" is something that will never go away as long as data can still clog.
 
good ol' defrag.
00da58b7509c1901adaded444615f28d.png
 
This isn't defragmenting, though. It's just rebuilding a database of content on the system. What kind of crappy database are they using if a stale one screws up the whole system? And why can't it be maintained during normal operation?

I'm not sure you could do that during normal operation. although, after every FW update the console will automatically run the Rebuild Database tool after installation, better than nothing i guess.

It's not required. It's just something you can do if you are having issues operationally. The option is available for all devices, even modern OS. I don't even know where you got the idea that they don't do this. As others have said, software updates automatically do this for you anyways. So the "defrag" is something that will never go away as long as data can still clog.

seeing as this is the only way to fix disc issues without having to go through the hassle of a Full Initialization(FW install and re-format), then it's fine.
 

psychotron

Member
Glad to see this helping so many of you. Very interested in seeing if the 7200 rpm drive I have ordered will go longer without requiring this than my hybrid drive. I still think that the way the hybrid works is conflicting with the way the PS4 operates.
 
Glad to see this helping so many of you. Very interested in seeing if the 7200 rpm drive I have ordered will go longer without requiring this than my hybrid drive. I still think that the way the hybrid works is conflicting with the way the PS4 operates.

Please let us know as I have the hybrid and wonder if I've made a mistake.
 
This process can also be done on the PS Vita.

Activating Safe Mode
To activate safe mode, press and hold the following buttons while it is OFF (not standby) for 5 seconds:

"R" button + PS button + Power button

Safe Mode Options
Once you reach Safe Mode, you will see the following options. Use the D-pad to highlight a selection and press "X".

Restart the PS Vita System
Reboots the PS Vita
Rebuild Database
This rebuilds user created data (lists, messages, and some other saved information).
Format Memory Card
This deletes all the information on the PS Vita Memory Card, including game saves, pictures, music, and downloaded games.
Restore the PS Vita System
Restores the PS Vita current firmware to its default state.
Update System Software
Allows you to update the Vita through:
To update your system software, choose from one of the three methods listed below

Update via Wi-Fi
Update PS Vita by connecting to a computer
Update PS Vita by connecting to a PlayStation 3

Be forewarned, however, it will delete your Bubble organization.
 

anddo0

Member
The PS3 did something similar. However, if it does detect a hard drive error it can't fix, you may be risking losing everything. My PS3 hard drive was working fine. I downloaded GTA5 at launch, and was told rebuilding the database would help with some of the slowdown and texture pop-in. The rebuild process went up to 60% before I got a corrupted hard drive error. I did what I had to do, formatted the hard drive and no errors since.
 

TalonJH

Member
I do it once a month. I just consider it maintenance similar to how I defrag my hard drives. And yes, when in doubt, rebuild database. It's a cure all.
 

TalonJH

Member
What does rebuild database do? I currently have a problem where one of my games icon is wrong (as in it's an icon for a different game). Would this fix it you think?

It does usually fix that for most people.


Doesn't this also reset the tiles on the dashboard?

Yes

How long is it ? I mean rebuilding database ?

A couple minutes at most.

Do you lose any settings/data of any kind when doing this?

Your Dashboard order is reset, that's all.

Does this affect saved game data and downloaded games?

Because I might give this a try.
So does doing this remove anything? Saves etc?

If not i might try rebuilding the database since i have been having some stuttering in dragon Age.


No

Regarding wiping all data, can I just rely on PS+ to have saved all of my save data or should I copy it onto a USB stick?

Rebuilding doesn't wipe anything but if you want to Initialize(wipe everything) I personally like to back everything up to a USB external. I also do this when I'm "done" with a game so I come back to it one day if I like but still save room on the HD.

The fact that this is required at all is just bizarre. Name another modern device where you need to rebuild databases in safe mode, outside of the regular OS just to keep it running smoothly. iOS? Android? Windows? OS X? Nope.

Defraging once a month helps PCs, manually indexing in OS X will speed up searches, also Android gets sluggish sometimes and feels new with a fresh install. It's not that crazy but it should be done automatically in my opinion.

This process can also be done on the PS Vita.



Be forewarned, however, it will delete your Bubble organization.

I didn't know the Vita had a safe mode but I guess it should be expected.
 

Cømet

Banned
So just to be inescapably sure before I give it a go, this doesn't delete game saves right? Lol can't be too careful!
 
I kinda wish the PS4 had an option in its system settings along the lines of "Restart Into Safe Mode" or whatever. But yeah I should probably rebuild the database at least once a month.
 

TalonJH

Member
I kinda wish the PS4 had an option in its system settings along the lines of "Restart Into Safe Mode" or whatever. But yeah I should probably rebuild the database at least once a month.

At first I thought people would wipe their hard drives and then call complaining about it but I think you can do that from the settings so yeah. There should be an option.
 

psychotron

Member
Received and installed my 1tb 7200 rpm drive. Works excellent and things are loading very fast. What's most surprising is that its quieter than my hybrid drive. Either way, fantastic performance so far.
 

DonMigs85

Member
If it's anything like Linux, performance and fragmentation only gets worse the fuller the drive is. I think this process just updates the file pointers or something.
 

NekoFever

Member
I had the same issue with Shadows of Mordor. It's apparently common and a caching problem. A simple restart of the system took care of it, and it hasn't happened since.
Yeah, same experience here. I usually put the PS4 into sleep mode and ran into this problem, but actually turning it off and back on again fixes it.
 

orava

Member
is this doing like what reinstalling windows does?

Maybe in XP times. I still have the same windows 8.1 install from over two years ago and it has not slowed down a bit. You are doing something wrong if your os install gets bogged down.
 

Melchiah

Member
I tried this out of curiosity, and it seems like the news feed loads a lot quicker now. Before it took a while for anything to show, now it's immediately visible when I go to the icon.
 

Melchiah

Member
After I rebuild the database I got a bunch of updates, as seen below.

tQRpguml.jpg

+ Killzone: Shadow Fall

I guess it's just a coincidence, that these came up after the procedure?
 

d9b

Banned
I'm getting an error when I try to do this... "Cannot rebuild the database..."

Why would that be and what can I do to fix it? Anyone?
 

nortonff

Hi, I'm nortonff. I spend my life going into threads to say that I don't care about the topic of the thread. It's a really good use of my time.
I'm getting an error when I try to do this... "Cannot rebuild the database..."

Why would that be and what can I do to fix it? Anyone?

You tried turning the console off, plugin off the power cable and trying again ?
How many space you got left on your HD ?
 

nortonff

Hi, I'm nortonff. I spend my life going into threads to say that I don't care about the topic of the thread. It's a really good use of my time.
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