File Compression - Need Help

[TBSN]

This really applies to all Operating Systems, but I just figured I'd put it in here.

I never really needed to compress data before, but I've been trying to compress an .ISO file (which I believe is already compressed) so that I can fit it on a DVD. It's a 6GB file, and I don't know how much to expect to compress it down to...

I don't need the image to be burned to the disk, btw. I'm just using it to move it from one computer to another.

I used 7zip (I'm on linux actually, but its the same compression) and after about an HOUR, which I wasn't expecting, I compressed it. It was around 5.6GB! I thought I could at least compress it to 4GB, but maybe I don't understand how it works?

What's the best way to compress really huge, single files like that? Obviously I could split them up; is .RAR the only format that does that? What's the best format to use? Basically, what's the best way to compress a file?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Quiksilver]

Give this a shot:
http://kgbarchiver.net/

Supposed to have some pretty good compression rates; dunno how long it will take though.

Also if your just moving it from one computer to another, what does it matter if it's 4GB or not?

 

[zenguy]

If .7z is only taking it down to 5.6, you won't find anything to drop it to 4gb.

Consider using the File Splitter Option so you can split the Zip across multiple DVDs.

 

[TBSN]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Give this a shot:
http://kgbarchiver.net/

Supposed to have some pretty good compression rates; dunno how long it will take though.

Also if your just moving it from one computer to another, what does it matter if it's 4GB or not?

Well, my biggest thumb drive is 4GB. I should get a 8GB one now that they're so cheap.

I got the file to the other computer by splitting it up in .7z format. I don't think it compressed it, just split it up. That worked though, just used two drives.

So, in general, what is the best format for compressing files? There are so many.

 

[lxskllr]

I use 7Z. I don't know if it's best or not, but it works well for my limited purposes.

 

[Pcsupport1234]

If you on linux you can make a tarball with gzip. It will compress more..

Here is the command

command:
tar -xzvf yourfile.tar.gz

where yourfile is the name of your file.

Hopes that help

 

[TBSN]

Alright, thanks for the info. It's nice that .7z is cross-platform, and for use in Linux I'll try making tarballs, which seem to be the standard.