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Defrag takes forever, won't finish. Only have explorer and systray running. Have Maxtor 20GB HD, 11GB free. Defrag will get to about 64% after 8hrs then stop? System runs sluggish anyway. Have 128MB RAM, Win98 SE and usually not running many programs. Ready to Format, but would rather go to the dentist.
Did you try running a thorough scandisk before trying to defrag?
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G,
Brily
You're gonna love this, but boot to dos and run scandisk c: /surface
This will run the thorough surface test to see if getting hung up on some bad sectors or cylinders. This will also take a long time but worth the wait. Then make sure no bios AV or ARPM is enabled, boot to windows, disable all background programs including screensaver and try it again. Good luck.
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"I think living on the moon would be fun,
but it would sure suck everytime you missed catching a frisbee."
Have you tried replacing defrag.exe that came with Win98SE with the defrag file that's listed under WindowsME.
I, as well as several friends have changed this file and it speeds up the defrag time.
Other posts may help you further.
Incidentally, you can download WinME defrag here: http://www.wilders.org/HTMLobj-732/newdefrag.zip
And defragging in Safe Mode is always a good idea.
Other tips: Norton Utilities'Speed Disk, and PowerDefrag: http://www.powerdefrag.com/
GTz. Tony
simnmel--If you have cable, disconnect it. And be sure Task Scheduler is not starting up during your defrag or scandisk.
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Jim
Another possibility. Have you dumped all your junk files? If your not familiar, or want to save time doing this, you can get a good program for doing this at
www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/solutions/0,8224,2327870,00.html
HD Valet, it's free and safe. Also make sure you have "show all files" enabled and go to C:\Windows\Applog and dump everything in it.
The suggestion to use WinME defrag is a good one also. Just be sure (if it's zipped) to unzip it to a generic folder first. Then put it in C:\Windows. Rename your present defrag to DEFRAG.OLD, then name the WinME to DEFRAG.EXE in the windows folder.
Good luck.. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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Get off my Interface!!
Thanks for info.Got HDValet, cleaned 460MB. Got new defrag loaded. Ran 20 hrs and only got to 81%. Whole computer is running slowly. Ready to dump everything.Quote:
Originally posted by snarfll:
Another possibility. Have you dumped all your junk files? If your not familiar, or want to save time doing this, you can get a good program for doing this at
www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/solutions/0,8224,2327870,00.html
HD Valet, it's free and safe. Also make sure you have "show all files" enabled and go to C:\Windows\Applog and dump everything in it.
The suggestion to use WinME defrag is a good one also. Just be sure (if it's zipped) to unzip it to a generic folder first. Then put it in C:\Windows. Rename your present defrag to DEFRAG.OLD, then name the WinME to DEFRAG.EXE in the windows folder.
Good luck.. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
This is a 3 page document printed out.
Programs running in background
For whom who asked the original question. I think you need a little more information, because you may be trying to defrag without having done a few other necessary steps first. Which could explain why it is taking so long.
Defragging should really be a third step after:
(1) deleting unnecessary files from your computer (what's the point of rearranging useless files?) and
(2) running the computer through a scandisk -[ which checks the surface for damaged sectors only when run in the thorough/surface scan so that files are not put there in the defrag process.]
I wrote the following notes for colleagues at work, who knew nothing about disk maintenance, based on infornation gleaned from a number of websites and books. I hope you can get some benefit from them as well.
Anyone who detects any misinformation in what follows, please jump in - this is just the way I understand the process from a lot of reading.
Step 1: Deleting Folders and Files
A. Folders on the C drive from which all files can safely be deleted:
-> Windows \ Temporary Internet Files {deletes cookies including website log in info / payed to surf cookies if done using Windows explorer}[Deltree this directory from DOS does not effect cookies]
-> Windows \ Downloaded Program Files {contains files you may want to leave alone. Java, Activex applets that will be downloaded again when you visit the site again, addding time to load webpage. And windows Update site uses applets stored here.
-> Windows \ History
-> Windows \ Temp
-> Windows \ Cookies [Again payed to surf need these and Login cookies are here also.]
-> Windows \ Favorites (all can be deleted if you do not use Internet Explorer as your browser)
The simplest way to delete all files in a folder is to highlight the folder in Windows Explorer, click the menu item EDIT>SELECT ALL, then hit the DELETE key.
B. Files (but NOT personal files) that can be deleted are selected on the basis of their extension i.e. the three letters that appear after the 'dot' and file name.
Files which can be safely deleted are found in three places:
-> in Windows Explorer
-> in email mailboxes
-> in your browser (e.g Netscape or Internet Explorer)
Windows Explorer
In Windows Explorer, any file can be found by going to the menu item TOOLS>FIND>FILES OR FOLDERS. In the dialog box, type *.xxx, where xxx is the file type (listed below).
The file types can be entered one at a time, or several at once, separated by semi-colons, for example *.gid; *.cnt.
Specify the drive to look in (usually C), make sure the INCLUDE SUBFOLDERS box is checked, then FIND NOW.
Note (1): The * is a 'wild card' and will allow all files with that extension to be found, irrespective of file name.
Note (2): If you have any concerns about deleting a file, create a temporary folder (perhaps under 'My Documents') named DELyymmdd, where yymmdd is the current year, month and day. Move the files you are not sure about deleting to this folder, and if after experiencing no adverse effects for a week / month (depending on computer use) then delete the folder and its contents.
File types which can be deleted, and what they are:
*.gid, *.cnt, *.ftg, *.ann, *.bmk
These files are Help sections, and will regenerate when needed.
*.avi, *.fts, *.diz, *.tmp, These files include How-To animations, files created when you do a search in a Help file, lists of files on previously installed programs, and temporary or old version of files.
*.~??, *.??~, *.bk2, *.001, *.002 through to *.999
These are also temporary files
*.wav, *.mid
These are sound files, and you may want to keep them (say for PowerPoint). Most are junk
*.zip
Delete these files after extracting the program files from them. If you feel unsure doing this,or want to, save the files to clearly labelled floppy disk, cd, zip or ??
*.chk located directly on the C drive (C:\*.chk) but NOT those in any regular program folders
They are the result of running ScanDisk
Mscreate.dir and/or a folder called ~Mssetup.t
Under the Windows Explorer menu VIEW>OPTIONS>VIEW, make sure the SHOW ALL FILES option is checked. Search the entire C drive for these two files and delete them. They are empty files created by Microsoft installation programs.
Because each email program is different, I will not try to give instructions on how to clean these up, but I am sure if you check your IN and OUT boxes, you will see which files can either be deleted forever, or zipped up and stored on floppy or another backup utility.
NETSCAPE
This is the browser I use, so this is why I can provide instructions for it. If you use IE or any other browser, someone else can provide the relevant details.
If you use Netscape to browse the internet, there is a lot of junk retained after each visit. To clear it out, go to the Netscape menu item EDIT>PREFERENCES. In the dialog box that comes up, click on Category>Navigator. On the RHS of the dialog box, under the section 'History Box', click on the button 'Clear History'. In the section beneath 'Location Bar History', click on the button 'Clear Location Box'. Click on the Category>Advanced>Cache menu, and clear the Memory Cache and the Disk Cache.
The next step is absolutely vital!
EMPTY THE RECYCLE BIN
Step 2: ScanDisk
This program is built in to Windows and is designed to check for errors on the surface of your hard disk ('bad sectors') and errors in the files and folders, many of which ScanDisk can also fix. To make ScanDisk run at its best, no other programs should be running at the same time, and must be closed down. Many people do not realise that as well as the programs you choose to open yourself, a number of programs start automatically when you turn on your computer. These must also be closed down BEFORE you run ScanDisk.
How do you know what is open? Pressing the three keys Control, Alt and Delete at the same time (C/A/D) will bring up a list of the programs running in the background of your computer. Not all programs should be turned off, otherwise the computer will not run at all.
The two programs which MUST BE LEFT RUNNING are Explorer and Systray, all others can be closed down (one at a time) by pressing C/A/D, and choosing End Task. You may not recognise what some of these programs are, but invariably will include your virus checker - there may be several of these, checking incoming email, a random virus scan at startup, as well as continuous background scanning. There may also be an MS Office toolbar.
There is one other step to do before starting ScanDisk. You must turn off any screen savers. To do this, either go to Start>Settings>Control Panel, and open Display, OR right click on the desktop and choose Properties. You will get several tabs: click on Background, and set wallpaper to NONE, click on the Screen Saver tab and also set to NONE. To start the scan,
Go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>ScanDisk
You can choose Standard or Thorough, the latter of which you should choose if you have never run ScanDisk. Since it can take some time (up to a couple of hours), choose your time appropriately. If you need your computer before the scan finishes, it is OK to stop it, and start it again at a later time. It will take less time, as some of the scan has been done. However, because of the requirement to go through Step 1 - deleting unwanted files - should be done before running ScanDisk, it is obviously better to complete it in one sitting if possible.
Step 3: Defrag
When you create, move, copy, update, rewrite and delete files from your computer, they get fragmented. The computer can keep track of these fragments belonging to a single file, but it will take longer to display. To optimise computer performance, periodic defragmentation, or the process of reorganizing the contents of a disk so that all of a file's contents are written in a single contiguous block, is desirable. To run a defrag, which should be done immediately after running ScanDisk,
Go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Defrag
I modified Eggles post.
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SMILE
and post back
[ Book mark this post to find it again]
Scandisk and defrag
Programs running in the Background stop it.
Turn off screen saver.
Do Ctrl-Alt-Del and close all but explorer and try again.
Upon completion, suggest run defragment.
It can run in Safe Mode also.
Reboot and on startup hold the Control key [F8 if control does not work]
This will bring up the Boot menu
Arrow down [mouse does not work here] to 3. Safe Mode, hit enter
and you will boot to Safe Mode. [Yes it will look funny, very basic here]
[Screen saver should already be turned off] and run scandisk.
Upon completion you can run defragment also. It would be a good Idea as
you are already there.
Upon completion reboot to start you av and other programs
IN DOS
Scandisk can be run in dos also.
Defrag can not
Do the same as safe mode until you get to the startup menu.
Select 5. Command and hit enter.
and you will boot to the C:\ prompt.
Type in scandisk ,
looks like this
C:\scandisk
hit enter
when finish at the C:\ type win hit enter
or for a faster reboot do a Ctrl-Alt-Delete
[b]EDIT: I did some testing and found WinME defrag to be awful slow in Safe mode.
Also when was the last time you did a virus scan with updated info?
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SMILE
and post back
[ Book mark this post to find it again]
[This message has been edited by Train (edited 08-08-2001).]
http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/enditall/
This program will stop all non-essential programs from running in the background with one click and it's free.
Vince
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There's no second chance to make a first impression.
Thanks for response. Running PC Cillin98, update engine and pattern weekly. Did run WinME derag in safe mode. Don't use screen saver. Had boot problem 2 mos. ago: scandisk -thorough- found and repaired a lot of bad clusters. It took more than 18hrs to finish that scandisk session. Boot has been steady but slow. General performance of PC has been poor.(T-Bird 800/Asus A7V/128MB RAM). Have cleaned-out most junk files already.Quote:
Originally posted by Train:
[b]
Scandisk and defrag
Programs running in the Background stop it.
Turn off screen saver.
Do Ctrl-Alt-Del and close all but explorer and try again.
Upon completion, suggest run defragment.
It can run in Safe Mode also.
Reboot and on startup hold the Control key [F8 if control does not work]
This will bring up the Boot menu
Arrow down [mouse does not work here] to 3. Safe Mode, hit enter
and you will boot to Safe Mode. [Yes it will look funny, very basic here]
[Screen saver should already be turned off] and run scandisk.
Upon completion you can run defragment also. It would be a good Idea as
you are already there.
Upon completion reboot to start you av and other programs
IN DOS
Scandisk can be run in dos also.
Defrag can not
Do the same as safe mode until you get to the startup menu.
Select 5. Command and hit enter.
and you will boot to the C:\ prompt.
Type in scandisk ,
looks like this
C:\scandisk
hit enter
when finish at the C:\ type win hit enter
or for a faster reboot do a Ctrl-Alt-Delete
EDIT: I did some testing and found WinME defrag to be awful slow in Safe mode.
Also when was the last time you did a virus scan with updated info?