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General discussion

Can't defrag

Feb 28, 2004 2:52AM PST

My ME defrag program starts but doesn't get past 0 or 1%. I believe that it restarts continuously because some program is writing to the hard drive, but I don't know how to figure out what program is the culprit. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm using an HP Pavilion XE783 running Windows ME. Norton Antivirus is loaded but I disable it to try to defrag. I tried using Norton Utilities to defrag and experience the same problem.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Can't defrag
Mar 15, 2004 10:41PM PST

Use Ctrl/Alt/Delete to end all running tasks except Explorer and Systray, then Defrag. This works for me with Win98fe and Win98se and also worked for Win95.

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Re:Can't defrag
Mar 17, 2004 11:01AM PST

If you are using ME and the defrag program starts but doesn't get past 0 or 1%. You should First start with a fresh boot. Once the PC has re-started, Hit the Ctrl, Alt, Delete all at the same time. This will bring up the "Close Program Window!"
Close all Programs Except Systray and Explorer
Then do a Thorough Scandisk, This will run much faster than usual because there are no other Programs running in the background to cause it to Freeze. When this is completed, Then do a Defrag. It will also run more freely for the same reason!
Good Luck!
Frankie"D"

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Re:Can't defrag
Mar 18, 2004 10:03PM PST

If you are using ME and the defrag program starts but doesn't get past 0 or 1%. You should First start with a fresh boot. Once the PC has re-started, Hit the Ctrl, Alt, Delete all at the same time. This will bring up the "Close Program Window!"
Close all Programs Except Systray and Explorer
Then do a Thorough Scandisk, This will run much faster than usual because there are no other Programs running in the background to cause it to Freeze. When this is completed, Then do a Defrag. It will also run more freely for the same reason!
Good Luck!

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Re:Can't defrag
Mar 19, 2004 4:45AM PST

When booting your machine, hit the F8 key before windows starts up. You can then start windows in safe mode. In this way you start windows with a minimum of drivers and programs and you can probably finish defragmenting. It works for me!

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Re:Can't defrag
Mar 21, 2004 2:33AM PST

I haven't read all the considerable responses to your defrag inquiry but basically your problem is common. Essentially what is happening is any open application writing new data to your hard drive requires the defrag program to restart. The defrag program needs a static position in order to reposition all the data. If something keeps writing to the hard drive it keeps changing the data thus forcing the defrag to start over. The solution is to close as many programs as possible usually through using the MSCONFIG utility. If that is not sufficient, go into SAFEMODE which minimizes active programs and drivers. I also found that a screensaver program can cause the problem. To turn off the screensaver, right click on your desktop then select properties. Then go to the screensaver tab and select none as your screensaver while using the defrag program.

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Re:Can't defrag
Mar 21, 2004 11:46AM PST

I have that problem, also. I have tried everthing but defrag keeps restarting. Scandisk does the same thing.

I have started running Scandisk and Defrag in "safe" mode. They still restart; but only a few times before they run properly.

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defunct defrag
Feb 1, 2005 11:53AM PST

I had this same prob. Opened in safe mode and ran scan disc first then ran defrag. Worked great for y.t.

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Try this....
Feb 3, 2005 4:36AM PST

First go to control panel and select "Display", go to "Screensavers", select "None" and them go down to Power Management and select "Never" on all locations. Then select "Apply" and close out of control panel menu's. Then like others said close all running programs but "Explorer" and "Systray" using "ctrl, alt, del keys. Select each program one at a time and then click on "End Task" box. Do this for each program until you only have the 2 above left. Then open defrag and run.

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Left out one important step
Feb 3, 2005 5:05AM PST

Before running defrag, run "Scandisk", Standard scan and check the "Automatically Fix Error" box. After this is completed, close it and then run defrag.

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Defrag ME
Feb 26, 2005 8:53AM PST

I'm having the same problem on Dell Dimension 4100. Did you every satisfactorily resolve the issue?

abschwen@yahoo 2/26/05

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For Ann. Yes, I've resolved a few thousand times.
Feb 26, 2005 9:19AM PST

No joke!