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General discussion

Can't defrag in windows 98

Mar 16, 2004 9:02AM PST

When I run the defrag program in windows 98, it will only do up to around 10-30% before restarting. It says that the data on the drive has been changed. I have tried it after shutting down all of the programs in the ctrl-alt-delete task manager, but it still won't finish. It will work in safe mode, but I want to know why it won't work in regular mode any more(it's worked fine for almost 4 years). I don;t think that there have been any changes made to the system, other than installing microsoft publisher a few weeks back. Also, the same thing happens when I run a thorough ScanDisk error check. I haven't found any viruses or adware\spyware, and I'm all out of ideas.

Need some suggestions,
GameBoy

Discussion is locked

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Re:Can't defrag in windows 98
Mar 16, 2004 6:01PM PST

Obviously, it seems, some program is still active, or it wouldn't write to the hard disk. But it doesn't show up in taskmanager.

Other ways to find running processes include:
- msinfo32 (search for it in Program Files or Windows folder) if Start/Run says it can't find the program; it has a running processes tab
- wintop from the Windows 95 kernel toys; shows the programs (and their CPU usage); download from http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/WUToys/W95KernelToy/Default.asp. They run with Windows 98 also.

Hope you find it with these programs.

Kees

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Re:Re:Can't defrag in windows 98
Mar 16, 2004 9:13PM PST
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Re:Can't defrag in windows 98/ ideas
Mar 17, 2004 2:52PM PST

Hopefully it's not something serious.
When I first ran into this we had just got the computer with all programs loaded. It was hard to believe but, just as every program thinks it should
be ticked in config/start-up they also think they should try to access the net every few minutes to check for updates!!
Likely suspects are MS Live update, Anti-virus(s),
Media players(Real & Windows) MS Office updater, your anti-spyware (if so equipped) power management system,(can I go to standby yet?) not to mention the good old faithful Screensaver!! Many more depending on what you've installed.
Two places to look for suspects: Config/startup and if you've got Adaware or Spybot they'll list start up items often listing how many running processes . Reg. Cleaner also may have currently functioning list.
Worst case may be a worm has opened a port and is listening & calling out. Even if one has been removed it may have left behind some damage in sys files re defrag or scandisk. Good Luck!!! Happy

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Re:Can't defrag in windows 98
Mar 17, 2004 9:43PM PST

GameBoy, I won't guarantee that doing this will solve the problem but it's worth a try and won't harm anything.

Right-click an empty area on the desktop, and then click Properties.
On the Web tab, click Folder Options.
Click Yes.
On the View tab under Hidden files, click Show all files, and then click OK.
Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
In the Named box, type applog, click C: in the Look in box, click to select the Include subfolders check box, and then click Find Now.
Double-click the Applog folder to open it.
On the Edit menu, click Select all.
On the File menu, click Delete, and then click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

Give it a shot,
Larry

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Re: Can't defrag in windows 98
Jun 26, 2004 12:05PM PDT

I can't believe someone just didn't say, Click start,run,type "msconfig" without the " and click on startup tab,uncheck running program boxes, restart and run defrag, when finished go back and recheck the boxes you unchecked.

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Re: Can't defrag in windows 98
Jun 26, 2004 10:49PM PDT

Please. Why "three months" later (check message date) and when it's "simpler" and doesn't require necessary reboots?

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Re: Can't defrag in windows 98
Jun 27, 2004 4:38AM PDT

Since I just joined the forums I enjoy reading all of the problems on the first page of each forum that come up. Not everyone is an expert and some times a simple answer to some is not by others.Anyway you now know that some of us newbees like to read some of your expert answers to problems even if they occured two or three months ago. Since you read it I would hope others do to. Its called helping each other learn. And yes I do enjoy your replies too!
Thank you.

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Re: Can't defrag in windows 98
Jun 27, 2004 5:21AM PDT

My friend had same problem with Scan and Defrag after adding new HP printer. HP's tech guys weren't able to help, but a techie friend of mine immediately said "the printer must be doing polling" and so Scan and Defrag can't continue because it gets to this program that is active behind the scenes. It seems the polling is something like "pinging" a web site to keep it active.

I know you said you used Ctrl-Alt-Del and removed programs, but do you have an HP printer listed there (we had to remove all three HP items from the list), or is your antivirus not disabled while you are doing this?

Something has to be active. Did you check your system tray to see what you have active there?

Hope this helps.

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Re: Can't defrag in windows 98
Jun 27, 2004 1:24PM PDT

The best way to defrag Win98 is by using WinME defrag.
Download it & put it in the same file as Win98 defrag. Rename Win98 defrag to Win98 defrag old. Run program in safe mode.

For Scandisk it's best to run it in DOS mode. From there type
scandisk /all

Hope this helps