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General discussion

disc defrag

Jan 17, 2005 10:56PM PST

every time i try to use disc defragmenter it seems to keep going back to the beginning after notifying me that the disc's contents have changed. I have closed all other programmes and have set the screensaver to as long a time as poss(1hr).It does progress a tiny bit further on each cycle but gets stuck at about 45%complete. Any suggestions?

Discussion is locked

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This Works For Me
Jan 17, 2005 11:56PM PST

I have 98SE and I restart my system in "Safe Mode". In this mode it is running with the minimum of system resources. This means nothing to interfere with the defrag operation.
If you do not know how to get into "Safe Mode" post back and we will walk you through the procedure.

DC

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Safe Mode directions if needed.
Jan 18, 2005 12:22AM PST
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DISK DEFRAG
Jan 18, 2005 4:03AM PST

I got a small program, GeoSoft SCANDISK ... believe it came from PC World ...

I now use it all the time rather than the Windows system ... it has a Disk Cleaner, SCAN DISK and DISK DEFRAG ... the 'windows' look just like the MS versions ...

I could never get SCANDISK or DEFRAG to work until I found this program ...

I now can do a complete SCANDISK (30 GB hard drive) in less than 1 minute and a complete DEFRAG in less than 2 ...

I just did a Google search and a PC Wporld search and could not find it ... if anyone is interested, I will be happy to e-mail you the zip program ...

Pepper Kay
Garland, TX

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Pewter, This Should Help...
Jan 18, 2005 5:06AM PST
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Hey Grif. last time
Jan 18, 2005 12:13PM PST

I defragged was over 20 months ago, when completed noted nothing that was a micro bit faster.

Decided to try again tonight. 3 hrs to defrag four "drives" actually two drives each with partitions. Again, nothing loads or runs the slightest bit faster. I think that these people that defrag every couple of days are imagining things. First of all how badly can a drive get defragged in 3 days???

Save the wear and tear on the drives.

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(NT) (NT) BTW, no spyware, no trojan[s] nada.
Jan 18, 2005 12:14PM PST
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Ray, I Think It Depends On What's Done On The Drive
Jan 19, 2005 1:24AM PST

I agree with you...For most folks, a monthy defrag works fine, especially on the newer, fast computers...but I have seen situations where lots of files and programs are copied and erased daily. In those situations, defragging more often seems to help with file access speed. In my case, when I'm installing full operating systems and programs from scratch on blank hard drives, I have found it seems to help to defrag twice during the process. For example, I'll install the operating system, updates, drivers and a handful of programs, then I'll clean out Temporary folders, then I'll defrag the computer. Immediately afterwards, I'll install the antivirus program, then finish off with the rest of the programs..After that, I'll defrag the system to get everything optimized and finished.

Although some like to defrag on a daily basis, I have seldom seen a situation where that is necessary on a finished computer. But it's a personal choice and "what ever floats your boat" is the rule here. I still will only defrag my personal computers about once a month, not because I feel it does any damage to the drive to do it more frequently, but simply because it takes time to do so.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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(NT) (NT) Sounds very logical.Thanx.
Jan 19, 2005 4:54AM PST
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Defrag not completing!
Jan 18, 2005 7:51AM PST

Have you tried running Defrag in safe mode? This will prevent any other program/process from interupting it.
Good luck
Johnnya

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Real easy application to defrag.
Jan 18, 2005 5:20PM PST

Contrary to what some other posters have said, defragging you HDD is essential and does NOT wear out you HDD! The following is a free application, very fast and very thorough...and you can have it running while you surf! I have used it for about 3 years now and have had no problemsHappy
http://www.webattack.com/get/dkeeperlite.shtml

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disc defrag
Jan 20, 2005 1:18PM PST

Use Control,Alt,delete - press all 3 at the same time - it will bring up a window. End task on all programs in the box EXCEPT sys.exe and explorer (if your video card shows up in the box don't end task on it). Then run defrag. Also if you are connected to a lan or router disconnect from it.