Abnormal Defrag - Win98se

Hello:

I read as much as I could the responses to defrag problems here and though I'm a little confused with the various options, I intend to try them tomorrow, even if that may make me return here to ask "what do I do now?" LOL!

MY PROBLEM:
For the first time the defrag, which I always do on safe mode right after the diskscan, went berserk by taking hours, and going back and forth to 1% or 40%, etc. After 3 hoours and showing only 49% I just shut it off. I tried it again after I cleaned out the temp. files, etc., but the same thing.

MY PUTER INFO:
Internet Explorer 6.0, Outlook Express 6.0
Windows 98 SE
Computer Make: DELL Dimension XPS T450MHz Pentium III
CPU Speed: Don't know
Memory (Mb of RAM): 128MB

I thank you in advance for any help. Adela

P.S. I just realized that these responses are for Win. XP, since I have Win98se, should I apply the responses to my computer?

 

Adela

for 98SE!

there's three bits to the advice for defrag - I try to nutshell them for you:

1 to stop it going back to the beginning all the time, use Start>Run:msconfig at the startup tab, turn off the things you've read in the other posts - mstask, findfast and the very worst is OSA (Office Startup)if you have it... Restart after turning these off.

2 to stop it getting confused about what needs to go where on the drive, uncheck "Rearrange my drive" checkbox and/or follow the advice about deleting applogs. From your description I'd think nobbling the applogs would be good in your case... but you can get nearly as much improvement by unchecking the "Rearrange my Drive" box

3 to use a much faster/better defrag than comes with W98 substitute WinME defrag. It uses a more sensible "scheme" to clear space.

you should be able to get it through to 100% - even without using safe mode - by following 1 & 2 above... 3 makes it go a lot faster.

hope this helps, HJ.

 

Abnormal defrag

Thanks so much, Hugh and Broni, for your good suggestions, but I am not as "intermediate" as I thought I was since when I attempted to try them, I didn't understand certain terms, etc. I hope you can bear with me when I ask these questions now?

BRONI: I thought I'd try the easier first by turning off the screensaver...but where do I go to turn it off? The cable modem (which I have) is easy, I just do it the good old way - unplug it!!! Also thanks for providing me the Win ME Defrag, but I'd be afraid to upset other parts of the puter, as the article suggests may happen...

HUGH: While waiting to turn off the screensaver, I wanted to try your suggestions...but in your Paragraph #2 I don't know where "Rearrange my drive" is so I could uncheck it. Also - what's "applogs" and where do I find them? What's "nobbling the applogs "?

I tried going to Start>Run: msconfig etc. to see if this would throw some light, and it took me to a small window: "System Configuration Utility" with a list of system file names (except "Process winstart.bat file" which was greyed out) and all their boxes checked. Also tags with the same names... What to do with these??? )

So sorry for this and I hope to get a little more help? Thanks again! Adela

 

Hi
when you start defrag the first window which appears allows you to "Select Drive "; on this window there's a button "Settings "
Click "settings" before actually starting the defragmentation, you'll find it gives you two options:
"Rearrange program files so programs start faster" and
"Check the drive for errors"

If you un-check the "Rearrange program files" box the defragmentation process has much less work to do.

(The "rearrangement" moves frequently used programs to the start of the drive so they can be accessed marginally faster - you only gain a tiny improvement in speed but it gives defrag masses of extra work)
(just noticed I said "drive" rather than "programs" in earlier post - sorry)

==

The useful bit of the System Configuration Utility is the Startup tab (at the right hand end of the tabs) - that's where you turn off the processes (like OSA, findfast, mstask*, taskmon**) individually.

(note - don't worry if you see "LoadPowerProfile" twice in the list, this is normal)

Better to leave the other tabs well alone!

*mstask is task scheduler; if you don't use it uncheck its box here. If you do use it for something, you can pause it for the duration of the defrag.
**taskmon - see about applogs below - turn it off anyway! unless you've installed Windows very recently (last fortnight or so)

If you are worried about what's safe to turn off here, post us a list of what you see.

==

"Nobble the applogs" sorry for the colloquial!
From reading what you first wrote I understood that you had been reading several threads about defrag, many of these refer to applogs - so I assumed that you had run into lots of posts about applogs already...

The "applogs" are how Windows decides which programs you are using more frequently - so that it can perform the rearrangement mentioned above.
It's possible for the applogs to get into a mess - corrupted or whatever - if this has happened, poor defrag doesn't stand a hope.

You can get rid of the applogs altogether, and also "unload" from the PC the effort of creating and maintaining the applogs (taskmon - Task Monitor); no adverse effects unless you've only just installed Windows (a week or so after you install Windows it tweaks itself up a bit - I usually let it get through that before taking out the applogs)

To get rid of the applogs:
1) go to the SCU (System Configutation Utility) at the Startup Tab, and ensure the box for TaskMonitor is not ticked (you probably just did this ** above)
2) restart your computer
3) use Windows Explorer: navigate to the folder C:\WINDOWS\APPLOG
4) select all the files in this folder and
5) delete them! (delete all the files to leave just an empty folder)
(if nervous about this remember the files have only gone to the recycle bin)

==

If what's troubling your defrag is an unneccessary process which keeps trying to write to the HDD the solution is not to run that process...
If the trouble is that your applogs have got into a mess the solution is to get rid of the applogs...
Whatever was sending defrag into a spin, the WinME defrag recommended by broni is far faster (and a smaller file!)

best wishes, HJ

 

Series of steps to solve defrag problem

Dear Hugh and Broni:

My apologies for not having answered before, I’m having personal crises, all at one time like the bldg where I live has been sold and we are in litigation to keep our apts., lots of work, many meetings…my boss died, I lost my job and am running all the time to get another one…among other stuff… Otherwise I would never walk away without thanking you and reporting the results…

But, I did try from time to time all the good advice I received from you (besides periodic deleting temp files, recycle bin, etc.):

(1) I did uncheck the "Rearrange my Drive" box.

(2) I disabled the screensaver.

(3) I ran the ad-aware 6.0 and it quarantined a long list of files (chose those I’m sure I don’t want and deleted them, but what to do with the rest?). I will also run the spyware as soon as I have a chance.

(4) I tried to download WinME defrag, but I saw something (which I forget what now) and I canceled it, but I’ll try it again.

(5) Broni, you said turn off my modem if I use a broadband connection (is CABLE modem a broadband? If so, I’ll try unplugging it next time).

(6) Hugh, as to the suggestion: "…use Windows Explorer: navigate to the folder C:\WINDOWS\APPLOG 4) select all the files in this folder and 5) delete them!" I’ve done so, but found only" Applog.dtc" and "Applog.ind" and I deleted them. The Applog.dtc is a "read-only" file, does it mean anything? I did find one more called: "Ccapp.lgcâ€, should I delete this one too? As to the suggestion: "(delete all the files to leave just an empty folder)â€, should have I deleted the entire contents of this folder even though they didn’t show the word "applogâ€?

(7) Also about this other suggestion: "The useful bit of the System Configuration Utility is the Startup tab (at the right hand end of the tabs) - that's where you turn off the processes (like OSA, findfast, mstask*, taskmon**) individually." I did uncheck the "Taskmonitorâ€. But I encountered a few dilemmas, and thanks to your kind offer: "If you are worried about what's safe to turn off here, post us a list of what you see.â€, I’m typing the following under "C" below:

A. I saw many strange/unknown to me programs and I wanted to open them to make sure I could delete them, but they wouldn’t open and wouldn’t allow me to delete the one I was sure I didn’t want. How can one open some to view, and then delete, from this window?

B. I understand "systray" is important to leave checked…but I don’t even have it on my Config. list…How can I restore this name or program? Also I wonder if I’m missing any other name which might be the cause of my defrag problem?

C. I’m typing below what I have on this config. window and I hope you could tell me if and how to view them first, then delete the undesirable ones? Or how to restore important ones that I may not have?:

UNCHECKED BOXES CHECKED BOXES
ClockSinc ScanRegistry
OWMgr ccApp
WeatherCast ccRegVfy
WhenSave ccEvtMgr
MonitorNorton CrashGuard
SwimSuitNetwork
DownloadWare
Launcher
HotBar
CriticalUpdate
TB_setup
TaskMonitor
SchedulingAgent
WinVNC
CSWJECT.EXE
ScriptBlocking
SymTray "“ Norton SystemWorks
Norton System Doctor

Please forgive the lengthy message, but if you can continue to help me, do not rush, , do it at your convenience only.

Gratefully,

Adela )

 

Corrected: Series of steps to solve defrag problem

I'm sorry again, but it seems I exceeded the length permitted and it got sent out before I corrected the little list within my msg, so I'll resend it in 2 parts. However I clicked on "check message length" and this is what it said:

"Your msg is 220 characters long. The maximum permitted length is 10,000 characters. "!!!

Have these 2 figures been transposed??? If I've written 10,000 instead of 220 characters, then I'll need MANY parts instead of only 2???

Could someone tell me please so I can resend my msg with the corrected little list? Thanks a lot! Adela

 

You want to stop Norton Crashguard - it should have been named "Norton Random Crash Generator ". Also Norton System Doctor - a general resource hog. I don't see Norton Registry Tracker there, but don't enable THAT either, if you're tempted. It slows everything down.

However, if you've got Norton installed, why not use SpeedDisk? It and it's companion Norton Disk Doctor are the best utilities Norton have ever produced, and judging by the bloatware they peddle now, like Norton Internet Security and Antivirus, the best they ever will....

 

I noticed a couple of things in your startup that you do not need.
DownloadWare
Hotbar
Get Spybot, install then update, then do the scan, remove all items already checked off. Get HiJackThis, unzip into it's folder, and then start a thread in the Security / Virus / Spyware with the results of the HiJackThis log.

 

Hello Rambler, Mark and Broni:

Ahhh, I wrote you a msg, but lost it when I went to another page!!! I should’ve known better! May I answer each one in a separate msg so as not to run it too long.

Rambler, you wrote: <<You want to stop Norton Crashguard - it should have been named "Norton Random Crash Generator ". Also Norton System Doctor - a general resource hog. I don't see Norton Registry Tracker there, but don't enable THAT either, if you're tempted. It slows everything down.

However, if you've got Norton installed, why not use SpeedDisk? It and it's companion Norton Disk Doctor are the best utilities Norton have ever produced, and judging by the bloatware they peddle now, like Norton Internet Security and Antivirus, the best they ever will....>>

How do you stop Norton Crashguard? (or do you mean "disableâ€?). And how do I change the name to "Norton Random Crash Generator "? Should I also stop "Norton System Doctorâ€? This Sys. Doctor has helped me fixing a variety of only God knows what… What is "a general resource hogâ€? I didn’t know my "Norton Registry Tracker" was disabled (though I don’t know what it does. Should I enable it when I finally fix my defrag?

Never heard of "SpeedDisk" perhaps it’s in more updated Norton systemworks - I have the 2003… I have the Norton Disk Doctor which I attempted to scan but it requires to put in disks and whenever I tried it wouldn’t work for me. But I do have Norton Anti-Virus which I update constantly.

As you can see I seem to be way behind with softwares, terminology, etc. I’m sorry about that since I probably am boring you with my questions… Adela

 

Mark, you wrote:

<<I noticed a couple of things in your startup that you do not need.
DownloadWare
Hotbar>>

Yes, I noticed quite a few more, but I don’t know how to open them so as to make sure I can delete them. They are all Unchecked though, except these which I left checked (and included in my previous msg but the columns got messed up):

(Checked) ScanRegistry
(Checked) ccApp
(Checked) ccRegVfy
(Checked) Norton CrashGuard Monitor
(Checked) ccEvtMgr

<<Get Spybot, install then update, then do the scan, remove all items already checked off. Get HiJackThis, unzip into it's folder, and then start a thread in the Security / Virus / Spyware with the results of the HiJackThis log.>>

Should I get Spybot instead of Spyware? Then I’ll do that.

"…remove all items already checked off."

do you mean checked off by Spybot? I’ll have to install another program, the HiJackThis? What does it mean to "…unzip into it’s folder…â€?

Since this msg is not too long, I’m answering Broni here too:

<<5. Yes, cable is a broadband. You don't have to unplug it. Just turn the power off.
B. "Systray" doesn't show in "msconfig ". Don't worry, you have it. You can see it by pressing CTRL, ALT, and DEL at the same time.>>

Do you mean to turn the power off just before trying to defrag? Also, I went to sys. config. pressing CTRL, ALT, and DEL to see the "systray" but didn’t see it. I pressed these 3 keys in the sys. config. window, is that the way to do it?

Thanks to all of you. Adela

 

Rambler was making a little joke about Crashguard, because at times it uses so much resources, it itself causes crashes it is supposed to prevent.
Windows 98 has small segments of memory [64 kb each] reserved for what is called System Resources. When these fill up, your system freezes or crashes.

BTW, your CPU speed is 450 mhz, powered by a Intel Pentium III

To expand on my previous post, you have Adware and Spyware installed on your computer, these are bad things to have. These can be just as bad as having a virus.
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/HotBar.html
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/DownloadWare.html
Follow my advice in my previous post, your system will thank you.

 

When you have Spybot 'Check for Problems' it creates a listing, some will be red, some black and some green. The black and green items may not show up at all due to default settings. The really bad items found will already be checked off for removal, you would just click on 'Fix Selected Problems'.
Note, if this Spyware you mention is SpywareNuker, STAY AWAY from it, it IS ad/spyware, not good. If you mean SpywareBlaster, that is a runtime protection, you need Spybot at this time.

HijackThis is downloaded as a Zip file. You just need to create a folder to put it in. It really doesn't have an install routine, it doesn't need one.

 

Hi! Adela:

You should try this terrific little utility to solve your defrag "horror "!! I've been using it seamlessly for several months now and it works like a charm (and it's easy to configure and initiate!!).

The utility is B]GEODisk 1.0.8.[/B]:
It can be found/sourced here:
GEODisk 1.0.8

or here:

GEODisk 1.0.8

Try it and see how it works for you/your system! And then let the Board/Forum know what kind of results etc. you achieved, ok?

 

Abnormal defrag

Hello Hugh, Broni, Rambler, Jack and Jmac:

I tried some of the suggestions so kindly given to me, but I went to see some of the defrag programs and they had so many links to read and cautioned against so many things that I chickened out. I did try some of the other suggestions but in the process I didn't recognize some of the steps and rather than clicking the wrong things, I opted for grabbing my head!

While in desperation and trying to compose myself, I went to Norton and ran a few scans...when I noticed they had a defragger. Thought I'd try it if it didn't give me a hard time. I did try it and was amazed to see that it did my defrag in 40 or 45 minutes! Whether this kind of defrag is the same as the ones recommended, I don't know, but in about a week or two when I'll try to defrag again, if I still encounter problems, then I have your most valuable messages to consult.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for your very kind help. Adela

 

Yup - that's SpeedDisk alright - good innit? You'll find that because Speedisk arranges files in groups on your HD that subsequent defrags zip through, as it's got less work to do.

 

Hi Rambler...would you believe it? I don't know what "innit" is... LOL! (I should change my profile into "beginner" instead of "intermediate "). But yes, the SpeedDisk was very simple, all I did was to click (I figured that after so many other clicks, I should try this one too) and it did all the work. But I must admit I was SO surprised to see that it did do it (after months of trying so many things) I almost flopped and just couldn't believe it...

Again my gratitude to you! I know that I can still try the good suggestions given me if the problem re-occurs. Adela

 

The best way

I find the best way to defrag is to goto start, run then type in msconfig then click on selective startup, uncheck the boxes then it will promp you to restart your computer and with this way nothing can interfere with the program and defrag becomes a breeze then when finished just go back to msconfig click normal start up then your back to normal...