Defrag problem in Win 98FE

I'm trying to defrag my 98 system and I'm having a little trouble getting it done. My hard drive has 4 partitions and all but one can be defragged without a problem. My C drive gives me the problems. This is what I have done.

My usual cleanup includes clearing the temp files, cache, scanning with Spyware Blaster, Spybot, and Ad-Aware. Then a scandisk and defrag of each partition. I finish with a scan of AVG.

When I go to defrag my C drive, it gets to about 20% and it restarts the scan frequently. I let it run for 1 1/2 hours this morning and it never got above 35%. I know what you are thinking, something is accessing the drive and restarting the scan. I closed every program, except Explorer, and tried the scan again. Same problem. I also disconnected my network cable, just in case. Same results.

So, I thought I would try it in SAFE mode. I could get to about 17% when the same problem happened. It restarted a couple times and then I got the following error message: "A fatal exception OE has occurred at 015F:BFF9DBA7. The current application will be terminated." I hit a key to continue and got this message: "Defrag caused a stack fault in module KRNL386.EXE at 0001:00002323." I clicked on the close button and the system froze up.

When I search for this problem, there are many hits for other programs causing this error, but I don't see anything regarding defrag. There was one post on this forum, but the suggestions didn't help. There are very few programs on this system since it is mainly used for the Internet and basic things. This is the second time it's happened. The last time was about a month ago and I just gave up on defragging. Now I would like to try and find an answer to the problem.

Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mike

Note: Just over 4 hours to do a defrag that usually takes 15-20 minutes.

 

Right click on the C: drive icon-select properties- how much used and free space is listed ?

It does pass scandisk ?

 

Hello Mike,

Something that may give you a lead.
In Defrag you can look at a graphical interpretation of the process (Details button I think). Watch how it starts and if it start to slow at some point. Look for clusters that are marked "Bad" and if there seems to be any problem with files marked "Unmovable ".

As mentioned, make certain Scandisk is completely happy with the drive.

Matt

 

TopFarmer,

This is what I have, 13.6GB used and 4.95GB free. I think there are some files I can move to another partition and maybe delete some files/programs that I don't need. Not sure if that will help any, but no harm in trying. The drive does pass the scandisk.

mattman,

I did not remember seeing any bad files during the scan. I, obviously, didn't watch the whole 4 hours, but the defrag would stop in the middle of good files.

One added bit of info. When I tried to boot the system today, it froze at the Windows splash screen (twice). I am able to get into SAFE mode though. I'll have to take some time and look around to see if I notice anything strange in there.

Mike

 

Just an update,

SAFE mode is still the only way I can get in. I am in the process of transferring as much as possible to another partition so that I can reload Windows. I would try to figure things out, but I keep getting numerous BSOD after transferring a few files. I reboot and I can work awhile longer. At least I'm assuming it's a Windows problem since Windows won't load in normal mode.

Mike

 

Hi Mike

You did not say what you use to clean temps.

D/L http://www.diskcleaner.nl/support.php (check all boxes)

and

CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/download/downloadpage.aspx?f=3 (run temp and registry (Issues) cleanup)

Both of these programs work well with 98.

Then

Reboot F8 and select "Command prompt only "

Run Scandisk then Defrag from here. If you can complete from here it should run from windows now also.

JJ

 

Mike:

Here's a copy of Mike Flynn's old instructions that I would recommend you use. I also like what jjjones recommended above but this may be a little more thorough.

Boot to DOS (not shutdown to DOS). While booting hit F8 to startup menu. Chose "command prompt only ".

Type these commands exactly hit enter at the end (do not type the notes that are in parenthesis like this).

del c:\*.swp (may get file not found, is ok)

del c:\windows\*.swp

deltree /y c:\windows\shelli*.*

deltree /y c:\windows\temp\*.*

deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1\*.*

deltree /y c:\windows\history\*.*

deltree /y c:\windows\spool\printers\*.*

deltree /y c:\windows\taskmon.exe

deltree /y c:\windows\applog

NOTE: deleting of taskmon and applog above are optional and may be skipped but they are well known to be useless and actually slow a defrag and waste disk space and also rob CPU resources since it runs in memory all the time. I would clear them!
____________________________________________
Then boot to safe mode and do the following

Configure CleanMgr to max settings
Go to Start-Run and type

cleanmgr /sageset:1
the above need only be ran once (these settings will be remembered as the default until another sageset is ran).

It will present a menu select all, then

Go to Start-Run and type

cleanmgr /sagerun:1
As long as /sageset above has been ran on this computer from now on the /sagerun:1 is the only thing that needs to run.

NOW do the scan and defrag WHILE IN SAFE MODE!

 

Update:

JJ,

I am not able to download the programs while in SAFE mode and since I can't get into normal mode I can't get them. I ran scandisk and tried defrag from the command prompt as you suggested. The scandisk, complete with surface scan, finished just fine with no reported errors. The defrag, as I mentioned, would not run. The message I received was "Theis program requires Microsoft Windows ". I went back into SAFE mode and tried the defrag from there. Got to about 14% and it restarted again.

Rockster2U,

I ran the commands, that you gave me, with no problems.

Now to find out what is hanging up my Windows startup. Any more suggestions? I'm going to continue to transfer as much info as possible over to another partition so that, if I have to, reinstall Windows on C:

Mike

 

If after running all of those and trying a scan followed by a defrag in safe mode to no avail, I think you are left with a little more drastic alternative. From a command prompt, you can try scanreg /restore and pick and earlier date to try restoring a good version of your registry or if all of your dates (four is the default) are known to be those where you had this problem, you can try scanreg /fix

Smart move - re: backing up all you can before trying too much.

Good Luck

 

Okay, I think I have things going again. There is almost nothing on my C: drive except Windows. I was able to restore to a point last week and that allowed me to get into Windows through normal mode. Improvement. I was able to install a couple programs and scandisk and defrag all drives without problems. Thanks for the help!

One new problem, and maybe I should post a new thread. My recycle bin will not show empty. I can remember seeing this long ago, but I can't find a solution now. I tried deleting the bins from the command prompt but nothing has changed. They still show full. Any thoughts?

Mike

 

Hello Mike, I have had the recycle bin do the same thing occaisionally. What I do is create a "nothing" file, for example a notepad txt file or a word doc file, or make a copy of an exe file on your computer, delete the file you made, then empty the recyle bin. That has worked for me to get rid of whatever is "stuck" in there.

 

John,

Thanks! That did the trick.

Mike

 

You're welcome, pleased to hear that worked OK.