Disk Cleanup Unclean

Recently, and for no reason I can see, my disk cleanup program has ceased functioning. I select a disk to cleanup, and it remains on the compress files task forever. I have run it overnight and it has not moved. In addition, when I cancel the task, it continues to take up 99% of my CPU speed unless I close a program called cleanmgr.exe through the task window.

So, what is wrong? If you need any more info, please tell me. As it is, I have no idea what may have caused this, so I don't really know what to say.
Thank you.

 

I had this same problem a while back. Unfortunately my research found no simple fix! I'm sure there is?
So I booted from the CD and did a repair on XP. But I can't remember if this worked or if I did a reinstall (reformat) from the booted CD. A bit drastic I know but I've had the need to wipe XP and start from scratch two or three times now, but this is usually due to me playing around a bit too much. The only way I've been able to learn, so it's not all in vain.
One other thing you could try is to use the system restore function (which I should of used instead of a reformat on one or two occassions!). Try restoring XP to a date you think Disk Cleanup worked OK. Start|Help and Support...

Post back...

Paul

 

Well, I've turned off system restore and there is a 0% chance I will reformat my HD for the sake of disk cleanup. However, I might try a repair. What exactly does the repair do? Will any of my preferences be changed if I repair my WinXP installation?

 

Firstly I'd strongly suggest turning System Restore back on. If your worried about it using too much disk space, right click My Computer, select it and adjust the Disk space used to a lower setting than the enormous default setting. Mine is set at 1% (minimum) of my 20GB drive (200Mb). That's enough for heaps of restore points.
Repairing XP should repair the default XP code and retain your settings, Drivers and programs. Updates from Windows Update will need to be reinstalled though. Always backup critical documents, programs and drivers just incase! I use a CDRW for this purpose although small stuff, Favourites and office documents will fit OK on floppies.
I can't recommend system restore highly enough. It's much better than it's introduction in Win ME.

Paul

 

Thanks. I'll try a repair, and maybe afterwards I'll turn that little system restore thingy back on. =)

 

Repair failed =( Disk Cleanup, it seems, is out for the count.