Scandisk,Defrag problems

I cannot get my pc to defrag. When I try to run the system maintenance tool, it keeps starting over and never gets through. What can I do?

 

Do them in Safe Mode!

Do these steps and cleanups first:

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 except compress, 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 is the only thing that needs to run.
____________________________________________

Cleanups
These are for 95 98 only!

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 c:\windows\shelli*.*
deltree c:\windows\temp\*.* (answer yes to all) "ALL "
deltree c:\windows\tempor~1\*.*
deltree c:\windows\history\*.*
deltree c:\windows\spool\printers\*.*

Then reboot again to Safe Mode

1. Scandisk
3. Defrag

Mike

 

hit ctrl-alt-del and hit end task to everything except systray and explorer.

 

Startup Cop]

Get the above ( if still available ) and start shutting down various items that laod at startup until you find the one that is writing to the HD.

Or msconfig can be used to stop things form loading also.

Just shutting down things with Cntrl-Alt-Del does not stop them from reloading on a restart.

Going to the Safe mode to run scandisk and defrag is a Cop out.

Also one thing that Mike did not mention. Shutdown the Taskmonitor ( msconfig can be used to do this ) that loads at startup and then delete ALL items in the Applog folder.

Or you just try emptying the Applog folder.

98 runs much better any way without the Taskmonitor loading. All it does is cause defrag to re-Arrange the files on the HD EVERYTIME you defrag. Which ( at least to me ) is a complete waste of time.

BillyBob

 

Scandisk and defrag
Programs running in the Background stop it.
Turn off screen saver.
Do Ctrl-Alt-Del and close all but explorer and try again.
Upon completion, suggest run defragment.

It can run in Safe Mode also.
Reboot and on startup hold the Control key [F8 if control does not work]
This will bring up the Boot menu
Arrow down [mouse does not work here] to 3. Safe Mode, hit enter
and you will boot to Safe Mode. [Yes it will look funny, very basic here]
[Screen saver should already be turned off] and run scandisk.
Upon completion you can run defragment also. It would be a good Idea as
you are already there.

Upon completion reboot to start you av and other programs

IN DOS
Scandisk can be run in dos also.
Defrag can not
Do the same as safe mode until you get to the startup menu.
Select 5. Command and hit enter.
and you will boot to the C:\ prompt.
Type in scandisk ,
looks like this
C:\scandisk
hit enter
when finish at the C:\ type win hit enter
or for a faster reboot do a Ctrl-Alt-Delete

 

I'm really glad I ran across this post because I was having the same problem. I opted for the delete everything on the startup menu but explorer advice, ran my windows defrag program instead of myNorton's program (it may have worked as well) and it worked. Thanks for the advice.

The Bubba

 

Well, I'm very surprised that noone cam forth and thanked me for confirming how to solve the problem. I'll keep it to my self the next time.

The Bubba

 

Normally it does solve people problems. But once in a while, not very often, other tricks need to be done.

 

On the defrag front, try to get hold of a WinME version from another computer as it's much faster and will run on Win98SE.

To be safe, find defrag.exe (usually in c:\windows) and rename it, say defrag.old. Then copy in the newer version, it's only about 210Kb.

 

HHHMMMM !!!

How about a thank you for the suggestions ?

We are glad it did work. But as Train stated it does not always work.

MANY times several of us make suggestions with different ways to do something. Or different possible cause for a problem.

Then either a reply never appears at all.

Or one that just says. " It worked "

I also agree to getting ME defrag.

BillyBob

 

HUH OH !!!

I am sorry.

I goofed. in reading back I see this was done with these words.

Thanks for the advice.

BillyBob

 

defrag problem

In reply to the above, I have several questions. To mflynn-i started your method of cleanup, got to cleanmgr/sageset:1 and got to the menu- however- then you say "select all except compress- well, no where is the word "compress" present- so- what am i missing here? 2- to Train- running in safe mode- boot menu- you say" arrow down(mouse does not work here) to 3--- where is 3- there is no numbering system in this menu-? what am i missing here?- To BillyBob- in your reply you mention Taskmonitor- what is that? and what and where is the Applog folder.

 

The Taskmonitor shows up with the Cntrl-Alt-Del. However shutting it down there will not stop it from reloading on a restart.

Startup Cop will not shut it down right there but it wiil stop it from loading at the nect restart.

The Applog folder is a sub folder of the Windows folder. But cleaning it out without shutting down Taskmonitior will just fill it back up again.

BillyBob

 

defrag problem

thanks for the quick reply

 

Disregard the ref to compress as that is only available for 2K and XP. In your case check all!

Mike

 

Automating Disk Cleanup:[see the list of cleanup options. Note Old compressed files is one of the choices.] Problem is, I believe the choices will vary depending on which version of windows you are running. I am on xp at the moment so I cannot confirm if this is one of the cleanup options on the list. If it isn't on win98's list then, obviously, you can't not choose it so disreguard it.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=253597

==============
Arrow down...meaning use numpad arrow keys to enter choice number 3 [safemode].

Altenatives to entering safemode other than using the cntl or F8 key:

>From with in win98 try a restart in dosmode
>type cd\ and hit enter to clear the dosprompt
>type WIN /D:M and hit enter
^this is the safemode switch for win.com
or
>From windows 98 and on the startbutton run line>type msconfig
>click on the [generel tab]
>select the advance button
>put a tick in the option: "enable startup menu "
>Reboot and you should find yourself at the startup menu that will allow a safemode option.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, will etry your suggestion to rickyblocder

 

My instructions were written for 95/98 and ME. And the third item in the bootmenu is Safe Mode.

And depending on your bios, holding F5 on a reboot will boot you directly to safemode
Alt+F5 should get you to C:\>

 

defrag problem

thanks for clearing that up for me. I'll give all this a try andsee if it works-

 

Mike, I followed your directions for the clean-up, then ran scan disk and then defrag. IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM! Thank so much...this is something that has bugged me for a long time. My computer runs much better now.

Jan