I cannot read the small print on the forum (it's gone all chequebook numbersy), I'm sure all the text is trying to be too small.

I had a warning that I was running out of space on C:, so I've moved all the photo's to D: and tried running a defrag, but defrag only gets to 10% before re-starting having flicked a message so fast that I cannot read it :( I think it says 'drive contents changed - restarting' :confused:

What's it doing? and what should I do next?

(Words of one syllable would be nice, ta :thumbsup: )



Edit: moved AutoCAD drawings to D: and a heap of college work, re-booted, ran clean up, and started defrag again.

Still cannot read the small print on the forum and defrag keeps starting again after 10%

Sorry if you've checked this already but if you're using Internet Explorer ensure that setting in the "View" menu "Text Size" option is set to medium.

If you're using Firefox the same setting is "View", "Text Size", then "Normal".

Can't add anything to the text problem, but the defrag restart is due to the fact that, as the message says, the disc contents have changed during the operation and so defrag has to start again.

The problem is that Windows is always doing something in the background unless you tell it not to. You do this by starting windows in 'Safe Mode'. This gives you big text and a very messy looking screen, but Windows is now only doing what you tell it explicitly to do.

Start Windows in Safe Mode and then re-run the defrag.

As to HOW you start in Safe Mode, off the top of my head I can't remember...:D This is where Google or one of the more with it Forum members might help! I seem to remember the way of starting in Safe Mode varies between Windows 98, ME and XP, so bear that in mind. Though I may be wrong here....:)

F8 F8 F8 F8

Until u see the menu with safe mode safe mode with command, networking etc

Originally posted by JoePritchard
the defrag restart is due to the fact that, as the message says, the disc contents have changed during the operation and so defrag has to start again.

Not if it's done the same thing for 6 hours though? And the pattern of little boxes is exactly the same each time :suspect:

It doesn't seem to be achieving anything :(

I used to have that same problem with defrag when I was using Windows 98SE.

I had to make sure that I had nothing running, and that I wasn't online; close down the firewall and the antivirus; close all windows.

Can't think of anything else, apart from have you deleted your temporary internet files, and your windows temp files?

Ann

Originally posted by Strix
Not if it's done the same thing for 6 hours though? And the pattern of little boxes is exactly the same each time :suspect:

It doesn't seem to be achieving anything :(


Turn off all unnecessary programs/background tasks (AV, FW etc) and try defrag then (Windows defrag falls over on this machine when FW & AV are running - FW = ZAp, AV = NAV).

Originally posted by sccsux
- FW = ZAp, AV = NAV).

??? :confused:

Firewall and Anti-virus are what?

(thanks)

Originally posted by Strix
What's it doing? and what should I do next?

(Words of one syllable would be nice, ta :thumbsup: )

Windows = crap, defrag = nightmare.

What version of Windows are you using? I never got one of my old 98 machines to defrag properly. You'll need to start in safe mode, by pressing F8 whilst Windows is booting up, and turn off all programs that are running, AV, firewalls, screensavers etc... It then, may work a bit.

you could try an alternative program.

Diskeeper Lite - http://www1.execsoft.com/dklite.exe


never tried it myself

Originally posted by Strix
??? :confused:

Firewall and Anti-virus are what?

(thanks)


ZAp - ZoneAlarm Pro
NAV - Norton AntiVirus

Both need to be turned off before I can defrag (regardless of software used) this is on Win 98 BTW.

Originally posted by Lurch
Windows = crap, defrag = nightmare.

What version of Windows are you using? I never got one of my old 98 machines to defrag properly. You'll need to start in safe mode, by pressing F8 whilst Windows is booting up, and turn off all programs that are running, AV, firewalls, screensavers etc... It then, may work a bit.

:hihi: Oh help :(

It's ME. I've heard nothing but bad reports about it. I can't upgrade it though, coz the version of AutoCAD I have doesn't like XP

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll give it a go later this week. I'll stick to the laptop in the meantime :D

Originally posted by Strix
:hihi: Oh help :(

It's ME.
/runs away and hides. I never even bother trying to fix ME problems, just reinstall with 2000, or sometimes 98 depending on system hardware, and it all works.

You could try using 3rd party disk cleaning software, or just not bother running a defrag. The whole Windows filesystem is a complete shambles anyway so all it's doing is moving crap around that you don't really want. I just reinstall every 12 months or so, does a better job than any software you could buy for cleaning crap off your machine and you don't have to buy anything.

Originally posted by Strix
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll give it a go later this week. I'll stick to the laptop in the meantime :D
As long as it's not got ME on it you shouldn't be in immediate danger. :wink:

The ME defrag problem is the same as the 98 and 98SE problem.

You have to shut down all programmes, and make sure you're offline....this applies whether you're on broadband or dial-up. If necessary, take the plug out of the back of the pc.

Make sure your printer and/or scanner are switched off or disconnected.

The other thing I remember about defrag on Windows 98SE, which will be the same for ME, is that you have to do a thorough scandisk beforehand, otherwise, if there are any errors on your hard drive, you won't be able to defrag.

:rolleyes:

There are a couple of freeware programs available that will help with defrag on Win98 and WinME machines.

SpeeDefrag
http://www.geocities.com/coolvicki7/SpeeDefrag.html

and

GEODisk2©
http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/Software.htm

They're not alternatives to the Windows defrag.exe, but what they do is restart Windows in a 'clean' mode and then run defrag.