my computer can't defrag!!

Dioquardo · 12-15-2004, 08:11 PM

first off, i am fairly computer illiterate, but not stupid.

here's the deal:

ever since i reformatted from XP to ME (a downgrade, i know), my computer has been unable to fully defragment. it just starts over and over, never completing...sometimes it will get as far as 30% complete before starting over... the same goes for scandisk.

perhaps this is unrelated, but similarly, when i use norton disk doctor, it starts over and over saying "restart due to disk write."

i'm not sure whether i have a virus or i am just royally f'ed up.

i'd appreciate any help!
j

**YeeFam** · 12-15-2004, 09:34 PM

You may want to defrag while in Safe mode. While in Safe mode, there are less Disk I/O and much fewer background tasks running. It will then complete, and usually goes much faster.

While in safe mode, you may also want to do a complete virus scan. Scans while in safe mode always goes much faster!

**jgvernonco** · 12-16-2004, 01:36 AM

Agreed.

If those options don't help, let us know and we'll go to "step 2".

**Detah** · 12-16-2004, 08:06 AM

YeeFam is correct. In particular, turn off your screensaver. Screensaver and virusscanners are the top 2 reasons why defrag apps restart.

As jg stated, there are more steps you can take as well. Try the above first. On a side note, the built-in MS defrag program is notoriously weak because of these restarts. As a last resort, there are several 'for pay' applications out there which do not have these constant restart shortcomings. If all else fails, I can provide a list of good ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeeFam

You may want to defrag while in Safe mode. While in Safe mode, there are less Disk I/O and much fewer background tasks running. It will then complete, and usually goes much faster.

While in safe mode, you may also want to do a complete virus scan. Scans while in safe mode always goes much faster!

12-15-2004, 08:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dioquardo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1 OS: WinME	my computer can't defrag!! first off, i am fairly computer illiterate, but not stupid. here's the deal: ever since i reformatted from XP to ME (a downgrade, i know), my computer has been unable to fully defragment. it just starts over and over, never completing...sometimes it will get as far as 30% complete before starting over... the same goes for scandisk. perhaps this is unrelated, but similarly, when i use norton disk doctor, it starts over and over saying "restart due to disk write." i'm not sure whether i have a virus or i am just royally f'ed up. i'd appreciate any help! j

12-16-2004, 01:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
jgvernonco Old Timer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 7,960 OS: Vista Home Premium, SP 27	Agreed. If those options don't help, let us know and we'll go to "step 2". __________________ Donations keep TSF moving forward. Please help. http://www.myspace.com/speedbumpthecelt

12-15-2004, 09:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
YeeFam Mac Tech, Alternative Computing Forums Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 254 OS: MAC OS X (Unix)	You may want to defrag while in Safe mode. While in Safe mode, there are less Disk I/O and much fewer background tasks running. It will then complete, and usually goes much faster. While in safe mode, you may also want to do a complete virus scan. Scans while in safe mode always goes much faster!