Defragmenter for Windows XP

[jlay]

I've just un-installed a USELESS defragmenter programme which has been there now for the best part of a year & never worked properly,also their tech. support NEVER replies & I'm not phoning the States as that would cost me an arm/leg !

I disconnect firewall/anti-virus/internet before starting , but ALWAYS it freezes up around the 14/16% stage

I just want to re-instal the default DF programme but so far no success ; I go to Add/Remove , as instructed,search for the DF progamme to re-instal it but can't see it anywhere ?

I also put the original XP cd in the slot before starting ?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hello John

 

What's the defrag programme called mate?

[Dalo Harkin]

We do not recommend any defrag programs as they can really mess your system up, how may times have you tried to run the defrag as you say always freezes around the 14%-16% mark.

Also when you did an analysis of the drive what was the rate of fragmentation?

[jlay]

Defragmenter for XP

 

It.s called DISKTRIX and they're based in South Carolina

 

The analysis , which did actually work ! was showing 22.5% of defraggedcfiles before it started , and then stopped at about 16% of the way :rolleyes:

[Dalo Harkin]

Jlay please bear with us as we are discussing defragmentation software as we speak.

You will get no benefit from a defrag, did you run a chkdsk before the defrag?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Run a search for all instances of that software John and uninstall/delete it.

 

Tell us when you have and we will continue.

[BeeCeeBee]

While I am no expert on these defrag programs I have always been told not to bother. There may be a good one out there but I don't know what it is. The defrag that is part of windows has always done the job and it is difficult to see a situation where you would need something better.

 

Jlay are you saying that you cannot access the windows defrag under accessories? And if not have you tried to restore to a point where you could?

 

Sometimes the simple solutions are the best. If you have not tried that please do.

 

If you have- let us know. And by all means do what Wolfey has told you as well it cannot be doing any good.

Edited November 12, 2008 by BeeCeeBee

[rapidaction]

I had a similar problem with one of the free defrag programs I was using. I uninstalled it without any issues thankfully and since then have been on Diskeeper. Its never had a single issue so far and the defrag is always thorough and fast. I am now running it on automatic mode without any problems. (Its paid ofcourse but I have no regrets.)

[Dalo Harkin]

Diskeeper is a good program - BUT I must warn you that if it is in 'automatic' mode - if thats the mode I am thinking of that continually defrags your system then be extremely careful - if you are moving large files, it cannot handle the load and it will frag the drive like you would not believe :eek:

I have a different version of large files to most - 4GB +

[BeeCeeBee]

Thanks for your post rapidaction and Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help :)

 

Member's recomendation of software is very important when we make decisions about what software to download or install on our computers. Your recommendation, I'm sure, will be viewed by other members and guests and that is a good thing.:D

 

My post yesterday was not meant to suggest that all defrag programs were bad or dangerous. Obviously as long as you are careful about the source of the software etc. you will probably do no harm.

 

What I do question is why either spend money or seek out safe freeware sources for a defrag program at all when the OS program seems to function well enough for most purposes.

 

But, again, WELCOME and Thanks again for the recommendation.

[jlay]

Defragmenter

 

Okay , I've just run a chkdsk ( whatever that means ), this produced a black dos? screen that tells me that :confused:the file system(32) is NTFS

It then ran several checks but then disappeared after about 1-2 mins so I can't tell you anymore.

I will search the registry for any disktrix files that might still be lurking and delete them if found and let you know when this has been done

Thanks All

[RandyL]

jlay chkdsk can't run that fast unless you are using some program like Norton Ghost or the old GoBack program which would cause chkdsk to to only check the drive overlay.

[Seth]

Third party defrag apps are a scam.

 

A defrag is a simple algorithm that Windows can do sufficiently.

 

As Dalo noted, a chkdsk should be run before a defrag. I also suggest the defrag be run from Safe Mode.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I agree.

[jlay]

Defragmenter

 

OK , I've done a search and found 3 remaining Disktrix files which have now been deleted.

Can I now go into SAFE mode ( is this F5 ? ) & try a Windows defrag from there ?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

F8 is the key to press to get into Safe Mode John.

 

And yes you can.

[jlay]

Defragmenter

 

This time I ran chkdsk it took longer ; Info:running in 'read-only' mode;Fparameter not specified:then it verified files,indexes,security descriptors.

This took about 7 mins.

Then went into safe mode & started a defrag analysis ; following analysis had message :''no need to fragment on this volume''

Anyway it looks as if the default programme is now back & working normally so I'll leave it for 2 weeks before repeating.

Many thanks to all for sorting this out for me ,I shall keep well away from any 3rd party stuff in future. ! !:)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Good man John, please do so.

 

Good to see you sorted mate. :)

[Dalo Harkin]

Hi,

 

Glad that its all sorted - please feel free to post on any other issues you have