Disk Defragmenting Problem with Windows 98

For some reason the disk defragmenting program on my
computer no longer works correctly. When it gets to
reading drive info. it only makes it to 10% and then I get
a message that says drive contents changed and the process
restarts again. This continues over and over and never
makes it past the 10%. How can I correct this?

Something is writing to the Disk while you are Defragging. If you are on a
Hi-Speed Internet connection, disconnect it during defrag. Plus see this:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q286263
specifically he
"Drive's Contents Have Changed: Restarting..." Message When You Use the Disk
Defragmenter Tool
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 186978
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;186978
--

LuckyStrike

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"Paul" wrote in message
...
For some reason the disk defragmenting program on my
computer no longer works correctly. When it gets to
reading drive info. it only makes it to 10% and then I get
a message that says drive contents changed and the process
restarts again. This continues over and over and never
makes it past the 10%. How can I correct this?

On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 17:03:31 -0700, "Paul"
wrote:

For some reason the disk defragmenting program on my
computer no longer works correctly. When it gets to
reading drive info. it only makes it to 10% and then I get
a message that says drive contents changed and the process
restarts again. This continues over and over and never
makes it past the 10%. How can I correct this?

Paul,

It starts over because something is writing to the disk. Use
ctrl+alt+del and close any programs that may write to the disk and
turn off the screensaver and any AV programs.

If no help you can run it from Windows Safe mode, turn off the
screensaver.

The 32 bit Defrag from Win ME is much faster:
http://aroundcny.com/Technofile/texts/Defrag.zip
Rename it Defrag and put it in the Windows folder in place of the
Defrag that's there.

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/

See the defrag and scandisk troubleshooters located he
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/how_to.html

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"Paul" wrote in message
...
For some reason the disk defragmenting program on my
computer no longer works correctly. When it gets to
reading drive info. it only makes it to 10% and then I get
a message that says drive contents changed and the process
restarts again. This continues over and over and never
makes it past the 10%. How can I correct this?

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q287914
Articles about Scandisk
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q286263
Articles about Defrag

I must warn that Scandisk may not do a great job when there is a
great one to do...
http://cquirke.mvps.org/9x/scandisk.htm
Therefore, perhaps UNcheck "Automatically fix errors" on it's front
screen. It will then ask whether you want each error fixed. If it sounds
truly horrible, say "No!", and post the log. The log will be
"C:\Scandisk.log". Do not let it constantly restart, either.

1. Turn off screen saver (R-Clk Desktop, Properties, Screen Saver--
None)
2. Turn off power management (Control Panel, Power Management-- Always
On,Never,Never,Never)
3. Disable any permanent internet cable connection, perhaps.
4. Suspend Task Scheduler
5. Turn off interfering programs. Use "StartupCop" or "EndItAll2" from
PCMag (below). Or "START, Run, MSConfig, Startup tab". Note what is
unchecked. Then, go to the General tab & disable the entire Startup
Group, by clicking "Selective.." & unchecking "Load Startup...". Reboot.
Don't forget to re-enable before the next boot.
6. Use "HDValet" from PCMag, or
(a) "Control Panel, Internet Options, Delete Files button, bolt Delete
all offline content, OK, OK"
(b) "START, Run, %TEMP%", & delete all files that will let you. This
will likely be "C:\Windows\Temp". This is best done after a fresh boot,
unless you have not seen the message "Reboot to complete this install".
7. Run Scandisk (Thorough, usually w/o write testing. Check all three
items under "Scandisk, Advanced button, 'Check files for' box". If you
want to be informed as it does a fix, UNcheck "Automatically fix errors"
on the front screen, or look inside "C:\Scandisk.log" afterwards.)
8. "START, Run, Defrag /p /details". Apparently, "/p" Defrags the
unmovables.

The purpose of steps 1-5 is only to prevent constant restarts of
Scandisk & Defrag, if you get them; but DEFINITELY turn off the Virus
Scanner. Scandisk should be done perhaps once a month, and certainly
after every serious crash. Do a Defrag after a sluggish boot or when
this says so:
http://www.pcmag.com/ 's CrackUp, by Gregory A. Wolking & Bob Flanders.
Also, take DiskAction, to determine what is constantly writing to the
HDD, which causes the restarts. Take BHOCop & StartupCop too.

"DiskAction" reports the last 12 processes that access any partition. It
discovered the MS Critical Update Notification Tool was accessing my
HDD every five minutes. It can be uninstalled in "Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs". Then, occasionally, "START, Windows Update" on
your own.

"BHOCop" found a Browser Helper Object called Wavehelper Class, created
by "Wavetop", that was building a monstrosity of an error log called
"Logit.txt" in here. "START, Find, F/F, Logit.txt"-- see one?

Now, my hard drive is quieter than my mouse. (Of course, I now also have
384 MB RAM, up from an initial 64, eliminating Swap File activity.)


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Paul" wrote in message
...
| For some reason the disk defragmenting program on my
| computer no longer works correctly. When it gets to
| reading drive info. it only makes it to 10% and then I get
| a message that says drive contents changed and the process
| restarts again. This continues over and over and never
| makes it past the 10%. How can I correct this?