Defrag problems

I tried to defrag HD from MS DOS, I restarted PC into a MS-DOS prompt, typed

defrag c: /f /sd- /skiphigh

but got message saying that "this program requires microsoft windows"..

So defrag utility does not work from DOS. Defragging from Windows does
work, since it constantly restarts and says "drive's content changed:
restarting", then tried defrag from Safe mode (from Run command prompt) but
had the same issue "drive's content changed: restarting", just less
frequently. Finally I tried "Selective startup" in Msconfig, unchecked all
boxes, restarted into Safe mode, then run command from command prompt. I was
able to defrag, but it took a huge time. And I still I faced the same
problem a few times, "drive's content changed: restarting".
Is there better method or better tool for defragging? The default windows
tool is too ugly.

"Aster" wrote in message
...
I tried to defrag HD from MS DOS, I restarted PC into a MS-DOS prompt,
typed

defrag c: /f /sd- /skiphigh

but got message saying that "this program requires microsoft
windows"..

So defrag utility does not work from DOS. Defragging from Windows
does
work, since it constantly restarts and says "drive's content changed:
restarting", then tried defrag from Safe mode (from Run command
prompt) but
had the same issue "drive's content changed: restarting", just less
frequently. Finally I tried "Selective startup" in Msconfig, unchecked
all
boxes, restarted into Safe mode, then run command from command prompt.
I was
able to defrag, but it took a huge time. And I still I faced the same
problem a few times, "drive's content changed: restarting".
Is there better method or better tool for defragging? The default
windows
tool is too ugly.

Those command line switches you posted for Defrag have not been
applicable since Windows 95 (yes, 95) was released, except for the /f
switch. Win9x versions of Defrag ignore them with no error message.
Also as you discovered, Defrag will not run from a DOS boot on a Win9x
system.

You shouldn't see constant restarting of Defrag from Safe Mode, as all
background programs are disabled in Safe Mode. If your computer is old,
and has a small amount of RAM installed, it could be due to swap file
changes to compensate for the low memory. How much memory is installed
in the computer, and what processor does it have?

Using Selective Startup from msconfig while in Safe Mode is a waste of
time, as Safe Mode already disables all startups by default.

Defrag will take a very long time if you have not adjusted its settings
to turn off the option to "optimize files". When you open Defragmenter,
first click the Settings button, and un-select the option to
re-arrange/optimize files, and save the setting for use every time you
run Defrag.

Defrag will also take a long time to run if the files are very
fragmented, or if the hard drive is an old and slow drive.

One popular way to get a faster defrag is to replace the Win98 version
of Defrag.exe with one from Windows ME. A number of web pages discuss
this....here are just two from top Google hits:
http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec060902.html
http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/defrag.html

If you want to buy a better defragmenter for Win9x, VOPT 7.22 is still
available and is quite good:
http://www.vopt.com/nuVoptXP.htm

Also see:
Windows 95 (and 98) Defrag.exe Command-Line Parameters
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/Q155326

Serenity Windows 98 Program's Command Line Parameters and Registry
Settings
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/winprogs.html
(click to expand the Defrag section)

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

I definitely saw a few restarting issues even in Safe Mode, as well.
PIII866MHz, Ram 512Mb
The files definitely was very fragmented. There are no Optimize files option
in my version of Defrag.
Will try Norton Speed Disk or tool from Win ME.
Just note: when I just tried run Defrag tool from windows [C Properties
Defragment now] for a few minutes then cancel: does it done some small
defragmenting, or did not due canceled operation?

Aster



"glee" wrote in message
...
"Aster" wrote in message
...
I tried to defrag HD from MS DOS, I restarted PC into a MS-DOS prompt,
typed

defrag c: /f /sd- /skiphigh

but got message saying that "this program requires microsoft
windows"..

So defrag utility does not work from DOS. Defragging from Windows
does
work, since it constantly restarts and says "drive's content changed:
restarting", then tried defrag from Safe mode (from Run command
prompt) but
had the same issue "drive's content changed: restarting", just less
frequently. Finally I tried "Selective startup" in Msconfig, unchecked
all
boxes, restarted into Safe mode, then run command from command prompt.
I was
able to defrag, but it took a huge time. And I still I faced the same
problem a few times, "drive's content changed: restarting".
Is there better method or better tool for defragging? The default
windows
tool is too ugly.

Those command line switches you posted for Defrag have not been
applicable since Windows 95 (yes, 95) was released, except for the /f
switch. Win9x versions of Defrag ignore them with no error message.
Also as you discovered, Defrag will not run from a DOS boot on a Win9x
system.

You shouldn't see constant restarting of Defrag from Safe Mode, as all
background programs are disabled in Safe Mode. If your computer is old,
and has a small amount of RAM installed, it could be due to swap file
changes to compensate for the low memory. How much memory is installed
in the computer, and what processor does it have?

Using Selective Startup from msconfig while in Safe Mode is a waste of
time, as Safe Mode already disables all startups by default.

Defrag will take a very long time if you have not adjusted its settings
to turn off the option to "optimize files". When you open Defragmenter,
first click the Settings button, and un-select the option to
re-arrange/optimize files, and save the setting for use every time you
run Defrag.

Defrag will also take a long time to run if the files are very
fragmented, or if the hard drive is an old and slow drive.

One popular way to get a faster defrag is to replace the Win98 version
of Defrag.exe with one from Windows ME. A number of web pages discuss
this....here are just two from top Google hits:
http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec060902.html
http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/defrag.html

If you want to buy a better defragmenter for Win9x, VOPT 7.22 is still
available and is quite good:
http://www.vopt.com/nuVoptXP.htm

Also see:
Windows 95 (and 98) Defrag.exe Command-Line Parameters
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/Q155326

Serenity Windows 98 Program's Command Line Parameters and Registry
Settings
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/winprogs.html
(click to expand the Defrag section)

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

Aster wrote:
I definitely saw a few restarting issues even in Safe Mode, as well.
PIII866MHz, Ram 512Mb
The files definitely was very fragmented. There are no Optimize files option
in my version of Defrag.
Will try Norton Speed Disk or tool from Win ME.
Just note: when I just tried run Defrag tool from windows [C Properties
Defragment now] for a few minutes then cancel: does it done some small
defragmenting, or did not due canceled operation?

Aster


If you saw activity then yes

it at least did some defragmentation

but not much

Though Win ME defrag is an improvement over that found in Win98

I think you will like Norton Speed Disk better

OK....if we are going to top-post, then I'll top-post. Jumping all over
when two different posting formats are used is pretty silly.

Yes, you DO have an option to optimize the files in the native Defrag,
it just doesn't use the word "optimize". Let me spell it out for you:

Start Windows 98 Defrag from Start Programs Accessories System Tools.
In the opening box named "Select Drive", click the Settings button on
the lower right.
In the new box that appears, in the upper section headed "When
defragmenting my hard drive," UNCHECK the box for "Rearrange program
files so my programs start faster", and CHECK the box for "Check the
drive for errors".
In the lower section, select the option for "Every time I defragment my
hard drive"
Click OK.
Click OK again to defragment, or Exit to quit.

I suggest you try replacing the Win 98 defrag.exe with the one from Win
ME, as I mentioned, and following that procedure with that version.
If Defrag is restarting in Safe Mode, something is still causing a file
change or file access. Did you disable your screensaver while in normal
mode, before restarting in Safe Mode? Disabling it while already in
Safe Mode usually doesn't work.

********
"Aster" wrote in message
...
I definitely saw a few restarting issues even in Safe Mode, as well.
PIII866MHz, Ram 512Mb
The files definitely was very fragmented. There are no Optimize files
option
in my version of Defrag.
Will try Norton Speed Disk or tool from Win ME.
Just note: when I just tried run Defrag tool from windows [C
Properties
Defragment now] for a few minutes then cancel: does it done some small
defragmenting, or did not due canceled operation?

Aster



"glee" wrote in message
...
"Aster" wrote in message
...
I tried to defrag HD from MS DOS, I restarted PC into a MS-DOS
prompt,
typed

defrag c: /f /sd- /skiphigh

but got message saying that "this program requires microsoft
windows"..

So defrag utility does not work from DOS. Defragging from Windows
does
work, since it constantly restarts and says "drive's content
changed:
restarting", then tried defrag from Safe mode (from Run command
prompt) but
had the same issue "drive's content changed: restarting", just less
frequently. Finally I tried "Selective startup" in Msconfig,
unchecked
all
boxes, restarted into Safe mode, then run command from command
prompt.
I was
able to defrag, but it took a huge time. And I still I faced the
same
problem a few times, "drive's content changed: restarting".
Is there better method or better tool for defragging? The default
windows
tool is too ugly.

Those command line switches you posted for Defrag have not been
applicable since Windows 95 (yes, 95) was released, except for the /f
switch. Win9x versions of Defrag ignore them with no error message.
Also as you discovered, Defrag will not run from a DOS boot on a
Win9x
system.

You shouldn't see constant restarting of Defrag from Safe Mode, as
all
background programs are disabled in Safe Mode. If your computer is
old,
and has a small amount of RAM installed, it could be due to swap file
changes to compensate for the low memory. How much memory is
installed
in the computer, and what processor does it have?

Using Selective Startup from msconfig while in Safe Mode is a waste
of
time, as Safe Mode already disables all startups by default.

Defrag will take a very long time if you have not adjusted its
settings
to turn off the option to "optimize files". When you open
Defragmenter,
first click the Settings button, and un-select the option to
re-arrange/optimize files, and save the setting for use every time
you
run Defrag.

Defrag will also take a long time to run if the files are very
fragmented, or if the hard drive is an old and slow drive.

One popular way to get a faster defrag is to replace the Win98
version
of Defrag.exe with one from Windows ME. A number of web pages
discuss
this....here are just two from top Google hits:
http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec060902.html
http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/defrag.html

If you want to buy a better defragmenter for Win9x, VOPT 7.22 is
still
available and is quite good:
http://www.vopt.com/nuVoptXP.htm

Also see:
Windows 95 (and 98) Defrag.exe Command-Line Parameters
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/Q155326

Serenity Windows 98 Program's Command Line Parameters and Registry
Settings
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/winprogs.html
(click to expand the Defrag section)


--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

Hi Glen,
I know you are long since past this post, but I was curious about why this
is so concerning the rearranging of the frequently used programs. Also, is
this why ZA firewall and other running programs often must be dropped in
order to defrag the HDD?
Does this speed up the defrag process without loss of purpose?
Does this apply to the win98se defrag program?

"glee" wrote in message
...
OK....if we are going to top-post, then I'll top-post. Jumping all over
when two different posting formats are used is pretty silly.

Yes, you DO have an option to optimize the files in the native Defrag,
it just doesn't use the word "optimize". Let me spell it out for you:

Start Windows 98 Defrag from Start Programs Accessories System Tools.
In the opening box named "Select Drive", click the Settings button on
the lower right.
In the new box that appears, in the upper section headed "When
defragmenting my hard drive," UNCHECK the box for "Rearrange program
files so my programs start faster", and CHECK the box for "Check the
drive for errors".
In the lower section, select the option for "Every time I defragment my
hard drive"
Click OK.
Click OK again to defragment, or Exit to quit.

I suggest you try replacing the Win 98 defrag.exe with the one from Win
ME, as I mentioned, and following that procedure with that version.
If Defrag is restarting in Safe Mode, something is still causing a file
change or file access. Did you disable your screensaver while in normal
mode, before restarting in Safe Mode? Disabling it while already in
Safe Mode usually doesn't work.

********
"Aster" wrote in message
...
I definitely saw a few restarting issues even in Safe Mode, as well.
PIII866MHz, Ram 512Mb
The files definitely was very fragmented. There are no Optimize files
option
in my version of Defrag.
Will try Norton Speed Disk or tool from Win ME.
Just note: when I just tried run Defrag tool from windows [C
Properties
Defragment now] for a few minutes then cancel: does it done some small
defragmenting, or did not due canceled operation?

Aster



"glee" wrote in message
...
"Aster" wrote in message
...
I tried to defrag HD from MS DOS, I restarted PC into a MS-DOS
prompt,
typed

defrag c: /f /sd- /skiphigh

but got message saying that "this program requires microsoft
windows"..

So defrag utility does not work from DOS. Defragging from Windows
does
work, since it constantly restarts and says "drive's content
changed:
restarting", then tried defrag from Safe mode (from Run command
prompt) but
had the same issue "drive's content changed: restarting", just less
frequently. Finally I tried "Selective startup" in Msconfig,
unchecked
all
boxes, restarted into Safe mode, then run command from command
prompt.
I was
able to defrag, but it took a huge time. And I still I faced the
same
problem a few times, "drive's content changed: restarting".
Is there better method or better tool for defragging? The default
windows
tool is too ugly.

Those command line switches you posted for Defrag have not been
applicable since Windows 95 (yes, 95) was released, except for the /f
switch. Win9x versions of Defrag ignore them with no error message.
Also as you discovered, Defrag will not run from a DOS boot on a
Win9x
system.

You shouldn't see constant restarting of Defrag from Safe Mode, as
all
background programs are disabled in Safe Mode. If your computer is
old,
and has a small amount of RAM installed, it could be due to swap file
changes to compensate for the low memory. How much memory is
installed
in the computer, and what processor does it have?

Using Selective Startup from msconfig while in Safe Mode is a waste
of
time, as Safe Mode already disables all startups by default.

Defrag will take a very long time if you have not adjusted its
settings
to turn off the option to "optimize files". When you open
Defragmenter,
first click the Settings button, and un-select the option to
re-arrange/optimize files, and save the setting for use every time
you
run Defrag.

Defrag will also take a long time to run if the files are very
fragmented, or if the hard drive is an old and slow drive.

One popular way to get a faster defrag is to replace the Win98
version
of Defrag.exe with one from Windows ME. A number of web pages
discuss
this....here are just two from top Google hits:
http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec060902.html
http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/defrag.html

If you want to buy a better defragmenter for Win9x, VOPT 7.22 is
still
available and is quite good:
http://www.vopt.com/nuVoptXP.htm

Also see:
Windows 95 (and 98) Defrag.exe Command-Line Parameters
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/Q155326

Serenity Windows 98 Program's Command Line Parameters and Registry
Settings
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/winprogs.html
(click to expand the Defrag section)


--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

"Jim" wrote in message
...
Hi Glen,
I know you are long since past this post, but I was curious about why this
is so concerning the rearranging of the frequently used programs. Also, is
this why ZA firewall and other running programs often must be dropped in
order to defrag the HDD?
Does this speed up the defrag process without loss of purpose?
Does this apply to the win98se defrag program?

I don't think this has anything to do with the need to stop other programs
running while you defrag - files that are in use will not be moved.

The problem with the feature is that it slows down the defrag process
considerably. Turning it off makes the defrag run a lot faster. The
benefit of the re-arrangment is very limited, and not really worth the extra
trouble it makes for defragging. Also, it tends to make changes that are
probably unnecessary - you can run defrag two times in close succession and
programs will still be shuffled around. That tells me that the re-arranging
is somewhat arbitrary. My recomendation is to run it with the option turned
on no more than once every siz months, but in practice I find that I leave
the option permanently turned off.

"Jim" wrote in message
...
Hi Glen,
I know you are long since past this post, but I was curious about why this
is so concerning the rearranging of the frequently used programs. Also, is
this why ZA firewall and other running programs often must be dropped in
order to defrag the HDD?
Does this speed up the defrag process without loss of purpose?
Does this apply to the win98se defrag program?

I don't think this has anything to do with the need to stop other programs
running while you defrag - files that are in use will not be moved.

The problem with the feature is that it slows down the defrag process
considerably. Turning it off makes the defrag run a lot faster. The
benefit of the re-arrangment is very limited, and not really worth the extra
trouble it makes for defragging. Also, it tends to make changes that are
probably unnecessary - you can run defrag two times in close succession and
programs will still be shuffled around. That tells me that the re-arranging
is somewhat arbitrary. My recomendation is to run it with the option turned
on no more than once every siz months, but in practice I find that I leave
the option permanently turned off.

Hi Glen,
I know you are long since past this post, but I was curious about why this
is so concerning the rearranging of the frequently used programs. Also, is
this why ZA firewall and other running programs often must be dropped in
order to defrag the HDD?
Does this speed up the defrag process without loss of purpose?
Does this apply to the win98se defrag program?

"glee" wrote in message
...
OK....if we are going to top-post, then I'll top-post. Jumping all over
when two different posting formats are used is pretty silly.

Yes, you DO have an option to optimize the files in the native Defrag,
it just doesn't use the word "optimize". Let me spell it out for you:

Start Windows 98 Defrag from Start Programs Accessories System Tools.
In the opening box named "Select Drive", click the Settings button on
the lower right.
In the new box that appears, in the upper section headed "When
defragmenting my hard drive," UNCHECK the box for "Rearrange program
files so my programs start faster", and CHECK the box for "Check the
drive for errors".
In the lower section, select the option for "Every time I defragment my
hard drive"
Click OK.
Click OK again to defragment, or Exit to quit.

I suggest you try replacing the Win 98 defrag.exe with the one from Win
ME, as I mentioned, and following that procedure with that version.
If Defrag is restarting in Safe Mode, something is still causing a file
change or file access. Did you disable your screensaver while in normal
mode, before restarting in Safe Mode? Disabling it while already in
Safe Mode usually doesn't work.

********
"Aster" wrote in message
...
I definitely saw a few restarting issues even in Safe Mode, as well.
PIII866MHz, Ram 512Mb
The files definitely was very fragmented. There are no Optimize files
option
in my version of Defrag.
Will try Norton Speed Disk or tool from Win ME.
Just note: when I just tried run Defrag tool from windows [C
Properties
Defragment now] for a few minutes then cancel: does it done some small
defragmenting, or did not due canceled operation?

Aster



"glee" wrote in message
...
"Aster" wrote in message
...
I tried to defrag HD from MS DOS, I restarted PC into a MS-DOS
prompt,
typed

defrag c: /f /sd- /skiphigh

but got message saying that "this program requires microsoft
windows"..

So defrag utility does not work from DOS. Defragging from Windows
does
work, since it constantly restarts and says "drive's content
changed:
restarting", then tried defrag from Safe mode (from Run command
prompt) but
had the same issue "drive's content changed: restarting", just less
frequently. Finally I tried "Selective startup" in Msconfig,
unchecked
all
boxes, restarted into Safe mode, then run command from command
prompt.
I was
able to defrag, but it took a huge time. And I still I faced the
same
problem a few times, "drive's content changed: restarting".
Is there better method or better tool for defragging? The default
windows
tool is too ugly.

Those command line switches you posted for Defrag have not been
applicable since Windows 95 (yes, 95) was released, except for the /f
switch. Win9x versions of Defrag ignore them with no error message.
Also as you discovered, Defrag will not run from a DOS boot on a
Win9x
system.

You shouldn't see constant restarting of Defrag from Safe Mode, as
all
background programs are disabled in Safe Mode. If your computer is
old,
and has a small amount of RAM installed, it could be due to swap file
changes to compensate for the low memory. How much memory is
installed
in the computer, and what processor does it have?

Using Selective Startup from msconfig while in Safe Mode is a waste
of
time, as Safe Mode already disables all startups by default.

Defrag will take a very long time if you have not adjusted its
settings
to turn off the option to "optimize files". When you open
Defragmenter,
first click the Settings button, and un-select the option to
re-arrange/optimize files, and save the setting for use every time
you
run Defrag.

Defrag will also take a long time to run if the files are very
fragmented, or if the hard drive is an old and slow drive.

One popular way to get a faster defrag is to replace the Win98
version
of Defrag.exe with one from Windows ME. A number of web pages
discuss
this....here are just two from top Google hits:
http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec060902.html
http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/defrag.html

If you want to buy a better defragmenter for Win9x, VOPT 7.22 is
still
available and is quite good:
http://www.vopt.com/nuVoptXP.htm

Also see:
Windows 95 (and 98) Defrag.exe Command-Line Parameters
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/Q155326

Serenity Windows 98 Program's Command Line Parameters and Registry
Settings
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/winprogs.html
(click to expand the Defrag section)


--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

Aster wrote:
I definitely saw a few restarting issues even in Safe Mode, as well.
PIII866MHz, Ram 512Mb
The files definitely was very fragmented. There are no Optimize files option
in my version of Defrag.
Will try Norton Speed Disk or tool from Win ME.
Just note: when I just tried run Defrag tool from windows [C Properties
Defragment now] for a few minutes then cancel: does it done some small
defragmenting, or did not due canceled operation?

Aster


If you saw activity then yes

it at least did some defragmentation

but not much

Though Win ME defrag is an improvement over that found in Win98

I think you will like Norton Speed Disk better