Defragging

[Predator33]

Hi, i just spent 3hours defragging my hard drive with the one that came with windows ( Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Disk Defragmenter ) After those 3hours it was finished, but it defragged nothing, it didn't clear up any space at all:( i did this is safe mode. Is there a reason why this happened? Or could you reccomend a free third party programs that would do this for me.

[Imperion1]

Defragging your hard drive does not clear up space. Its mainly used to reorganize programs and files so their data is not spread out all over the hard drive. Programs used more often will be reorganized to start quicker than programs you would rarely use.

If you want to clean up hard drive space, try uninstalling some things. Or delete any files that you don't use.

[rmanet]

diskkeeper lite is another defrag program that's good, but Imperion's right, defrag doesn't free up space

what OS?

1. uninstall any programs you don't need - you'll be prompted if the uninstall leaves behind a folder that you also need to delete
2. get a freeware program like HDValet (up to Windows ME, don't use it for XP), CleanUp works good for XP (but it deletes stuff in your C:\Temp so be careful)
3. empty your recycle bin as needed
4. run a freeware program (regcleaner, whatever - do a google search) to clean your registry
5. if using ME, lower the allocation to System Restore by 50%
6. then defrag again

(for those of you who've heard me brag about the reliability of ME and System Restore - one machine up and croaked when my son tried to put in some RAM, and restore didn't work worth a da#n)

[BipolarBill]

Go into C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp (if you can't see it, you must "unhide" folders in My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View). Clean out that folder and ONLY that folder.

Now click Start > Run and type in CLEANMGR /SAGESET:99 (space between R and \). Check all but the bottom three! Now right-click the Desktop and select New > Shortcut. Type in CLEANMGR /SAGERUN:99. Name it Disk Cleanup. Use that to free up space.

If you find yourself having to free up space often, just get a new, bigger hard drive. Don't fool around.

BTW - NTFS defrags much faster than FAT32. To find out how to convert, click Start > Help and Support and Search for CONVERT NTFS.

[G]

Try the new O&O Defrag Pro V6.0.609. I beta test all their software and it is of high standard and very reasonable.

Otherwise the W2K defrag lite is Diskeeper. So try DK V8 Pro.

DK V8 Pro is best for directory consolidation but overall my vote goes to O&O but DK will not always defrag fragmentation. The results can be very poor at times. Also DK developer’s philosophy is that defragging diagram is not meant to be pretty so they concentrate on fragmentation (when it works – had poor results with DK of late) and not contiguous files floating around in free space. This is ok until you need 4GB of free space for GoBack and one file gets in the way. DK won’t move it so GoBack’s installation is aborted, for example.

That’s why I like O&O – it works to consolidate files and free space.

I use both for each reason.

G

[dajogejr]

I've used Raxco's Perfect disk at home and work, both PCs XP Pro on NTFS.

If defrags and cosolidates as well.

I used to be a hard core DiskKeeper advocate (especially after one of their reps bought me lunch...years ago)

But...I'd put the Raxco product against it.

[BipolarBill]

FYI - Diskeeper is both faster and more efficient with NTFS. It's slow and stupid with FAT32 volumes.

[HeddaLora]

I've had beautiful results with Diskeeper (http://www.execsoft.com) , particularly the set-it-and-forget-it option. I like not having to think about it.

As for freeing up disk space, even deleting all temp internet files (including off-line files) and cleaning up temp files (using "Disk Cleanup" in Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools works pretty well if you don't want to do it manually) will free up a goodly amount of disk space.

[G]

Try Window Washer V4.8.12 (better than V5) and Eraser 2003 Pro V4 (from East Technologies). The first does a good clear out as does the second but the second program really is superior when it comes to destroying data beyond recovery at http://www.east-tec.com/

[chaser_22]

When using standard MS defrag tool try closing programs that are running in the background (the ones ur sure of you don't need to keep windows running).

With win 98-Me, close everything except "explorer" and "systray".

This way defrag times should decrease substantially.

[tantone]

With 98, I've always preferred to defrag and scandisk from safe mode to avoid any potential headaches (the constant restarting of the scandisk, making it take a day to run).

Another thing to clean out is your temporary internet files. If you browse the web like I do, that can add up VERY quickly.

[rmanet]

Originally posted by tantone
With 98, I've always preferred to defrag and scandisk from safe mode to avoid any potential headaches (the constant restarting of the scandisk, making it take a day to run).

Another thing to clean out is your temporary internet files. If you browse the web like I do, that can add up VERY quickly.

plenty of tweaks out there that will do that on exiting IE, but if you want to keep a few cookies (for logins, etc.) keep that in mind too?