re; disk fragment

[Alam]

I have been told that windows file storage can result in files being stored in fragments. And that it is good to defragment your hard disk to fix this. I have tried doing this by: start/programs/accessories/system tools/disk fragment. When I click o.k. for disk fragmentation it does this but it takes far too long. For example after 3hrs of fragmentation it had done 45%+ but because I had disturbed the process it starts again from 0%.

Note I also have Norton's utilities but have not used it for this purpose as yet.

[tjaymadison]

You need to turn off anti-virus software, and disable power management settings and any screen saver.

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

[bassman]

Well Alam,
That does sound like an awful long time, but I think something else is restarting the process. Have you shut off the screen savers, anti virus, any scheduled tasks, background programs...?
If you hit "ctrl.alt.del"ONCE, the only things that should be running is "Explorer and Systray."
I have never used Norton myself,but if you wait for a bit, I'm sure some of the others will have more advice. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

------------------
It's nice to know if we helped you out. Please let us know IF and WHAT fixed the problem.

[Steve]

Hi Alam.

If you have Norton Utilities, you can start it up, click on Improve Performance, click Speed Disk and follow the prompts. This is Nortons defragmenter which works differently from Windows defragmenter. Use one or the other. I use the Norton version, every week.

While you're at it, you should use all of the Norton Utilities. I run pretty much all of the utilities once a week and my machine has been in good health for over a year now. "Find and Fix Problems" and "Improve Performance" get the most use.

Give it a try. If you have any questions I might be able to steer you in the right direction.

[bassvax]

While we are on the topic of Norton Utilities...I would harshly advise against installing and using Norton's Crashguard program (I noticed in another post of your that Crashguard is giving you an error message). This Crashguard seems to be the only 'black-eye' on the Norton (Symantec) name that I know. I have used Norton for several years now and I really like SystemWorks 2001. If you notice they finally dropped the Crashguard from the Utilities package. The defrag utility is much better than Windows' (now I have heard that the Win ME defrag utility is hot, but I keep my distance from anything associated with Win ME). Check for updates to your Norton Software (they update the utilities as well as Antivirus definitions) and use Norton Disk Doctor, WinDoctor and Speed Disk exclusively. My opinion regarding Norton.

It is advisable to do as suggested and kill on-going apps while doing maintenance...seesm logical to me since the idea of maintenance is to check all files...yada...yada...yada...

------------------
Tango down!

[Steve]

Let's face it...Crash Guard SUCKS!

I, too, would suggest shutting it off, uninstalling it and forgeting about it. It usually is the 32bit monitor that causes the trouble. If you go to the Symantic website they describe how to shut this off. They also offer a regestry tweek that helps, but frankly, you're better off without it.