Windows XP Defragmenter won't complete ??

Question

I've been using this same computer for nearly 3 years now and never had this problem before. My computer is an HP Pavilion ze4145 running Windows XP SP2; 478MB RAM, RADEON IGP 320M.

When I try to run the Defragmentation tool that comes with Windows XP, it does it's job up to anywhere between 3% and 98%, and then stops.

I get this message after the Defragmenter has stopped running:

"Some files on this volume could not be defragmented. Please
check the defragmentation report for the list of these files."

I check the report and there are no files listed !

So, as of now I am unable to complete defragmentation of my HD, using the Windows Defragmenter, and I don't know why.

I did install a program from Piriform called "Defraggler", and it seemed to work just fine, defragmenting anything my HD needed defragged.

So, my question is in 2 parts:

1 - What is wrong with the Windows defragmenter ?
2 - Does it matter, since the Defraggler is working fine ?

Answer 1

If you are using the built in tool, make sure that no other program runs to interrupt its task, if it does, you are likely to face some hangs and restarts. Also you need atleast 15% free space, For this you can uninstall programs that you dont need, burn music, movies pics etc onto DVDs ets, run a diskcleanup(get rid of temp files, recycle bin files, older restore points) and you should be able to get some space free.

There are good third party tools with advanced features like background defrag which dont require any manual intervention once installed. They are a good option if you want to save time and effort to run this task.

Answer 2

Windows built in defragmentor really sucks the best one to use is Executive software Diskeeper .This program works weather your computer is running other programs or not also it can change your mft file size for the amount of programs on your pc.Making your pc run a lot smoother .Most of the time the mft gets fragmented and windows built in defragmenter will not defrag the mft. hope this helps . Microsoft hasn't made a good defragmenter yet and will most likely not make one in the near future.

Answer 3

1.

Delete temporary files and close all the applications currently in use. OR some of your system files may be corrupt. So re-installing Windows will help.



2.

Windows checks and tests many criteria that other 3rd party utility don't check. So they work fine but Windows Defragmenter reports some problem in one of the test and thus fail to complete 100%.



No problem if every other required software and files work perfectly. Otherwise, format and re-install OS.

Answer 4

Windows defrag will have problems defraging files that are in use, for example if you have your email open (or a file downloading) while defragging you will get this error. There are also files that are used by windows that may be need to be defragged and because they are in use by windows it will not be able to defrag these files. Other applications may just skip these files as they can tell that they are in use.



There are some defrag programs out there that will defrag system files on startup so they are not in use. I wouldnt worry about it though, especially if you found a different one that works to your liking.

Answer 5

1. No idea

2. No...most 3rd party defrag programs work better.



Other good ones are Iobit Smart Defrag and Auslogic Defrag.

Answer 6

Run chkdsk first.



start the command prompt by typing CMD in the run dialog box.



type chkdsk/f



It'll check the disk and fix the problems the next time you start windows. Then the defragmenter will complete.

Answer 7

it seems the two the virus broken the defrag application or you broken the registry. Time for a reinstall of living house windows and a reset of your surfing behavior. (And get rid of Norton something - Symantec writes application that would make Peter Norton roll over in his grave if he have been lifeless.) provide up downloading "unfastened" music and flicks, provide up clicking on links you're no longer easily particular of and supply up vacationing questionable web pages. (In very almost 30 years of utilising the internet, and the networks that preceded it, i've got by no capability downloaded a scourge. The human concepts is the best anti-virus device ever invented.)

Answer 8

defrag needs free disk space for a work area. It is possible you don't have enough free space. Try deleting a game you no longer use ...

Answer 9

i had the same problem but what i did was i reformatted it

it could be that you havent defraged in a while or cleaned out your computer

Answer 10

Sounds like virus/malware.



Check for disk error and try again, if it doesn't work reload it!