Computer Help!!! Why Won't My Computer Defragment?

[KittyWampus]

I started it last night and it only got to 1%.

Just tried again and it only ever goes to 1 or 2 %.

Should I run another maintance first like disc clean up or does that not matter?

[Tesibria]

1. few things to check

I am NO computer expert -- but -- that has happened to me at times.

I suggest that you do run Disk Clean Up. Also -- make sure your screen saver is turned OFF.

[truhavoc]

2. Make sure the disk is free of any errors and close down all active

programs.

[FlashHarry]

3. Try turning off your screensaver, too.

My old PC wouldn't defrag if anything was running. Now, of course, I have a Mac... :)

[KittyWampus]

6. Mac's Sound Good

[Sosumi]

16. Macs and defragging.

... and now you don't have to worry about defragmenting at
all! Sweet, isn't it?

[Drifter]

4. Make sure that you ...

don't have something running that will update files. This usually cancles the defrag.

I had this set up to run at night automatically. I also run SETI@Home (screensaver). I was baffled as to why my disk never defraged. Until I realized that the defrag was ending as soon as my Screensaver kicked in.

Also check your free space. The larger the percentage the better it will do.

Cheers
Drifter

[Was_Immer]

5. Do you have enough free space... I mean files move around so you need

Space to let this happen!

[KittyWampus]

11. What Is Free Space? When I Look In Programs The Pie Chart

always shows lots of empty space... is that what you mean?

[landdaddy]

7. Open programs

or processes running in the background could cause that. What OS??
Try shutting down as many programs as you can(Ctrl/Alt/Delete) and try again. Bootup into Safe mode and then defrag!

[Spider Jerusalem]

8. Disable your screen saver.

And anything else that's running.

Or, better yet, get Diskeeper (http://www.executive.com/defrag/defrag.asp ), which will defragment even with programs running. Windows Defrag SUCKS.

[johnnie]

9. Make sure nothing is running in the background

Turn off your screen saver, make sure that in your power settings it doesn't have anything "going to sleep" after a certain period of time. If you are connected to a continuous internet connection make sure it is disconnected.

[KittyWampus]

12. AHA! It's Connected To Ethernet Or Whatever You Call DSL Line!!!

so many things to check... thanks

[Mr.Green93]

10. because

there are programs running in the background. Get the free program called end it all.

[arwalden]

13. Bad Chi! -- Put A Mirror Behind Your PC. Align Your PC In A North-South...

orientation. That might help.

[KittyWampus]

14. Does The Shape Of The Mirror Make A Difference? :-)

[kc.ink]

15. main thing to shut off is anti-virus auto protect

if you can't find where and what to shut down, I use ctrl, alt, delete. That should bring up window that gives you access to all running programs. Shut off anything that is not necessary. But keep windows explorer and taskbar or systray. Depends on which operating system you are using as to what programs are listed. Also may want to check if "indexing service" is turned on or off. To find if indexing service is being used: click Start> click Search> click Files or Folders> this shows an area where you can type in files names, etc. to search for on your computer, but towards the bottom of the left column there should show "search options" and "indexing service" it will also show you if it is on or off. Click it to change program activity.

[Village Idiot]

17. Try a third party utility like PerfectDisk.

[InkAddict]

18. Help is on the way!

Close all running programs. Rid thyself of all temp Internet files and check hard drive for errors (scandisk)
Reboot (soft)
While rebooting, continue to push F5 until a menu appears that offers safe mode > choose it
go to start programs> accessories> defrag and start running it
when it's over, reboot (soft) and the machine will return itself from safe mode, then turn back on all the protection if it did not come up when rebooting cause it wasn't in your Start Menu.
Close desktop openings, and you should be good to go!