Defragger issues.?

Question

I run Windows 98 first edition, and I got the computer used. Its a hodge-podge too.
And I recently tried to run the defragger for the first time, and the first time I attempted to run it, I got the blue screen of death. About 3 days later I tried it again, and I left it running all night long and while it didnt freeze, it never got past 0%.
No programs are running, and I even go to the task manager to make sure that no extraneous programs are running.

Someone mentioned to me that I could use the Norton defragger. Is this a good idea? And if so, how do I get to it?

Answer 1

You don't absolutely need Norton SpeedDisk to be able to defrag a drive on Windows 98 First Edition. But it *does* produce better results than Windows Disk Defragmenter. Unfortunately, any version beyond that which came with Norton SystemWorks 2001 no longer supports Windows 98. You would have to find someone with that version to get a version Norton SpeedDisk that you can use. If you do get it, be sure to run LiveUpdate after installing it, as many times as necessary for it to tell you that there are no more updates available, and rebooting when it asks you to do so. If you skip the updating, it may not defragment successfully.

To use Windows Disk Defragmenter, the first thing you will need to do to defragment successfully is visit Windows Update, and have it apply ALL available updates in all categories. This, unfortunately, is not optional, and requires at least three or four consecutive visits to the WindowsUpdate web site, rebooting when it prompts you to do so.

The second thing you will need to do is start the computer in Safe Mode. To accomplish this, hold down the Shift key while Windows is starting up. If this does not automatically get you into Safe Mode, you can Press F8 at the very instant your hard drive starts booting, and it will bring up the Windows 98 Startup Menu. Chosee Safe Mode from that menu.

Now, when you run Disk Defragmenter, you may get a message saying you need to run Scandisk first. If it displays that message, then exit Disk Defragmenter and do so.

Otherwise, let Disk Defragmenter do its job.

If you still get a blue screen when disk defragmenter starts, you may have to adjust the Virtual Memory size to be larger. I recommend of two times the amount of RAM of the computer minus 1. For example, if the computer has 128MB, you want to set the Virtual Memory size to 255MB.

After this, if it still doesn't work, you likely have a hardware problem.

Answer 2

Many people have problems running ScanDisk and/or Defrag, with the program running 10% or 30% and then stalling. Often with a message that Windows is trying to write to the drive. To run ScanDisk/Defrag successfully:

1. Go to Start > Run and type msconfig in the Open: box
2. On the General tab, uncheck all items listed under Selective startup (make sure that Selective startup is selected)
3. Hit apply and OK and restart Windows
4. This starts Windows with only the basics running; Insures nothing will interfere with ScanDisk and Defrag
5. Run ScanDisk and Defrag, when ready go into msconfig and select Normal startup and restart Windows

Answer 3

Ya gotta buy Norton's. Try booting up in safe mode and running defragger.

Answer 4

Try turning your screen saver off and then run the defragger again.
When the screensaver engages, it references a sector on the disk and forces the defragmenter to keep resetting.

Answer 5

I would not use a 3rd party defragger.

You might try rebooting into SAFE mode, then running DEFRAG.

Yes, it could take hours.

Answer 6

Norton will cost you money and I don't recommend investing in the machine you have. Microsoft doesn't even support Win98 any more, it's that old.

I suggest you get Ashampoo WinOptimizer or O & O Defrag from download.com. They will work as free trials to get you started.

Answer 7

go to download.com and download a program callled "system mechanic" the first 30 days are free, and it has a really good defrag and system tuneup program

Answer 8

try running scan disk first then try again. if they have not been done before or ever they can take a very long time. follow jarheads instructions. Semper Fi jarhead