How do you defrag a computer that hasn't been defragged in over a year?

Question

I received a used computer from my mother that was used in the small church office that she works in. The problem is, nobody ever defragged that computer. I even tried it using Safe Mode. I never even got it to 1% and I left it plugged in and running defrag for about 48 hours. The computer runs on WindowsMe. Is there anything I can do?

Answer 1

first, run disk cleanup
then, run an antivirus or 2
then uninstall any unnecessary programs
then run disk cleanup again (seems repetitive, but sometimes uninstalling will leave behind files that this will catch)
then run scandisk, which can probably be found with disk cleanup, or you may have to right click on the c: icon and find the right tab. this will find any faults in the filing system/hard drive and repair them
then run defrag

if you dont need any information on the drive, you may just want to wipe it and start over
this will eliminate any viruses and get rid of any sensitive material like financial records or anything
you just need a boot disk (i like win 98 just because i use it alot)
put it in, wait for the command prompt (A:\>) then type in
fdisk
hit yes at the next screen
hit 4 to delete the partition
follow the steps
when that is done, you should just be able to hit escape to get back to the screen where you hit 4
hit 1 to create a new partition
follow teh steps (you dont need to name it anything)
hit escape until you get back to the command prompt
type in
format c:
it will ask if you are sure
say yes
it may take a while
then hit ctrl+alt+del to restart
then take the boot disk out and put in teh operating system CD (win ME, 200, 98, XP, etc)
install following the directions on screen

Answer 2

Try running DiskCleanup (Start > Accessories > System Tools) before you start defragging it. I would also clean out (delete) as much stuff as possible (unused programs, files, etc.). You may also want to run a virus scan on it, just in case that is causing problems.

Although it costs $$, I love DiskKeeper, but I do not know if it is available for WindowsMe.

Answer 3

Click your START MENU and then on the HELP AND SUPPORT TAB. In the SEARCH BAR type, DEFRAG. In the RESULTS COLUMN on the right side click DISK DEFRAGMENTOR. It will then display more results on the left side. You then click on OPEN DISK DEFRAGMENTOR. It will open a new window. Then just click the start button. I reccomend that you close all other programs before starting. It takes long enough as it is. I also use Windows XP so I am not sure if it will be the exact same steps on yours or not.

Answer 4

try running a disk clean up first that should help to clear up some of the rubbish, delete files that you don't need etc,