It will take longer time to read a whole file when it is fragmented, because the HDD has to make several seeks to read all the cluster-chains that contains the file. Defragmentation Tools will try to rearrange the data of the fragmented files so the file is contained in a single cluster-chain.
Checks before starting defragmentation of a partition :
- Scan the partition for errors (Using Scandisk or Chkdsk /f).
- Empty directory with temporary files which might reside on the partition (Recycle Bin, Temporary Internet Files, TMP).
- Make sure there is enough free space on the partition to move files around (15 %).
- Stop any unnecessary programs that writes to the partition (Ex. filesharing programs).
- Disable any screen saver which might take all the resources from the defrag process.
Note a new feature was added with Windows 98/Windows XP, which monitors the launch of applications. The defragmenter uses this information to group the files used by the application close together to minimize seek time.
- Win98/WinMe - Configure monitoring of application startup
- WinXP - Configure the logical prefetcher
Although I have performed defrag many times in past I am now getting following message if I try defrag on any of my drives (windows 2000).
I have lots of disc space on all drives. Have just installed/removed a Ramdisk product from Cenatek.
Anyone have any ideas??
According to Microsoft you need to check that:
1. The temp environment variables exists
2. The temp folder exists
3. You have setup proper permissions to the temp folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/228141
If all that fail try to do a SFC /SCANNOW and have the Win2k CD Ready.
When I try to defrag I get the message "paused for shadow copy". What do I do?
Don't know why the Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS) gets into a state where it blocks defrag from working. The solution seems to disable VSS momentarily while doing defrag and enable it again, or disable the service VSS for good if not using it.
Windows ME has a much improved version of the defragmenter program (of win98). you can simply download the windows ME version on some website (search for one) and then copy the file to the windows (98) directory.
You don't have to go that far away to find it, as it can be downloaded here.