Do you mean they start and but can not finish because the drive is
being accessed ? If so, reboot in SafeMode ( press the 'F8' key during
the reboot and select Safe Mode from the menu ). Then try running
either scandisk or defrag.

I hope that helps.

Dig

What happens when you try to run them?  

Do the programs just shut down and exit?  Or is there an error message
of some kind?  If there is an error message then the actual text of
the message would be very useful in trying to identify the cause of
your problem.

Ron Martell     Duncan B.C.    Canada

disk in DOS before Windows loaded.  It was the only way I
could get it to run.  Still can't defrag.........it ways
that something keeps writing to the disk.  I've run 3
different virus scans, with clean results.  I think I see
you at the end of the road......I'm almost there. HELP!

I'm having the a similar problem. Defrag will not move
beyond the 0 percent mark even though I have tried to let
it work through the night. I'd also be interested in any
suggestions people may have.

Hello again,

I just found this in the Microsoft knowledge base:

DEFRAG.INF - DEFRAGMENT ALL DRIVES ON SUBSEQUENT WINDOWS
STARTUP
The Disk Defragmenter for Windows 98 (DEFRAG.EXE) may
start and not complete its task. If repeated attempts to
defragment the drive are unsuccessful, it may be because
an application is writing to the disk. The Disk
Defragementer cannot share access to a drive with other
tasks.

An application loading automatically at startup may
interfere with DEFRAG. Run DEFRAG before applications load
at startup by adding a value for DEFRAG.EXE /ALL to the
RunServicesOnce key in the registry.

NOTE: You can use your computer while Disk Defragmenter is
running, however, Disk Defragmenter restarts if the
contents of the drive you are defragmenting change.

To add a value for DEFRAG.EXE /ALL to the RunServicesOnce
key:

Select DEFRAG.INF found in the \Tools\MTSutil folder on
the Windows 98 CD.
Right-Click DEFRAG.INF.

-or-

Hold down the SHIFT key and press the function key, F10.
Choose INSTALL to add the value for DEFRAG.EXE /ALL.

...... I have not tried it yet, but will let you know if
it seems to work.