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Pat - 16 Mar 2004 00:03 GMT

The defrag on my Microsoft Millenium System Tools has
never gone beyond 2% before restarting. All programs are
closed, I've set screensaver to None...nothing seems to
work. Do you have any suggestions?

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anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com - 16 Mar 2004 02:09 GMT

>-----Original Message-----
>The defrag on my Microsoft Millenium System Tools has
>never gone beyond 2% before restarting. All programs are
>closed, I've set screensaver to None...nothing seems to
>work. Do you have any suggestions?
>.

Use ScanDefrag
http://home.earthlink.net/~bblanton2/scandefrag/main.htm
http://www.blueorbsoft.com/scandefrag/index.html
best as a scheduled task in Normal Mode, let it run
overnight or switch to Restrictive Mode for problems.

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Curt - 17 Mar 2004 14:48 GMT

This program should be in the programs list:
START/PROGRAMS/SYSTEM TOOLS/DEFRAG, just make sure all
background tasks are stopped first: hit control-alt-delete
buttons at the same time and then click on each item in
the list and then click "end task" (you may have to repeat
this on some of the running tasks before it will finally
end) until all applications are closed EXCEPT "EXPLORER",
THEN RUN DEFRAG, this is what I do each time and I have
been doing this each month for over 3 years with no
problems.
Good luck!

Reply to this Message

Jack E Martinelli - 17 Mar 2004 16:04 GMT

Curt, your advice is quite good. However, MS Win9X Task Manager is a
rather poor process viewer. As the many posts re: scandisk and defrag
problems in the MS ng's attest, many interfering programs / malware are
not reported by Task Manager. ScanDefrag was created to circumvent this
problem.

As an exercise, install the free process viewer, Process Explorer, and
compare the actual executing processes with those reported by Task
Manager on your machine in a variety of situations:

the free "Process Explorer" www.sysinternals.com

the free "ScanDefrag"
http://home.earthlink.net/~bblanton2/scandefrag/main.htm
http://www.blueorbsoft.com/scandefrag/index.html

Signature

Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
Your cooperation is appreciated.
____

> This program should be in the programs list:
> START/PROGRAMS/SYSTEM TOOLS/DEFRAG, just make sure all
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> >work. Do you have any suggestions?
> >.

Reply to this Message

anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com - 17 Mar 2004 17:05 GMT

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Rick T - 17 Mar 2004 19:36 GMT

>>-----Original Message-----
>>The defrag on my Microsoft Millenium System Tools has
>>never gone beyond 2% before restarting. All programs are
>>closed, I've set screensaver to None...nothing seems to
>>work. Do you have any suggestions?
>>.

Open up the CloseProgram Window <Ctrl-Alt-Delete> and 'EndTask'
everything except Explorer.

Now run scandisk first then defrag.

Rick

Reply to this Message

Joan Archer - 17 Mar 2004 22:50 GMT

Try doing it from Safe Mode or download this program developed by Koldbear
and associates.
Joan

Get the free ScanDefrag. It is the most advanced disk maintenance
program there is. It runs Disk Cleanup, ScanDisk, and Disk
Defragmenter. It's easy to setup and use, and it can deal with
problems like "drive's contents have changed: restarting...".
Get it and read about all the options it has that you can use.
http://home.earthlink.net/~bblanton2/scandefrag/main.htm
http://www.blueorbsoft.com/scandefrag/index.html

It is not unusual to see Defrag restart a number of times.
It is , however, unusual to see ScanDisk restart.
This is why I suggest starting it at bedtime and letting it run overnight.
Please, email "The ScanDefrag Team" if you have any problems using our
program. Your problem, will be properly attended to. And we assure you,
that every attempt will be made to resolved it..
To see how to email us, read the ScanDefrag "Readme" file, using
ScanDefrag
under the "Help" menu.

>> -----Original Message-----
>> The defrag on my Microsoft Millenium System Tools has
>> never gone beyond 2% before restarting. All programs are
>> closed, I've set screensaver to None...nothing seems to
>> work. Do you have any suggestions?
>> .

Reply to this Message

Amy - 20 Mar 2004 15:45 GMT

>-----Original Message-----
>The defrag on my Microsoft Millenium System Tools has
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>.
>Try opening your computer in "Safe Mode" (got this tip

from the newsgroup here).Hold down the control key when
rebooting, click on safe mode. After completing defrag,
just click start button and shut down as usual. This
worked for me with scandisk too. Scandisk error message
says "scandisk has started 10 times because another
program is running." No other program is running.
This probem with defrag is new for me within the last
month time frame. I Have used millenium since 2000. I'm
wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
know out there?

Reply to this Message

Lucas - 27 Apr 2004 01:53 GMT

Same thing here.
Scandisk and defrag were not an issue for me.
I used to disconnect, close every program (CTRL+ALT+DEL) and scan/defrag.
Now I can't, not even in Safe Mode. I tried Geodisk and Scandefrag with the same result.
The only way I can scan is with the bootdisk.
To defrag I have to use a (paid) third party tool (Power Defrag).
I believe that's the result of some update I performed...

LC

>Try opening your computer in "Safe Mode" (got this tip
> from the newsgroup here).Hold down the control key when
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
> know out there?

Reply to this Message

Jack E Martinelli - 27 Apr 2004 18:41 GMT

Install the free process viewer, Process Explorer, www.sysinternals.com,
and find the interfering culprit.

Or perhaps AppMon will trap it:
AppMon.hta 6.6 KB http://billsway.com/notes_public/

Signature

Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
____

> Same thing here.
> Scandisk and defrag were not an issue for me.
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> > wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
> > know out there?

Reply to this Message

Lucas - 28 Apr 2004 00:22 GMT

Thanks for your reply.
I have Process Explorer installed.
Even after "killing" all non-essential processes, scandisk and defrag don't pass the first stages (0-1%).
Processes running when I try to scan, according to Process Explorer:
Idle
KERNEL32.DLL
EXPLORER.EXE
MPREXE.EXE
MSGSRV32.EXE

LC

> Install the free process viewer, Process Explorer, www.sysinternals.com,
> and find the interfering culprit.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> > > wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
> > > know out there?

Reply to this Message

Jack E Martinelli - 28 Apr 2004 17:34 GMT

Your four processes are essential core OS processes. There are others.

Compare
Startup Configuration for Program Launching

Use Start - Run - MSCONFIG and go to the Startup tab. Compare the
listing there with the following Startup checklists:

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startlist.htm - has trojan related items
listed
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Note: Please ensure that you fully understand the purpose of a
startup item, how and why it was put into the startup, and the
consequences (if any) of removing it before you make any changes.
Some items are very important for the proper and safe functioning of
your computer, including at least one item that is listed twice,
LoadPowerProfile.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

Signature

Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
------

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
____

> Thanks for your reply.
> I have Process Explorer installed.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> > Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
> > Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

> > Your cooperation is very appreciated.
> > ____
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> > > > wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
> > > > know out there?

Reply to this Message

Lucas - 28 Apr 2004 18:38 GMT

Sorry but I don't understand what you mean.
The processes I told you about were the ones I left after "killing" all the others before running scandisk/defrag.
There are many others running in normal conditions including both instances of LoadPowerProfile.

LC

> Your four processes are essential core OS processes. There are others.
>
[quoted text clipped - 81 lines]
> > > > > wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
> > > > > know out there?

Reply to this Message

Jack E Martinelli - 28 Apr 2004 19:14 GMT

I'm sorry I wasn't as clear as I thought.

I intended to say you killed some core OS processes.
In any event, please boot to Safe Mode and run scandisk and defrag
there, where no interferifng processes should be executing.

If that fails, obtain ScanDefrag and run it:

> The free ScanDefrag 4.2 is the most advanced disk maintenance
> program there is. It runs Disk Cleanup, ScanDisk, and Disk
> Defragmenter. It's easy to setup and use, and it can deal with
> problems like "drive's contents have changed: restarting...".
> Get it and read about all the options it has that you can use.

http://home.earthlink.net/~bblanton2/scandefrag/main.htm
http://www.blueorbsoft.com/scandefrag/index.html

Signature

Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
____

> Sorry but I don't understand what you mean.
> The processes I told you about were the ones I left after "killing" all the others before running scandisk/defrag.
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> > Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
> > Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

> > Your cooperation is very appreciated.
> > ____
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
> > > > > > wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
> > > > > > know out there?

Reply to this Message

Lucas - 29 Apr 2004 01:02 GMT

I tried both.
In Safe Mode, scandisk behaves exactly the same.
Scandefrag doesn't work either. The pc freezes whatever option I choose (I contacted Scandefrag support and they didn't know the
reasons why).
Apparently, Scandefrag does the same thing I do manually.
Some times, when the comp. freezes and I have to reboot, scandisk runs ok.
With Power Defrag, I can scan and Defrag.

But I just want to be able to use scandisk and Defrag again, like I used to.

LC

> I'm sorry I wasn't as clear as I thought.
>
[quoted text clipped - 122 lines]
> > > > > > > wondering if it's a ms update that caused it? Does anyone
> > > > > > > know out there?

Reply to this Message

Jack E Martinelli - 29 Apr 2004 16:18 GMT

Do I understand you to be saying that you can complete scandisk using a
EBD, or after an improper shutdown, but not in Safe Mode?
If so, what does your process viewer report to be executing in Safe
Mode?

Signature

Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
____

> I tried both.
> In Safe Mode, scandisk behaves exactly the same.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> LC

<SNIP>

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Lucas - 30 Apr 2004 13:59 GMT

Processes running in safe mode:

KERNEL32.DLL
MSGSRV32.EXE
EXPLORER.EXE
PROCEXP.EXE (Process Explorer)
SPOOL32.EXE
MPREXE.EXE
DDHELP.EXE
STMGR.EXE

I tried 1 more time to run scandisk (in safe mode) and this time I was able to complete the task!
Defrag too (after a couple of restarts).

Restart the comp., kill everything and run scandisk. This time it was OK!

After almost a month trying to run scan/defrag with no success, this time I was able to.
The weird thing is that I didn't do anything different, change configurations or anything...
The same processes running before when scandisk didn't finish, were running this time too.

Go figure...
I can only hope it stays this way.

Anyway, thanks for your help, tips, support...

LC

> Do I understand you to be saying that you can complete scandisk using a
> EBD, or after an improper shutdown, but not in Safe Mode?
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> >
> <SNIP>

Reply to this Message

Jack E Martinelli - 30 Apr 2004 19:30 GMT

The processes reported below are typical core OS processes. You can
safely kill spool32 and ddhelp, if you desire.

I am happy for you that you finally succeeded. A broadband connection
or a screensaver may have been interfering before.

In any event, you now know very well how to proceed the next time. Run
Disk Cleanup before you start, and any other manual disk cleaning you
desire.

Here's some additional, light bedtime reading:

TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS WITH DISK DEFRAGMENTER
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/defrag.html

TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS WITH SCANDISK
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/scandisk.html

MS KB Q286263 "List of Articles regarding Defrag"
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q286/2/63.ASP

You may wish to use PC Mag's EndItAll, ver. 1 or 2, by Neil J.
Rubenking,
or PowerDefrag, one of Koldbear's personal favorites.

MVP Bill James' cute tool, AppMon.hta, can determine what is writing to
the HD:
http://billsway.com/notes_public/
Instructions are in the zipped file.

See MVP Ron Badour's article:
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/defrag.html

Signature

Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
____

> Processes running in safe mode:
>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> > Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
> > Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

> > Your cooperation is very appreciated.
> > ____
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> > >
> > <SNIP>

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anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com - 20 Mar 2004 19:07 GMT

>-----Original Message-----
>The defrag on my Microsoft Millenium System Tools has
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>.
>defrag in safe mode

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