PC utilities forum: Fragmented file overload! Please help!

1.) Download/run TreeSize (freeware) to determine what files are using up the space, then delete as needed.

2.) Your registry is under 1GB in size and a registry cleaner will save but a few MBs, if that, while risking the deletion of keys/entries that are needed for Windows and installed applications to run normally. Unless you review and fully understand what it is deleting, it is best avoided.

3.) Note that "memory" refers to RAM while "storage" refers to hard drive space. Interchanging the terms can lead to irrelevant search results and answers if you, and others, are not careful.

4.) Having too many fragmented files will not cause a defrag utility to fail, but not having enough free space to work with will. Track down and delete the files taking up the space and that problem should disappear.

John

In previous versions of Windows I found that, if Defragmenting failed, I would have to run ChkDsk first, then re-run the defragmenter.

I haven't run into that problem yet with XP, but then I don't defrag that often.

ChkDsk, or Error Checking, is available on the same hard disk Properties window, eg in My Computer, right click the hard drive, select Properties, then the Tools tab, then Error-checking. The system should state that the error check will be performed the next time you boot up.

If that checks clean, I would then use XP's own defragmenter, before trying anything else.

Mark