Windows XP forum: Defragging in XP

My neighbor's main reason for having a PC appears to be to run some screen saver called "Disk Defragmenting".

Here's the deal. I setup XP to defragment once a week some years ago and haven't fiddled with it since.

Some will want more than that...

Bob

I remember on my older versions being told Microsoft Office didn't necessarily need to run when you start the machine. Would that be the case for "most" software except anything that would pertain to the system?

I think I feel comfortable "unchecking" stuff like my Microsoft Office, my e-mail (simply because I have other users and really don't want anyone opening my mail even though my user name is protected with a password), Jasc Paint Shop Pro and stuff like that but when it comes to the antivirus, firewall and maybe a few questionable files, I think I'll just leave those checked. Right? Thanks.

"I remember on my older versions being told Microsoft Office didn't necessarily need to run when you start the machine. Would that be the case for "most" software except anything that would pertain to the system?" Correct!

"think I feel comfortable "unchecking" stuff like my Microsoft Office, my e-mail (simply because I have other users and really don't want anyone opening my mail even though my user name is protected with a password), Jasc Paint Shop Pro and stuff like that but when it comes to the antivirus, firewall and maybe a few questionable files, I think I'll just leave those checked. Right? Thanks."
By unchecking you sound like your talking about msconfig. The path that I gave has mostly personal programs in it. My computer,Desktop, it is all software. In the path that I gave. The only thing I don't delete is my security system. In my Laptop it has software programs I can delete, but it also has things like the controller for my mouse pad. so I don't want to delete that. This has nothing to do with e-mail. By multible users your talking multi desktops, this will stop the programs from running there too. Only the adminastrator can perform this task.Go ahead and uncheck in msconfig if you like, but my way of editing the registry and stopping personal programs from starting up. is easy and you will find that the programs will be gone from msconfig too. you can stay in normal startup in msconfig.You can still start these programs from icons on your desktop or in the programs menu. I hope this helps Skip

If we are talking about things to disable before running defrag, why in the world would you want to have someone do regedit and start deleting programs?
As a software/hardware tech support tech., my suggestions would be to disable active screen saver, ie change to "none", and disable antivirus sw, just remember to re-activate it after defrag has finished.
If you really needed to disable the startup items from running, I would suggest running msconfig, and doing selective startup, then clicking on the start up tab (upper right hand tab), then uncheck everything except the security sw, like antivirus, firewall, anti spyware, ect. and anything that you know you want to be running at startup. Also if the OS is win XP, you don't have the option to run scan disk any longer, if the OS(XP) detects there may be a problem with the disk you will get a message during boot that suggest you let XP run a scan of the disk and fix any problems found.
XP, also has a system tool called "disk cleanup" found under Start--->all programs--->accessories--->system tools----->disk cleanup. I would suggest everyone run this utility before running defragment, and also to run it on a regular basis, depending on how you use your pc, if you get on the Internet daily, then run it at least weekly. As to how often to run defrag, that would depend on how much you use your pc for multitasking and how often it is used, but a least on a monthly basis. However, if you notice your pc starting to run slower it would be a good indication that you may need to do disk cleanup, and defragment.
Hope this helps.
SnoDogOne

Manage the Programs Run at Windows Startup (All Windows) Popular
You can automatically start programs whenever Windows launches. If you have programs automatically starting that you have not loaded then you can remove them using this tip as well.

Add a new startup application
Open your registry and find the key [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run].
For each program you want to start automatically create a new string value using a descriptive name, and set the value of the string to the program executable.

For example, to automatically start Notepad, add a new entry of "Notepad"="c:\windows\notepad.exe".

Remove a startup application
If you're trying to remove a program and can not find it in the StartUp folder (usually C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp), then it may be launching from one of the registry keys below. To remove it, delete the value associated with the program you want to remove.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]

It may also be loaded from the [Load] or [Run] sections of your WIN.INI file, found in the Windows directory.

Note: Remember to include the full path to the file, if the directory is not included in your default search path.





(Default) REG_SZ (value not set)
Notepad REG_SZ "c:\windows\notepad.exe"

Have your machine switched on and booted up ?

There may be some that can't get it to go, but here it was a bit simple. I have the service needed for scheduled tasks to run (Hint = Black Viper web site on services) and I scheduled the command line DEFRAG.EXE and made sure it had an account to run in.

Bob

Tips on scheduling programs are in my post under "Response to Skippy" earlier in this discussion.

In XP, its called 'check disk'. It is more logical to run check disk first, then defrag, i.e. get the disk and files in good shape first before assembling them in their respective order. Is is also good practice to rid your machine with virus and parasites before check disk.

but like when i installed sp2 it said not needed thats wrong its really needs it after install my defrag norm takes lets say 15 mins took 30 mins on 1st defrag after install now its back to norm.
i defrag every two months normally or like i said sp2 you defrag

Ah, well you remember defrag in Win98. The majority of the problem then was task/programs running in the background. If you had problems then you needed to temp disable those tasks running by doing the 3 finger salute (Ctrl-Alt-Delete) doing it to each line item except Explorer and System Tray. Other things then affecting defrag was "Find Fast", and not temporarily disabling Screensaver, your anti-virus program, CallWave, etc.. A small program called EnditAll # 1 was good to use for fast temporarily closing down stuff without going to all that 3 finger line by line deletion. EnditAll #1 is still good to use with WinXP in helping to close down some tasks. Course most people recommended to newbies to just defrag in 'Safe' mode.

Win XP:

Yes, as Papa Echo indicates, a Scan Disk should be done before Defrag. Course in my WinXP it is called "Error-checking" which is the same as Scan Disk, Check Disk, or when using Norton's Systems Works in Utilities it is called "Disk Doctor. They all do the same...scan the disk. I use the Norton Systems Works for Defrag and it is called "Speed Disk". When clicking to start the defrag a pop up ask you to run Disk Doctor (scan disk) before defrag and gives a button to select or pass.

So, you want a good smooth defrag without problems and that depends on how much trouble you really want to go to ensure. I took my cue from hard core gamers years ago when I was running my games on Win98se and WinMe. Yes, at 72 yrs old, I'm still a gamer at heart and ran into another 72 yr old gal here in WinXP who is also a gamer.

First off gamers require error free computers in top condition and will go to extremes that a normal PC user would not do, like for game installing....get off the internet, scan disk & defrag before downloading a game, reboot, get on the internet, download the game, get off the internet, reboot, temp close everything, install, then defrag and reboot again which will reinstate most temp closed tasks/programs. Course' a few steps are eliminated when installing a CD game. Whenever they play a game off line everything is closed down (including Firewall/Anti-Virus) to help eliminate a potential glitch.

Back to normal PC users. The 1st thing I would suggest before defrag with WinXP is to have your PC in good shape like 'gamers':

Have your "Services" been configured? Black Viper has good suggestions. Some things can also be closed down in MSCONFIG.

Have you cleaned out your PC of Temp Files and "junk". Mod Grif Thomas over in the Computer Newbies forum has good procedures on this...see his "A Few 'Tips' For Computer Newbies" which is a bump post.

Obtain updates on your Anti-Virus programs and SpyWare Programs then run a check. Mod Bob Proffitt has a post in the Virus & Security forum...look for the "Anti-Parasite Suite" post that has a padlock on it.

Go to "Disk Cleanup" and run it after ensuring you have a check mark in Temp Internet Files, Recycle Bin, and Temp Files.

Go to and run "Error checking" (scan disk).

Temporarily close down as much tasks/programs running as you feel comfortable with (like with the closing of them in Win98). Enditall #1 can help. Be sure you are off the internet when closing down your Anti-Virus and Firewall.

Reboot.

Run defrag. When finished, reboot.

Ok, I may have missed something, but someone I hope will add.
And, yes some will say I don't do any of that stuff and have a good PC with no problem on defrag.....Ah! Did they have any problem with SP2 ?

JR

you said it well Sir! skip

I understood what you meant with your mistake about rebooting. I have had bad experiances with reg cleaners,so I learned to do it manually. You just need to remember to do it as soon as you uninstall something. If I don't I will forget and it will be in there until I stumble upon it. I also go into the program files to make sure the file is gone. Its a good practice to keep program files clean also. Skip

I had remembered it, but just couldn't remember where I had read or stored the site in my 'Favorites', so didn't include in my post.

The site is also good for other answersthatwork.

Okay, alot of great ideas here. Not sure if anybody has made a complete list of what you need to do to keep your PC in tip-top shape. Here's what I do:

1. Download a program called Startup CPL. Available on download.com (search for startup), it installs an icon in your control panel that allows you to turn off anything that starts up. Much better than MSCONFIG because it doesn't have the "diagnostics" nag screen as well as a complete delete function. Take off unecessary startup programs (research if you don't know what it is).

2. Run Ad Aware or other spyware program. Do a complete scan & remove/quarantine.

3. Restart the computer. Before the Windows XP screen with the scrolling bar shows up, hold down F5 (to enter safe mode). The reason for doing this will be addressed down below.

4. Run scandisk after it completes the load.

5. Run Defragment. LEAVE the computer alone during the process.

6. Restart when done.

The reason for starting in safe-mode is that it loads the bare-bones OS, which will hopefully (fingers crossed) make it so neither scandisk nor defrag get partially done and have to restart because a program in the background is running. Hopefully in the future they'll fix that...

If you have any questions about this post, please make sure to ask about it.