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| Thread ID: 141570 | 2016-01-13 18:29:00 | Defrag | B.M. (505) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1414414 | 2016-01-13 18:29:00 | I have an elderly XP computer which has become very slow to boot up. All the normal clean-up programmes have been run and there are only a couple of programmes set to load at start-up. Hence I thought a defrag might be worthwhile and XP’s built in defrag programme showed a hell of a mess and in turn recommended defragmentation. All ok up to here, but the programme when instructed to run notified me it requires 15% of the disk free to operate correctly and I only have 6% did I wish to continue. I opted for yes and the programme ran for hours only to report there were thousands of files it couldn’t defrag and looking at the drive map there were very few that were. Now it’s a 150gig Drive with 9gig free so surely there is a defragmenter that can operate within 9GB’s? Any suggestions? :thanks |
B.M. (505) | ||
| 1414415 | 2016-01-13 18:41:00 | In truth it's likely the lack of space causing the slowness just as much or more than the fragmentation. If you can find a way to free up some more space that would be the best option. | dugimodo (138) | ||
| 1414416 | 2016-01-13 18:41:00 | 1)Clone it onto a bigger drive. There should be a reasonable amount of free space. 2)Wipe it and do a fresh install from scratch. That really gets rid of the bloat and clutter that cleanup progs never touch. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 1414417 | 2016-01-13 19:27:00 | Interesting. So in effect a 150GB drive is only really a 135GB because 15GB is needed to operate properly. Wiping it and starting again is not an option because of the old programmes and historical stuff on it, but copying it onto a larger drive may be an option. I still figure there should be a defrag programme that can do the job even if it takes all night? :confused: |
B.M. (505) | ||
| 1414418 | 2016-01-13 20:09:00 | For an OS drive yes, a data drive can be filled up although later versions of windows will still complain about it. Just like defrag needs space to move files around so does the OS to manage the swap file and do housekeeping on the file system etc. There may be a program that'll do it but I don't know of one. Even current versions of windows run like a dog on a hard drive with no free space, and SSD's can't do the background Trim tasks needed to maintain speed without some free space so even they suffer if too full (which is why some allow for you to hide some of the capacity to prevent the problem). |
dugimodo (138) | ||
| 1414419 | 2016-01-13 20:19:00 | You said you'd done all the regular clean-ups so I didn't suggest any but let's run through it. Empty the recycle bin Run CCleaner and clear whatever it suggests, also you can delete older system restore files from here or through windows cleanup tool advanced settings, maybe just keep the latest 1 or 2 restore points. Go through the add remove programs list and see if there is anything you no longer require Consider moving any data files onto an external drive |
dugimodo (138) | ||
| 1414420 | 2016-01-13 20:25:00 | to be honest defrag = clutching at straws It WILL NOT solve your issues . |
1101 (13337) | ||
| 1414421 | 2016-01-13 20:41:00 | If your old HD has bad sectors or other issues, a defrag could cause you to loose data or make it unbootable .Yep , that does happen, seen the results. :-) It could be : - HD starting to fail causing slowness . This happens. - virus/malawre - lack of patience. On an old PC, up 3miniutes is OK . If it takes much longer then it needs some work. Its old, dont expect 2015 performance. - AV causing issues : uninstall it & see how it runs . Av may be trying to scan on startup. Some modern av doesnt run well old old systems - crapware: in msconfig : disable ALL startup items & ALL non MS services . Then see how it runs - it may simply be due for a wipe & reload. Sometimes thats the best/only option Once its up & running, it it OK. ? If whats installed on there is important, seriously consider a new HD regardless . At least make sure you have a full disk image on USB hd. |
1101 (13337) | ||
| 1414422 | 2016-01-13 21:02:00 | The plot thickens. :) I had a brainwave and thought I’d run chkdsk /R and see what happened. Well, it’s been running a couple of hours and is up to “chkdsk is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)” and is sitting on 1% having sat on 0% for ages. I don’t recall chkdisk ever taking this long but we’ll let it run. Who knows, it might repair the problem. Do we get a readout as to what’s been done with chkdsk, I can’t remember? And 1101 you raise a good point about the overall health of the drive as it’s a Western Electric 2004 model so could be on the way out. I’ll run a check on it if chkdsk ever finishes and see what that says. :D Interesting times ahead. P.S. Yes good as gold once up and running. |
B.M. (505) | ||
| 1414423 | 2016-01-13 22:48:00 | Just an update. 11.45 and only up to 4% verifying data. :eek: |
B.M. (505) | ||
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