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Keep your disks maximized with AutoDeFrag

Sounds good for win 2000, do you know what utility will work for NT4?

I have had mixed results trying the scheduled Diskeeper server program, but this looks to be worth trying. Excellent tip!

It starts a system defragmenter, then display a message: "It is possible than an instance is already running". That's all that it does. Note, that a defragmenter still waits for a disk choice!

A very simple and useful tool!

This would be a great utility if Win2000 could be left running. However, our experience is that the best practice is to shutdown the desktop at least every night to clean 'things' up else the system will start getting flaky (running slow, applications locking up and/or failing to start, etc). Of course, if one was to use a 'real' OS like Unix or Linux, we wouldn't even have to discuss either problem (fragmentation or OS instablity)...

I run my dated K6-II 450, overclocked to 500 on W2k 24/7 and I rarely have lock-ups or slow downs unless I do an ID10T to the system! This machine has been my test mule and I've been running 2000 pro on it for about a year now and it's been great. Sounds like you ought to check out how the machines are set up, maybe update drivers, etc.

I read this article with great interest, because I am using Win2K Pro and had already configured the Task Scheduler to run the built-in Disk Defragmenter on a regular basis. I was hoping that AutoDefrag didn't require the task scheduler, but it's an imperfect world.

The Disk Defragmenter program, which is built into Win2K, isn't on the default list of schedulable tasks, but you can still put it in there with the Browse button.

In my organization, we don't allow users to install freeware or shareware, so using the built in program is the only option.

Good fortune,
Don

I would be interested if you could tell us how to set that up. I tried using the task scheduler. If you select dfrg.msc it will only open up the window and not actually start defragging until you tell it to. I could not find any information on switches or options to give it.

I also tried dfrntfs.exe, but it gave a message saying that command line operation was not supported. Just interested in how you set that up to work. Thanks

Awesome! At last I have a tool which will make this painful task a snap! We don't have any 3rd party defrag tools in our network so this is a very welcome tool. Win2K's default defrag tool isn't the best, but for free and now with this scheduler it will be alot easier.

Rob

Excellent tip, my job moves me around to several sites and being able to auto defrag will be a welcome time saver.

Your article about the autodefrag is very useful information. I will test it out on a few of our development machines, and if all goes well deploy it. This is the kind of content that I think NT/W2K admins are looking for.

Mark LeScoezec
Duquesne Capital Management

Windows defrag still leaves you fragmented, i.e.; files, directories, free space & system files.
To really correct fragmented HD I use "Diskkeeper 6" I would say AUTODEFRAG would be good only for the novice home user, but not for the corp. professionals.

AutoDefrag sounds great if you have only one hard drive and no other logical drives on the system.

When W2k defrag program is launched, a window pops up listing all logical drives on the machine and waits for you to select the drive to defrag. How can it be setup to defrag all your logical HDs?

I have been using Diskkeeper defragmentiation software from Executive Software for years. No need to set the AT command at the command line. Diskeeper can be used to manage the entire network defrag scheduling and analysis from any desktop in your LAN. It runs as a service and uses very few resources. The diskkeeper utility in Windows XP is an old version of the Diskkeeper product, version 5.0, I think, but does not have the scheduling built into the GUI.

Tech support is xlnt.

It is affordable and eminently useful.

Yours,
L

How can you automate it in xp .

I have tried but it only starts the application and waits for the user to enter which drive.

Thanks in Advance

Is there a way to do this through a policy of some sort? That way I don't have to run around to all workstations and set it up.
Thanks

To run defrag from WinXP Do the following:
1. open command line (dos screen)
2. run at 12:00 defrag c: (or whatever drive you want to run)
3. open control panel/scheduled tasks, you will find a scheduled task called AT1 (or at 2 or 3 if you have other tasks)
4. edit the schedule at1 task to your requirements.

When this runs, it will run in the background, you will only be able to see it as a process dfrgntfs.exe in task manager. There may be other command line settings for the AT commandthat allow you to do the lot from there, but I have not researched it, so have a look.

Enjoy.

The task schedule launch to the MMC with defragmentation. But, the defragmentation will not start. I don't no why.

Torsten

I followed the directions as provided but when I launched the downloaded file (napv2b10-1.exe) the defrag utility launched and began defragmenting my drive. When just typing autodefrag from the command line the system indicates it doesn't recogize the command. Suggestions?

Will the Auto Defrag works for Win 98? How do I have to install it?

The sceduler will work for the defragmenter in Win98

Use the maintenance wizard in Start > Programs > Accessories > System tools > Maintenance wizard.

Or just schedule a defrag using Task Schedular. Best to schedule a scandisk first though.

Regards.

Will the Auto Defrag works for Win 98? How do I have to install it?

I recently downloaded a trial version of Defrag Commander NE from Winternals Software. It allows scheduling of defrags from the server. The trial worked well and I am now deploying the full version. It allows you to schedule all of the desktops onthe network for defrag daily, weekly etc. at a time you choose. it then gives a full report. All of this at a fraction of the cost of Diskeeper 7.0. The Winternals is not as fancy but it gets the job done.

What about NT?

does the at command still run when you are'nt logged in?

I tried to get the command to work but could not. I get the error "device does not recognize the command" Any thoughts? Thank you.

To run defrag from WinXP Do the following:
1. open command line (dos screen)
2. run at 12:00 defrag c: (or whatever drive you want to run)
3. open control panel/scheduled tasks, you will find a scheduled task called AT1 (or at 2 or 3 if you have other tasks)
4. edit the schedule at1 task to your requirements.

When this runs, it will run in the background, you will only be able to see it as a process dfrgntfs.exe in task manager. There may be other command line settings for the AT command that allow you to do the lot from there, but I have not researched it, so have a look.

Enjoy.

I am very happy with this news as I was always looking for such utility to defrag my pc autmatically.

Thank you

I have been looking for something to do this in win 2k for months. THANKYOU!!!

Hello,
This sounds like a great utility however, the problem I have is that most of our users do not have adequate permissions on there workstation to run a Defrag. We from IT must log in with admin permits in order to do this for them. Is there a way to use Autodefrag and get around this limitation? We cannot give users local adminb rights. Thanx

Can I run this silent and what is the switch?

This certainly one option available for automating the defrag process for the built-in defragmenter. If you are comfortable with writing your own scripts, you can accomplish the same thing. However, one thing to remember is that the built-in defragmenter is quite limited with what it can and can't do. For example, the built-in defragmenter requires at least 20% free space, doesn't do a good job of consolidating free space, doesn't defragment the pagefile, directories on FATx partitions or the metadata ($MFT, $Logfile, etc...) on NTFS partitions. It also is a multi-pass defragmenter - which means that after it finishes running, further defrag passes may be needed before the files are defragmented.

For the above reasons, there are commercial defrag products available that eliminate the above limitatations, as well as providing an easier way to schedule both locally and through the network. Some examples:

PerfectDisk - www.raxco.com
Diskeeper - www.execsoft.com
SpeedDisk - www.symantec.com
O&O Defrag - www.oo-defrag.com
Ontrack - www.ontrack.com
Defrag Commander - www.winternals.com

While the built-in defragmenter (in conjuction with workarounds to schedule) may indeed work for individual/home users, there are other options available for corporate users looking for enterprise class defragmentation.

- Greg/Raxco Software

Disclaimer: I work for Raxco Software, the maker of PerfectDisk - a commercial defrag utility and a competitor to the defrag products listed above, as a systems engineer in the support department

There seems to be a common misconception here the AutoDeFrag is a defragger. It's not: It's a scripting front-end for the defragger that already comes with Win2k. The standard defragger is a GUI program that requires user interaction to operate. AutoDeFrag pretends to be such a user, pushing its buttons by sending Windows messages to the defragger process.

I'm having the same issue that other folks are experiencing - the scheduled task starts and stays running, but the windows defragger never starts. If I end the task and restart, I get the "multiple instances" message. Looks to me like autodefrag.exe isn't successful at starting the defragger.

My environment is W2K SP2 w/ ALL security patches, using the GUI Task Scheduler interface....

I can see a much better stability and performence in my network, and less job with this tool.

Just the other day I was thinking there should be a scheduler for defrag. Many times I have wanted to take a coffee break or do something else and found running back to the computer to start the deframentation of the next hardisk to be inconvenient at best.

thanks!

This executable works very good. I have not encountered any problems with it.