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Disk Defragmenter doesn't seem to be working

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by bertmerc

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I periodically defrag my hard drive but it seems like it's not doing anything. I have some big red blocks of fragmented files that don't decrease in size after the process. I would appreciate any help.

-Bert

9 replies

by fettu1293

I personally don't recommend changing the Virtual Swap File size to zero just to run a degrag. You should run a degrag at least once a month (maybe more depending on the usage rate). Your Virtual Swap File can be modified by accessing the following:

1. Right click on ?My Computer? icon on your desktop and select ?Properties?

2. In ?System Properties? select ?Advanced? tab and click Performance ?Settings? button

3. In ?Performance Options? select ?Advanced? tab and click Virtual Memory ?Change? button
4. ?Virtual Memory? settings dialog will appear

You'll find a "No paging file" option; however, I don't recommend setting that. Take the recommended settings, which is 1.5 times your RAM. Itilial and Max values should be identical.

With regards to your degrag problem, here's something interesting to note (taken from the Microsoft website):

Disk Defragmenter MMC is based on the full retail version of Executive Software Diskeeper. The version that is included with Windows XP and later provides limited functionality in maintaining disk performance by defragmenting volumes that use the FAT, FAT32, or NTFS file system.

Bottom line: Set your Virtual Swap File to 1.5 your RAM, and install Diskeeper.

Hope this helps.

Jules Fettu

by fettu1293

You could also move the Virtual Swap File to another partition, preferably on another Hard Drive altogether,which will not only improve performance (in theory anyways) but it'll allow you to degrag your root drive as well.

Hope this helps.

Jules Fettu

by vindasel

Undefragmentable files usually means
-fragmented system files.
-insufficient free disk space to defrag.

Download the free trial version of Diskeeper 2009 from http://www.diskeeper.com install it and turn on the auto defrag. Check back later and it ought to be finished. Run a boot-time defrag if required. The trial runs free for 30 days and is fully functional, so you have plenty of time to use it.

by rob miners

a command line.

Click Start, Run and type cmd and press Enter.

If you have more than one drive type in defrag -c and press Enter. If you only have one drive just type defrag c: and press Enter. When it is finished run the Windows Defrag and do an analysis to see if it makes any difference.

by acropolister

Make sure you have enough free space on the partition ( Run CCleaner and also chkdsk before the defrag) and that files arent in use during the defrag. If the option of a third party tool is available, try defragging with the trial version of Diskeeper, it doesnt skip any fragmented files even under severe fragmentation. Also said to defrag with low free space.

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