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I am using a Pentium III, 866 Mhz, computer with Windows 98 SE as the operating system. I have a 40 GB harddisk, Samsung, with four partitions as C, D, E and F drive. The program files are in drive `C'.

Whenever I try to defragment drive C, it starts with checking the drive for errors but just after running up to 2 per cent, it returns to 0 per cent. Again and again, it goes up to 2 per cent only and goes back to re-start the process. Even after I allow it to run for more than one hour, the defragmentation process of `C' drive does not go beyond 2 per cent. As for the other drives, defragmentation could be completed in half-an-hour. I even tried to run scandisk of drive `C' first and then tried defragmentation, but the problem still persists. Does the problem relate to software, i.e. Windows, or is there some other reason? Please suggest a solution.

Nandakumar CR

This kind of defragment problem happens mostly in Windows 95/98. Please follow these steps to finish the defrag process faster:

Delete all unnecessary files before you start defragging. So delete files in C:\Windows\Temp and C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files. Also empty Recycle Bin. You may also use Disk cleanup (Start - Programs -Accesssories - System Tools) to clean temp files.

If defrag keeps restarting, then something is writing to your hard drive. Hence, please make sure that no background applications are running. Restart your system in safe mode, so only the bare minimum of drivers and software is loaded.

To boot in safe mode in Windows 98, while the system boots, please tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu and select option 3 - Safe Mode. Now set your screen saver to none and check whether any background processes are running in the Task Manager. Once you press ctrl+alt+del, it will show all programmes running in the task manager. Just close each program individually except Explorer and systray. Now run the Defrag tool. This will solve your problem.If defrag stops with an error message or just stops, then you may have to run a full thorough scandisk first. A bad sector on your drive may need to be repaired by scandisk.

If you still face problems, you can try the defrag tool of Windows Me operating system that has some code enhancements. You can copy defrag.exe from another Me os system, or download from http://aroundcny.com/Technofile/texts/Defrag.zip. (Size 95KB). Unzip this and copy to c:\windows folder. Before doing this, please rename the existing defrag.exe to defrag-old.exe or any name you prefer.

The next option is to try some third party defrag tools. Power Defrag v3.0 is one such tool that can be downloaded from http://downloads.pcworld.com/pub/new/utilities/pd0300.exe (size 2.7MB).

Please e-mail us at eworld@thehindu.co.in

if you have queries on computer usage or if you find an interesting way of using a computer.

Solution by M. Sampath

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