Howdy,

I had trouble defragging my computer and started a thread looking for help.

This is the thread. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic109324.html

As suggested I backed up my computer.

I then tried to run the program that usama recommended to diagnose my computer. I could not get it to work.

I am obviously doing some thing wrong.

Today I ran the Belarc Analysis recommended at the top of this forum. Below is the result of the test on my hard drive.


Drives Memory Modules c,d
79.99 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
41.23 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

TEAC CD-W224E [CD-ROM drive]

Maxtor 6Y080L0 [Hard drive] (80.00 GB) -- drive 0, s/n Y287R9VE, rev YAR41BW0, SMART Status: Healthy


It says that it is healthy. I am still having the same window pop up when I try to defrag.


I would like to test it at the Maxtor site. http://www.seagate.com/maxtor/

I went to the site but I am stumped as what to do from there.

I have know idea which download I should use to test my hard drive.

Could someone please walk me through it ?

Thank You for your time,

Dennis Windows XP Home, SP-2, IE-7

You should run the SeaTools diagnostic, which can be downloaded here.

Thanks Budapest.

I have downloaded it and it is running.




Dennis



EDIT: Well I ran the test and it said the hard drive is OK.

Does anyone have any other ideas as to why I cannot defrag my computer ?


Thanks,

Dennis

Have you tried defragging in safemode? Set your screensaver to "off"
Mark

Well...when the hard drive is in dire need of chkdsk /r, the defrag won't run to completion. Usually, in this case, there will be a message that states that you need to run chkdsk /r first, then defrag.

You might want to try that.

Louis

Thanks for the replies.

I have tried it in safe mode but not with the screen saver turned off. I will try it that way.


I have never seen a message regarding chkdsk /r.

I do not know what that means but I will try it also.


I ran the Windows One Care program hoping that it would defrag it but it said I did not need to defrag at this time.


Thanks,



Dennis



EDIT: This is pretty sad, but I can not figure out how to turn off the screen saver.

Well I tried to use chkdsc /f in safe mode and got the same scree as before (I did not turn off screen saver, I don't know how.


I tried chkdsk /r and rebooted and got a window telling me that it could not check the disk because it is a NTFS.system ???



I tried to Google the subject and read something about a "dirty bit" ??

I read where some folks were advised to go into their registry and do some things.

I think that would be a very bad idea in my case. I am sure I would end up doing something VERY foolish.





Bottom Line:

When I reboot after entering yes after typing chkdsk /f nothing gets checked. Whether I try in normal or safe mode.

Chkdsk /r will not check the disk at all.



Dennis

Chkdsk /f is not the same as chkdsk /r. Close, but no cigar . Chkdsk /r is the most comprehensive check available with that tool.

Follow the instructions in this link (1st paragraph) for running chkdsk /r from My Computer:

Running CHKDSK - http://www.1securitycenter.com/windows_xp_faq/chkdsk.html

Again, inability to run chkdsk is another sign that the hard drive is going.

And...you say that you ran the Seagate diagnostic. Did you run the long test or the short one? The long one is best for drives exhibiting signs of problems, it's more extensive/complete.

Louis

I ran the short test. Should I run the long test in safe mode ?

I followed the instructions in the link. Here is what happened.

First this window came up.




I clicked yes and re-started the computer. This message came up.

The type of file is NTFS.
Cannot open volume for direct access.
Disk Check completed.


Dennis


Just in case. If anyone is having trouble increasing the size of the screen shots, you have to turn off your pop up blocker. At least on my computer I do.

I started having problems with the defrag when I used the USB device to back up my computer.

I unplugged it and went to Add/Remove and removed it.

When ever I reboot I get this Window screen and 2 icons in my tray. When I point the cursor at them, one says "found new hardware" the other says "safely remove hardware.




If I click next I get this window. It is looking for hardware that is not there.






I then click on safely remove hardware and get these screens.











I did not know that I had to go through this when I removed the device. I know longer have it to install and start over.

Could this be my problem ?


Thanks,

Dennis

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823439

Louis

I checked the link. I have service pack 2 installed.

I check for updates everyday.

I did not see anything on the link to resolve this. Did I miss something ?


Is there a way to permanently get rid of the Found New Hardware Wizard and tray icons ?




Thanks for your help with this mess.


Dennis

Go to your Device Manager and see if any question marks are by anything
Mark

I found the device listed in hardware. I uninstalled it and restarted my computer.

The same Install wizard sreen popped up and it is listed in the device manager.


I tried to uninstall it 3 times. It keeps coming back.




Dennis

hm...

try re-installing mobo drivers.

run hdtach (www.simplisoftware.com) - im thinking you have a dud hdd controller on your mobo

I ran the scan 4ward_tristan.

Here are the results. I have know idea what the mean.





I do not know how to re-install the drivers.

Thanks to all who are trying to help me !






Dennis