Restart in Safe Mode and run defrag from there to minimize interference. To get to safe mode, restart windows.
As soon as the memory count (POST sequence) ends and before windows begins to load, depress and hold the <ctrl> key until a boot menu appears. This take a bit of practice, if it freezes, just use ctrl+alt+delete to try again.
Use the arrow keys or number pad to select safe mode and <enter>, it will take longer than normal for safe mode to load, be patient.
Once it loads, you can run defrag from here. When finished, just click start/shutdown/restart to boot to normal mode. -- Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x Associate Expert - Windows XP Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Please reply only to newsgroup...
"Miabi" <Miabi_Chatte...@brown.edu> wrote in message
> I am having trouble defragmenting my computer (in > preparation for burning cd's on my new cd burner) -- it is > constantly restarting because some program is making > changes. I have disabled all of the programs that are > running in the background, as far as I can tell (ending > the tasks that are running when I hit ctrl-alt-del), so I > don't know what is still hindering the defragmentation > process (and the burning).
Run Disk Defragmenter in Safe Mode rather than trying to track which background task is interfering. Ironically your CD software could be the culprit!
To start Windows in safe mode Click Start, and then click Shut down. Click Restart, click OK, and then press and hold the CTRL key until the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu appears. For some machines, you can use F8 instead of CTRL to bring up the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu. Enter the number for Safe mode, and then press ENTER.
Notes In safe mode, Windows uses default settings (VGA monitor, no network, Microsoft mouse driver, and the minimum device drivers required to start Windows). You will not have access to CD-ROM drives, printers, or other devices.
--
Hope this helps.
Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FCA g...@yesit.co.uk Stourport, Worcs, England Enquire, plan and execute. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Miabi" <Miabi_Chatte...@brown.edu> wrote in message news:119e601c1a788$976d5440$3bef2ecf@TKMSFTNGXA10... > I am having trouble defragmenting my computer (in > preparation for burning cd's on my new cd burner) -- it is > constantly restarting because some program is making > changes. I have disabled all of the programs that are > running in the background, as far as I can tell (ending > the tasks that are running when I hit ctrl-alt-del), so I > don't know what is still hindering the defragmentation > process (and the burning).
As they said you can run defrag in safe mode.... here are a couple of tools to help in normal mode... when you scandisk, defrag, or install programs....
PC-Mag requires you to register 1st time to site, do so then re-click link.
http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s%253D1476%2526a%253D10165,00.asp EndItAll2 - EndItAll 2 lists all the programs running on your system, and lets you decide which ones to close down. The processes necessary for basic system operation are protected from termination. From the remaining processes, you can choose which to close, which to kill (close down forcibly), and which to protect. Once you know which files you want to shut down, you can configure EndItAll for automatic action via script or batch file. This is useful for backups and defrags during off-hours. Options let you block power management and the screen saver during operation. FREE http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/enditall/ EndItAll - 1st version not as powerful as EndItAll2 yet easier - FREE
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptwinwatch.html Do you know what's running on your computer? Maybe not. The Window Watcher tells all, reporting every window created by every running program, whether the window is visible or not. You might be surprised to learn exactly what your computer is up to ... FREE
-- Rob Supporting Member, Cascade Bicycle Club P.O. Box 15165 Seattle, WA. 98115-0165 206-522-3222 and 24 hr hotline 206-522-BIKE http://www.cascade.org
"Miabi" <Miabi_Chatte...@brown.edu> wrote in message news:119e601c1a788$976d5440$3bef2ecf@TKMSFTNGXA10... > I am having trouble defragmenting my computer (in > preparation for burning cd's on my new cd burner) -- it is > constantly restarting because some program is making > changes. I have disabled all of the programs that are > running in the background, as far as I can tell (ending > the tasks that are running when I hit ctrl-alt-del), so I > don't know what is still hindering the defragmentation > process (and the burning).
