??? about defragging.

I was recently handed a Dell 8250 to clean up for a friend.
SAS found 3754 threats and MBAM found better than 1875 threats on their first pass.
Took 6 run throughs by both and AviraAntiVir (742 on first pass) before the disk came up clean.
Removed 3 Administrator accounts with files and folders.
Stopped System Restore to clear the old restore points for a fresh go.
Disk started with 12.4GB used space. Now has 4.93GB showing as used.
Ran Auslogic defrag. Started with 53% fragmentation. Shows at completion as still 32.7% fragmentation.
Cannot get it below that number and know of no way to find out which files are fragmented.
Suggestions welcome.

 

Not gonna tell you what I think about Auslogic, but I'm sure you will have significantly more luck with Puran

 

It sounds like no maintenance had ever been performed on the system, and it also sound like the system is fairly old. In situations like this, I have found that some drives simply cannot be completely defragged, they're fragged beyond the point of being rehabilitated. I know that most people say "don't use different defraggers - use only one defragger because the all have different algorithms, etc". While this is true if you perform regular defrags; you should always use the same one when defragging once a month or whatever. In extreme cases, personally I think it's OK to use other defraggers to try to get the HD optimized. Besides, a defragged drive is a defragged drive and it shouldn't really matter what algorithms are used 'cuz they all aim for the same end result.... anyway, now that you've lost interest in what I'm saying and your eyes have glossed over, here's some of the defraggers I've found to be helpful in cases of extreme fragmentation:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Vopt__d671.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Puran_Defrag_Free_Edition_d6360.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/MyDefrag_d5542.html (aka JKdefrag; both use the same defrag engine)
I have used all the apps listed above and they are EXCELLENT hardcore defrag utilities. Defraggler can defrag individual files, but I haven't used it so I don't know if it scans the HD for fragged files and provides a list of fragmented files, or if you have to "know" which files are fragmented so you can tell it to tackle those files.....

GOOD LUCK! Let us know what ended up working best for you!

[dlb]

(BTW- I use Auslogics as my main defrag app, and I use the "slow" optimize mode every 10-14 days)

 

:-o OOOOPPPPSSSSS!!!! I stated above that MyDefrag and JKdefrag use the same engine..... they DO NOT use the same engine, and JKdefrag is an excellent defragger too (I'd call it "hardcore"; meaning that it may take a loooong time but it does a greeeeeat job). Sorry for any confusion..... not enough coffee yet.

:confused What's wrong with Auslogics Defrag?

EDIT- I'm confused. I'm researching JKdefrag and MyDefrag and it seems that they may or may not use the same engine; there's an app called "MyDefragPowerGUI" which may or may not be different from "MyDefrag". Info about "MyDefragPowerGUI" can be found at this link.

 

I'm not sure if you've tried it yet, but I've always had a lot of luck with Piriform's Defraggler. It can defragment individual files as well as the hard drive, and I've always found it to be very thorough. Might want to give that a shot. Good luck!

 

to dlb
Not sure how old the machine is, but has Windows XP Home (with SP1 ) Some files on it go back to 2002. Agree about never being maintained.
Tried to install SP2, but would not install even after 3 tries.
Also glad as H--l that I don't have to buy the memory for it.
here is what it has in it (2x128MB sticks).

http://www.memorysuppliers.com/noname5.html?gclid=CMK98MjNyqACFdpe2godnTT8ZQ

 

Without looking at that link, I'm going to guess that I remember right that the 8250 takes Rambus? (*clicks link* I was right! *smug*)

Old + rare + proprietary = Ridiculously expensive modules.

By the way, it's possible that SP2 is unable to install due to the RAM just being insufficient. XP on a total of 256MB is a losing proposition in many ways... especially if the user has never even attempted to take god care of the install to begin with.

 

Got it in one.
Sale price of $319 for 1GB (2x526GB sticks).

 

I tell customers who call and want to upgrade a Rambus system that we haven't carried it since 2006, and that they shouldn't bother since they can buy a new computer for that amount of money...

As proven by today's woot: http://www.woot.com/

 

Not bad for a lappy to start with.

 

I totally agree with mimsy DEFRAGGLER ftw I used it for a looong time and is by far my favorite defraggin app.

 

Haha I read a lil bit futher and have to agree mimsy again on the rambus haha very dumb overprised ram haha I was going to mention something then read mimsys post, but decided to anyhow.

 

to Tim
Hard drive in the machine is 160GB.

 

I always feel like I'm treading on thin ice, when I post things like this here, after all I am only a minor-geek:-D.

Here is what I would try and why:

If the disk was so full, then the paging file system is probably all over the place on it. Defrag will apparently not move paging files, (these are files that contain address information about existing files). Soooo, first you have to set your paging file quota to 0. This is not a problem, the computer will be a bit slow but it will work. Then reboot with the paging file at 0 - defrag and finally set the paging file to "let system choose setting" or something like that. If you need more information I can look it up. Reboot, and your off to the races. :dancer

You could use WinDirStat first if you want to check, the program gives you a nice colorful picture of all the files and their locations on your hard drive.:major

 

to fixrite
4.93GB used on a 160GB drive is not considered full.

 

I was in the middle of writing my post when you finally posted the memory size. :ban How was I to know, besides you were not complaining about the room, you were asking about defragmenting a drive that seems to be undefragmentable roflmao (there's a word for you!).

Besides, there is an outside chance that my post may help someone else who is wondering "about defragging".:major

I'll try to post faster or less relevant in the future.:cool