Solved Queries about running Disc Defragmenter

Kodika · Oct 17, 2010

I have set my computer to run disk defragmenter at a scheduled time each month, but as I am not the type of person who normally keeps their pc on all day, I find that the program rarely runs. I recently ran a manual defrag' but it took several hours. When the program started I got a spinning cursor indicating that the defragmentation process was running. Several hours later the spinning cursor had disappeared and a tick symbol indicated that scheduled defragmentation was enabled. I am not convinced,however, that the program finished properly. The reason I say that is because I did not get a message indicating that the program had completed. Neither was I given the option to display a report.

I would be grateful for help with the following:-

1) From the information given, does it appear that the program competed properly?

2) When running the program, I avoided using the pc (apart from playing cds on Windows Media Player). I also disabled the sleep function, as I have read that it slows down the defrag? Is this correct, and should one also disable the monitor display and the screen saver?

3) When a scheduled defrag is taking place, is their any indication to this effect, or does it just run in the background?

3) What happens if a scheduled defrag starts and is then interrupted for any reason. Does it continue the next time the computer is turned on? Or does it start from scratch?

4) Ideally, how often should one run the disk defragmenter?

I would be grateful for any assistance you can give, as I have consulted several computer books and websites but have found no answers to these questions.

djch129 · Oct 17, 2010

Kodika said:
I have set my computer to run disk defragmenter at a scheduled time each month, but as I am not the type of person who normally keeps their pc on all day, I find that the program rarely runs. I recently ran a manual defrag' but it took several hours. When the program started I got a spinning cursor indicating that the defragmentation process was running. Several hours later the spinning cursor had disappeared and a tick symbol indicated that scheduled defragmentation was enabled. I am not convinced,however, that the program finished properly. The reason I say that is because I did not get a message indicating that the program had completed. Neither was I given the option to display a report.

I would be grateful for help with the following:-

1) From the information given, does it appear that the program competed properly?

2) When running the program, I avoided using the pc (apart from playing cds on Windows Media Player). I also disabled the sleep function, as I have read that it slows down the defrag? Is this correct, and should one also disable the monitor display and the screen saver?

3) When a scheduled defrag is taking place, is their any indication to this effect, or does it just run in the background?

3) What happens if a scheduled defrag starts and is then interrupted for any reason. Does it continue the next time the computer is turned on? Or does it start from scratch?

4) Ideally, how often should one run the disk defragmenter?

I would be grateful for any assistance you can give, as I have consulted several computer books and websites but have found no answers to these questions.

I am just an average computer user. Not an expert.
I am trying to help with whatever I know.( That's to cover my rear end ).

Question :
1) From the information given, does it appear that the program competed properly?

You can look at its History.
Task Scheduler > expand Task Scheduler Library > expand Microsoft > expand Windows > click Defrag > middle column, click Scheduled D....> right column, click Properties > click History .......

2) When running the program, I avoided using the pc (apart from playing cds on Windows Media Player). I also disabled the sleep function, as I have read that it slows down the defrag? Is this correct, and should one also disable the monitor display and the screen saver?

I don't think it is neccessary, because Defrag is supposed to run in the background.

3) When a scheduled defrag is taking place, is their any indication to this effect, or does it just run in the background?

You wouldn't know it, as it runs in the background.

3) What happens if a scheduled defrag starts and is then interrupted for any reason. Does it continue the next time the computer is turned on? Or does it start from scratch?

Still on Scheduled Defrag Properties window, click Conditions ...... have a look at the Idle heading...

4) Ideally, how often should one run the disk defragmenter?

Windows apparently favours once a week.

P.S. I use Auslogics disk defrag. It shows you the " play by play " as it runs, and gives you a report afterwards.
Have a look at it. It is a FREE program.

Lorien · Oct 17, 2010

I've edited this quite a bit, so please refresh the screen so you see the most updated version.

The following FAQ will answer some of your questions: Disk Defragmenter FAQ - The Storage Team at Microsoft - File Cabinet Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs.

The following tutorial covers how to change the defragmentation schedule in Vista:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/72832-disk-defragmenter.html.

How often? I'd say every month or so depending on how much activity you do in terms of installing and uninstalling programs as well as adding and deleting data. http://www.ehow.com/how_4578843_often-should-defrag-hard-drive.html.The more of that you do, the closer you should lean to 1 month and maybe even a little less (perhaps even every week or two if you make a lot of changes - a week or even less if you regularly test programs and do many installs and uninstalls daily). If you don't do much at all, then at least run a scan to see if the computer says it is necessary at least monthly (at first, every 2 weeks then up it if it always says it isn't necessary until you find the point where it says it should be done) - if so, do it and schedule that as the timeframe. If not, every month or perhaps even a bit longer should be fine (but no more than 2 months).

There's no reason to disable the monitor or the screensaver. It would probably be a good idea if the computer did not enter sleep mode while defragmenting, so if your settings are such that this could occur, then change them to prevent it from happening.

It runs in the background, but Task Manager will show the process running. To open Task Manager, right click on a blank space in the center section of the lower taskbar and click Task Manager and then click on processes and then click on show processes for all users. It will ask you to confirm - do so. Then it will restart. click on the name title to sort by name and scroll down until you find the process and if you started it it should be there and show it is running.

If it is interrupted (say a power failure or something like that), I do not believe it will restart or resume from where it left off - but it may. It depends on what you mean by interrupted. If the computer does not shut down but the process shows it isn't running, check in the defragmentation window and see if it shows it is idle or running or off. If idle, you may be able to resume it. If running, then task manager may not be in sync with it and should catch up in moments. If off, then it has stopped and you can cancel the task in task manager as the process failed to complete properly. If the computer powers off, it simply will stop and the process will be incomplete but that just means it isn't completely defragmented. When it does the next scheduled defragmentation, it will just have a bit more work to do. If this occurs, I would suggest running a scan to see if the system says it needs to be defragemented. If so, restart it again. If not, wait until the next scheduled check.

I'm not sure if it completed properly or not. When done, it generally says so and shows the results. I suggest you run a scan instead of a defragmentation and let the system tell you if it thinks it needs to be defragmented. If it says it isn't necessary, let it slide until the next time. If it says it needs it, then run it again.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

BTW, I agree with djcp129 that Auslogics http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download/ is superior to Vista's program and suggest you use it instead. I'm not sure if it does a better job at defragmentation, but it does provide more options and a better view of what is happening.

patch41 · Oct 17, 2010

I agree with djch129 try,http://http://www.auslogics.com/en/ and it seems to be much faster than vista defrag, good luck patch41

Kodika · Oct 17, 2010

Thanks again for the help with my queries djch 129. I have had a quick look at the Task Scheduler as suggested, and it seems that one of my many tries at a manual defrag did complete, but I am afraid the data given is too technical for me. In my original thread I mentioned that there was no indication on screen to show that the defrag had finished, or an option to view a report. The only indication I got was that the spinning cursor had disappeared. Surely, there should be a task completed message of some sort?

Regards

Kodika · Oct 17, 2010

Lorien said:
The following FAQ will answer some of your questions: Disk Defragmenter FAQ - The Storage Team at Microsoft - File Cabinet Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs.

The following tutorial covers how to change the defragmentation schedule in Vista:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/72832-disk-defragmenter.html.

How often? I'd say every 2-3 months depending on how much activity you do in terms of installing and uninstalling programs as well as adding and deleting data. The more of that you do, the closer you should lean to 2 months and maybe even a little less. If you don't do much at all, then 3 months should be fine.

There's no reason to diable the monitor or the screensaver. It would probably be a good idea if the computer did not enter sleep mode while defragmenting, so if your settings are such that this could occur, then change them to prevent it from happening.

It runs in the background, but Task Manager will show the process running. To open Task Manager, right click on a blank space in the center section of the lower taskbar and click Task Manager and then click on properties and then click on show processes for all users. It will ask you to confirm - do so. Then it will restart. click on the name title to sort by name and scroll down until you find the process and if you started it it should be there and show it is running.

If it is interrupted (say a power failure or something like that), I do not believe it will restart or resume from where it left off. It simply will stop and the process will be incomplete but that just means it isn't completely defragmented. When it does the next scheduled defragmentation, it will just have a bit more work to do.

I'm not sure if it completed properly or not. When done, it generally says so and shows the results. I suggest you run a scan instead of a defragmentation and let the system tell you if it thinks it needs to be defragmented. If it says it isn't necessary, let it slide until the next time. If it says it needs it, then run it again.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Lorien

Thanks for the very helpful advice. It is much appreciated.

djch129 · Oct 17, 2010

Kodika said:
Thanks again for the help with my queries djch 129. I have had a quick look at the Task Scheduler as suggested, and it seems that one of my many tries at a manual defrag did complete, but I am afraid the data given is too technical for me. In my original thread I mentioned that there was no indication on screen to show that the defrag had finished, or an option to view a report. The only indication I got was that the spinning cursor had disappeared. Surely, there should be a task completed message of some sort?

Regards

If the History section does not have a RED exclamation mark, that means your defrag did not run into problems. It's too technical to me too.
Since Windows Disk Defrag is designed to run quietly in the background, MS probably deems it unnecessary to tell the users when defrag is completed.

Edit :
Don't torture yourself by manually running the defrag. Just let the scheduled defrag does its job.

Kodika · Oct 17, 2010

patch41 said:
I agree with djch129 try,http://http://www.auslogics.com/en/ and it seems to be much faster than vista defrag, good luck patch41

I will certainly give it a try. Many thanks.

Kodika

Kodika · Oct 17, 2010

djch129 said:
Kodika said:

Thanks again for the help with my queries djch 129. I have had a quick look at the Task Scheduler as suggested, and it seems that one of my many tries at a manual defrag did complete, but I am afraid the data given is too technical for me. In my original thread I mentioned that there was no indication on screen to show that the defrag had finished, or an option to view a report. The only indication I got was that the spinning cursor had disappeared. Surely, there should be a task completed message of some sort?

Regards

Click to expand...

If the History section does not have a RED exclamation mark, that means your defrag did not run into problems. It's too technical to me too.
Since Windows Disk Defrag is designed to run quietly in the background, MS probably deems it unnecessary to tell the users when defrag is completed.

Thanks for that. It is appreciated.

Lorien · Oct 17, 2010

I edited my prior post quite a bit, so please refresh the thread so you get the most recent version. Sorry for making so many changes after the fact - but I wanted to clarify and change some things and provide references.

Thanks and good luck!

Kodika · Oct 17, 2010

No need to apologise Lorien! I am really appreciative of the time and care you have taken with my query.

Thanks once again.

Lorien · Oct 17, 2010

It was our pleasure - we were glad to assist you. Thanks for the feedback.

If the question is answered, don't forget to close out the thread by clicking the far right triangular icon at the top of your post and typing "solved" in the box and submitting it. The moderators will notice and put a green check next to the thread title. That way others seeking answers by searching the forums will know that this thread contains a solution to the issue identified in the title - and people seeking to help will not waste time checking out this thread since it has been resolved. If it has not been fully answered, then please post what remains to be addressed.

And welcome to Vista Forums! Now that you know where we are, bookmark the site and post anytime you have further questions or problems or if you just want to browse and learn (especially the Tutorial section offers some excellent advice on a wide variety of topics) or even if you want to try to help answer a question if you happen to see one where you know the answer and it hasn't already been posted. While it most likely won't be us the next time (though it might), there are many very skilled, experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly people here who, like us, volunteer their time to help others and one or maybe even several will respond to your post to assist you. While there are other forums on the web that do this sort of thing, you've now found what I think is the best (and I've posted in and/or checked out quite a few) so don't lose this link - you never know when it might come in handy again.

Good luck and best wishes.

Kodika · Oct 17, 2010

Thanks again, Lorien. I have now closed this thread by marking it as solved.

Regards

ilikefree · Oct 17, 2010

Kodika said:
patch41 said:

I agree with djch129 try,http://http://www.auslogics.com/en/ and it seems to be much faster than vista defrag, good luck patch41

Click to expand...

I will certainly give it a try. Many thanks.

Kodika

Don't forget, if you use this one,to turn off the windows version in task scheduler

Kodika · Oct 18, 2010

Thanks for the tip Ilikefree,

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