Computer Big Lab

When run, "DEFRAG_ALL.BAT" defrags C, then D, and so on, one after the other until the last command is processed. You can trigger a batch file either by manually clicking on the file, or you can use Task Scheduler to run the batch file whenever you want.

Done this way, whatever commands you place in the batch file will run at the designated time, one after the other. Click into your Control Panel, go into the Performance and Maintenance app, and then click on "Scheduled Tasks." Once the Task Scheduler opens, click on "Add Scheduled Task" and a wizard will open to guide you through the process. Click Next. When asked to "Click The Program You Want Windows To Run..." select the Browse button, and navigate to the batch file you just created in the previous step. Once you've selected the batch file, a new dialog will open, asking for a name and rough schedule for the new task you're creating. Enter the name you want, and then select an appropriate rough schedule. For example, if you want your system to defrag every day, select "Daily." Click Next. In the next dialog, you can refine the schedule a bit: pick a start time, a start date, and a frequency. For example, if you want Defrag to run every night in the middle of the night, you'd pick a suitable "Start Time" (say, 3 am), select the "Every Day" option, and then set the start date to be the very next night. Click Next. Depending on how your system is set up, you may then be presented with a dialog asking for your password; this will allow the automated task to get past any logins that may be required to run the scheduled task. Just enter your normal password, as indicated, and click OK. Most system-maintenance tasks run best from an account with Administrator permissions. The Wizard will then tell you that your basic scheduling is done, but also will offer an "Advanced Properties" check-box option. Select this option, and click Finish. When the Advanced Properties opens, click the Settings tab. If this is the only automated task you'll have running, many of the options on the Settings dialog may not matter. But if there's any chance of another task running at or near the same time as the new task you're creating, set the "Idle Time" options accordingly. You'll get better results from setting the task to start "only if the computer has been idle" for at least 10 minutes; and to "retry the task" for four hours, or 240 minutes. Although Task Scheduler isn't great about preventing tasks from competing with each other, these settings will help to prevent such contention. Note the "Power Management" options on the same dialog. For laptops, the "Don't Start if the computer is on batteries" and "Stop task if battery mode begins" may be useful to prevent your system from running itself down when you're not connected to a wall socket. But all systems -- laptops and standard PCs -- can benefit from the "Wake the computer to run this task." This setting will bring your PC out of sleep or standby mode, if necessary, to run the scheduled task. Close out the open dialogs, and click Next. At the end of the day, let your PC's power-control system put the PC into sleep or standby mode (not fully off). At the appropriate time, the PC will wake up, and run the scheduled task to completion.

Sometimes Defrag hangs, continuing to restart without ever reaching completion. There are numerous reasons why Defrag does this. First, make sure you give it plenty of time to get its job done. It's not unusual for Defrag to seemingly hang around the 10% mark; what it's really doing is figuring out how to reorganize your files and data clusters. If it really does hang, it'll present you with a message something like, "Defrag has been forced to restart 10 times or more...." and give you the option to restart again or cancel. If this happens, run ScanDisk in Thorough mode to ensure that the disk is problem-free (you may need to close Windows and run it from the DOS prompt if ScanDisk, too, hangs -- restart your PC in DOS mode and enter SCANDISK at the C: prompt. Make sure no other programs are running while Defrag is doing its thing -- press Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Task Manager, and click "End Task" for all unnecessary programs (i.e. everything except Explorer and Systray). Disable your screen saver. Finally, clear some of the deadwood from your hard drive; Defrag can work more efficiently without a drive full of clutter and crap. If none of this works, Defrag isn't up to the job of handling your rubbish heap of a hard drive. Try one of the major utilities programs instead, or call for help.

Run ScanDisk (see above) before running Defrag, to check your file system for errors which could turn perfectly good material into "lost clusters."

Defrag modifies the drive a good bit, so I would back it up before defragging.

Windows Help gives a "tip" which could crash your drive. It tells you that you can safely use your computer while it is defragging. Don't do it.

Knuckleheads: Go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools to find Defrag.

As noted above, the Win 95 version of Defrag, like its cohort ScanDisk, is an old, rather obsolete 16-bit program. It does what it does quite well, but it really isn't up to handling everything that Windows can throw at it. Another option is to use a commercial product such as Norton Utilities (its Speed Disk defragmenter is highly recommended) or McAfee's (formerly Helix's) Nuts&Bolts (also good, just slower and not up-to-date). Both are 32-bit programs that are safer, more reliable, and more thorough than their freebie counterparts, and less prone to crash. (A crashed defragger is no laughing matter.) (Note: Norton Utilities 2.0 is buggy. Try version 2.03 or later. Version 3.0 is out, and bug-ridden as well; in fact, a Live Update download upgrades it to version 3.05. Check Symantec's Knowledge Base at service.symantec.com/nu/nu.html for articles and patches. Problems with 3.0 include freezing AOL's browser upon exiting, conflicting with Norton's Antivirus program and causing your A: drive to freeze, conflicting with Diamond's Stealth 3D graphics board drivers, and worst of all, scrambling Windows' Registry, rendering Windows unable to load. Patches are available that address all these bugs except the AOL browser freeze; Symantec is working on that one.) Win 98/ME users, your more modern defrag utility is just fine; see above.

If you constantly have problems with ScanDisk not completing its run, try rebooting Windows in Safe mode and running ScanDisk from there (restart Windows, then press F8 when you see the words "Starting Windows 95" appear; with Win 98/ME, restart Windows and immediately press and hold the Ctrl key until the Startup menu appears). Chances are good that whatever program is interfering with ScanDisk won't load under Safe mode. Note: switching into Safe Mode from XP is a bit different: XP users need to enter MSCONFIG in the Start menu's Run dialog, then click on the BOOT.INI tab and check the /SAFEBOOT box. Reboot to enter Safe mode. Repeat the process and uncheck the box when you're through with Safe Mode. One caveat: Don't experiment with the other settings on this tab. You could wind up unable to get back into MSConfig to undo your changes.

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