ChkDsk Won't Let XP Defrag?

[macman81]

I am looking at a system which is running slow but has plenty of disk space (disk is only about half full). When I try to defrag it, it refuses to do so and says ChkDsk has to be run first at start up.
As I understand it, Chkdsk is looking for bad sectors on the disk? if so, why does it stop Defrag from running first? And is there any risk from running Chkdsk if there are potential disk problems?
The only time I have been unable to get Defrag to run is when a hard disk is more than 85% full, which isn't the case with this one.

 

[Estrella]

Chkdsk does exactly what it says on the tin. It checks and repairs, if possible, your HDD.

It is always sensible to run ChkDsk prior to a defrag whether prompted to or not.

I must say, that unless the drive is in a real mess I can't see a defrag making much of a difference.

More info here > http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/chkdsk.htm

 

[dave.m]

ChkDsk not only looks for bad sectors but if it comes across any, then it tries to repair them. So if you have fragmented files on a bad sector, defrag would probably not be able to do its job.
Just run the ChkDsk as per Microsoft instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

Once done, clear out all temp files from your browsers:
http://personal-computer-tutor.com/deletingtempfiles.htm

Then run your defrag program.
If you have Windows defrag you could try :
Defraggler
or
Diskeeper Lite
for a change. Either of them appears to be better than Windows.
dave

 

[macman81]

Thank you both for the advice, will run Chkdsk and then defrag again. Have already cleaned up the temp files (usually use CCleaner for this).
I presume a few bad sectors doesn't necessarily mean the disk is on it's way out? It's only about 3 years old.

 

[Igorian]

It depends how bad. >10% is a definite bin job. At the end of the day, bad sectors = physical platter damage. Once there is damage to the platter surface, it generally means bits of it is flying around inside your drive. They will be extremely small, but there is the potential for them to be caught between a head and the platter, increasing the damage.

Generally, the S.M.A.R.T. system will detect these errors and deal with them automatically, using spare sectors hidden on the disk. If Windows has started to detect bad sectors, one possibility is that the drive has already run out of spare sectors and so can't really do much. Normally, the S.M.A.R.T. system will flag an error, which is displayed during startup, to alert you to this. Windows will try and move data in the bad sectors to some other used section of the drive and mark the damaged sectors as bad.

Drives are cheap, data recovery isn't

You can check the current status of your drive using one of the many tools. This is one I Googled

 

[mattylad]

Also turn OFF your antivirus program

Every time you access the files it checks them and causes havoc with defragging.

 

[dave.m]

Also turn OFF your antivirus program

Every time you access the files it checks them and causes havoc with defragging.

Matty,
Never had a problem with AV running whilst defragging.

But don't you think it would be a good idea if you suggest turning off antivirus then, also recommend disconnecting from the internet physically especially on a wired connection or disable the wireless connection.

dave

 

[Estrella]

I am going to look at an XP system tomorrow where the owner says it was running very slow

AV's can certainly interrupt defrag sessions, as can screensavers.

 

[mattylad]

Yes Dave, disconnecting from the internet is also a good idea while defragging without AV on.

 

[pragmatis]

ChkDsk not only looks for bad sectors but if it comes across any, then it tries to repair them. So if you have fragmented files on a bad sector, defrag would probably not be able to do its job.
Just run the ChkDsk as per Microsoft instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

Once done, clear out all temp files from your browsers:
http://personal-computer-tutor.com/deletingtempfiles.htm

Then run your defrag program.
If you have Windows defrag you could try :
Defraggler
or
Diskeeper Lite
for a change. Either of them appears to be better than Windows.
dave

I thought the support for Diskeeper Lite was no longer available. I just got down to cleaning my drives with CCleaner and then chkdsk etc. Just wanted to share my experience with the latest version of Diskeeper09 which is just out. I installed the trialware and its defragged very very fast and without skipping any files at all. I had just about 15% free space and yet no hassles. Looks good enough to buy.

 

[Softus]

I am going to look at an XP system tomorrow where the owner says it was running very slow

Really? Who wrote that?

Yes Dave, disconnecting from the internet is also a good idea while defragging without AV on.

Why is it "a good idea"?

Put the other way: why would not disconnecting be a bad idea?

 

[Estrella]

Really? Who wrote that?

Macman did in almost identical thread. One of many on the same theme.