defrag and scandisk will not run

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Since we got back from Florida, our computer has not been running well.

I have tried to run scandisk and defrag and they will not run. Defrag gets to 1% and starts over. When you ask to see the details it does not show any files getting checked or moved.

Scandisk gives the message that it has started over 10 times, blah, blah, blah.

I am not totally computer illerate, just mostly. I know I could try to run them in safe mode, but I can't remember how to get to safe mode. I also realize that there is something running that I should quit. I'm not sure what is new since scandisk or defrag last ran that would keep it them from running now.

I can see what programs are running and know that quitting some of them is not a good thing, but don't know which ones that would be. Would it help if I post a list of what is running?

When I google the problem, I don't know enough to do what is being suggested.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

First run a disk cleanup, then shut everything down except defrag and run the defrag.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

Hitting F8 during boot up will take you to Safe Mode. First though switch off any screen saver you have running along with any anti-virus software before trying scandisk etc on a normal setup.
Disconnect the network cable as well to prevent any access whilst the AV is off.

[mlbyron Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mlbyron]

don't forget to shut off screen saver or if power management is set to shut your computer down when not used.
mary

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I got into safe mode and did a very pretty defrag. I had ever clicked on details before. It's neat watching it do it's work, moving clusters around.

The computer seems to be doing a little better now.

Thanks.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

It may be time to start shopping for a new one soon .

[hudson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hudson]

When disk cleanup tools stop responding

I followed these directions exactly and it worked. it's a Disk Clean-up/ Defrag Work Around. From the microsoft Knowledge Base.
I, too could not run skandisk and I could not compress old files. This worked. Just follow the steps in Blue below.


Disk Cleanup Tool Stops Responding While Compressing Old Files
View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 812248
Last Review : June 23, 2005
Revision : 3.2
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/) Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to compress old files, the Disk Cleanup tool may stop responding and you may receive the following message:
Disk Cleanup is calculating how much space you will be able to free on (C.

This may take a few minutes to complete.


Scanning: Compress old files

CAUSE
This problem occurs when there is an incorrect entry in the registry that is used by the Disk Cleanup utility to locate compressed files.

WORKAROUND
Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To work around this problem, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type regedit in the Open box, and then press ENTER.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches
4. On the File menu, click Export, and then click Desktop, type VolumeCaches in the File name box, and then click Save.

Note This step creates a backup of the VolumeCaches registry key. If you experience any problems after you complete the steps that are listed in this procedure, you can use this backup to restore the VolumeCaches key to its original state. To restore the key, double-click the VolumeCaches.reg file on your desktop, and then click Yes.
5. Expand the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches
6. Delete the Compress old files registry key.
7. Quit Registry Editor.

REFERENCES
For additional information about the Disk Cleanup tool, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310312 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312/) Description of the Disk Cleanup tool in Windows XP

APPLIES TO
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional


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