Defrag, "Cannot open the file..."

[Ron P]

My WinsXP no longer allows me access to my Disk Defragmenter. The message I
get is, "MMC cannot open the file C:/windows/system32/dfrg.msc". Even after
going back to an earlier System Restore date the error remains.

Thanks, RonP

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Ron.

Something may have corrupted that file. Since it is a part of WinXP, the
System File Checker should be able to fix it.

At the Run prompt, type: sfc /scannow

SFC will compare each WinXP operating system file with the "known good" copy
held in your on-disk cache and replace any missing or damaged ones. Have
your WinXP CD-ROM handy; SFC probably will need to see that.

RC

 

[Ron P]

Thanks RC,

This is a new P that came pre-loaded with WinsXP, home Ed. I do have a
"Recover XP Home with Service pack 1". (I haven't upgraded to Service Pack 2
yet). Will that do?

RonP

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Ron.

Will that do?

Maybe.

You haven't said which make and model computer you have. Computer OEMs
(Original Equipment Manufacturers) start with a full copy of WinXP, but many
of them modify it significantly before they deliver it to the buyer. They
don't all make the same modifications, so we can't be sure about yours
unless (a) you tell which one you have and (b) we have one like it, or at
least know about that model.

Why don't you just try "sfc /scannow"? The worst that can happen is that it
won't work. The best is that your problem will be fixed and you can go on
with your work. Many OEMs include all the files from the CD-ROM in a hidden
directory on your HD, so SFC might not need to refer to a CD-ROM at all.

If it doesn't work, you need to read the manual that came with your
computer, or contact the company that built it or the store that sold it to
you. Microsoft provided a solution that works; if your OEM fiddled with
that solution, they owe you.

But dfrg.msc was a part of the original WinXP (file dated 8/23/01) and has
not been updated as of today (including SP2).

RC

 

[jdelacr]

Hi, Ron.



Maybe.

You haven't said which make and model computer you have. Computer OEMs
(Original Equipment Manufacturers) start with a full copy of WinXP, but
many of them modify it significantly before they deliver it to the
buyer. They don't all make the same modifications, so we can't be sure
about yours unless (a) you tell which one you have and (b) we have one
like it, or at least know about that model.

Why don't you just try "sfc /scannow"? The worst that can happen is
that it won't work. The best is that your problem will be fixed and you
can go on with your work. Many OEMs include all the files from the
CD-ROM in a hidden directory on your HD, so SFC might not need to refer
to a CD-ROM at all.

If it doesn't work, you need to read the manual that came with your
computer, or contact the company that built it or the store that sold it
to you. Microsoft provided a solution that works; if your OEM fiddled
with that solution, they owe you.

But dfrg.msc was a part of the original WinXP (file dated 8/23/01) and
has not been updated as of today (including SP2).

RC

 

[jdelacr]

Hi.

I had the same problem and the same error message. I tried several
things to fix it, but in the end I decided to use something else:

now I'm using defrag.exe.

I just go to the prompt windows and type: "defrag C:"

It does the job.

Type only defrag and you will get all the possible arguments.

Personnally, I used "defrag C: -v" to get some info.

After a few lines are displayed, showing how many percents of your disk
is fragmented, just wait until the ">" invit is displayed again : your
disk is then defragged.

Hope it helps.

Jerome

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Jerome.

Thanks for the reminder about the command-line utility, defrag.exe.

But the OP probably should run SFC anyhow. If dfrg.msc is missing or
corrupted, other operating system files may be, too, and SFC should find and
fix them all.

RC