Defrag problem

[Doug Mc]

I run Defrag each week.

There's one file - huge - that won't defrag.
The file name is \Documents and settings\Doug\local settings.........

That would be my file as the current user.
It says it won't defrag because it's currently in use.

I went to SAFE and logged on as Administrator but that didn't help.
The drive has about 50% free space so there should be plenty of room to
work.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Doug

 

[Gerry]

Doug

You do not name the file?

Try Defraggler (freeware for home users).
http://www.defraggler.com/features


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

what is the "filename.ext"

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Doug Mc]

It doesn't give me all the file name. Here's what I found by following it
in WExplorer:

Cocuments and Settings/Doug/local Settings/Identities/Application
Data/Identities/{D7E2A37A-2D6C-4E76-A4EA-D49423BB0F0E}/Microsoft/Outlook
Express/ then DBX files, etc.



So, the largest file are those in Outlook Express Folder..

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

one methodology that
can be used to consolidate
fragments of files is to
move them into a blank
partition.

when hundreds of fragments
are relocated to another
location, like a cd, dvd or
partition.

after you move the files
off the old partition, then defrag
it again to consolidate the
blank spaces left behind
by the former dbx files.

after defrag, simply copy
the dbx files back onto the
old partition and they will
become a chunk of files and
not fragments.

here is a kb that provides
a bit more information on
managing those particular
files:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257499


--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Gerry]

Doug

Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View, Advanced
Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and
folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files
" is unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second
item. You should also make certain that the box before "Hide
extensions for known file types" is not checked.

Enter Windows Explorer. Search My Computer drive with "*.dbx" without
quotes as the search criteria That should reveal all large files.

In Outlook Express place the cursor on Local Folders and select File,
Work Offline followed by File, Folder, Compact All. Do not attempt to
interupt or stop the process until it has completed. Close Outlook
Express when it has completed.

After compacting check your Outlook Express folders are as they should
be. Then select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk
CleanUp to Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files.
Also select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk
CleanUp, More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest
System Restore point. Run Disk Defragmenter.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Patrick Keenan]

It doesn't give me all the file name. Here's what I found by following it
in WExplorer:

Cocuments and Settings/Doug/local Settings/Identities/Application
Data/Identities/{D7E2A37A-2D6C-4E76-A4EA-D49423BB0F0E}/Microsoft/Outlook
Express/ then DBX files, etc.



So, the largest file are those in Outlook Express Folder..

Then they are the Outlook Express mail and news files. Each folder that
you see in Outlook Express is actually a separate DBX file, with one
"folders.dbx" that keeps track of them.

It may be that these aren't be defragmented because OE has them open and
locked. Close OE and other apps before defragmenting. It's also a good
idea to delete temporary files before defragmenting; they aren't needed and
just slow the process down.

Now, there's actually another issue with this that you should look at, and
that's the OE file size. Outlook Express files that reach about 2 gig will
stop working - for example, if the inbox reaches that point, you won't
receive mail, and if the Sent folder reaches that size, you can send, but
you'll keep getting messages that the send failed, and the mail will be
resent many times. This will annoy the recipients.

You need to check the sizes to be sure you aren't getting to the limits;
it's definitely possible for this to happen. I have a couple of clients
who run into this about every 18 months.

In OE, go to Tools, Options, Maintenance, and click on Store Folder. This
will bring up a little window with a long path displayed, and that's where
the mail files are. You can highlight that path, then copy it, then choose
Start, Run, and paste, then Enter. This will open that folder, and you can
check the sizes.

What you do next depends on what you see. First, close Outlook Express to
release the files. You can rename or delete some of the folders - the
Deleted Items folder for example, can be deleted and it will be recreated
when OE restarts, assuming that you didn't really want the stuff you
deleted.

The Sent Items folder can be renamed and set aside, and OE will make a new
empty one. You won't have access to the old one, so if you need those,
don't rename it yet. In OE, make a new Archived Sent Items folder, and
move all the mail from the existing Sent Items folder to the new Archived
Sent folder. Shut down, and rename the Sent tems folder (to OldSent) if it
hasn't decreased significantly in size. A new empty one will be created,
the archive will be available, and you can then delete the OldSent folder
you just renamed.

HTH
-pk

<snippage>

 

[Doug Mc]

I've been tied up all day and have just now read what you guys sent.
I'll go back and read everything again to be sure I won't foul up something.

Thanks to you all. I appreciate your help.
Doug