Defrag shows disk full, but it isn't

M

M Skabialka

WinXP SP2. When I run a defrag, the analyze graphic shows my 160GB disk as
almost full, yet it is only 32% full in Explorer. I have run defrag a few
times recently and though the number of files is increasing slowly the
graphic shows the drive over 95% full, and is almost all blue in defrag, so
is not defragmented files.
I have run a chkdsk/f on boot, and that hasn't changed the info defrag is
giving me.
Are there some kind of hidden files that I am not seeing in Explorer -
though I have Show hidden files turned on?
Explorer properties show 51 GB used out of 160GB.
 
B

Bob I

It's just a "cutesy" graphic representation of what defrag is doing.
Don't worry about it.
 
I

Ian D

M Skabialka said:
WinXP SP2. When I run a defrag, the analyze graphic shows my 160GB disk
as almost full, yet it is only 32% full in Explorer. I have run defrag a
few times recently and though the number of files is increasing slowly the
graphic shows the drive over 95% full, and is almost all blue in defrag,
so is not defragmented files.
I have run a chkdsk/f on boot, and that hasn't changed the info defrag is
giving me.
Are there some kind of hidden files that I am not seeing in Explorer -
though I have Show hidden files turned on?
Explorer properties show 51 GB used out of 160GB.
Click to expand...

What does Disk Manager show? Start > Run > diskmgmt.msc.

By default System Restore will reserve 12% of your drive. It
will release space if it's needed as the drive fills beyont 88%.
 
D

db

what you may have to do is run
a check disk.

the reason that it may seem to
be full could be the master file
table is not reporting accurately.

though you can run check disk
from the explorer,

I would suggest running it from
the recovery console via the
boot xp disk.

this will ensure that the o.s.
is not loaded and running
and you can run a the command
without difficulties>:

chkdsk /r

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
M

M Skabialka

Same thing - 68% free space.

Ian D said:
What does Disk Manager show? Start > Run > diskmgmt.msc.

By default System Restore will reserve 12% of your drive. It
will release space if it's needed as the drive fills beyont 88%.
Click to expand...
 
D

db

yeah, I think it's better to run it from the
disk prompt that way the operating
system won't be loaded if you run
it from the desktop.

incidentally, put a space before the
slash.

the command is chkdsk /r

and cross your fingers.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
I

Ian D

Have you tried Disk Cleanup? The fact that defrag ran, indicates
that there were no disk errors. If defrag finds any errors during
the disk analysis stage, it won't continue the defrag.
 
J

Jose

WinXP SP2.  When I run a defrag, the analyze graphic shows my 160GB disk as
almost full, yet it is only 32% full in Explorer.  I have run defrag a few
times recently and though the number of files is increasing slowly the
graphic shows the drive over 95% full, and is almost all blue in defrag, so
is not defragmented files.
I have run a chkdsk/f on boot, and that hasn't changed the info defrag is
giving me.
Are there some kind of hidden files that I am not seeing in Explorer -
though I have Show hidden files turned on?
Explorer properties show 51 GB used out of 160GB.
Click to expand...

Do you mean the graphic shows it as a lot of blue and that is not what
you expect to see?

Does lots of blue in the analysis mean the same thing as "full" to
you?

What do the defrag/analyze numbers say?

Capacity
Free Space
%Free Space

When you click My Computer in Explorer, what is in the Total Size and
Free Space columns?

My Explorer does not show a percent full column - does yours?

Do the defrag numbers match the explorer numbers? They should be
very, very close.

Explorer has options not to show hidden files, but they are still
counted in the column results.

If your disk is 160GB and Explorer says 51GB used, that is 31.8
percent, so that makes sense.

Do you still think you have an issue?
 
J

Jose

Do you mean the graphic shows it as a lot of blue and that is not what
you expect to see?

Does lots of blue in the analysis mean the same thing as "full" to
you?

What do the defrag/analyze numbers say?

Capacity
Free Space
%Free Space

When you click My Computer in Explorer, what is in the Total Size and
Free Space columns?

My Explorer does not show a percent full column - does yours?

Do the defrag numbers match the explorer numbers?  They should be
very, very close.

Explorer has options not to show hidden files, but they are still
counted in the column results.

If your disk is 160GB and Explorer says 51GB used, that is 31.8
percent, so that makes sense.

Do you still think you have an issue?
Click to expand...

Oh yeah - right click your disk, Properties. There is a pie chart
instead of a graph.

The graph with all the blue is not a "how much free space do I have"
graph.
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Do you always run Disk Cleanup before a Defrag session?

Does the Defrag analysis recommend defragging?

Why isn't SP3 installed yet? Is Automatic Updates enabled and is the
computer otherwise fully-patched at Windows Update?
 
J

Jim

WinXP SP2. When I run a defrag, the analyze graphic shows my 160GB disk as
almost full, yet it is only 32% full in Explorer. I have run defrag a few
times recently and though the number of files is increasing slowly the
graphic shows the drive over 95% full, and is almost all blue in defrag, so
is not defragmented files.
I have run a chkdsk/f on boot, and that hasn't changed the info defrag is
giving me.
Are there some kind of hidden files that I am not seeing in Explorer -
though I have Show hidden files turned on?
Explorer properties show 51 GB used out of 160GB.
Click to expand...

Is the graphic analyzer showing FREE space ?
 
M

M Skabialka

Automatics updates were turned off - not sure when. Have now installed SP3
and about 100 or so updates, and set to automatic downloads.
Defrag now shows a more realistic image of the amount of used and free
space, and doesn't recommend defragging since I've done it several times in
the last few days.

I'd like to know what caused the deceptive image, but since defrag is
working now I may not find out.
Thanks,
Mich
 
J

JoeSpareBedroom

The problem is that some MS updates cause havoc. There are sources which
test the updates and provide solutions, but by then, Auto Update has already
spread its problems to millions of computers. The free newletter from
www.windowssecrets.com has been a worthwhile thing to read over the years.
Gets its information from corporate IT users who test updates on
non-critical computers before playing havoc with the important machines.
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Do you have a dog in this fight?
The problem is that some MS updates cause havoc. There are sources which
test the updates and provide solutions, but by then, Auto Update has
already
spread its problems to millions of computers. The free newletter from
www.windowssecrets.com has been a worthwhile thing to read over the years.
Gets its information from corporate IT users who test updates on
non-critical computers before playing havoc with the important machines.
Click to expand...
 
J

JoeSpareBedroom

I'll answer that with a question which I can't answer, and you probably
can't either: What percentage of Windows users do you suppose are aware of
the FACT that the auto update process is not always the best thing for their
computers?
 

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