defragmenter is not working "greyed out"

[Socrates]

I have windows xp home edition. I have been trying to defrag my hard disk now
for a few months but the box keeps coming up "greyed out" showing the bars
etc with no instructions visable and the buttons won't respond. I have
tried various ways to cure this problem including "disk cleanup" and starting
in safe mode etc, but without success. I am reluctant to reinstall windows xp
in case it will lose important work / files /software on my computer. Is
there another way to make my defragmenter system work? Any help and advice
would be much appreciated.

 

[Jerry]

You could do a 'repair' install - this will only repair existing install of
Windows, it won't lose stuff. See here for a guide:
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

 

[Andrew E.]

If defrag doesnt run,a repair will not fix the problem.Read kb article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922379

 

[Touch Base]

If defrag doesnt run,a repair will not fix the problem.Read kb article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922379

How To: Fix Windows Built in Defragmenter
http://www.andreasroom.com/blog/archive/2004/01/18/defrag.aspx

Restore the Windows Defragmenter
Windows XP

I've seen on several computers where the built in Disk Defragmenter
not
longer runs correctly. This often happens when you install a third
party
defragmenter like Diskeeper, then on uninstalling, it does not restore
the
built in one correctly.

Some of the problems you may encounter are, a box like the one shown
here
Snap-in failed to initialize,
CLSID: {43668E21-2636-11D1-A1CE-0080C88593A5}
when you try to run windows defrag, or other times, the defrag window
will show up, but the analyze and defragment buttons will do nothing.

Solution

The solution is actually quite simple. You need to re-register the
defragmenters snap-in files, and the basic registry entries.

First open up a Command Prompt, this can be found at:
Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt

Change into your windows\system32 directory. Your windows directory
will
be either windows or winnt. Type: cd \windows\system32

Register the defrag components, by typing:
regsvr32 dfrgsnap.dll
regsvr32 dfrgui.dll

At this stage, you may find the defragmenter works. If not, there is
one
more step you can do.

Using Windows Explorer browse to your windows\inf folder.
In there you will find a file called dfrg.inf right click this file,
and
select Install.

Done!