Boot-time Defrag taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r...

[pdxberry]

Let me start by saying that I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I am trying
to revive such an old computer, but it's the only one I have, and can't get a
new one yet. We have a laptop that is about 10 yrs old, running Win XP Pro,
SP 2. After cleaning out nearly EVERYTHING I could safely delete and running
Diskeeper defrag, we only had about 14% free disk space. I set the paging
file to zero and ran the boot-time defrag. That was over 3 days ago. It's
still running. Is it a lost cause, or should I let it continue? I know that
it was in bad shape, but if the defrag is working, I don't want to touch it.

Of course, I don't have access to the computer right now to give specifics
(I am using another PC), but I can try to answer questions from memory if it
will help.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Windows built-in defragmenter needs at least 15% free disk space.
Third-party defraggers need less.

I'll tell you something you already know: Ten-year old hardware is not
adequate to run Windows XP.

 

[pdxberry]

You're right - I do know that. Unfortunately, it's all I've got right now,
so I'm trying to do my best with what I have. Should I unplug the thing and
give up, or is there a chance that it is worth letting it run and getting a
few more weeks/months out of it?

 

[Leonard Grey]

Better not to interrupt it - no telling how it will leave your hard disk.

There's really no point to using that computer with Windows XP. I mean,
sure go ahead and use it if you have the patience of Job, but you're
better off borrowing a copy of Win 98. Don't connect this computer to
the internet...it will be overrun by malware in no time.

 

[Bob Harris]

3 days is a bit extreme.

The diskeeper boot-time screen should mention a key-combination to press to
abort the defrag. However, it may inisist on completing the last action
first. This is a safety feature.

If you simply reboot, there is a small chance of corrupting some
file/directory.

As for things to clean out, have you removed files with names like
"NtUnistallxxxxxx$" found in C:\WINDOWS? These are optional, unless you
wish to preserve the ability to uninstall XP updates. You can also move
them to a different drive, even external USB, which preserves the option to
move them back. But, leave the file $hf_mig$. And, do not use a registry
cleaner after this, or even restoring the $... files may not permit XP
patches uninstalls.

You can also remove things under C:\WINDOWS\INSTALLER, if you do not want to
have the ability to easily remove installed programs. However, an icon or
two might become "generic", if you remove everything in this area. You can
still remove programs by manually deleting their directories, links, and if
necessary their registry entries.

Finally, any chance you or a friend has a larger hard drive, compatible with
the PC? Think about an IDE/ATA type drive from a PC only 5-7 years old?
Doing a disk-to-disk clone is not hard with any number of third-party
programs.

 

[pdxberry]

Thank you very much. The screen does say that I can stop the function by
pressing Esc, but wouldn't you know it - the button isn't working! (Not
surprising as 2 other keys have quit working too!)

Once I get my computer functioning again, I will check for those files to
delete. I remember seeing the NtUninstall... files, but wasn't sure if I
could safely delete them.

If it doesn't finish soon, I might have to just re-boot and cross my fingers!

 

[Daave]

Let me start by saying that I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I am
trying
to revive such an old computer, but it's the only one I have, and
can't get a
new one yet. We have a laptop that is about 10 yrs old, running Win
XP Pro,
SP 2.

What is the make and model of the laptop? What OS was on it originally?
(XP wasn't around ten years ago!)