Sallieann said:
Thank you so much I"ve heard you can do it either way which is best
Doesn't really matter, if online defragmentation may take slightly longer,
particularly if you are still using the machine. XP defrag is very unlike
the Win9x deframenters and will not restart itself continually.
What's more important is the quantity of temporary files you're collecting
and defragmenting. Consider reducing the size of the browser caches and
clearing them - and temporary files - prior to defragmentation. Also,
empty the recycle bins.
This is really important because one of the prime locations for spyware and
viruses is the temp folders. Cleaning them regularly reduces the chances of
having the system compromised.
I've had excellent results with ccleaner - "Crap Cleaner", available free
from:
www.ccleaner.com
Donload it and install it, and run it. I personally set it to leave
specific cookies and the MRU ( most recently used) lists, and the histories
and menu orders. I set it to remove temporary files and temporary internet
files. The first time you run it it can take quite some time, particularly
if your system has a large hard disk and if Internet Explorer has decided
for itself how much of the drive to claim for itself. I've had to remove
10+ gigabytes of "temporary" files from some systems.
ccleaner adds a function to the right-click Recycle bin menu. Once you've
set it up and run it the first time, you can simply right-click on the
recycle bin and choose 'run ccleaner' and it will use the options you'd
selected.
Internet Explorer can set the "temporary internet files" sizes to several
gigabytes. In IE, go to Tools, Internet Options, and under Temporary
Internet Files click the settings button. Change the size to something
reasonably low, say 25 meg max. Choose Apply, and OK back to IE and then
close IE.
HTH
-pk
