Defragmenter does not defrag all files.

[davetest]

Hello,
I'm having a problem with built-in defragmenter in XP PRO.
I've a 9GB partition, 52% free, FAT32.
I have a particular file, 270mb. When the defragment tool
has completed it's run, this file is still in 5 pieces.
Also, numerous small files are in 2 or 3 pieces.
Why?

Dave

 

[R. McCarty]

Certain files are "locked" when Windows XP is running.
They can only be defragmented with a utility that runs at
boot-time and can get an exclusive lock on the file.

Some of those files can be defragmented by using a tool
from SysInternals called PageDefrag.

Windows built-in defrag tool only performs a "Basic"
defrag. There are other more comprehensive Defrag tools
for XP.Perfect Disk 2000, Diskeeper, etc...
However, I would highly recommend avoiding any Norton
Speed Disk products for Windows XP.

 

[davetest]

Certain files are "locked" when Windows XP is running.
They can only be defragmented with a utility that runs at
boot-time and can get an exclusive lock on the file.

Some of those files can be defragmented by using a tool
from SysInternals called PageDefrag.

Windows built-in defrag tool only performs a "Basic"
defrag. There are other more comprehensive Defrag tools
for XP.Perfect Disk 2000, Diskeeper, etc...
However, I would highly recommend avoiding any Norton
Speed Disk products for Windows XP.

Thanks for you info, however the files in question are not locked.
Some are txt or log files, the big file I mentioned is a database
for a usenet program, not currently running.

I tried diskeeper 8.0 but it acted in the same strange way
so I uninstalled it.
Dave

 

[Brooklyn NYC]

Certain files are "locked" when Windows XP is running.
They can only be defragmented with a utility that runs at
boot-time and can get an exclusive lock on the file.

Some of those files can be defragmented by using a tool
from SysInternals called PageDefrag.

Windows built-in defrag tool only performs a "Basic"
defrag. There are other more comprehensive Defrag tools
for XP.Perfect Disk 2000, Diskeeper, etc...
However, I would highly recommend avoiding any Norton
Speed Disk products for Windows XP.

I get the same msg from Defrag that says "Defrag could not defrag all files,
check log for details." Of course the log has no entries in it. My question
is why not use Speed Disk as you stated? What's the caveat with that
product?