Defragmenter Errors Out When Ran

[Jason Carr]

Good afternoon,

I am having a strange problem with defragmenter on a
computer I support. Whenever I try to run defrag a
program error instantly is displayed. The program error
is:

dfrgntfs.exe has generated errors and will be closed by
Windows. You will need to restart the program.

I have ran this utility under the adminstrator account,
but the error still occurs.

I appreciate any assistance!
Thanks,
Jason Carr

 

[Ndi]

A Windows version would help. Have you tried to apply/reapply thee latest
service pack?

 

[Guest]

I am running Windows SP3. I have tried re-applying this
service pack. I am a little reluctant to go to SP4. I
have had problems when testings SP4 on my network.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Ndi]

I am a little reluctant to go to SP4.

SP4 works like a charm here, I'm quite happy with it. Actually, it was the
only SP for W2k that actually went on smoothly 100%, as in it went up,
rebooted, started and the system just kept on doing whatever it was doing.

Anyway. I recommend that you first check for errors and do a SMART test.
One of the problems could be a disk error. You can google for some of my
previous posts, which are quite comprehensive about how to test reliability
of a hard drive. There should be at least two posts about SMART testing and
steps to check your drive.

Should the drive come out clean, try checking with the event log about
messages related to file replacement (Windows File Protection). Also, try a
3rd party defragmenter as trial, I recommend (in this case only to go
with DisKeeper because as I understand the MS defragmenter is a stripped
down version of this software. If you still encounter errors, it's not
related to the files, dlls, etc. and most likely hardware related or low
level system.

In that case, you can either go for reinstall or you could go to the
makers of diskeeper (Executive Software, if I'm not mistaking) and inch from
there, they are closer to the wiring of the OS than most people here, if not
all. I'd go for asking them.

However, since this is not a show stopper, you'll most likely get stuck
since these errors are random and rather rare. You can either live with it
or go for a reinstall of the OS.

In any case, do a comprehensive test of the disk. A failing disk is way
more important than any fragmentation issue.

 

[Greg Hayes/Raxco Software]

I agree with the CHKDSK /F /R. I would also suggest (if that doesn't work)
to boot into Safe Mode and try to defragment from there and see if you still
get the same problem.

The built-in defragmenter is NOT a stipped down version of Diskeeper. It
was co-developed with Executive Software and as a result does a few things
the same way (has many of the same limitations as Diskeeper) but it is not
Diskeeper "lite".

- Greg/Raxco Software
Microsoft MVP - Windows File System

Disclaimer: I work for Raxco Software, the maker of PerfectDisk - a
commercial defrag utility, as a systems engineer in the support department.

Want to email me? Delete ntloader.

 

[Ndi]

The built-in defragmenter is NOT a stipped down version of Diskeeper. It

was co-developed with Executive Software and as a result does a few things
the same way (has many of the same limitations as Diskeeper) but it is not
Diskeeper "lite".

Sorry about that, I've seen it written on various sites. And since this is
no place to argue, I'll rephrase.

"Defragmenter only implements a subset of the features provided by
Diskeeper". In this case, I recommend it because I expect that the increased
functionality provides more detailed errors and warnings. I also expect
support to be more accessible, since I assume they have less customers to
support than Microsoft, especially for joint-developed features. This is a
personal opinion.