First Time I Got Error Message About Defrag

[Hilary]

After I installed the Avira, I also installed Adobe Flash Play (or
whatever it's called) and also Adobe Reader 9.2. After the updated
Reader installed, I got a message I have never gotten before,
something to the effect that the computer needed to be defragged for
the program to run correctly. I had just defragged it last week but
defragged it again.

At the end of the defragging, I got a report that said some files
couldn't be defragged. This, also, is something new to me. I have the
report (below), but it contains nothing useful (?). Would the former
anti-virus program, AVG, have filled the computer with "un-
defraggable" files? It's the only program I added to this very small
hard drive (10 GB on one partition, 10 on another).

Thank you.

Volume (C
Volume size = 9.52 GB
Cluster size = 4 KB
Used space = 5.35 GB
Free space = 4.17 GB
Percent free space = 43 %

Volume fragmentation
Total fragmentation = 6 %
File fragmentation = 11 %
Free space fragmentation = 1 %

File fragmentation
Total files = 32,681
Average file size = 270 KB
Total fragmented files = 3
Total excess fragments = 6
Average fragments per file = 1.00

Pagefile fragmentation
Pagefile size = 384 MB
Total fragments = 2

Folder fragmentation
Total folders = 3,290
Fragmented folders = 1
Excess folder fragments = 0

Master File Table (MFT) fragmentation
Total MFT size = 41 MB
MFT record count = 36,132
Percent MFT in use = 86 %
Total MFT fragments = 3

 

[Gerry]

Hilary

Before installing programmes / large files it can be beneficial to run
Disk CleanUp ( or cCleaner ) and Disk Defragmenter. Installing large
files to fragmented free disk space inevitably means the files added
will be fragmented as they are written. Good preparation leads to better
results.

The report posted indicates a satisfactory situation.

Files produced by security software are frequently protected by the
software to prevent interference by malware. As a user of AVG I have
certain files which Defraggler ( a third party Defragmenter ) will not
touch. I do not know whether the same applies to Avira. However, you not
need AVG files so they can be safely removed if they have been left when
you uninstalled AVG.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Daave]

After I installed the Avira, I also installed Adobe Flash Play (or
whatever it's called) and also Adobe Reader 9.2. After the updated
Reader installed, I got a message I have never gotten before,
something to the effect that the computer needed to be defragged for
the program to run correctly. I had just defragged it last week but
defragged it again.

At the end of the defragging, I got a report that said some files
couldn't be defragged. This, also, is something new to me. I have the
report (below), but it contains nothing useful (?). Would the former
anti-virus program, AVG, have filled the computer with "un-
defraggable" files? It's the only program I added to this very small
hard drive (10 GB on one partition, 10 on another).

Thank you.

Volume (C
Volume size = 9.52 GB
Cluster size = 4 KB
Used space = 5.35 GB
Free space = 4.17 GB
Percent free space = 43 %

Volume fragmentation
Total fragmentation = 6 %
File fragmentation = 11 %
Free space fragmentation = 1 %

File fragmentation
Total files = 32,681
Average file size = 270 KB
Total fragmented files = 3
Total excess fragments = 6
Average fragments per file = 1.00

Pagefile fragmentation
Pagefile size = 384 MB
Total fragments = 2

Folder fragmentation
Total folders = 3,290
Fragmented folders = 1
Excess folder fragments = 0

Master File Table (MFT) fragmentation
Total MFT size = 41 MB
MFT record count = 36,132
Percent MFT in use = 86 %
Total MFT fragments = 3

FWIW, in the interest of performance Adobe Reader can be uninstalled and
the *free* Foxit PDF reader can be used in its place:

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

Also, did you run the AVG remover as we discussed in the other thread?

Finally, it is important to defrag *after* all temp files are deleted. I
would recommend running Ccleaner to do this, but XP's own Disk Cleanup
works also, but you need to run it for *each* profile.

If you are looking for a quick way to defragment the pagefile, this
program is quite good:

PageDefrag v2.32
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897426.aspx

IIRC, this PC you are configuring is for victims of a fire, correct? If
so, why not perform a Clean Install? And will you be including the means
to return the PC to its original state? Hopefully this PC has a license
and COA sticker. If so, you should include the correct XP installation
CD (or copy of one).

 

[Hilary]

Also, did you run the AVG remover as we discussed in the other thread?

I completely forgot about that. I will run it this week. (And thanks
to Gerry for letting me know I didn't "break something.")

Finally, it is important to defrag *after* all temp files are deleted. I
would recommend running Ccleaner to do this, but XP's own Disk Cleanup
works also, but you need to run it for *each* profile.

I don't understand. Are you saying that rather than leaving all the
possible choices on Disk Cleanup "ticked," and just clicking OK, you
should untick all of them and do individual "ticks?" I don't
understand, but I'll do this.

If you are looking for a quick way to defragment the pagefile, this
program is quite good:

I don't know what a "pagefile" is.

PageDefrag v2.32http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897426.aspx

IIRC, this PC you are configuring is for victims of a fire, correct? If
so, why not perform a Clean Install? And will you be including the means
to return the PC to its original state? Hopefully this PC has a license
and COA sticker. If so, you should include the correct XP installation
CD (or copy of one).

I do not have the original boot disks. I received this PC from a
church give-away when its after-school daycare updated to flat-panels
and faster processors. (I had undergone losses almost comparable to
the fire victims and in the turmoil had my one-and-only laptop break.)
It was at this time I began to use Ubuntu on a PC I no longer have. I
still have the Ubuntu disk.

As another poster pointed out, to expect non-computer-literate people
to use Linux successfully after a major disaster is asking too much.
I'm afraid they'll have no choice, however, as its the only OS disk I
have to give.

 

[Gerry]

Hillary

Your pagefile is OK but it is small. More about the pagefile here:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

BTW the pagefile is also known as Virtual Memory.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Daave]

I completely forgot about that. I will run it this week. (And thanks
to Gerry for letting me know I didn't "break something.")


I don't understand. Are you saying that rather than leaving all the
possible choices on Disk Cleanup "ticked," and just clicking OK, you
should untick all of them and do individual "ticks?" I don't
understand, but I'll do this.

No, I mean you need to log into each profile and run Disk Cleanup. Then
again, if there is only one profile (account), it doesn't matter.

Then defrag *after* all the temp files are deleted.

I don't know what a "pagefile" is.

It is used for virtual memory. For more info:

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

I do not have the original boot disks. I received this PC from a
church give-away when its after-school daycare updated to flat-panels
and faster processors. (I had undergone losses almost comparable to
the fire victims and in the turmoil had my one-and-only laptop break.)
It was at this time I began to use Ubuntu on a PC I no longer have. I
still have the Ubuntu disk.

Hmmm, the church should have also given away the installation CD! Then
again, maybe the PC never had one. It is a Dell Optiplex, correct? What
model number? It's possible that Dell included a hidden recovery
partition on it. Without installation media, the recipient of this PC
will be at a disadvantage. If it does have a hidden recovery partition,
I would make sure the user knows about it. Also, Dell XP reinstallation
CDs are ubiquitous. If you can get one, you should make a copy for the
new user.

Did this Optiplex come with a license to run XP? You can find out by
noting if there is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on it.

As another poster pointed out, to expect non-computer-literate people
to use Linux successfully after a major disaster is asking too much.

That was me.

 

[Hilary]

Your pagefile is OK but it is small. More about the pagefile here:http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

BTW the pagefile is also known as Virtual Memory.

Thanks, Gerry. This is the kind of concept that made me drop out of
computer tech courses. Beyond a certain level, my little right brain--
or is it left--gives out . I think the problem is I'm loading the C
drive with stuff that is really needed by any computer-user in 2010
onto a system designed for a user in 2000.

All I added, by the way, was the Adobe Flash Player and updated
Reader, and also Skype. (I would like to demonstrate to this heavy-
using cell phone family cheaper ways of communicating. I'm not
pitching Skype, but I have used it for a long time, and I tested it on
this old machine for two long distance calls, and it worked fine.)
Before installing the Avira, this machine was all but worthless, and
now I'm watching Hulu on it and making phone calls. I can't thank this
group enough.

(Now if someone would just answer my question about why Midi Christmas
files won't embed in Windows Mail...)

 

[Hilary]

No, I mean you need to log into each profile and run Disk Cleanup. Then
again, if there is only one profile (account), it doesn't matter.

Then defrag *after* all the temp files are deleted.

Oh, okay! That's what I was doing, but I'm the only user.

Hmmm, the church should have also given away the installation CD! Then
again, maybe the PC never had one. It is a Dell Optiplex, correct? What
model number? It's possible that Dell included a hidden recovery
partition on it. Without installation media, the recipient of this PC
will be at a disadvantage. If it does have a hidden recovery partition,
I would make sure the user knows about it. Also, Dell XP reinstallation
CDs are ubiquitous. If you can get one, you should make a copy for the
new user.

Did this Optiplex come with a license to run XP? You can find out by
noting if there is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on it.

I was told that the church got these Optiplexes from the "gub'mint."
I'm the third user; there is no COA on the outside. It's a P3 running
at 730mh, with 256 mgs of ram, and (I was wrong), there is apparently
only one partition with 10 GB.

The truth is I got the Ubuntu for the additional reason that in case
it crashed and was still my only computer, I wouldn't have to use
anything illegal. If this computer continues to run as well as it's
been running since I changed the anti-virus programs, but has a
problem with Windows, my new friends who will be getting this will
have to learn to love Linux

(Now if someone would only explain why my Midi Christmas files won't
embed on Windows Mail...

 

[Daave]

Oh, okay! That's what I was doing, but I'm the only user.


I was told that the church got these Optiplexes from the "gub'mint."
I'm the third user; there is no COA on the outside. It's a P3 running
at 730mh, with 256 mgs of ram, and (I was wrong), there is apparently
only one partition with 10 GB.

FWIW, that particular Dell is not licensed to run Windows XP. I would
imagine it has a Volume License Key (which is no longer valid). I doubt
the FBI is going to batter down doors, but if you want to be
above-board, the PC should have a valid, licensed copy of XP.

The truth is I got the Ubuntu for the additional reason that in case
it crashed and was still my only computer, I wouldn't have to use
anything illegal. If this computer continues to run as well as it's
been running since I changed the anti-virus programs, but has a
problem with Windows, my new friends who will be getting this will
have to learn to love Linux

Make sure you point them to the Linux forums and newsgroups then.

 

[Hilary]

FWIW, that particular Dell is not licensed to run Windows XP. I would
imagine it has a Volume License Key (which is no longer valid). I doubt
the FBI is going to batter down doors, but if you want to be
above-board, the PC should have a valid, licensed copy of XP.

Dear Lord. How do you know this? I got it from the church exactly two
years ago, and I recall at the time that the other computers were
running Linux (whether Ubuntu or an earlier version, I don't know). As
I had never heard of Linux at that point, I asked if there wasn't any
"normal" computer. I definitely used "normal" in my request, and the
director of after-school programs gave me this one. It is
unquestionably a decade old, and it does have serial numbers and other
identifying marks on it, but certainly no certificate. FWIW, the
church told people who claimed the free computers that they were given
with no guarantees or support.

Are you saying I should wipe out the XP? All I wanted to do when I
posted here was help out my friend and her kids. (To top their great
holiday off, a woman was stabbed to death in a domestic quarrel
yesterday, and I spent the morning worrying because of the undisclosed
address that it might be her.)

I don't know what to say except thank you for the help you've given
me. I have the Ubuntu software and will wipe out the Windows XP.

Thank you, and have a nice holiday.

Make sure you point them to the Linux forums and newsgroups then.

Certainly, sir. Thank you again.

 

[Daave]

Dear Lord. How do you know this?

You said the church had gotten this and other PCs from the government.
There is no COA sticker on it; the COA sticker *is* the license. When
the government had this and other similar Dells, they all must have had
a volume license. Volume licenses are not transferrable. Perhaps someone
at some point installed *another* version of XP on it. So, perhaps it is
above board. But if that's the case, there should be documentation. (So,
I doubt this is the case.)

You can look at the Product Key using a program like Belarc Advisor or
Magical Jelly Bean and enter it into Google to see if it is still using
the Volume License Key (VLK). That is, many VLKs are published (usually
by those who try to get around licensing!). Sometimes, Microsoft will
ban certain older VLKs, so if it works now, it may not work in the
future. Then again, XP is two generations old by now, so it's probably
not a priority of MS.

You can also look at the Product ID in My Computer's Properties (in the
"Registered to" section) for a clue. This list may help:

http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Product_IDs

I got it from the church exactly two
years ago, and I recall at the time that the other computers were
running Linux (whether Ubuntu or an earlier version, I don't know). As
I had never heard of Linux at that point, I asked if there wasn't any
"normal" computer. I definitely used "normal" in my request, and the
director of after-school programs gave me this one. It is
unquestionably a decade old, and it does have serial numbers and other
identifying marks on it, but certainly no certificate. FWIW, the
church told people who claimed the free computers that they were given
with no guarantees or support.

Are you saying I should wipe out the XP? All I wanted to do when I
posted here was help out my friend and her kids. (To top their great
holiday off, a woman was stabbed to death in a domestic quarrel
yesterday, and I spent the morning worrying because of the undisclosed
address that it might be her.)

Good Lord; that's HORRIBLE! I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy.

Wiping out XP is your call. Personally, whenever I set someone up with a
used PC, I always perform a Clean Install of XP (then again, there is
always a license to run it). Like I said, there is no evidence
suggesting this particular PC has a valid XP license. But I personally
don't care since I don't work for Microsoft.

But if it were me, I wouldn't do it. Like I said before, it might have a
VLK on it that may not work at some point in the future. If you could
find a standard Dell XP reinstallation CD, it will work and be seen as
genuine (even though there may be no license). I'm just presenting the
facts; it's your decision.

I don't know what to say except thank you for the help you've given
me. I have the Ubuntu software and will wipe out the Windows XP.

Thank you, and have a nice holiday.

And the same to you.

Certainly, sir. Thank you again.

YW.