good point @login123, well worth the shot.
i can't remember the last mouse I saw with a ball... (actually, mine is a trackball and they also need cleaning regularly)
Hi to my dear friends Login and MTA. I'm overwhelmed by the endless generosity and giving of you folks. On page 2 now of posts. Login I had one of those ball type mouses when I first started my computer pilgrimage several years ago. Then a friend suggested I pick up an optical mouse and I have to my collection a MS and a brand new HP I just located. The optical type seems to have served me well for a long time. I always beat my doc out of an ample supply of those little alcohol wipes for dings and cleaning the entire surface of the mouse. I pitched some of the mouse pads I had in favor of one of the wife's smooth place mats which allows me to float around my desktop. I think the erratic behavior goes deeper into the host of other problems and it seems to work well after I've been on for a while. I believe it's just in need of the big enema we've been discussing. Today I can't get the search feature in the start up window to function at all. I'll just have to play around with this thing until I can find someone who can back everything up either very reasonable or better pro bono. Anyway, thanks so much for jumping in there. My goodness, the temps are almost textbook which is comforting. I have my little fan blowing into the vents. Muchas gracias and take care.
Warlock
Hi Everyone, still having a boat load of problems, snails pace in operating, script notices, etc. Got some help from the paid Avast support and they connected and fixed some but still needs the hood ornament with a new car under it. I'm going to take a shot at defragging to see if this helps this thing to run better. The support team did a disk cleanup recently I should mention. Defraggler reports 27% and Windows says it's time. I think I'll try Hazel's post on 11-17-2013. I saw where Derek on 11-09-2013 stated that this method starts all over when stopped. With my heating problem in mind I was curious if once a portion of the hard drive is defragged is it cleaned and gone. About the only way I can do this is to shut the machine off and back on to cool. Hope this makes sense. I promise to put the big hammer down until I hear back from you. Thanks and take care. Warlock
Hope you folks aren't tired of me beating a dead horse but I was reviewing the posts on this issue. mta stated an interesting suggestion that I'm considering. I've gone into the Safe Mode just to work with my Avast support folks but that's it, they took it from there. I was wondering if I do a Safe Mode does that essesntially take a load off the hard drive? In other words less programs running if my thinking is close. If it does then I may be able to do a defrag safely with my overheating problem. Less strain on the H.D. which is probably aging should ease the pain of this issue. I would have to be able to get to my defrag programs and Speccy for monitoring temps though. Any thoughts on this would be gratefully accepted as always in addition to an answer on my previous post above I believe on 11-05-2013. Thanks again and I await eagerly your input. Take care. Your friend, Warlock
Keep in mind most maintenance in Safe Mode comes with the penalty of it being much slower, such as malware/virus scanning in particular. Although I have no experience defragmenting in Safe Mode since I've never tried it.
Hi Andavari, just having some wild, crazy thoughts on how to accomplish this without serious damage. Maybe someone else that has done it can jump in. Can I put you on the list to get this to use as a boat anchor? Got a nasty winter storm here. Thanks and take care. Warlock
Keep in mind most maintenance in Safe Mode comes with the penalty of it being much slower, such as malware/virus scanning in particular. Although I have no experience defragmenting in Safe Mode since I've never tried it.
actually, in my experience, maintenance in safe mode is usually the opposite - that is - faster, as all the usual background stuff isn't there.
there are same differences, for example, AVG safe mode scan used to be text-based version rather than the GUI one but I haven't done an AVG safe mode scan for ages so that may have changed.
did a defrag in safe mode about 2 weeks ago (XP I think it was) with no probs, nice and fast (well, as fast as normal mode).
Hi mta, thanks for your input. I have XP also. Think I'll give it a whirl as I have to do something about the slowness. Takes forever to bring something up and hopefully this will improve performance but before defragging I need to take some load off of an aging hard drive. Both Windows and Defraggler say it's time for an enema. Still can't find someone who will back up pro bono and that's a must before anything serious is started i.e. a re-install of the OS. A good neighbor gave me a 30G flash drive but I need a larger one as I have a 70G. They have been out of the computer business and were unable to offer any instructions but thoughtfulness counts. There's just too much critical data in this thing between my files I've saved and the operating files. If you run into a Computer For Dummies please let me know right away. Temps are doing good and after running for a while things seem to work better; strange. If you change your mind about making a house call we can get you to into snow removal. We got ten to twelve inches the past few days. Thanks again old friend and take care. Will keep you posted on whether a defeat or victory. Warlock
Hi Everyone,
Need some help asap. Finally got the courage screwed up to work on this nagging issue yesterday 12-11-2013. Could not bring up Windows Defrag for some reason so had to use Defraggler. Brought up Safe Mode tapping on F8 like a woodpecker but could not display all readings on Speccy to monitor temps but displayed hard drive during the process. Ran Analyze and found a mess 27% fragmented and would take all day. So I poured two bottles of Fleet and started the process. Worked better part of the day until I was wore out so I aborted hopefully without messing something up with 41% accomplished, remaining time 13 hours, leaving 684 fragmented files (6.1%), 8289 total fragments, 18% fragmented yet to do. I can't spend so much time at this still with the desire to do a thorough cleaning and need help desperately in the hopes of improving performance on this machine. I have Windows XP Professional, 34bit, SP3, Firefox v26.0
I've tried to comprehend the Excluded portion of Defraggler to no avail. I need to reduce the load on an aging hard drive. I have a few shortcuts on my desktop and underneath are numerous files of just plain data, I'm a packrat. There are files where I've saved and identical yellow ones. I need to know how to drop these large chunks into Exclude but unsure of how to enter it correctly. Do I simply type in the file address completely and correctly and where can I obtain the name. A simple, step by step method would not only be mandatory but greatly appreciated. I want to be careful and not exclude something critical and I'm certain I'm not listing all that need to be entered or not entered i.e. applications and the like. I hope this explains my dilemma adequately and if not please contact me for clarification. I'm confident the pros on here can solve this. Thanks in advance and take care. Yours always, hoping for another victory.
Warlock
Could not bring up Windows Defrag
Common reason is because it has detected disk errors and will refuse to defrag.
On XP you can fix those via Start > Run, using this:
chkdsk /f c:
When asked to have it run the next time the system restarts click the Y button on your keyboard for yes, and then restart your computer.
Sometimes the key scheduleddefrag is corrupted (like after installing some other defragmenting software). Look for it in the registry, delete it and reboot. You will have to check the schedule in Windows Defrag later.
Hi Warlock.
Do you have the disks to reinstall win xp onto that computer if necessary?
When you installed Defraggler did you select ''Replace Windows Disk Defragmenter'' ?
(You can find out by looking in Settings > Options > Advanced)
If you did, then Windows defragger will not open, Defraggler will open instead.
Untick this setting in Defraggler if ticked, close Defraggler and try again to open Windows defragger.
Hi Login, yes I have the Windows XP disk, can see it from I'm at. Were you thinking in terms of an uninstall and reinstall with your question? If so, before I can even think about doing that I still have to solve the problem of not having the money, external flash and most of all knowledge to accomplish this. Thanks for your ongoing concern and let me know your thoughts. Warlock
Hi Hazel, to answer your question first of all I did no setups of any kind to include Defraggler. All that's in this machine was done by a former friend. I think when I reported inability to access Windows Defraggler the other day was either a result of a hiccup from a really messed up machine or perhaps these little fingers. Before coming on I tried to bring up Windows Defrag and it came right up. Yes, the block you referred to was checked so I did discover that and apparently I created a problem that didn't exist as both are working.
Are you leaning in the direction that I use Windows Defrag as opposed to Defraggler? I am about half way through the process as I explained in my post yesterday 12-12-2013 and I saw where on 11-09-2013 Derek cautioned about switching from one to another. If I continue with Defraggler I would appreciate your best advice under the circumstances and wonder about my question on assistance with the Exclusion feature to cut down on hard drive stress and my stress for future defragging. Besides, watching Defraggler is a break from t.v. LOL Seriously, I must admit I'm starting to get a bit confused and would be grateful for guidance. Thanks so much for continuing concern on my behalf. Warlock
Warlock to get your fragmentation down to a level you feel able to cope with, just boot into safe mode and use Windows defragger.
When finished you can then use Defraggler without worrying about exclusions..
Hi Login, yes I have the Windows XP disk . . . Thanks for your ongoing concern and let me know your thoughts. Warlock
You're welcome, Warlock.
What I was thinking about is this.
The main problems you have described are heat, slow operation, stopping, script notices.
The few times I have seen these symptoms together the hard drive was on the verge of failure.
This was for friends & family computers only.
One time we just decided to back up the data and let it run until it quit.
When it did, we reinstalled the OS to a new HDD from the disks.
A failing HDD may not even be your situation, but just in case you should get your important data copied.
If the drive does fail, data recovery will cost quite a lot.
Once you get the data backed up, you can try a reinstall to that computer, costs only your time.
If it doesn't help then you start thinking about a new HDD or a new computer.
If you know anybody that runs a fixit shop, they may very well have "gently used" hard drives that wouldn't cost too much.
Sometimes the key scheduleddefrag is corrupted (like after installing some other defragmenting software). Look for it in the registry, delete it and reboot. You will have to check the schedule in Windows Defrag later.
He has WinXP, it doesn't schedule defragmenting.
Warlock,
I know money, time and skill may be in short supply but this is your data, YOUR DATA.
Years worth of irreplaceable photos, memories, financials, addresses, correspondence, and who knows what else.
I have this dread that the longer this draws out, the greater chance of failure - and heartache.
Have you considered selling body fluids or maybe a kidney
Hi Everyone,
Dear Hazel, after pondering all the great feedback from you good folks I think your latest suggestion is the most plausible. I have gone bonkers trying to comprehend the Exclude instructions on Defraggler. Believe I'll go this route and hopefully put this to rest. Thanks so much.
Dear MTA,
You're right on track with what you said about the preservation of precious data but a dilemma still exists. You really got to my funnybone with your suggestions for obtaining funding for a back up. I looked into visiting the local bloodbank and also selling my body for scientific research and organ donation but the entities told me they don't pay a dime and I'm too old and ugly. Can you believe it, not a dime to save someone's life or advance. However, there might be one avenue to consider. Many of my acquaintances have told me that I'm so full of you know what and if I can find a market for that I can buy the finest computer system on earth and even pay people to run it for me. My troubles would be OVAH! LOL Thanks so much to you also.
You folks are all tops so take care and I'll stay in touch with the greatest folks on earth. Yours always,
Warlock