Does Safemode change/help defrag?

[MikeLassiter]

I have just started using CCleaner and Defraggler. They are both great! I have used Defraggler on my Win2K system and noticed a number of isolated "blue" squares out in the "white" area. I thought that there was perhaps an "enque" on these files so they could not be moved, I then re-booted my Win2K in Safemode and tried defragging the disk again. It did not seem to change anything. Why doesn't Defraggler at least move these files closer to the long line of "blue" squares?. Also, it would be nice if Defraggler gave me the ability to click on a square and tell me what files/fragments are in the square.

[MikeLassiter]

I thought I would note my results of some further tests and observations re. my question about "Safemode".

 

1) I used CCleaner to clean up everything I could including the Registry. Before using Defraggler in the next steps, I stopped my DSL line and my Anti-Virus (Symantec)program.

 

2) I used Defraggler to Defrag one-by-one the primary folders on the C:\ disk beginning with the primary Win2K folders ("Program Files", "Winnt", "I386", "Documents and Settings"). For most of these "primary Win2k" folders, Defraggler reported there were "some files were not defragged". This was not surprising to me because of my thoughts about "enque" expressed before. Also, as noted before, the "isolated "blue" squares out in the "white" area" remained.

 

3) I used Defraggler to Defrag the C:\ disk itself. It did not seem to change anything, including the message about "some files were not defragged".

 

4) I rebooted in "Safe Mode". I noted that (using MSConfig.exe) that all the non-Microsoft started tasks were stopped, so the many "enques" should have disappeared. I then repeated steps 1, 2, 3. The results seemed to be the same in that there were "files not defragged" and the same "isolated blue squares". However, I suspect it did some good.

 

5) I rebooted in standard mode. Then, because most of my personal (and most volatile) files are in about 6 folders, I moved them off to a memory stick; I repeated steps 1,2,3 (with the same apparent results); I moved the 6 folders back to the C:\disk. But, although the "blue squares" were still there, performance seems to be better.

 

Conclusion: from time to time (particularly when I do my semi-monthly backup of personal files), I will use the step 5 process.

 

I hope this information helps someone.

 

I would still like to see Defraggler give me more info on the "isolated blue squares".

[DennisD]

Hi Mike, and welcome to the forum.

 

I don't know enough about the technicalities of de-fragging in or out of Safe Mode to comment either way, but thanks for posting the results of your endeavours, I'm sure they'll be read and appreciated.

[davey]

I thought I would note my results of some further tests and observations re. my question about "Safemode".

 

1) I used CCleaner to clean up everything I could including the Registry. Before using Defraggler in the next steps, I stopped my DSL line and my Anti-Virus (Symantec)program.

 

2) I used Defraggler to Defrag one-by-one the primary folders on the C:\ disk beginning with the primary Win2K folders ("Program Files", "Winnt", "I386", "Documents and Settings"). For most of these "primary Win2k" folders, Defraggler reported there were "some files were not defragged". This was not surprising to me because of my thoughts about "enque" expressed before. Also, as noted before, the "isolated "blue" squares out in the "white" area" remained.

 

3) I used Defraggler to Defrag the C:\ disk itself. It did not seem to change anything, including the message about "some files were not defragged".

 

4) I rebooted in "Safe Mode". I noted that (using MSConfig.exe) that all the non-Microsoft started tasks were stopped, so the many "enques" should have disappeared. I then repeated steps 1, 2, 3. The results seemed to be the same in that there were "files not defragged" and the same "isolated blue squares". However, I suspect it did some good.

 

5) I rebooted in standard mode. Then, because most of my personal (and most volatile) files are in about 6 folders, I moved them off to a memory stick; I repeated steps 1,2,3 (with the same apparent results); I moved the 6 folders back to the C:\disk. But, although the "blue squares" were still there, performance seems to be better.

 

Conclusion: from time to time (particularly when I do my bi-monthly backup of personal files), I will use the step 5 process.

 

I hope this information helps someone.

 

I would still like to see Defraggler give me more info on the "isolated blue squares".

Hi Mike,

I second the Thanks. We appreciate these reports and it does help the programming team. I am sure that some of your suggestions will show up in "Defraggler". They have been requested by others also.

Defragging in safe-mode slows down the Defragging process.

Some files are marked as unmovable and will remain where they are.

Good Luck,

davey