I, like your reply!
Not only can some harddrives cannot be completely defragmented but also some programs for example e-mails.
If you are not using the latest Defraggler 1.09.138 but the 1.08.138 (faulty version) than that could be causing the problem - If so, uninstall Defraggler and install the latest version 1.09.138.
Save space: - I have been; 1) Converting Office XP's files into Office 2007 (For example using Office 2007's internal conversation feature), and 2) Deleting unecessary duplicate files.
Check the following:
If you don't have any error messages when you either; switch on the computer or whilst using any programs then you should be able to delete all system's restore points apart for the last point, especially if you back-up first, but remember to switch the System's Restore Point back on again after memory has been freed up.
Coppertrail, is correct that system's restore Point can use up a lot of memory. In general the more memory used the more fragments you will have on your computer.
When saving space - All Back-ups have to be taken into account also:
1: Schedule Back-ups, I donot have any set-up.
2: Manually, I use McAfee's back-up and restore - free upgrade within Internet Suite
3: NB! If a program is backed-up by more than one program - Computer will be slower
To summarize:-
1: Back-up (save a copy of) the C: if possible.
2: Check that there are no errors when either; the computer is switched on or using a program before deleting any system restore points:
A: I would use 1) System restore (to back-up the registry - Extremely Important) and 2) McAfee (to backup data - but you can use whatever backup program you use or if necessary Recuva (latter needs to be improved - Bug, faulty, changes to red to easily)).
3: Any files or folders that can be removed will speed-up computer.
4: Delete all unnecessary files and folders before defragmenting
A: The problem is that what you consider to be important may be different from what I consider to be important:-
1) Using CCleaner\Windows Tab
A: I am not concerned about the following; Autocomplete Form History, Search Autocomplete, Clipboard, Start Menu Shortcuts
B: Advanced - I am NOT sure about the following 3 things - but I have had no problems;
1} Menu Order Cache, 2} Tray Order Cache, and 3} Window Size/Location Cache
C: I would Tick (delete) the following:-
1} Last Download Location, 2} Autocomplete Form History, 3} Windows Explorer,
- (All applications apart for Recent Documents).
4} System
- All applications apart for Desktop Shortcuts (because for example I keep My Computer's and System Restore's short cuts on my Desktop)
5} Advanced - Safe
- It should be safe to automatically delete;
- Old Prefetch data
- IIS Log Files
6}Advanced - Should be safe
- I have found no problems with deleting the following;
- Menu Order Cache
- Tray Notifications Cache and
- Window Size/Location Cache
- I would then; Analyze \ Run Cleaner
7} Using CCleaner\Applications Tab
- I have ticked all the squares
- I would then; Analyze \ Run Cleaner
8} I would select CCleaner \ Registry Tab
- All the boxes are ticked
- Scan for Issues
- Fix Selected Issues
9} There is no need to back-up the registry again, but the more back-ups the better.
- If I backed-up using regedit than all applications would have to be closed first.
- The System Restore should back-up the registry properly(without closing all programs)
10} Since, I have Windows XP Pro (people with for example Vista may have to translate)
- Find the RUN's BOX:-
A} Start \ Run \ %temp% \ OK
- Window's search window will open - The problem is that we have to delete all the files that the computer will allow us to delete - and then leave the rest that gives us an error message - The easiest way to explain is to start by trying to delete the first file or folder - If the file disappears than it has been deleted - but if an error message occurs after a few moments then it will display the file name that CANNOT be deleted - Ignore the error message, because impossible to delete - Then, try and delete the next file or folder on the list until you have finish.
B} Then repeat for; START \ RUN \ TEMP \ OK as 11 A}
C} Then repeat for; START \ RUN \ Prefetch \ OK as 11 A}
5: The browser that I use is the Internet Explorer 8
A: Internet Explorer (IE) 8 \ Tools \ Internet Option \ General \ Delete \ Delete
(earlier IE's version have to tick a small box first)
- I tick all boxes but there maybe some files that you would want to keep and
untick.
6: To clean, ' Disk Clean-up'
START \ SEARCH \ Folders \ My Computer \ Right Click on C: \ Properties \ Disk Clean-up \ Disk Clean-up \ OK
7: Finally, I would then use Defraggler 1.09.138, if it is still working properly, to defragment my computer, otherwise use McAfee's Cleaning routine.
8: If there are any program's problems then the following maybe usefull:
A: Use system restore to uninstall faulty programs
B: Uninstall programs using 'Add or Remove program'
- START \ CONTROL PANEL \ ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAM
C: Use restore programs
D: Before I forget, CHKDSK (but computer would normally give a clear error message)
START \ SEARCH \ Folders \ My Computer \ Right Click on C: \ Properties \ Tools
\ Error Checking
- Window's XP Professional operating system use to say that the next time the computer is either restarted or switched on it would check the drive, but recently when I used disc check it automatically carried out the disc check without me having to restart my computer and it was very fast.
- As a last resort, a virus scan have to be used, but every body should be using a proper Internet Security Suite and not just a virus package.
