my deframent program keeps starting over...why? im on windows
ME...scan disk does the same with a message that windows or some other
prog has been writing to the disc..

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Request for Question Clarification by scriptor-ga on 06 Mar 2003 11:47 PST

Dear playboy,

Are you actively using your PC while running the defragmentation application?

Regards,
Scriptor

Hello playboy,

Thank you for your question. 

Many people have asked this question and have had this problem
starting with Windows 98. Here are a few threads that should be
helpful:

TheTechGuys.com
http://www.thetechguys.com/old_message_board/general/message_board_posts_79.htm

"Q: My computer will not defrag. It gets to about 10% then a message
says " Drive's contents changed: restarting". Then it just continually
restarts defraging but never gets finished until I stop it...

A: Whenever you do a defrag, make sure you shut everything down in the
"System tray" or that area in the bottom right hand corner of your
screen. All of those icons are programs that are running at the same
time you are trying to defrag your hard drive. Right click on each one
and either disable or close them. Then run the defrag.

BTW it took my computer 8 hours to defrag a 40 gb hard drive so start
this right before you hit the hay!"

Annoyances.org
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win98/t1041262982

"Q: ...Hello, when I attempt to run scandisk or the disk defragment
program they run for a little while and then continually start over,
never finishing. Ive used ctrl-alt-delete to close all programs except
explorer and ive also run them in safe mode and it still happens. The
scandisk program, which ive run in both standard and thorough mode
gives this message, "scandisk has restarted 10 times due to windows or
some other program writing to the HD". Any suggestions? I noticed in
the dialog box you get when you hit ctrl-alt-del that only explorer is
running when in safe mode. is there something in explorer that could
be writing to the HD? Any suggestions would be appreciated...

A: I ran into the same prob. Found out it was Norton Antivirus that
was still active. It restarts every time a system file is changed. As
the drive defrags or as scandisk runs, files are opened and moved
around. If you have all the virus scanning dealies running it will
scan every file as it is opened. It then updates a log file of some
kind which causes the defrag or scandisk to start over. Disable all
the active scanning on your antivirus, reboot so you're sure it's not
running in the background somewhere, and then restart the defrag or
scandisk...

I have experienced the same problem recently. The problem seems to be
caused in my case by Fast Find (mosearch) which is installed as part
of Office XP. This product was working fine until I installed some new
software in December after which my disk starting trashing whenever
the system was left idle and had the same symptoms when trying to run
defrag or scandisk. Defrag would eventually finish if run in safe mode
but would still restart several times. I have now deinstalled Fast
Find by using Add/Remove features for MS Office XP (under Office
Tools) and the system seems to be back to normal. Hope this helps if
you haven't yet found a solution..."

expertsXexchange
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Win98/Q_11365397.html

"Q: When I run scandisk or NU Speedisk on Boot drive, it continually
restarts with the message "Disk Write Detected" but I have no idea
what could be doing it. I have disabled all start menu items. There is
no problem on the partition.

A: ok there are a couple of things I would like to try.

1. while I don't doubt that you disabled the start menu, I would like
to make sure you got all TSR (terminate, stay resident)programs.  So,
click start||run||MSCONFIG
click startup folder, select ONLY scan registry, and systray.  click
apply, ok and reboot.

2. after startup, make sure that you don't touch so much as the mouse
AFTER it is started.  Often times, I have seen programs super finicky
about mouse motion and it works to catch up is all.

also, go to www.bootdisk.com and download "ENDITALL"  this will enable
you to click on the program and end all tasks with one program.  Handy
thing...

...And, of course, set your screen saver to NONE ...

...www.sysinternals.com has a file monitor that allows you to see file
access as it happens. It will let you know the culprit if you have not
already found it. ..."

Most sites echo the comments above and one of the proposed solutions
may work for you. Screen saver might have been one you overlooked,
perhaps.

Microsoft has this to say on the matter:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q186978

"Drive's Contents Have Changed: Restarting..." Message When You Use
the Disk Defragmenter Tool"

"SYMPTOMS
When you use the Disk Defragmenter tool to defragment your hard disk,
you may receive the following message:

Drive's Contents Have Changed: Restarting... 

CAUSE

This issue can occur if a program (such as an antivirus program or a
screen saver) is running on the drive when the Disk Defragmenter tool
is running.

RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods. 
Clean Boot the Computer

A "clean" boot is a method of reducing problems that may occur because
of your computer's environment. Many problems that may occur when you
run Windows or other programs can occur because there are conflicting
drivers, terminate-and-stay-resident programs (TSRs), or other
settings that load when you start your computer. Windows Millennium
Edition (Me) and Windows 98 include a System Configuration Utility
tool (Msconfig.exe) to make performing a clean boot easier. To clean
boot your computer:

Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System
Tools, and then click System Information.

On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility.

On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear
the following check boxes:

Process Config.sys File (if available)

Process Autoexec.bat File (if available)

Process Winstart.bat File (if available)

Process System.ini File

Process Win.ini File

Load Startup Group Items


Click OK, and then restart your computer when you are prompted."

Other Microsoft articles that may be helpful are:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;218160Disk 
Defragmenter Hangs After Choosing Disk to Defragment 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;259030
APC PowerChute Plus Causes Disk Defragmenter to Hang 

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q137/1/13.asp
Disk Defragmenter Restarts Continually with Find Fast

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q136/8/36.asp
Disk Defragmenter May Seem to Stop Responding

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q96/5/19.asp
Situations in Which DEFRAG Cannot Run


I have also noted that Norton's Speed Disk (part of Norton Utilities)
does not suffer from this problem. You can often find this on sale at
deep discounts if you shop around.


Search Strategy:

defrag continually restarts

I trust my research has provided you with possible solutions to this
annoying problem. If a link above should fail to work or anything
require further explanation or research, please do post a Request for
Clarification prior to rating the answer and closing the question and
I will be pleased to assist further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

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Request for Answer Clarification by playboy-ga on 06 Mar 2003 14:26 PST

not only did this not help but now i have uninstalled my norton
antivirus and cannot get it back on the computer..i try to run the
dell back up disc but it for some reason cannont install. it keeps
saying the command line cant be found..this is confusing and very
frustrating..HELP ME WITH SOME THING THAT WILL WORK PLEEEEEEASE!!!!!!!

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Clarification of Answer by clouseau-ga on 06 Mar 2003 15:25 PST

Hello again playboy,

I sorry to hear of your difficulty. I would have disabled AntiVirus
rather than uninstalling it. And do note there are a number of
suggestions listed above to try to solve your original problem. You
should attempt all in an orderly manner to see which might be your
solution.

But don't despair. I shall continue to offer my assistance.

Can you tell me exactly what the error message is when you try to
reinstall AV? Have you rebooted between uninstalling and attempting
reinstall? If not, first try that and then do let me know the exact
error message and we will proceed from there.

-=clouseau=-

if this works then i give the answer a perfect rating

Its best to run defrag at night when the PC is idle.  Anytime there is
disk access, the defrag process will be interruped and have to start
over.

Pre-defrag check list:

- turn off all distributed computing clients (like the goole protein
cruncher or SETI)

- turn off your screen saver

- turn off hibernate

- turn off disk spin down (in the power settings)

- turn off any other tasks that might be scheduled.

Its best to have the defragger running alone, so that disk access by
other programs wont upset it.

try running defrag in safe mode

Hi playboy,

Just thought I'd add a bit to clouseau's excellent answer. I always
run "Disc Cleanup" before I defrag. Also, it is a good idea to restart
when you are finished with your maintenance chores. Don't forget about
SFC (System File Checker) - another good thing to do once and a while.

hummer

All that mumbo jumbo very pointless.

I will tell you how it is, ok so i've had this happen to me too. The
reason why it starts over is because your system resources are low. In
order for it to defrag it needs to move clusters of your hard driver
around. It can't do this when a bunch of programs around running in
the background of your computer. so what you need to do is close every
program that you have running by the clock in the lower right hand
corner that you cant and wont use for the defrag time. It might start
over but it will probably finish. I would even suggest starting your
computer in safe mode and defragging because the minumum programs
needed to start windows run in safe mode.

the more times it restarts the better chance it has at finishing the
process depending on your clock speed and hard drive space will vary
but all in all i would give it an over nite thing. cuz it doesnt hurt
it and its got plenty of time to do its thing...

~matt