I have a Windows 98 operating system.  For the last couple of weeks I
have been unable to defrag.  It starts as normal but after 15 minutes
will only be about 2% and then quits altogether a little while later. 
In the past I have completed the process in about 15 minutes.

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 06 Oct 2004 12:06 PDT

Hi instanswer,

When you defrag your W98 machine, it shouldn't be necessary to do it
in Safe Mode. First, close everything - I mean everything, including
any virus programs, ZoneAlarm, etc., and as mentioned, turn off your
screen saver and any other power saver that you have set to run. The
reason why Defrag used to work but now doesn't is most likely due to
some program you have added recently which is running in the
background. After everything is closed, run Scan Disk and then run
your Defrag. When the Defrag is finished, restart your computer. Once
a month it's a good idea to run System File Checker also
(Start/Run/SFC).

If it still won't defrag, I suggest running HouseCall and Ad-aware:

1) HouseCall, a very thorough online virus scan:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

2) Adaware ("check for updates" before running):
http://lavasoft.element5.com/default.shtml.en

Please let me know how that goes - good luck,
hummer

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Clarification of Question by instanswer-ga on 11 Oct 2004 19:03 PDT

I have been trying for several days to get Yahoo Answers to tell me
how to pay for my question.  I have used the information and it worked
for me so I wish to pay for it.  However, the answer(s)are posted as
comments, therefore I can't go to "Answers" to rate it and approve
payment.  I have tried every way in the world to point this out to
Yahoo but I can't seem to get anyone to read my question TO THEM. 
They respond to everything I did not ask and nothing to what I did
ask.  My apologies to all concerned.  I am 68 years old and if I don't
pay for this service, it will be the first time in my life I have
failed to pay for what I obviously owe.

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 11 Oct 2004 19:17 PDT

Hi instanswer,

The reason why you are having trouble paying, is because your question
hasn't been answered yet. If my (hummer) suggestions solved your
problem, please let me know and I will post my answer (payment will be
automatically transacted from your account). However, if one of the
commenters solved your problem, there will be no way to pay as none of
the comments were posted by a Google Researcher - it's ok, that's just
the way it works.

Please let us know what solved your defrag problem and we'll take it from there.

Regards,
hummer

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Clarification of Question by instanswer-ga on 12 Oct 2004 04:44 PDT

The first answer I received that allowed me to defrag was from
rossgmann-ga.  Thanks to all.

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 12 Oct 2004 05:00 PDT

Hi instanswer. Ok, you're all set - you received a freebie from GA
because rossgmann-ga is not a researcher and has no way of being paid
(he knew that when he posted his comment). Since your question has
been answered, you have the option to expire (close) it if you would
like to.

I'm glad to hear everything worked out ok for you.
Sincerely,
hummer

Check the disk for errors.

try running the defrag in safe mode

Check to see if your Screensaver is enabled, if so disable this before
running your defrag.

I too have had this problem, and I found that running scandisk
(Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>ScanDisk) sorted it out.

I also have trouble defraging my Windows 98SE and as suggested by bonusonus-ga 
I always defrag in the "Safe Mode".
Hold your "Control Button" down when you turn your computer on the
select safe mode when it come up and then defrag as normal.

Regards

Ross

instanswer-

I have had the same problem with my old Windows 98 machine, and I did
the following:

follow this link

http://www.canadiancontent.net/tech/downloads/Harddrive+Tools/

and download the 1st program listed.  This should defrag your harddrive.

-computerGEEK

something is interrupting the defragger.  in addition to disabling
your screen saver, and disabling any scheduled tasks....


1. hold down the keys on your keyboard marked CTL, ALT and DEL to
bring up a window.

2. click the "task manager" button on the new window to display a list
of tasks your computer is working on (everything in the list is a
"task").

!!!repeat the following step for each task in the list EXCEPT for
"EXPLORER" and "SYSTRAY"!!!

3. click on a task in the list, then click the "end task" button. this
will either remove the task from the list or pop up a window with a
warning and another "end task" button. if you get a warning, click the
"end task" button on the warning. Repeat step 3 for each task in the
list until the list only contains "EXPLORER" and "SYSTRAY"

close the task list window and then run defrag. there should be no
chance of any interruptions now!


nb. if nothing happens in step 3 when you click on "end task", just
move on to the next item in the list and go back to the other item
later.

Sorry to everone out there about stepping on your toes and not letting
at least one of you get paid. However I still like trying to help.
If anyone has any suggestions on how I can comment on questions & one
of you can still get paid I would appreciate it.

Kind regards

Ross (Australia)

For hummer-ga.  Let me pay you.  I will feel better about using the
service again.  Fix it so that I can.  Thanks, instcollector.

Dear Ross,

No harm has been done, please don't worry about it. One of the nice
things about GA is the ability for everyone, not just researchers, to
try and help, so please don't stop doing that. If a question is "open"
(not locked), you are free to post as many comments as you like.
That's the way it is and that's the way it should be.

Thanks for all of your help,
hummer

>>>>>>

Dear instanswer,

Everything is fine, really. At any rate, it is impossible for me to
post an answer to this question in order to receive payment, because
it expired yesterday. Please feel free to use GA again - you have done
everything perfectly and above-board and you don't owe any money.  We
appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness and we're glad to hear
that your problem has been solved.

Sincerely,
hummer