6ra3...
The following page on iOpus.com provides a step-by-step tutorial
on accessing and configuring the Windows XP Task Scheduler to run
a program such as Defrag:
http://www.iopus.com/guides/winscheduler.htm
An alternative to setting up any old program and changing the
parameters later, as suggested in the page above:
"If you do not find 'your' program in this list, simply select
any other program. You can always change the settings later
and, for example, point it to a batch file (*.bat) or Windows
Script (*.vbs)."
...is to click on the Browse button, as shown in the second
image, and find the program executable (.exe) file you want
to run.
Defrag, however, will be easy to find in the list. Also,
don't be surprised at the delay after you click on Next,
after clicking on Add Scheduled Task in Scheduled Tasks
in Control Panel. Windows is just looking for all possible
executable files for its scheduling options list, and it
takes awhile to compile.
If Defrag was a normal executable file, you could run
command line options to automatically run defrag on C:
or D: or both, e.g., but since Defrag in XP is an .msc
extension (microsoft service console), you can't add
command line options, so all the Task Scheduler will
do is open up the Defrag program. From there, you must
select the drive and click on a button to start the
process. This means you'll need to be around when Task
Scheduler runs the program. Or...
There's a way around this, though, which I use, myself.
There's a handy program called PTFB, or Push the Freakin'
Button, which will automatically push the Start button
on Defrag or any number of other useless nag buttons in
other programs, when the program window appears (you
should make sure that Defrag is last closed with the
drive you want defragmented, highlighted, when it is
closed):
http://www.tlhouse.co.uk/PTFBPro/
It used to be freeware, but, as is usual with the success
of a good program, they have changed this to a free trial
for 30 days, and $30 to buy, thereafter. I use it a great
deal, and can tell you it's worth the price. However...
All things considered, a cheaper option for the automatic
scheduling of a superior defragmentation program can be
downloaded from the company which authored the Windows
Defragmentation software - Executive Software. They make
a version of Windows Defragmenter which is far superior
to the standard version which comes with Windows, called
Diskeeper, which is available for purchase for only $20
(for personal use), and features a built-in scheduling
system which allows you to set up any number of parameters:
http://consumer.diskeeper.com/purchase/purchase.asp?RId=1
You can download a trial version for free and give it a try
before buying, and I honestly think this is your best bet,
given that it's less expensive than using PTFB with standard
Windows Defrag (although PTFB is handy with pushing buttons
on many, many other programs, as well).
Executive Software's homepage is here:
http://www.executive.com/coverpage.asp
As for using System idle to trigger the program, that's
just not an option in Windows. System idle triggers a
program called System Idle Process, which you can see at
the top of the list of the Processes tab in Windows Task
Manager (right-click on the Taskbar to open Task Manager).
A program can be coded to utilize this kind of trigger
(as is Google's own Desktop Search archiving software),
but it's not something you can set up using any built-in
Windows devices. It either comes coded into the program
or not.
I think I've covered all the bases here, but if there's
something you think I've omitted, please ask about it.
Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by way of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.
sublime1-ga
Additional information may be found from an exploration of
the links resulting from the Google searches outlined below.
Searches done, via Google:
"windows xp" "task scheduler"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22windows+xp%22+%22task+scheduler%22
"windows defragmenter" "command line"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22windows+defragmenter%22+%22command+line%22
PTFB
://www.google.com/search?q=PTFB
Diskeeper
://www.google.com/search?q=Diskeeper |
