Is there any reason why I should not disconnect from the internet when
running scan disc and defrag? Because I disable my firewall and virus
detection when running these operations, to enable them to run
smoothly, I assume my computer is vulnerable during the rather
extensive period that scandisc and defrag are underway. If that is
true, then it might be best to simply disconnect from the internet and
eliminate this vulnerability. Your advice please...

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Clarification of Question by monreale-ga on 27 Sep 2002 09:10 PDT

Note that I have a cable modem connection.

Hi there,

Scandisk and the defrag utilities have no reason to be connecting to
the internet; therefore there should be no need to have your cable
modem connected.  Rather than just unplug the network cable, it would
be better to temporarily disable your network connection through the
Control Panels (depending on what version of Windows you are using). 
As I'm sure you are aware, you should quit other program while running
scandisk because it cannot cope with changing disk contents, so any
program which could be writing to the disk should be halted.

If you need more specific information, please request a clarification
and provide what version of Windows you are using, along with any
other programs running at the same time as your defrag / scandisk.

Hope this helps,
Haversian

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Request for Answer Clarification by monreale-ga on 05 Oct 2002 21:03 PDT

1. I use Windows 98. How do I "temporarily disable (my) network
connection through the Control Panel..."?

2. Will my screensaver interfere with scandisk or defrag?

Thanks.

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Clarification of Answer by haversian-ga on 05 Oct 2002 22:08 PDT

1)  It has been some time since I have used Windows 98 but as I recall
there is a network control panel, as opposed to a folder under
Settings (in the start menu) as in later Windows versions.  Under that
control panel, you should be able to disable the network in any of a
number of ways.  You may have a 'disable' button / checkbox, or you
may be able to unselect your network card, delete the entire
connection (be sure you know how to configure a new connection, should
you elect this route), or other.  You might also try directly
disabling your network card in the hardware manager, found in the
System control panel.

2)  While a sure Yes or No answer would depend on your specific screen
saver, the general answer is "almost certainly".  You can temporarily
disable your screensaver by selecting (None) in the Screen Saver tab
of the Display Properties box, reachable by selecting 'properties' in
the menu which appears in response to right-clicking on the desktop. 
You could also set the wait time to a few hours, so it would kick in
after your scandisk routine completed.

I hope this answers your questions.  If not, ask for another
clarification, and I will hunt up a win98 disc rather than rely on my
memory.

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Request for Answer Clarification by monreale-ga on 07 Oct 2002 00:12 PDT

I'm able to follow your instructions on disabling my screensaver with
no problems. However - undoubtedly because I'm a computer neophyte -
I'm unable to follow your instructions on disabling my Win '98 network
connection. Would you kindly get a Win'98 disc so you can give me the
precise routine. Thank You.

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Clarification of Answer by haversian-ga on 11 Oct 2002 10:35 PDT

Google tells me you're wondering what's up.

Sorry about the delay.  I haven't forgotten about this question, I'm
just having more difficulty than expected finding a copy of win98 -
it's been ages since I used that shell.  At the latest, I can get a
copy on Tuesday but I'm hoping to find one here before then.  In any
event, I'll have VMware fired up and some hard details for you on or
before Wednesday the 16th.

Have you tried disabling your network card?  In the System Control
Panel, there should be a tab for hardware; click on device manager;
expand the 'network adapters' entry; double-click your NIC; click /
select disable.

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Clarification of Answer by haversian-ga on 16 Oct 2002 09:45 PDT

Sorry about the delay monreale-ga,

The easiest way to disable your net connection seems to be to disable
the network card temporarily.  Go to the Device Manager (it's in the
System Control Panel) and find your network card.  There should be a
green icon labeled Network adapters with a plus next to it to expand
the listing.  Your network card should show up under there - mine's
called Intel 21140 Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter #2 but yours will
probably be different.  Once you have it, double click or right-click
and choose properties.  There's a Device usage box - select do not use
(disable) and hit OK.  When you're done, go back and choose enable
(you don't need to close the device manager while defragging.

-Haversian

The answer was, ultimately, complete and helpful and would have been
rated 5 stars had it not been delayed in coming.

Computers with permanent or broadband connection is always at risk
when connected to the internet.
If you dont have any virus on your computer before running the
programs you want, it should be safe to close the AV(anti virus
program).
Most firewalls have the option to block all traffic, normal and allow
all, so the best would be, Block all traffic...
The firewall should'nt get in conflict with scandisc or defrag, and
uses, depending on firewall, not so much Cpu power when running.

Sorry for the spelling

Best Regards

Christer / SWEDEN

Aside from security reasons, if you're simply using the built-in
Windows ScanDisk and Defrag tools, you may experience difficulty
because internet programs sometimes use your hard disk as a cache.

This disk activity makes it difficult for ScanDisk and Defrag to run
(they will keep on restarting themselves when they detect disk
activity). It's like trying to run Scandisk while your screensaver is
on. Everytime the screensaver activates, Scandisk starts again -- this
way, your scandisk may never be completed(!).

HTH.