Computer Hope

Software => Computer software => Topic started by: bksras on November 23, 2007, 10:38:14 PM

Title: disk defrag - running program & clarification
Post by: bksras on November 23, 2007, 10:38:14 PM

I am using Win XP - is it possible to start the disk defrag program before the windows menu screen loads?  or to even have dos/command promt to start before windows?  (My "really old computer" using win 3.1...lol...allowed me to run dos without running windows first, however I can't seem to do this with win xp!!)
Someone once showed me how to start the disk defrag prog. before windows starts on a pentium II comp running win 95 (i believe with an "F" key function??), however that was several years ago, and I no longer remember how to do this.  Reason for this is I was told running disk defrag in Windows, even though you have closed all programs, doesn't work - you have to run the program outside of windows in order for it to work - is this true or not?  Would anyone be able to shed some light on anything mentioned?  Thanks!!

Title: Re: disk defrag - running program & clarification
Post by: quaxo on November 24, 2007, 05:42:31 AM

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283080/EN-US/ (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283080/EN-US/)

This page explains how to use the command line Defrag.exe

Whether it will work at the command prompt or not, I'm not sure.

Title: Re: disk defrag - running program & clarification
Post by: Broni on November 24, 2007, 10:40:14 AM

Welcome aboard  ;D

There is no real DOS in Windows XP, so your best bet is...
Try Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
When your computer starts, keep tapping F8 key.

Any particular reason, you want to do this?