Disk Defragmenter Doesn't Complete Defragmentation with Windows XP Service Pack 3 installed
I'm trying to get Disk Defragmenter in Windows XP to defragment my computer. However, Disk Defragmenter can't finish defragmenting anymore. I have Service Pack 3 installed. Disk Defragmenter worked just fine until Windows Update installed Service Pack 3 onto my computer. How can I get Disk Defragmenter to finish defragmenting my computer?3 people got this answerI do too
March 10th, 2010 6:45am

I'm having the same problem with my Windows Defragmentor since XP Service Pack Three. The remaining fragmentation is small after each session and file compaction remains incomplete. My 250GB Maxtor hard drive is over five years old and it still passes the CHDSK and other system hard drive tests with flying colors. Why does it stop short of completing both processes with SP3?Spacejunkie1
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March 11th, 2010 7:00am

It looks like I'm not the only one having the same problem. I wonder if this whole incomplete file compaction in disk defragmenter problem is the result of some bug in SP3. Is anyone noticing this issue, too? Is it possible to answer why?
March 12th, 2010 8:40am

Hello to both,Sorry, but I do not know why defrag will not complete.Try running it in Safe Mode.If that does not help try this very good free defrag program.
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March 12th, 2010 6:06pm

Safe Mode does not help. Service Pack 3 seems to have a bug that is causing Disk Defragmenter to be unable to finish compacting when it is defragmenting. My computer is running just fine. It is only six years old, and chdsk, along with other tests, are telling me that I too have a system that is still in good, clean condition. I could try another defragmenting program, but I still believe that it is best to use a program of this type that is created by Microsoft rather than someone else.
March 13th, 2010 7:41am

That other Disk Defragmenting software works. Even Windows Disk Defragmenter shows that the disk is defragmented. The only thing that the other Disk Defragmenter doesn't do is compact the files once they are defragmented. That last step is key to freeing up disk space even more.
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March 13th, 2010 8:40am

hello did you correctly install sp3 from the symptom you describe it sounds like a bad install take a look at this url http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717 Please click the Check Mark As Answered Check Mark On This Page If this post helps to resolve your issue, as it helps others who need quick access to Answers THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK
March 14th, 2010 6:56pm

Hello;Defragging and compression problems still exist even when in safe mode. Everything in service pack 3 was successfully installed without an issue or a problem. I believe that this may be an issue related to the age of the hard drive itself. My 250GB Maxtor hard drive has been running since early 2005 (almost 5 years) with one operating system reinstall. The Windows XP Defrag software cannot defrag and compress beyond a certain point because it senses that there is no place to move the files or the files themselves cannot be moved due to system restrictions. It may be because the hard drive wasn't cleaned of all data before the OS was reinstalled and that there are still remnants of uninstalled programs that the system cannot overwrite. CHKDSK may not see these minor imperfections caused by extensive use. I will try using a relatively new external hard drive to test this theory out and see if the defragmenter does what it is supposed to do. The issue with my system is that remaining fragmentation is minimal and file compression is lacking if you can trust what you are seeing on the Windows XP "before and after" graphics display. The newer versions of defraggers do not contain a graphic representation of files so there is nothing to view that may be misleading. Windows XP defrag graphics shows it this way; Free space (WHITE) fragmented files (RED), movable files (BLUE) and Unmovable files (GREEN). The whole idea of defragging is to improve system performance by increasing the systems speed at finding a file on the hard drive. The whole idea of compression is to maximize available hard drive space.The next generation of Defragmentation software should give a report on "file compression" and "%unusable space" to give the user an indication of when it is a good time to back up their data and buy a new hard drive. Spacejunkie1
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March 16th, 2010 12:27pm

I experimented with a fairly new Windows XP hard drive that I salvaged from a computer that I sold. This hard drive is left over from a failed dual-boot configuration where the Vista had crashed. It is about a year or so old and it seems to be in good working order and it checks out as far as being free of viruses or spyware.I used a docking station to install it through USB port. I ran the Windows XP defragmenter and obtained similar results for file compaction and miniscule fragmentation for the final result. So, age may or may not be a factor. It could be that normal system changes from the updates have changed the way some files are moved or organized on the system. The XP defragmenter has never been updated as far as I know and it probably is not compatible with these changes. Although it doesn't finish, what remains shouldn't be something to be concerned about unless there are gross amounts of defragmentation and gross lack of file compaction. Windows XP is on the verge of being unsupported, so, utility updates probably will not made available anytime soon.Spacejunkie1
March 17th, 2010 3:57am

To spacejunkie1: You have a good point. I guess I won't care about Windows Disk Defragmenter. It does seem to do its job well enough that my hard drive can run quickly still. To coork: There isn't a problem with the installation of SP3. It is installed correctly. I put it back on, and found this to be true. Spacejunkie1 could be right about Disk Defragmenter not being totally compatible with SP3. But at least it can still defragment the majority of the hard drive. To everyone: The defragmenting program that cybertek suggested works really well. I will call that an answer to my question also.
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April 11th, 2010 7:07am

Thank you RootBeer555000 Could you mark this "As Answer" please? .
April 11th, 2010 12:13pm

I was having the same problem......Windows not able to defrag some files. I downloaded the program suggested by cybertek, ran the defrag, and now Windows reports it completed as well!THANKS RootBeer555000!!!
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August 12th, 2010 7:56pm

Friends,I'm facing same problem with my brand new 1TB HDD(1 month old). Only the C drive is successfully defragmented in SP3. For other drives the report says that they cannot be defragmented though the progress shows that they are completely defragmented. I think the problem might be with the contents of those drives. Sigh, still cannot figure out- suddenly what could be wrong with them!!!
December 23rd, 2010 4:16am

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