Defrag (where did all that red come from)

[JetaJam]

Hello, I have always been one to defrag on a regular basis, but lately I have this big block of red (fragmented files) in there. I have deleted all old and outdated files and programs, but the block of fragmented files will not go away. I know that a high amount of fragmented files will slow down the system, so I try to keep it as clean as possible. Is there any way that I can find out what that block of red is, and then take the correct measure to get rid of it?
Thank you.

[mjkovis]

Do you by any chance have a spyware and/or adware cleaner? Have you also tried checking for virus'?

AK

[TwoRails]

You can also delete the Prefetch folder contents and temporarily turn off your swap file. Then defrag. You may also try defragging in Safe Mode.

[JetaJam]

Hey Klutch, yea I have a few adware progs running, (ad-aware, spy-bot, and MS antispyware) I run those on a regular basis. I also have AVG which runs daily. Two-Rails, where do I find the prefetch files?

[mjkovis]

Do you make sure to update your Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot on a regular basis as well?

AK

[jamesrpm]

Windows XP >start>run >type in prefetch>ok>then delete all the files in it . Windows will create a new one when it restarts next.

[JetaJam]

Everything is always up to date. This might be a little off-topic, but has any one tried the Microsoft antispyware program, and if so, how do you like it?

[JetaJam]

Thanks jamesrpm, also what exactly is prefetch and what does it do?

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by JetaJam what exactly is prefetch and what does it do?

Taken From M$ Website:

"Windows XP monitors the files that are used when the computer starts and when you start applications. By monitoring these files, Windows XP can prefetch them. Prefetching data is the process whereby data that is expected to be requested is read ahead into the cache. Prefetching boot files and applications decreases the time needed to start Windows XP and start applications."

"This information is logged and stored on your hard drive taking up space and requiring a process to be kept running monitoring which applications are being run. This has a performance impact on your PC. Disabling the Prefetch function or at least only enabling it for the Boot Files will allow you to free up some system resources and preserve some disk space."


Hope that helps...

AK

[JetaJam]

That explained it perfectly, thank you. I remember doing some dvd work one time and creating a folder to put all the files I was working with in. When I was finished working with the files I would just delete the contents of the folder. One time I did not empty the recycle bin, and got the same thing (large block of red fragmented files). After emptying the recycle bin it went away. This time I can't find anything, the folder and recycle bin are empty. Does what I'm saying make any sense?

[JetaJam]

Just a quick follow up. I came across a folder with lots of video files in it, deleted the contents and no more red. I guess I should pay better attention to where I place my video files. Thanks again................

[fredwest]

Hi Jetajam,
DVD .vob files typically are huge. They are contiguous files in their own right but Windows, even Diskeeper, sees them as being fragmented. I have the same issue myself when I defraging so I tell Diskeeper to ignore the .vob extension when defragging and it works great. They will always be red but I know what they are so that's good.

[JetaJam]

Hi Fred, Thanks for the info. I guess as long as I know what the files are (even though they are depicted in red) it's no bing deal. Cheers.................

[TwoRails]

Interesting. I have VOBs on my box, but XP defrags them if needed. It might take forever, but it gets done....