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Why Is My Computer Suddenly Not Defragging?


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#1
jek1862

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I've had a lot of computer problems over the years, but this one is just plain weird, to me.
Up until yesterday, I NEVER had any problem with defragging my disk. Then I do my defragging yesterday and it simply will not defrag, not a single file! I thought it may be a problem with the defrag utility I use, Defraggler, so I downloaded two others to check it out. I DL Auslogics defrag, and the O&O defragger. Same thing, will not defrag.
One thing I did notice on the report afterward. It says "List of LOCKED FILES". Maybe that's the reason. I don't know much about defragging, but maybe because these files are 'locked', the utility cannot defrag them. The question in my mind is HOW did these files come to be locked. I certainly haven't done anything different lately to make them so. And if this is the problem, how do I go about UNLOCKING these files? I do use a System Restore(I don't like System Restore) utility called Rollback RX, which locks the snapshots it takes of my disk, and I made sure the disk was unlocked before I did the defrag.
So I decided to print here the report generated by O&O for your review. Maybe you can see what the problem may be and how to cure it. Thanks very much. Here is the report(notice it says the defrag files and degree of fragmentation are the SAME, before and after the defrag attempt):

Report for volume ©
Action carried out: SPACE
Status: Successful
Start: 4/23/2010 7:06:17 PM
Finish: 4/23/2010 7:10:45 PM
Time taken (hh:mm:ss): 00:04:28
Volume data
Serial number: F058-8487
Device name: \Device\HarddiskVolume1
File system: NTFS
Total space: 106.08 GB (113,911,869,440 bytes)
Free space: 83.33 GB (89,482,248,192 bytes)
Total clusters: 27,810,515
Free clusters: 21,846,252
Sectors / cluster: 8
Bytes / sector: 512
MFT length: 109969408 bytes
MFT mirror start: 13,905,257
Start of MFT reserved area: 17,067,264
End of MFT reserved area: 17,118,496
Volume statistics
Total no. of files: 75,709
Total no. of directories: 17,079
Analyzed files: 92,788
Moved files: 0
Fragmented files before: 1,019
after: 1,019
Degree of fragmentation: before: 5.407
after: 5.407
List of fragmented files
Fragments No. of clusters File name
4 26,848 C:\$MFT
List of locked files
Fragments No. of clusters File name
1,149 1,156 C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\c91af43e301542f65a88d59517636d32\
541 8,601 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\Safari\SafeBrowsing.db
274 4,402 C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\INFECTED\4f084388.qua
238 12,950 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(18).bin
210 13,668 C:\Program Files\Shield\ShdDsk.sdi
184 1,392 C:\$Secure:$SDS:$DATA
173 4,402 C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\INFECTED\579f6c28.qua
153 447 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_000051
135 6,677 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(6).bin
133 2,069 C:\Users\John\Documents\Freecorder 4\the way we were (lala-good SS).mp3
129 554 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_00005d
128 26,390 C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\avguard.tmp
110 13,668 C:\Program Files\Shield\shdinit.sdi
100 5,237 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(5).bin
89 2,420 C:\Users\John\Documents\Freecorder 4\Jackie Blue-jango.mp3
79 3,266 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Temp\O&O Defrag Professional\O&O Defrag Professional Edition.msi
69 9,264 C:\$Extend\$UsnJrnl:$J:$DATA
60 2,591 C:\Users\John\Downloads\nexusradio.exe
60 2,169 C:\Users\John\Documents\Freecorder 4\Hot Stuff(play audio video.com.mp3
54 216 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
54 2,205 C:\Users\John\Documents\Downloads\lrecordeva(195-1)_setup.exe
52 5,083 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(3).bin
46 686 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\Safari\Cache.db
45 1,778 C:\Users\John\Documents\Downloads\aimp_2.61.560.zip
44 1,696 C:\Users\John\Downloads\EasyMP3DownloaderSetup.exe
44 203 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Recovery\High\Last Active\{73325B1D-4EE3-11DF-B8D3-00142A16DB12}.dat
42 1,807 C:\Users\John\Documents\Downloads\winamp5572_lite_all.exe
39 1,461 C:\Users\John\Downloads\Manic Monday.mp3
36 908 C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\CoreAudioToolbox.dll
35 4,167 C:\ProgramData\Apple Computer\Installer Cache\Safari 5.31.22.7\Safari.msi
33 3,422 C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\icudt40.dll
32 180 C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Safari\PubSub\Database\Database.sqlite3
32 537 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_00002e
32 100 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_000075
30 3,460 C:\ProgramData\Apple\Installer Cache\AppleApplicationSupport 1.2.0\AppleApplicationSupport.msi
30 379 C:\Windows\Installer\3f718c.msi
29 29 C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\c91af43e301542f65a88d59517636d32\x86_prnhp001.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.18000_none_d2d06b9620b04c9a\I386\
28 1,513 C:\Windows\Installer\2f06402.msi
28 622 C:\Users\John\Downloads\Donna Fargo - The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA.mp3
27 1,382 C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\WebKit.dll
26 956 C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\CoreGraphics.dll
26 895 C:\Users\John\Downloads\cindy louper - cyndi lauper - girls just wanna have fun(1).mp3
26 26 C:\Windows\inf\setupapi.app.log
26 793 C:\Users\John\Documents\Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder\Record_4212010\95058 PM\Tusk.mp3
25 2,405 C:\Users\John\Downloads\Opera_1051_en_Setup.exe
24 822 C:\Users\John\Documents\Downloads\s2beta_103_install.exe
23 866 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(4).bin
23 26 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_0000a1
23 132 C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log
22 1,458 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(8).bin
22 25 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_0000a2
21 21 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Y97UIUK3\
21 212 C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\PrivacIE\index.dat
20 1,304 C:\Users\John\Downloads\Janet Jackson - Come Back To Me.mp3
19 22 C:\Windows\winsxs\Temp\PendingRenames\
19 1,286 C:\Program Files\Opera\opera.dll
19 618 C:\Windows\System32\oodtray.exe
19 100 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_000073
18 599 C:\Windows\Installer\3f7195.msi
18 1,669 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player\CurrentDatabase_360.wmdb
18 2,797 C:\Windows\winsxs\Manifests\
18 18 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\OHQJKX6N\
17 1,377 C:\Windows\winsxs\
17 447 C:\Users\John\Documents\Downloads\defragsetup.exe
17 74 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Thumbnails
17 543 C:\Windows\Installer\3f7187.msi
17 705 C:\Users\John\Downloads\StationRipperInst.exe
17 58 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_000050
17 18 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\old_Cache_000\
16 1,259 C:\Program Files\Safari\Safari.dll
16 260 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_0000c2
15 200 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Do i need to install service pack 2 for Vista ulimate_ - Yahoo! Answers(2).bin
15 471 C:\Users\John\Downloads\FLVPlayer.exe
15 76 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\History Index 2010-04
14 321 C:\Users\John\Documents\Downloads\unconfirmed 93643.download
14 554 C:\Users\John\Documents\Downloads\disk-defrag-setup.exe
14 1,426 C:\Program Files\Safari\SafariTheme.resources\ArtFile.bin
13 1,055 C:\Users\John\Downloads\Scott McKenzie - If You're Going To San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair).mp3
13 1,208 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(15).bin
12 15 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_0000a5
12 180 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Temp\irsetup.exe
12 260 C:\Windows\Installer\{53480330-E1D1-41CA-B8F8-7F78644F7F50}\_2F7B8B49_4A02_49EF_9E9B_16E6D721008B
12 806 C:\Users\John\Downloads\plugins\plugin_zhttp.dll
12 613 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(14).bin
12 12 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\MIS2C4EF\
12 140 C:\Users\John\Downloads\id3lib.dll
12 1,609 C:\Users\John\Desktop\DJ_Music_Mixer_Portable[1]\Thinstall\DJ Music Mixer\Damaged.4-16-7da b.33
12 12 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\
12 1,172 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(12).bin
11 618 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\Sign In(7).bin
11 14 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_0000a0
11 11 C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\Real\rhapsody\startuplog.txt
11 493 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\FLVService\19F941D2.bin
11 139 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_000070
11 387 C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\Foundation.dll
11 684 C:\Users\John\Downloads\Spice Girls - Wannabe.mp3
11 45 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_0000b9
11 100 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_00007a
10 100 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache\f_000074
10 10 C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\4.1.249.1059\Resources\Inspector\Images\
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#2
phillipcorcoran

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When Windows is actually running you will always have a long list of system files which are being used. These are otherwise referred to as 'locked files' and applies to all computers. Defraggers cannot access locked files, and that includes the system restore data which can grow to many hundreds of megabytes.

If the disk won't defragment there are usually two reasons for this:

1. The volume contains filing system errors - these are usually fixed by running the built-in "error checker". Right-click the drive icon and choose 'Properties'. Click the 'Tools' tab. Click "Check Now". Tick both boxes and click "Start" You will need to reboot if checking the C drive.

2. The hard disk may be failing - this is caused by wear and tear and cannot be corrected. Only option is a new disk. You can verify the health of the drive by booting the PC with a diagnostic CD that you can download free from the disk manufacturer's website.

Edited by phillipcorcoran, 24 April 2010 - 03:31 PM.

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#3
diabillic

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Pause your antivirus applications while running defrag.

Make sure UAC has proper rights.

Try running the defrag as an admin.

Clear out your cache using something like CCleaner.
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#4
diabillic

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EDIT: double post

Edited by diabillic, 24 April 2010 - 06:41 PM.

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#5
jek1862

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Thanks for your replies. I hear what you are saying. I will do the "error checker" and see if it helps anything. I hope my hard drive isn't 'going', but thanks for letting me know that could be a possibility. It just seems that ALL I am getting is LOCKED files when it 'analyzes' the disk before it defragments. I don't seem to be getting 'unlocked' files. Also, can you explain to me what you mean by 'make sure your UAC has PROPER RIGHTS'? What is the 'proper rights' it should be? Thanks.
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#6
jek1862

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I did a disk error check, and came up with something interesting, that might be a clue. It said "recovering orphan file" on several occasions. I've never seen that before on a chkdsk. Obviously, I would not have seen that if nothing was wrong.
The bottom line is I am just getting locked files to defragment, and nothing is defragmenting as a result!! Very frustrating. I used the Unlocker utility and have tediously gone through the list, and am about 3/4 the way through deleting these files. I am very careful as to what I delete. It says no locking handle found, so I am forced to delete. I am looking for an unlocker that unlocks locked files with an unlocker feature, not just delete, rename, and move. I might just delete a locked file my system needs. If you know of one, please let me know. Because if I can unlock all of these locked files, and there are HUNDREDS of them, causing about a 3% defragmentation presently on my disk, then it should be no problem to defrag them, as they will now be all unlocked. Thanks for all your help.
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#7
diabillic

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Make sure you are running chkdsk as an admin.

Most defrag utilities cannot defrag locked files at all. Try this: http://www.rarst.net...are/pagedefrag/
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#8
jek1862

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PROBLEM FINALLY SOLVED. About a week ago, I installed a system restore type utility called Rollback RX, which I assume a lot of you may be familiar with. Well, I just had an idea tonight to uninstall the thing, as my defragging problem started about the same time I installed this software. Right after I uninstalled it, I tried my usual defragging. Frankly, I was quite shocked to see I no longer had the problem I've been discussing with you all in this thread. Everything defragged, no problems now. The only thing I can think of is this. This Rollback RX takes 'system snapshots' daily of your system and then 'locks' these snapshots. This is what most likely was causing me to assume those undefraggable files were locked files, when in fact they were not. The software was making them 'locked'...and unable to be defragged. I believe my deduction is sound, as now I can defrag everything, and no locked files are appearing. I am just happy and relieved this problem is finally solved. Thanks for all of your help on this. I should've mentioned the Rollback RX, but I really didn't think it would cause something like this.
Now I have a new issue. I do not particularly like using System Restore, for various reasons. That is why I installed the Rollback RX. It does extra things that Vista's System Restore doesn't do, like you can boot from the startup, and it will take a COMPLETE, nothing left out, snapshot of your system in the event you need to restore after some big problem or something. But of course I can't use this Rollback RX anymore, due to the defragging problem it caused me. So what I am looking for now is a system restore equivalent to replace the Rollback RX with. Something that will 'restore' my system if I need it. There must be other software or utilities out there I can use, freeware preferred, and also that is superior to System Restore, if possible. Please recommend to me at least one or more utilities I could look into that would accomplish this purpose of fully backing up my system, in the event of an emergency, and any advice you may have for me. Thank you once again.
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#9
diabillic

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System restore is pretty good at what it does actually. If you really want a robust solution, try something like Acronis and just create system images. It will also allow to you only backup certain folders/files/registry items as well. I personally use it and would recommend it.
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