Computer freezes during defrag

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GFBeach

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Jun 16, 2003
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Ever since about two weeks ago my computer has consistently frozen up whenever I try defragging the main hard drive. I've tried using both Norton Speed Disk (whatever version came bundled with Systemworks 2003) and the default Windows defrag program. I've also run Disk Doctor, which has corrected one or two minor errors but doesn't fix the freeze-ups during defragging. I've been using this computer (my first home-build) for about three months and only recently has this problem started coming up.

I've done some reading up on Symantec's website, and it's possible that a background task might be causing a conflict, though I don't recall adding any new background tasks within the past two weeks, nor does anything seem unfamiliar in the Windows Task Manager -> Processes tab. Tonight I will try defragging the computer after booting it in Safe Mode.

Has anyone who has run into this kind of problem before offer any advice?

Here are my basic system stats as they might be relevant:
Athlon 64 3000+
1024mb PC3200
6600GT (71.84 drivers)
Western Digital 200gb 7200rpm SATA
WinXP Home w/SP2
 
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GFBeach

Member
Jun 16, 2003
37
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The CPU load is idle and there are 44 processes running. There are numerous svchost processes and then about six or eight others are for things related to Norton Systemworks. I looked up each process and there's nothing I don't recognize.
 
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GFBeach

Member
Jun 16, 2003
37
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So I tried loading my computer in Safe Mode and having it defrag overnight. Speed Disk gave me errors and wouldn't load up, and Windows defragger loaded but froze up the same as always.

Other than this glitch-up with defragging the hard drive, this computer is otherwise pretty stable. I would think that if it was a fouled up hard drive, I'd be getting a lot more instability issues. I could be wrong though.
 
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GFBeach

Member
Jun 16, 2003
37
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Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
#1 cause of misbehaved background apps is spyware. Please refer to my detailed spyware removal instructions here: http://theflyingpenguin.com/spyware-removal.shtml

Hope this helps...
Click to expand...


Wouldn't all spyware apps be disabled when Windows is loaded in Safe Mode? Besides, I already checked the running processes and it's all stuff I recognize and deliberately set to run in the background.

Very useful guide, though. I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever run into major spyware problems.
 
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FlyingPenguin

Golden Member
Nov 1, 2000
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Wouldn't all spyware apps be disabled when Windows is loaded in Safe Mode?
Click to expand...

No. Many spyware apps run as a service in safe mode, although most of the simpler ones won't load in safe mode. Also most of the nastier stuff hides it's process. Just because all your processes look okay does NOT mean spyware is not running.

At the very least run Microsoft Anti-Spyware and Trojan Hunter in Safe Mode to be sure. I would also recommend a full virus scan in safe mode.

Go through all your startups carefully. Some legit background apps can interfere with a defrag. Any app in your startups you have doubts about, do a google search on the file name to find out what it is.

Hope this helps...
 
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GFBeach

Member
Jun 16, 2003
37
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The problem seems to have fixed itself. I thought I had turned off the scheduling for Speed Disk to automatically defrag at a certain time of the week, but apparently scheduling got turned back on and it's been defragging for the past two weeks with no problem. Wierd.

Anyway, thanks for those of you who offered advice on this problem. Should it come up again, I'll keep your suggestions in mind.
 
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