HELP - win98 can't run scandisk/defrag

[alana]

I am unable to run scandisk because there is not enough memory available. my hard drive has only 6 gigs and its 99% full. can someone tell me how to boot the computer so that no programs are running in the background, that would free up some memory. I have tried to run scandisk from my startup disk but it froze up at the File Allocation Table. I dont know if somethings wrong with my file system. I remember seeing something about "file chain" any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[PanzerIV]

Alana, first welcome to the forums. As for your problem try doing it in Safe Mode. If you don't know how to get into safe mode you will press the F8 key for a menu after your POST (where the computer beeps after showing your memory, drives, etc). Choose the option that says Safe Mode.

This mode is for troubleshooting and loads with only the necessary drivers to get Windows running. See how it goes.

 

[forager]

Try searching for all temp directories & empty them, and uninstall all unuse applications. As a last result you can try resetting your paging file size and use double space.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: forager
Try searching for all temp directories & empty them, and uninstall all unuse applications. As a last result you can try resetting your paging file size and use double space.

This is true. Seeing as how low on space you are I should have suggested this as well. My method may provide a temporary solution but you are in desperate need of space. I assume you're on a tight budget since 30-40GB drives can now be had for under $60.

 

[alana]

i tried safe mode and cleaned all my temp directories and im still getting the same error message when i try scandisk. Not enough memory. I would like to try resetting my paging file size and use double space. Could i possibly get a walk through? Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[PanzerIV]

Alana, here's a summary of what you can do. I don't take the credit for this summarization since I found it looking for possible solutions to your problem earlier.

"in safe mode delete
1) c:\file####.chk
2) *.tmp in c:\temp & c:\windows\temp
3) Cntl panel - internet options (or rtclk desktop Blue E & click prop's) (or in IE click Tools - internet options): click delete cookies, delete files, & clear history.
4) Open Windows Explorer - expand in left pane to c:\windows\temporary internet files, hit shift + * on numkeypad to expand all of its subdirs - if there are any files still in there or any of its subdir's - delete them.
5) defrag d:, chg location of swap file - cntl panl, system, perf, virt mem, select "let me specify" & chg "hard disk" to d:, leave min & max the way they are, & reboot pc."

Hope this helps!

EDIT: Ugh, just noticed #5 which mentions a D drive was for someone with another drive and won't pertain to you. However, the steps to change your virtual memory are the same for you only you won't be putting your swap drive on a "D" drive since you don't have one.

 

[forager]

If I remember correctly, you will need at least 3% of your hdd with free space for defrag to work. I can't remember how much space you will need but double space will need some for catching during the compression.

I'm currently on a Linux box & can't remeber where double space located, but I think it is in accessories > system tools. If you can't locate it in there, then you need to install dbl space in add/remove programs > windows componets.

And, I think paging file size setting is under memories or preformance....sorry, I can't recall where it is locating at the moment.

The best thing that you can do is uninstall some of the ususe programs, and then do a defrag & dbl-space compression to make space, then reinstall the programs that you uninstall as needed.

The general recomendation is to keep your hdd below 75~80% full at all time.

 

[redmist01]

Try to run scandisk from your windows 98 boot disk.

 

[mechBgon]

There's no way your Win98 installation alone is consuming 6GB of hard drive. You have something you can uninstall or delete, whether it's a program or large media files (or lots of small media files). Delete or uninstall whatever it is.

Bigger picture: there's not much point in a Defrag on a HDD that's perpetually teetering on the brink of disaster and undoubtedly has a massively-fragmented master boot record by now. Get a new hard drive and install Windows on it.

 

[randypj]

alana,

I imagine most people lean toward getting a bigger hard drive, as some have indicated. I don't know what pc you are using this on but, as far as going to a larger hard drive:

1. You DO NOT have to clean install and lose all your settings, programs, etc. when you go to a new hard drive. I believe every hard drive manufacturer has an utility which will clone your old hard drive to your new hard drive. HOWEVER, even the cloning process may very well require more free space than you currently have.

2. If your concern is that you have an older computer that will not be able to utilize the larger hard drive, that can be overcome by using a PCI controller card, which is what I run all my hard drives off of anyway. These cards are inexpensive nowadays, and sometimes are included in the retail boxed hard drives for free. My 160GB Western Digital included a free PCI controller card.
--Randy

 

[redmist01]

If you are going to get a bigger drive and you went to keep the image you have ..Just use norton ghost.I have found this to be the easiest way.