A A Gruntpuddock

Windows defrag just seems to defragment all the files but without moving them.

I have a disk program (PerfectDisk) which has an option to move all the files to the start of the partition.

When you run it in Drive C it reports that it cannot move system files because they are in use. However, it then asks if you want to schedule a defrag on that disk next time it boots. Works fine and I am sure there are other defrag programs that have that option.

Loose rivets

But that seems to imply that the paging files or what have you, are moved to the busy area. Is that desirable?


I guess what we all need is a program that lets us put things just where we want to...de-fragging and pushing stuff out of the way as it goes.

I wasn't very happy with the way the install went. It said something about saving a file 'Windows.old" That seemed sensible, but when I came to remove it, it took ages, and I had a picture in me noggin' of a disc that needed de-fragging before it was an hour old.

A A Gruntpuddock

If you set up a defrag on boot then Windows is not running so there is no paging file.page

If you allow Windows to manage paged memory then I don't think there is a fixed file anyway so it should not impede the moving of a partition boundary.

You can always set up a fixed size once you have sorted it all out or, better still, put the paging file on a separate disk.

Loose rivets

Thanks for the info.

I'm getting the gist about the defrag allowing me to effect the maneuver.






Not 'arf, but I was never asked if I wanted to format...and believe me, I was watching for that like a hawk.

SoCal implies that the question re format comes first.

That has to be the answer, cos the only thing I can think is that I accepted the saving of Windows.old, which then precluded a format. (the OS wouldn't have been wise enough to think to use other logical drives.)

Shame that...I would do the whole thing again if it wasn't for pushing me luck with MS.

I'll think about reinstalling, while I try to fix the sound issue. I'll start a separate thread on that so this stays on one track.

Loose rivets

Moved virtual memory to D drive. Rebooted. No change.

There is a sizable file called hiberfil.sys hidden in C drive. I wondered if it was hibernate data and if it would be at the annoying end of the disc. Can't budge it of course.

Can one turn hibernate off in W7? Looked via Search, can do lots of things, but not that...no help at all.

De-fragged drive. Made quite a difference - especially when assessing the need to...de-frag

A A Gruntpuddock

I don't think that the standard Windows defrag would be much use since it merely re-connects the file elements but leaves the files in much the same place.

PerfectDisk (and similar programs) can also remove the spaces between files to compact the directory and that is when the files stuck up near the partition get moved down out of the way.

Lying awake in the early hours (as usual) it occcurred to me that every partition program I used had the option of creating an emergency boot disk so you could carry out repairs when it all went tits up. This put a copy of the program on a bootable cd.

Perhaps you could create such a disk which would, of course, be running before Windows woke up so could work its magic without any interference?

Loose rivets

Ah, Boot disk, that's what I was after the other day.

I'd like to crack this problem, but mustn't let it consume too many hours. Cutting into Jet Blast...and that's supposed to be therapeutic.


I rather miss Peter Norton's little blocks moving about. Used to be pleasantly Mesmerized by that screen for hours.