Run Disk Defragmenter as a Scheduled Task on Win2K???

[Zuke]

Is there any way to run a defragmentation on your machine automatically using Windows 2000 Server??
I *need* to defrag my disk on my work machine but can't do it while at work as it locks up my machine.....so I want to run it overnight via the Task Scheduler but I can't get it sorted.

Any ideas anyone??

Cheers,
Zuke

[BlackDiamondJr]

Windows 2000 runs the lite version of Diskeeper and I'm not sure that it can be scheduled to be executed through Task Scheduler.
The regular version of Diskeeper does have that option built-in. It's called "Set it and Forget it".

[seracca]

Or .. even simpler yet, start the defrag utility just before you leave for the day, and let it do it's thing :)

[Neo]

Windows 2000 (same with XP) runs a lower version then Diskeeper lite...

[Zac]

Our PCs at work run 2000 and are set to defrag at 10pm they just schedule defragment.cmd to run not sure if this is standard with 2000 but it definitely works

[BlackDiamondJr]

Our PCs at work run 2000 and are set to defrag at 10pm they just schedule defragment.cmd to run not sure if this is standard with 2000 but it definitely works
Using which defragger?
Standard Windows defragger or a third party defragger?

[Zac]

The program is called defragment.cmd it is just the standard one that is included with Windows,

[QWERTY]

A .cmd file is a batch or script file (it functions the same a .bat files). Defragment.cmd is not a standard Windows file, somebody from your office IT department probable custom wrote it. Open this defragment.cmd file in notepad to see what it is really running.

[Zuke]

Thanks for all the info lads :)

Zachariah I'd be interested in the contents of that script file too if you're feelin generous ;) as far as I know you can't call the standard defragger from the commandline.......but I could be wrong.

I have started running the defragmentation when I head home now but it looks like I'm going to have to run it a dozen times or so to get the disk sorted. I haven't run it for months and round here your workstation gets pretty fecked pretty quick :(

Cheers,
Zuke

[Zac]

My mistake here is the batch file

@echo off

echo.>%WinDir%\defragment.log
Echo Defragment Start Time is . . .>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
time /t>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
echo.>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
2000defrag.exe>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
echo.>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
Echo Defragment Finish Time is . . .>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
time /t>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
exit

[QWERTY]

My mistake here is the batch file

@echo off

echo.>%WinDir%\defragment.log
Echo Defragment Start Time is . . .>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
time /t>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
echo.>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
2000defrag.exe>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
echo.>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
Echo Defragment Finish Time is . . .>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
time /t>>%WinDir%\defragment.log
exitAs suspected, they've installed a third-party defrag utility.

[Zuke]

I've downloaded Diskeeper now...it gives you a 30 day trial. I'll get the disk sorted in that time then go back to defragging manually using the built-in Windows version.....but maybe a bit more often this time. :rolleyes:

Thanks again for the info from all....much appreciated :t_up:
Zuke

[Desticado]

I usuall feel that 'defrag' is overused by a lot of people.

If you're running it more than 4 times a year you either A: are doing it too often or B:need a bigger disk drive.

Running Defrag helps to keep the disk tidy and working but running it too often puts additional wear and tear on the drive heads n motors (just listen to it whir away if your unsure). Bit of a catch 22.

[Roger The Shrubber]

I have to dissagree with the last post. If you do any sort of multimedia work on your computer, especially multitrack audio, defragging it is a must. Also by having the files fragmented, your heads are doing a lot more moving around reading the fragments on a day to day basis then just moving around while defragging once and a while.

[jeepers94]

I usuall feel that 'defrag' is overused by a lot of people.

If you're running it more than 4 times a year you either A: are doing it too often or B:need a bigger disk drive.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Four times a year? Once a month is more like it.And a large drive gets fragged just as easily as a small drive.As for causing wear on the heads,a "tidy" drive makes it easier on the heads!Of course a lot depends on WHAT the drives are used for.If you do a lot of video editing you load a lot of large file,then delete them.This is a case where I quite often defrag dailey! My systems all have dual drives in the 160 to 300 gig flavor.
Same goes if you try out a lot of software,then delete it.On a side note,if you do not use your system hard and it wants to defrag often,your drive may be failing!

[Desticado]

There will always be specific types of users that have a greater need for this type of utility but for the majority of users I stand by my oppinion. Yes hard drives are as likely to need defragging as small ones but it is not the size of a disk that neccessitates the need but the user having on a very small percentage of a disks space as 'free' hence my reccommendation for a larger disk.

My main point thrux is that far too many 'ordinary' users see defrag as the 'wunderkind' utility that will miraculously make their machine better and run it every day...