Windows 98 ScanDisk and Defragmenter problem.

[Emos]

The last several times that I've attempted to run Scandisk I receive the message "Scandisk has restarted 10 times due to another program running". Defragmentation is stuck because it appears to be endlessly cycling thru the Checking Drive for Errors stage.
I have already used Close Program to shut down EVERYTHING except Explorer and the problem continues to persist. What could be running in Windows to be causing this problem? Oh...my system specs:
Dell Dimension XPS R450
PII 450
128MB RAM
14.4GB IBM HD (7200 rpm)
ELSA Gladiac Geforce2 GTS 32MB
Intel SE440BX AA696089-408 mobo

TIA!

 

[Balt]

Try running scandisk in Safe Mode.

Good luck.

 

[ceraph]

The Windows9x task manager only shows you (for the most part), active applications running your system. It does not include system processes and/or other services started by third-party applications.

There's a couple things you can do to see if something is writing to the disk.

1. Make sure you're not running an anti-virus program as a system service. If it's running a system service, it won't show up on the 9x task manager.
2. Make sure you're not running a personal firewall while scanning/defraging. Firewalls tend to write logs very often, although it wouldn't exhibit exactly like what you're talking about.
3. Run Win9x's config utility (msconfig from the Run... menu). Under the "Startup" tab, see what applications and system services get started at boot-time. If you something in there which may cause a problem, disable it and reboot. As a rule of thumb, don't disable Windows-specific tasks like registry checking (although nothing should happen to your setup if you do).
4. Boot in safe mode and then try running scandisk. If this fails, go to the IBM website and download the latest version of Drive Fitness Test for your drive model and run it.

Hope this helps.

 

[TonyT]

Also, make sure you disable any screensavers you have configured to run on your system.

 

[BadThad]

hehehe..one more, for effective defragmentation, you should have at least 20% free space.

 

[Wuming]

using your task manager, close EVERYTHING except for explorer and systray before you run your scandisk or defrag. disable all your screensavers or power management as well.

 

[Emos]

Thanks for the responses so far! Well.....I went ahead and tried to run Scandisk and Defragmentation in Safe Mode. Scandisk is STILL experiencing the same problem with "Scandisk has restarted 10 times due to another program running". Defrag seemed to work OK in Safe Mode.
Now get this....when I tried to restart my system, a Fatal Error window would pop up each time I clicked on the Start button..WTF??? I eventually just had to hit the reset button because Safe Mode (HaHa) windows wouldn't let me shut down properly! Man I hope this isn't going to be something serious
I'll try downloading and experimenting with the programs that were recommended in this thread over the weekend....wish me luck!
Any other suggestions (besides shooting my PC ) would be welcome!