If you are going to defrag use the windows defrag in safe mode. I use defrag about every six months or so. Even then windows says it doesn't need to be done. The windows defrag may be a little slower than others so reserve some time when doing it(Go watch a movie or do it overnight). For a 60 GB hard drive depending on how fragmented it is it may take 3 hours or so, but can't really say because it depends on how full the hard drive is. Most important to run the defrag in Safe Mode.

Interesting Tip.

Never heard recommed to run defrag in safe mode.

Reason for starting in Safe Mode is to defragment with no unnecessary programs running which can result in Defrag restarting continuously and never finishing or taking a long time. This was a big problem in older Windows programs, but not much with XP.

Windows Defragmenter is a strippd down version of Diskeeper. Diskeeper will run much faster and has extra features.

I found a freeware defragmenter called Diskeeper - it's much faster than the
defragmenter that comes with XP.
Their program calls for defragmenting daily - I think it's a bit of hype as they want you
to buy the version which allows you to run the defragmenter as a scheduled task.

If you go to their site look for the Diskeeper 'Lite' - that's the free version.

http://www.diskeeper.com/

Hi again Sherr

Here is a link to a site that will point you to many free utilities and debugging sites -
I find it vary valuable.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm

Hi Sherr

you know I downloaded it from there 3 or 4 days ago and now I can't find it either.

try here

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1207

Michael

I don't think that Diskeeper Lite exists anymore since it does not show up on their website. They want you to buy the HOME edition for $29.95.

Sherr

i defragment my pc everytime  i leave my pc. yeah, there is no need, but it does wonders in speed so i find. Here's something i found out and its obvious. The quicker disk defragmenter takes, the better.

Restart . . tap F8 repeatedly during boot . . you should then see a menu with options, including Safe Mode