I have a problem defragmenting. When I start the program it gets to 1% or sometimes 2% and then reverts to 0% and won't go any further, any suggestions please ? Answers only in ' dummy language ' please !

This is a common problem. Disk Defragmenter is probably restarting because a program that's running (maybe a background program that you don't notice like your anti-virus scanner) is changing files on the hard disk. If that's the problem, you'll see a message at the bottom of the screen along the lines of "Drive contents changed .... disk defragmenter restarting".

To avoid this problem, reboot your PC and as soon as it says "Starting Windows 98" (just before you get the colourful Windows 98 logo screen), press F8. That will give you a Startup Menu with choices about whether to start the PC in normal mode or a diagnostics / troubleshooting mode. Choose the option to start Windows in 'Safe Mode'.

Then try defragmenting your drive again. Let us know how you get on

Hi DJ, Thankyou very much for that information, have tried F8 several times without getting into safe mode, is there another method of getting into safe mode ?
regards Roger.

Isn't it F5 for safe mode on '98? Anyway it's definitely an F key so if in doubt - just mash 'em all !!

1. Switch the PC on and then keep pressing F8 once or twice every second from the point that you switch it on until you get the Startup Menu.

2. Keep pressing F5 instead. That tells Windows to load but to bypass the startup files so it should do what we need it to in this case.

Originally Posted by potsnpots

Hi DJ, Thankyou very much for that information, have tried F8 several times without getting into safe mode, is there another method of getting into safe mode ?
regards Roger.

Welcome to the D-A-L forums potsnpots, please follow the instructions in the following article Starting your computer in Safe mode Scroll down the page and expand the section for Windows 98. HTH

Thanks Gabriel, will try that.

Problem solved, thanks to everyone for your help.

Glad to hear you got it sorted

Cool - thanks for letting us know

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