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KBA-01183     Last Updated: 09/10/2010 Go back Return to previous page Print article Print this article

The System Mechanic DriveAccelerator tool takes a long time to finish defragmenting my drive.

This article applies to:
  • System Mechanic 10
  • System Mechanic 10 PC TotalCare
  • System Mechanic 10 Professional
  • System Mechanic 9
  • System Mechanic 9 PC TotalCare
  • System Mechanic 9 Professional

Problem

The System Mechanic DriveAccelerator tool takes a long time to finish defragmenting my drive.

Cause

It is a misconception that file defragmentation utilities, regardless of the vendor, should zip through and process a hard drive with lightning speed. File defragmentation works at the "cluster" level of your hard drive and is a very disk-intensive process. The defragmenter included with System Mechanic may take longer because it operates at a deep system level and is more thorough than many other comparable utilities. With this in mind, there are still ways to optimize and speed up the file defragmentation process.  These tips are detailed below. 

Resolution

Note: Once the defragmentation process starts, you have the option to cancel the process at any time. It may take a few seconds, or even minutes, for the Cancel command to complete. DO NOT try to FORCE it to close from the Windows Task Manager or turn off your computer without a proper shutdown. This may result in your computer no longer being able to start Windows.

Shut down non-essential applications
The first thing to do to speed up this process is to shut down any non-essential applications or processes on the computer. This includes closing all of the applications running in the Windows taskbar next to the clock.

Be sure to close all:

  • Internet messengers
  • Media players
  • Print managers
  • Antivirus
  • Anti-spyware
  • Security Suites
  • Non-essential applications

If you have any of these programs open and active, it may cause one or more of them to write information to the disk, which will impair the disk defragmentation process.

  1. Close all of your open applications, including System Mechanic.
  2. Perform a Ctrl+Alt+Delete to start the Windows Task Manager and end any non-essential processes or services by highlighting each one and selecting the End Process button.
  3. Close all Applications displayed in Windows taskbar. It is OK to let the volume or speaker icon keep running.
  4. Start System Mechanic and run the DriveAccelerator wizard again.


Adjust virtual memory settings
Adjust your Virtual Memory settings to a static number to prevent Windows from accessing the disk if it needs to increase the page file size. The numbers you input into the minimum and maximum fields may vary depending upon your computer and configuration. Either 768 or 1024 should work well. Simply enter the same number in the minimum and maximum fields and click OK. If you find this setting slowing your system down, preventing you from opening programs, or causing "Out of memory" errors to appear, you may increase this number or opt to let Windows manage the Virtual Memory setting.

To open the Virtual Memory settings:

Windows XP

  1. Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Select the Advanced tab.
  4. Click the Settings button located under Performance.
  5. Click the Advanced tab.
  6. Click the Change button.
  7. Change the Initial size to 768.
  8. Change the Maximum size to 768.
  9. Click the Set button.
  10. Click OK.
  11. Close all open windows.
  12. Restart your computer.
  13. Try the defragmentation utility again.


Windows 7/Vista

  1. Click Windows Start>Computer.
  2. From the upper horizontal menu, click System properties.
  3. From the left vertical menu, click Advanced system settings.  If a permission window appears, click Continue.
  4. Click the Settings button located under Performance.
  5. Click the Advanced tab.
  6. Click the Change button located under Virtual memory.
  7. Make sure that the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box is cleared.
  8. Select Custom size.
  9. Change the Initial size to 768.
  10. Change the Maximum size to 768.
  11. Click the Set button.
  12. Click OK.
  13. Close all open windows.
  14. Restart your computer.
  15. Try the defragmentation utility again.

Microsoft recommends that if you have 256 MB or more available RAM installed you can set the operating system to run with no page file until the process is complete and then re-enable it Or, if you have a second hard drive, you can move the virtual memory file to that drive and move it back after running the defragmentation process.

Limit or turn off System Restore

To disable System Restore:

Windows XP

  1. Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Select the System Restore tab.
  4. Select the Turn off System Restore check box.
  5. Click Apply.
  6. Restart the computer.


Windows 7/Vista

  1. Click Windows Start>Computer.
  2. From the upper horizontal menu click System properties.
  3. From the left vertical menu, click System protection. If a permission window appears, click Continue.
  4. Under Available Disks, clear the check box next to the drive(s) for which you would like to disable System Restore. A message will appear saying, "Are you sure you want to turn System Protection off for this disk?", click Turn System Protection Off.
  5. Click Apply


To enable System Restore:

Windows XP

  1. Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Select the System Restore tab.
  4. Clear the Turn off System Restore check box.
  5. Click Apply.
  6. Restart the computer.


Windows 7/Vista

  1. Click Windows Start>Computer.
  2. From the upper horizontal menu click System properties.
  3. From the left vertical menu, click System protection. If a permission window appears, click Continue.
  4. Under Available Disks, select the check box next to the drive(s) for which you would like to enable System Restore.
  5. Click Apply


Create a Restore Point:

Windows XP

  1. Click Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools
  2. Select System Restore.
  3. Select Create a new Restore Point.
  4. Close all open windows.
  5. Restart the computer.


Windows 7/Vista

  1. Click Windows Start>Computer.
  2. From the upper horizontal menu click System properties.
  3. From the left vertical menu, click System protection. If a permission window appears, click Continue.
  4. Under Available Disks, select the drive for which you would like to create a restore point, then click Create.
  5. Enter a description for your restore point, then click Create