Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98

Subject: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 01:33 PM

First off -- If you're tempted to "tut" at me, please don't. And spare me the "Get Rid of Windows!" speaches. It's what I have to work with, and getting a whole new O.S. is not practical right now.

My computer is in serious need of defragging, right now (and I think I need to defrag it before I try playing some CD-ROMs I got as pressies this Christmas). But when I went to run the program, Defrag.Exe was not to be found on my computer (yes, I browsed, and ran the "Find:" program). It was there a few months ago, when I last ran it. Somehow, it got deleted (I have a sneaking suspicion that it was Norton Security, having found a spyware bug, that deleted it, to remove the threat) I tried the add/move program, in the Control Panal folder, but Defrag.exe was not available. And Windows Help said if that's the case, I need to download the progam and reinstall it.

I've tried Googling for Defrag.exe, Download, and Windows, and I get lots of hits talking about how to download the program, but no links to where I can actually acquire it.

So I'm sitting here, "Arghing," when I thought that Mudcatter might have some helpful clues.

Help??

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 02:15 PM

defrag tool for windows

If you scroll right to the bottom of the page you can download it ( I think.)

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 02:55 PM

You have a built in defrag program in Windows.

Go to Start --> Programs -->Accessories --> System Tools.

I would use "Disk Cleanup" first, then use Disk Defragmenter.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 03:34 PM

Stilly -- I used to have defrag built into Windows, but when I tried going down the path you suggested (which is how I usually defragged), I was told by my computer that the program did not exist on my computer, anymore.

I'm still not sure what happened, but, like I said, I suspect Norton Security... I'm thinking of renaming it Norton (homeland) Security.

Guest -- thanks for the link! I'll try it!

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 04:28 PM

I don't have a Win98 up to check, but I believe that you can go to Control Panel | Add Remove Programs and find a "modify Windows" or "add/remove Windows components" entry. If you run that, it should replace any missing or defective files, which would include restoring a missing utility like defrag. If you've had an OS infection that caused Norton to delete a system file, a system refresh may find some other things missing or corrupted.

(Someone who's running Win98 may wish to confirm that Win98 Control Panel Add/Remove programs does inclued the modify Windows?)

Of course you probably will need your installation disks to do that.

If you have the installation disks, or if you find a bunch of .cab files on your hard drive, you probably can extract the needed defrag file. You will need to get instructions on how to extract the file, which may (remote chance) be in your Win98 Help but can be found at HOW TO: Extract Original Compressed Windows Files KB Article 129605.

If Norton deleted the file, it most likely was because the file was infected. It's sort of like chopping off a finger to keep the gangrene from killing you, so be angry if you must.

Replacing the file - if you have your installation disks or the .cab files placed on your drive at original Win98 installation - should not be particularly difficult.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 04:46 PM

It looks like the link that guest has suggested will cost you $20.
It looks like you can download a trial version.

Have you not got the original CD's for windows 98?

If you have, then try the following, although my gut feeling is that you dont need the CD

you need to reinstall the program in windows setup.


Start/settings/Control Panel/Add & Remove/Windows setup


If defrag is not listed as being installed, put check in, apply and
reboot.


If the program is listed, uncheck, apply and reboot. Then go back in
and put check back in and apply/reboot.


Hopefully that works for you. You may not even need your windows CD

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 04:48 PM

John

Seems like we crossed on posting.

Seems we both copme up with same conclusion.

Les

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 06:35 PM

villan the link is to a free downloadable trial version.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 06:45 PM

Yes I know. I assume, that at some point, the trial stops and you have to pay. Unless you are saying that the problem can be fixed with the trial.
Normally these trials let you get so far and then say cough up to go further.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 08:12 PM

here is a GOOD defrag for Win98. It was originally bundled with WinME, but it was soon discovered to do 98 just fine, and was all over the net quickly.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 10:18 PM

Update: Pene Azul was grand enough to email me a copy of his defrag program, and it has worked.

Thank you, Pene. And thanks to all of you for your advice.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 05 - 12:42 AM

BillD,

I'm impressed with all of these little programs you have handy to refer people to. Out of curiosity, do you use any of the standard Windows OS software, or have you used (virtual) baling wire and sticking plaster to cobble together an OS and the attendant software to keep your computer(s) running and productive?

:)

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 29 Dec 05 - 10:43 PM

upgade!!!!NT>

or if desire to "control,"then elect to opperate in levels below the bots.

Perhaps, the "orginal-shire" was two, three, even eight-below......something has blasted through the Umbers-Sphere.

Check the access files...and acknowledge the Laughing=Kit let through the HITS.

Sincerely, Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 04:17 AM

Norton System Works has a function called Speed disc which de frags and organises your drive.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: The Shambles
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 10:28 AM

here is a GOOD defrag for Win98. It was originally bundled with WinME, but it was soon discovered to do 98 just fine, and was all over the net quickly.

I tried this and it took about 1 hour - with the old one - the last time I ran it - it took about a day!

Thank you Bill.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 08:01 PM

yer welcome, Shambles...

SRS...I still have the basic Windows OS...I just find (usually) better programs for standard tasks. I guess I use freeware programs for most everything from browsers on up...(I have 4-5 different browsers)

I don't use "Windows Explorer", as there are half a dozen better (each a bit different) File Managers out there. I don't use WordPad, as there must be dozens of free little quick editors...(one call MetaPad and one called Edxor are great)...and 4-5 excellent larger, fancier editors...like Atlantis Nova.

I have 5-6 excellent image viewers/editors (some play movies and do sound files also)..plus 6-8 programs that play sounds...MP3s, mostly, but even RealAudio stuff.

I have freeware anti-virus, Font viewers, eBook readers (to make books from Gutenberg read like a paperback) and a couple that will read them 'out loud'....though that's just a game.

I use freeware Newsreaders (4, in addition to Agent, which I bought), freeware dictionaries and thesauri, spellcheckers, download managers..(even though decent ones are built into browsers, there are times when you need special tricks)...also cute little HTML programs that pick color, or make colored text


there are programs that generate HTML for web sites..(which I gotta USE soon!) and special programs that check IP addresses. I have a gadget that click the mouse if my hand is tired..*grin*.(helped me a LOT a few times!)

I have freeware that changes quotations and 'sigs' (current one:
"I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated.   - Poul Anderson)

I have free PIMs (Personal Info Manager) that have calendars and planners built in...

I have clock programs of various types that do various things besides update my time settings..

I have progs that manage the associations for all those OTHER programs! (including a couple that manage what is in my start-up and in what order stuff is allowed to start!)

and I have various little things that tweak settings that are hard to get to without editing the registry....(I don't DO this much, but I like having them....some I have tweaked and forgotten)
...... and there are others, like clipboard 'extenders' that save multiple items for cut & paste.
and there are more....some just fun, some seldom used....

I got 'almost' all of these by hanging out where experts discuss them and picking the ones that are recommended the most. My first stop after email in the morning is the newsgroup alt.comp.freeware...usually for only few minutes. If I really want to LOOK for something, I go to Son of Spy or the web site of the ACF newsgroup, http://www.pricelesswarehome.org

Yes, after doing this for 8-9 years, I kinda know what to look for and most important, what kinds of things are available! (Like the defrag thing that Shambles says worked ok....to find it, I looked in the Google Groups archives..took maybe 30 seconds)

..and before you ask, yes, I DO have way more than I actually need...just like people who collect extra ice cream scoops or lamps....but it has become a hobby, and it keeps me off the streets.

so..*grin*...more than you ever wanted to know?

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 09:52 PM

quick example...I just saw MobySaurus mentioned a couple of weeks ago...it is GOOD...though it is a large download and requires Microsoft .NET to be installed. (I know that some people will not use ANYTHING designed by MS, but I am not that particular...and .NET has not caused any problems.)

also...a couple days ago in alt.comp.freeware, someone asked:
"Does anyone know of a utility to remove duplicate lines within a text
file? I've tried SlimList (*shudder*), and I looked at DupliFind -
which was recommended in this group a few years ago - but it seems to
be shareware. I don't want the program to sort the file, or change the
order of the entries. I want it to (preferably) highlight the
duplicate lines and let me decide on a line by line basis if I want to
delete them. I looked at ExamDiff too - but it looks like it will only
compare two files, not a single file."

I happened to know about and have "Columnizer"
http://www.all4you.dk/FreewareWorld/Columnizer-2602.html...so I posted it.

it has a menu item to "mark duplicate lines"...then you delete them.

I have used it myself to do numbering of lines in a file...it is a wierd little program, but it does tricks nothing else will do.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 09:16 PM

refresh..just in case

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 11:25 PM

For removing duplicate items, assuming the items are not too complex, and especially if they're in a text file:

Assuming each item is a separate paragraph:
1. In Word, select all of the text you want to examine.
Use Table|Convert|Text to Table selecting "Separate Text at Paragraphs"

This should give you a one column table.

2. Copy the whole table and paste it into Excel
You should have one column in Excel.
If you really want to find duplicates, you'll need to sort to table so that like items are adjacent; but:.

3. If you want to be able to put the items back in the original order when you get done, make a new column and just number the rows. Make sure that the numbering is as "Values" and not as some function so that the row number doesn't change if the row is moved. (Edit|Copy, Edit|Paste Special|Values will clear any functionals)

4. Sort on the original column.

5. In an adjacent column, in the second cell from the top enter:

IF(DataInThisrow=DataInPreviousRow,1,0)

After you type " IF( " you can click on the data item in that row, type the " = " then click the cell immediately above the one you just clicked, then type the " ,1,0) ".

Copy the formula down by double-clicking on the little X in the lower right corner of the cell where you created the formula.

You should now have a column that contains a zero if an item is different than the preceding one, and a 1 if it's a duplicate of the one above it.

5. Since they "1" and "0" are formula results they would change if you changed the order of things so select the entire column, Edit|Copy, the Edit|Paste Special|Values. This removes the formulas and makes those entries just numbers.

6. Sort the table on the column of 1s and 0s, and all the duplicates will go to the bottom.

7. Delete the duplicate rows (after examining them, if you wish).

8. Sort the remaining table by the column where you numbered them originally.

9. Copy and past back into Word. (If you don't want the "record numbers" back in Word, just don't select that column when you Copy)

10. Select the table (Table|Select|Table, or Alt-a|c|t) and convert it back to text (Table|Convert|Table to Text, or Alt-a|v|b)

Done.

It really is a lot simpler than it looks, once you've worked out what you're doing at each step. An advantage is that if you use commas or tabs in the original info you can pick different ways of sorting things - example, find all the tunes that came from a particular book, or all the CDs you got from Sony....

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 04:38 AM

Blimey John. That takes me back. Used to do a lot of that sort of work. Didn't half save time.

Here is a simplified example of the set up in Excel, having copied the paragraphs across, and given each row a number, sorted and then put the formulas in column C

1        One to One                                      
3        One to One      =IF(B1=B2,1,0)
8        One to One      =IF(B2=B3,1,0)
2        One to Two        =IF(B3=B4,1,0)
4        One to Two        =IF(B4=B5,1,0)
7        One to Three        =IF(B5=B6,1,0)
5        One to Four        =IF(B6=B7,1,0)
9        One to Five        =IF(B7=B8,1,0)
6        One to Five        =IF(B8=B9,1,0)

Note that you do not need a formula in row 1.
I have kept the text in column B simple as it is easier to understand as an example.
The result does not take into account case sensitive issues

Hope that helps

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 05:13 AM

Villan -

If you follow the steps as I wrote them, what you wrote is exactly what you'll get.

The important steps are:

The comparison won't find duplicates unless they're in adjacent rows, so you need to sort first.

If you want to recover the original order, you need to number the rows in their original order before you sort.

In recent Excel versions, you only need to enter the formula ONCE, in the second row, and drag or double-click on the "formula marker" - the little "X" in the lower right corner of the cell that contains a formula - to fill the column.

You MUST remove the formulas before you sort again, since changing the order of the rows will change the formula results, hence the copy and paste back (Paste Special as Values) to get rid of the formulas.

As I said, it looks a lot more complicated than it is, but I tried to write everything out for those who might have less experience with Excel (or another spreadsheet).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 06:14 AM

I was only giving an illustration to help envisage what you wanted them to do John. As you say, it is a fairly easy thing to do, if you keep to your instructions. It looks worse in type :-)

There is so much you can do in Excel that most people will never learn.

I have saved high flying spreadsheeters many days of work with different ways to exploit spreadsheets.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: GUEST,pavane in amsterdam
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 06:38 AM

In fact, if you use indirect cell references, you can make the whole thing sortable, and you can delete cells without getting referencing errors.

It is a bit tricky setting it up the first time, but you can then just paste your data in and leave the formulas unchanged.

This makes it much more general-purpose, and it automatically updates as you delete cells.

In the above example, you could use the following formulas in row 2, for example

Column C =concatenate("B",row())                                 
Column D =concatenate("B",row()-1)
Column E =if(indirect(c2)=indirect(d2),1,0)

indirect(c2) will be translated to a reference to cell B2, and indirect(d2) will refer to cell b1

you then copy these formulas into all following rows, of course.
You can now delete just cells A2 and B2, moving other cells up, and everything gets recalculated.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: GUEST,pavane
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 06:41 AM

And I forgot to say - sorting and re-sorting is then no problem, as long as you only sort columns A and B.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 06:49 AM

Almost any (reasonably modern) program can do things that aren't really too obvious at first, and learning what one or two programs really can do has always seemed to me to be better than looking for a new program every time you have a new problem.

I've been working on Word for quite a few years, and still have only scratched the surface. I use Excel only occasionally, so I haven't really gotten into anything too sophisticated there, although I've got a nice spreadsheet to do my bank accounts with. (pretty easy with my low balances!) I actually use Excel more as an "accessory" for Word than by itself.

For those who've just coasted along using Word as a typewriter, the most "empowering" thing to learn may be just how to use Edit|Replace. Few people scratch the surface there. Ctl-F9 gets you a whole world of abilities that most people don't know about too.

Someday I may have to figure out how Excel really does pivot tables, but I haven't really needed it that much for the simple stuff I do with it.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I D/L Defrag.exe for Windows98
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 07:25 AM

Many years ago, I used to do a one day Excel Advanced course, followed by 1 day consultancy coures.
You have to have an abilty to look at the requirement of a person, and then armed with the advanced knowledge of WP/SS/DB come up with a solution that that can use.
I used to love it.
What really surprised me, was a year and a half ago, I looked at the ECDL Advanced courses for Word & Excel, and was shocked to find, it was almost a carbon copy of what I used to teach as a freelance trainer 5 to 15 years earlier.
So I rang Lincoln College and asked if I could take the exams. They wanted me to attend the courses, which I refused, and they then said I could just take the exams.
So I did, took both of them on the same day, and passed.
It was a very nice feeling, and had me wanting to get back into freelance training, but up here Learn Direct etc has taken over as a poxy way of teaching people. So I sit here twiddling my thumbs unable to pass on my knowledge.
Before anybody suggests it - no way do I want to work for Learn Direct or in any college. Too much paperwork and Beaurocracy - can't take it. I enjoy teaching, not pen pushing.
Why is it in adult education, you teach 10% of the time and 90% paperwork/administration. What a waste of peoples skills.

oops better shut up :-)