ScanDefrag 5.5 - Readme
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PURPOSE:
- Run comprehensive computer maintenance from a controlled state.
- Maintenance items include Microsoft's Disk Cleanup, ScanDisk/Chkdsk and Disk Defragmenter, Norton's Disk Doctor and SpeedDisk, and Jeroen Kessels command-line Defrag tool (NT-machines only).
- Can be run "on demand" or as a regularly scheduled task.
- Item options are always under user control.
REQUIREMENTS:
- For use with Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Server 2003 and Vista .
- Not intended for use with Windows 95, Windows NT, or 64-bit Windows.
INSTALLATION:
- Download and run the setup program. ScanDefrag will unpack to a folder of your choice. (ScanDefrag does not install any external libraries.)
- Note: If you are currently using version 3.0 or higher you do not need to uninstall first.
OPERATION:
- Run ScanDefrag.exe from explorer or its shortcut.
- To configure ScanDefrag for the first time, run ScanDefrag and first "Configure" any maintenance tools which you wish to run. Note that the tools that ScanDefrag will use are in configuration mode at this time. This means that Disk Cleanup, Scandisk and Defrag will open and accept user input. However, they will do no disk maintenance at this time. Configure them to your preference, including the desired drives, and click "Ok". If you "Cancel" a tool's configuration mode, then that tool's settings will not be saved.
- If using Windows 2000, XP, or Server 2003, ScanDefrag can defrag your pagefile and registry hives using PageDefrag from Sysinternals. Simply download PageDefrag from http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/PageDefrag.html, extract the PageDefrag.zip file directly into the ScanDefrag folder, then restart ScanDefrag. You will now see a new "Page File and Registry Defragmenter" option on the main screen.
- Once your selections are made, click "Save" to save your options and exit the program, or click "Run" to have ScanDefrag restart Windows and run the maintenance programs.
Note: Scanning and/or defragging a drive are disk intensive tasks. Depending on the size of the drive, it could take hours. If the drive has never been defragged then especially so. Subsequent defrag operations should be noticeably quicker.
MODES OF OPERATION:Modes are toggled from the Tools - Advanced Options menu item.
- Normal:
- In Normal mode, all Windows services are left enabled. (Normal is the default mode)
- Restrictive: (Win 98/98SE/Me only)
- Use Restrictive Mode if you're having problems using Normal Mode.
- First try to close a process by using its own option, if available.
- In Restrictive mode, ScanDefrag closes unprotected non-system processes.
The following protected processes are not terminated:
cmdninst.exe - Config Manager Device Installer Launcher
kernel32.dll - Win32 Kernel core component
msgsrv32.exe - Microsoft Windows DOS386 WShell server
mprexe.exe - WIN32 Network Interface Service Process
explorer.exe - Windows Explorer
scandskw.exe - ScanDisk for Windows
scandefrag.exe -
statemgr.exe - State Manager Stub
stmgr.exe - State Manager
KB891711.exe - Microsoft Security Update 891711
- The computer must be shutdown or restarted after running in this mode.
- Selective:
- To troubleshoot problems, you can change the ScanDefrag option to Selective Mode which makes use of the Microsoft Configuration Utility (Msconfig). The advantage; some system services can be disabled on reboot to allow a cleaner run environment. The disadvantage; ScanDefrag cannot be run as a scheduled task and you will be required to change the Msconfig settings after its operation.
- To re-enable your Startup Services after using Selective Mode; open Msconfig from the Start --» Run... dialog box. Select "Normal startup...", click Apply and OK. When Windows prompts to restart the computer, click Yes.
- Computer shutdown is not available as a program option in this mode.
Notes:- If the computer should unexpectedly shutdown while Windows is in selective startup (e.g. power failure) you will need to return it to normal startup manually by running Msconfig.
- In Selective Mode, a logon screen may appear even if you do not use logon. Click "OK" if it does.
- If you click CANCEL in the System Configuration Utility after starting ScanDefrag, then you must run ScanDefrag again.
Failure to do so will cause ScanDefrag to run on the next reboot.
LOG FILE:
- Current running log is displayed by default but can be disabled. "Tools - Options - Show running log".
- ScanDefrag creates a text log of the events for each run in the ..\ScanDefrag\log\ subfolder.
- Logs can be opened via "View - ScanDefrag Logs".
- The log can be used to evaluate processes that may be interfering with the disk utilities.
- Files older than 60 days are automatically removed from the log folder.
SYSTEM RESTORE: (XP, Vista only)
- To create a restore point prior to running maintenance tasks: "Tools - Advanced Options - Create Restore point" This will create a restore point named "ScanDefrag Scheduled Checkpoint" just before the system reboots.
- To restore, run the Microsoft System Restore utility.
Note: This feature was added so that System Restore points could be included with regular maintenance tasks. System Restore does not restore consequential lost data incurred by a chkdsk on a damaged file system or disk. The full scope of System Restore is beyond the scope of this document. For additional information about System Restore, click "Start - Help and Support" and enter "system restore" in the Search box.
SCHEDULED TASK:For unattended computer maintenance, ScanDefrag can be run by Windows as a Scheduled Task:
- Run ScanDefrag and select "Task Scheduler" then "Add ScanDefrag". This will bring up the ScanDefrag Task options dialog. By default, ScanDefrag is set to run once every Wednesday morning at 2:00 A.M. If available, click on the "Wake this computer to run this task" checkbox on the Settings tab. Do not use "Idle Time". Important: do not modify the Run box value that contains the ScanDefrag.exe path and /RESTART parameters. When finished, click OK.
- OR:
- Run Scheduled Tasks from the Control Panel.
- Double click "Add Scheduled Task".
- Browse to ScanDefrag.exe.
- Set the schedule to your preference.
- Schedule the task to run Daily, Weekly, or Monthly only.
- Place a check in "Open advanced properties..." and add the /RESTART switch to the command line. This will allow ScanDefrag to run unattended. For example: "C:\Program Files\ScanDefrag\ScanDefrag.exe /RESTART"
(note: you may also add the /RESTART switch by right-clicking on the saved task and select Properties)- Optional: Place a check in the "Wake the computer to run this task" box. Do not use "Idle Time".
Note: If you currently have a scheduled task for ScanDefrag.vbe (prior to v3.0), you must remove this task to add ScanDefrag.exe or edit the properties of the scheduled task and change the Run box to use ScanDefrag.exe with the /RESTART parameter.
When ScanDefrag is about to restart the computer, you will be given a 5 minute timed dialog. This gives you the time necessary to save your work and close other applications that you may be using.
FEATURES:
- Screen saver is automatically disabled. (It will be re-enabled after selected maintenance programs are completed.)
- Maintenance is performed in a system state more condusive to disk utilities.
- Items are run consecutively without idle periods.
- Optional computer shutdown or restart when complete.
- Choice of Norton Disk Doctor or Microsoft Scandisk or Chkdsk.
- Choice of Norton Speed Disk or Microsoft's Defragmenter.
- Option to run Sysinternal's PageDefrag if 2000, XP, or Server 2003.
- Option to change or disable the shutdown/restart intervals.
- Option to automatically logon to system to run maintenance programs. Logon information will be restored to original state after ScanDefrag restarts. (2000, XP, Server 2003, or Vista only)
- Option to create a System Restore Point before running maintenance programs (XP, Vista only)
- Built-in Task Scheduler.
- Command line switches for automated maintenance.
- Viewable log file created with each run.
- Ability to Add/Remove user defined processes in the "Restrictive Mode" configuration. (98, ME only)
COMMAND-LINE SWITCHES:ScanDefrag contains 2 command-line parameters:
- SCANDEFRAG [/RUN] or [/RESTART]
/RUN - Run preconfigured settings without restarting Windows (recommended ONLY for users not reporting problems running maintenance programs in normal Windows operation)
/RESTART - Reboot computer and run preconfigured settings. Useful for unattended scheduled tasks. This is the same as running ScanDefrag.exe without a parameter and clicking on the Run button.
EMAIL SUPPORT:
- ScanDefrag Support Email
- From the program menu; Help - Email ScanDefrag Team.
Please attach a log (View - ScanDefrag logs) to your email, if you are having operational problems.
WEB SITES:
- http://home.earthlink.net/~bblanton2/scandefrag/main.htm
- http://www.blueorbsoft.com/scandefrag/index.html
- http://www.kessels.com/JkDefrag/
- http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/PageDefrag.html
UNINSTALL:
- Open the "Add/Remove Programs" applet from the Control Panel. Select ScanDefrag and click the "Add/Remove..." button.
DISCLAIMER:
- This program is provided free for use for an unlimited period.
- You are free to distribute this program.
-All of the contents must remain unmodified and intact.- This Software Product is provided "as is".
-There is no warranty, whether expressed or implied.- Use of this Software Product implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.
- Use at your own risk.
REFERENCES: (from the Microsoft Knowledge Base)
- Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool (186099)
- Err Msg: ScanDisk Has Restarted 10 Times Because Windows... (222469)
- "Drive's Contents Have Changed: Restarting..." Message When You Use the Disk Defragmenter Tool (186978)
- How to Troubleshoot Using the Msconfig Utility with Windows 98 (281965)
- How to Troubleshoot Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows Millennium Edition (281995)
- List of Articles About the ScanDisk Tool (287914)
- How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP (306084)
- Description of the New Command Line Defrag.exe Included with Windows XP (283080)
- How to Defragment Your Disk Drive Volumes in Windows XP (314848)
- An Explanation of the New /C and /I Switches That Are Available to Use with Chkdsk.exe (314835)
- You receive an error message or the /SAGERUN command-line option does not work correctly when you run the Disk Cleanup wizard from the command line in Windows Server 2003 (837642)
HISTORY:
- 1.0 - Initial release.
- 2.0 - Added support for Norton Disk Doctor and SpeedDisk.
- 2.1 thru 2.5 - Minor tweaks. Added the use of Microsoft's Configuration Utility (Msconfig).
- 2.6 - 09/01/2002 - Final script version. Changes to make ScanDefrag more compatible with safe-mode.
- 3.0 - 10/16/2002 - Major upgrade! First full Windows32 executable version.
- 3.1 - 10/22/2002 - Fixed a problem enumerating registry entries that would cause ScanDefrag to timeout. Added an option to "Cancel" Selective-mode. Other cosmetic changes.
- 3.1a - 10/29/2002 - Fixed a problem with selected options not being saved correctly on some systems.
- 3.2 - 1/20/2003 - Converted ScanDefrag to a self-installing program. Put "Selective Mode" on the File menu.
- 4.0 - 3/11/2003 - Added "Restrictive mode" to close un-protected processes before running maintenance programs. Added process logging and viewing. Added "Status" window. Other minor UI updates.
- 4.1 - 4/28/2003 - Fixed a problem with the comboboxes that would sometimes cause Scandisk to run if Norton was selected. (Thanks to Shane Beatson for pointing it out.) Added "Previous value" to Norton config dialogs.
- 4.2 - 9/14/2003 - Added CPU ID, total/free available physical memory, and drive capacities information to log file. Added a warning on terminating (by C-A-D) running utilities.
- 4.2a - 10/23/2003 - Fixed a bug where "Restrictive mode" would not kill processes unless Cleanmgr was configured to run.
- 5.0 - 7/6/2004 - Added support for Windows XP and Server 2003. Added ""Check for Update" feature in Help menu. Added viewable running log. Added ability to create System Restore Points (XP only). Added ability to enable/disable or configure the shutdown/restart timer dialogs. Now Ignores empty Wininit.ini, default values in "Run" registry keys/subkeys. UI modifications.
- 5.0a - 7/13/2004 - Removed check for wininit.ini in XP and Server 2003
- 5.1 - 2/16/2005 - Wrapped ScanDefrag's "Run key" value in quotes to accommodate paths with spaces. Removed unnecessary check for Wininit.ini in 9x. Added "Force Shutdown" option.
- 5.2 - 4/26/2005 - Added a "Protected Processes" Manager (98 ME only) that displays the default protected processes, with the ability to add/remove user defined processes. Added Microsoft Security Update KB891711 to the protected processes list.
- 5.3 - 5/10/2006 - Added support for Windows 2000. (uses defrag.exe from http://www.kessels.com/defrag/index.html). Added support for Sysinternal's PageDefrag. Fixed problem on some systems where ScanDefrag would not run due to administrator rights, but user was in fact an admininistrator. Now shows file system type on drives (NTFS, FAT, FAT32). Removed Norton configuration info from log if Norton tools not installed.
- 5.4 - 9/28/2006 - Fixed problem where machine would not restart, when task scheduler launches ScanDefrag, and user is logged off machine. Fixed problem where ScanDefrag would not run on DEP-enabled CPUs (Data Execution Prevention). Updated Kessels' Defrag to v2.22 (Windows 2000 only). Better detection of newer processors in ScanDefrag logs. Fixed problem where Windows 2000 Server shows as Windows 2000 Professional in ScanDefrag logs. Now detects if running 64-bit Windows and informs user that OS isn't supported.
- 5.5 - 4/20/2007 - Added support for Windows Vista Enabled JKDefrag as an option for all NT OS Combined Options and Advanced Options dialogs into one dialog Fixed detection of Norton SpeedDisk (SDNTC.EXE) on NT machines
ENJOY:In memory of Robert McGregor (aka Koldbear)
Ken Routhier (aka Grazzer)
Bill Blanton
Jon Scott & Blue Orb Software
Thanks to Jeroen Kessels for letting us include his excellent Defragger in ScanDefrag.
Help support ScanDefrag. Please donate!