chkdsk then boot time defrag makes vista pc fail?

[raitono]

First time I've done the boot time defrag. I hit configure and checked all 3 options, shutdown and started the computer again. Goes through chkdsk with no problems. Defrags mft and begins page file. Gets to about 12% and the pc sleeps/hibernates. Will not wake. I wait the remaining 7 minutes and nothing happens. Pressing the power button looks like it would help, does not. Must unplug the pc, wait for power to go out and the process starts over. I can skip chkdsk by pressing a key. After that the keyboard loses power and I cannot press esc to skip the defrag. That had never happened before. What the hell has this thing done to my computer? Any more info needed will be gladly given, thanks for any help in advance.

[Toppack]

Which Version of Smart-defrag are you using?

(version numbers are at top of main window)

[raitono]

Probably the most recent. I downloaded it yesterday. I can't check to make sure, windows will not start. Thanks for the reply.

[Toppack]

There was another thread about similar problem in the Beta-testing version-1.21 but not sure the correct fix was found or not, but if you can not even get into Windows I'm not sure what the next step should be? :roll:

I never have any of our computers in Sleep-mode, so have no experience with that, Sorry.

Can you bootup using the Operating-System DVD instead of hard-drive and then get in to disable the Sleep-mode?

 

http://forums.iobit.com/showthread.php?t=9217

[raitono]

I never let mine sleep either, it does it anyway though. I'm hoping to go get the installation cd toomorrow and try to repair it, I was hoping to mabey get a quick fix from he without having to do that as I don't know exactly what it will do. Thank you for the help, looks like I will have to wait and try the cd. I just don't understand why this happened and why the keyboard refuses to work when the defrag starts. If it weren't for that I could just skip it and then be done with it.

[Toppack]

There may be a serious Problem with 2-beta and the Sleep-mode, when on Vista OS? :?:

So I would suggest using the older Version-1.5, until 2-beta is finalized.

 

Download v1.5:

http://majorgeeks.com/IObit_SmartDefrag_d5318.html

[raitono]

Ummm sorry, one big problem with that...... I can't start the damn computer! it doesn't go past the defrag of the pagefile. I can't skip it because it cuts power to the keyboard. What the hell am I supposed to do?

[solbjerg]

Hi raitono

(How much patience have you exhibited?)

One possibility springs to my mind - don't select the boot time defrag of the pagefile.See how that goes :-)

Cheers

solbjerg

 

 

Ummm sorry, one big problem with that...... I can't start the damn computer! it doesn't go past the defrag of the pagefile. I can't skip it because it cuts power to the keyboard. What the hell am I supposed to do?

[raitono]

Hi raitono

(How much patience have you exhibited?)

One possibility springs to my mind - don't select the boot time defrag of the pagefile.See how that goes :-)

Cheers

solbjerg

 

I'm sorry. I don't believe anyone understands. I cannot start windows. It goes through the check disk and the defrag starts. It never gets past that. The defrag never finishes. Did that clear it up? I'm sorry if I seems extremely shot on patience but he just kept suggesting things that were not possible based on information I had already provided. The whole problem is that I cannot use my computer. It will not get past the defrag and I cannot skip it.

[solbjerg]

Hi raitano

I am sorry too

But what you mean is then that you haven't restarted the computer in question, and that you are using another one to reach this forum?

Do you have a backup (image) of that disc/drive? And a startup for the image?

While it can be that restarting after having pulled the plug will go wrong because the plug was pulled during a defrag - even a boot time defrag.

BTW the keyboard doesn't work precisely because the defrag is taking place during boot time. (You have probably noticed that the keyboard and the mouse will start responding some seconds into the normal boot too?)

Cheers

solbjerg

 

 

I'm sorry. I don't believe anyone understands. I cannot start windows. It goes through the check disk and the defrag starts. It never gets past that. The defrag never finishes. Did that clear it up? I'm sorry if I seems extremely shot on patience but he just kept suggesting things that were not possible based on information I had already provided. The whole problem is that I cannot use my computer. It will not get past the defrag and I cannot skip it.

[raitono]

Yes I'm actually using an iPod touch to access the forum. I'm sorry to say that I do not have a back up. But I still wonder why there is an option to press escape to skip the boot time defrag. If it won't allow you to use a key board then why is that option there?

[solbjerg]

Hi raitono

I don't know - a possibility could be that the escape option will be available a bit further on in the process?

I have not tried that option, so I can't say.

Could also be that for some reason the boot time defrag process stops before really getting started and that the computer therefore stops responding altogether?

Could also be that the skip option only is available for a few seconds, perhaps someone in the forum has tried this?

Your chosen option to wait for an installation disc sounds prudent :-)

Good luck

Cheers

solbjerg

 

 

Yes I'm actually using an iPod touch to access the forum. I'm sorry to say that I do not have a back up. But I still wonder why there is an option to press escape to skip the boot time defrag. If it won't allow you to use a key board then why is that option there?

[raitono]

I couldn't find the original disk so I used another computer to download an iso and burn it. Seems to work fine but it isn't helping me. I can have it check for errors, it doesn't find any. I can open a command prompt but it only goes to the x drive and won't let me change to the c drive. As I said before I don't have a back up, I have no idea why. I thought that it was backing up periodically. I guess not. Family have suggested taking it to a guy who will charge me 90 bucks but I dont want to pay if I can find an easier fix by my self.

[Toppack]

The Normal location of the Operating-System is the C: drive.

Then the next drive defaults to the D: drive.

The drives can be assigned different letters but the OS should Not be on the X: drive. and if it is then that computer is probably configured all wrong or it has lost connection to the C: drive for some reason.

(is the X: drive an external drive or is that assigned to the CD/DVD drive?)

 

If booting from a hard-drive is not working then booting from the CD or DVD is best way to recover everything.

So you really need to find or get a system CD or DVD.

[raitono]

I don't want to seem like a smart *** but I know all this. I believe the x drive is the boot cd that I said I downloaded an iso image for and burned to a cd. The x drive is actually named boot.

[Toppack]

I believe the x drive is the boot cd that I said I downloaded an iso image for and burned to a cd. The x drive is actually named boot.

 

What I was trying to say is that is NOT the Normal configuration.

Why is there Only a X: drive, is the question?

If there is only One hard-drive partition it should be the C: drive, then the CD/DVD drive Should default to the D: letter, Not the X: letter.

 

If 2 hard-drives (or partitions) are connected then they would default to C: & D: and the CD/DVD would default to the E: drive.

 

Later OSs (such as Vista and W-7) use a hidden partition for OS but Still have a C: drive as the first hard-drive partition for programs.

Some software programs also Must to be installed on the C: to run properly.

 

So it sounds like the computer needs to be Reconfigured by changing the X: drive letter (or whatever the hard-drive is presently labled) to the C: letter, after determining if the hard-drive is actually operational.

[raitono]

Ok this isn't getting us anywhere. When I start the computer with the cd in the drive, the screen says "press a key to boot from cd or DVD." I do and it says "windows is loading files..." with a progress bar under it. After that it takes me to a screen to select the language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method. I click next. Brings me to a screen with a big button saying install now. I do not click it. Instead I look in the bottom left corner and see 2 options. "what to know before installing windows" and "repair your computer." I click repair your computer. Takes me to a screen saying "system recovery options" and proceeds to search for installed operating systems. It finds vista with a partition size of 226728 MB and the location is reported as (C:) HP. Below all this it says "if you do not see your operating system listed, click load drivers to load drivers for your hard disks." there is a button below that saying "load drivers." I click it. A window pops up that says "insert the installation media for the device and click OK to select the driver." I do nothing but click Ok. Brings up an "open" window where I can browse through folders. It only looks for the file type "setup information" and I cannot change it to "all files" to make them show up. It starts in a folder named "sources" which is on the x drive. there is an icon on the left that says "computer" I click it and it says I have 3 hard drives. HP (C:) , FACTORY_IMAGE (D:) and Boot (X:). I also have the cd drive named (E:). I was wrong earlier in my assumption that the x drive was the cd. I can browse through folders but not see individual files. Unless they are of the "setup information" type. I did not have this (X:) drive before all this started. And I do not believe that my computer is configured wrong as I do have a c drive and the computer has given me no problems over the last 3 or so years I've had it. If I click cancel in this window and then cancel in the previous one as well I can click "next" on the window displaying my OS, partition size and location. Once do that it begins "setup repair" and begins searching for problems. It then says "checking disk for errors" and warns we it may take over an hour to complete. I wait. This is not the check disk I previously mentioned. When completed it brings up a window saying startup repair could not repair this computer automatically and asks me to send Microsoft information about the problem. I did before so for now I will click "don't send." though I could select a drop down button labeled "view problem details." it brings us some technical jargon that I don't really get so don't read. At this point I could click finish, cancel, or one of 2 other options. "view diagnostic and repair details" and "view advanced options for system recovery and support." I choose to view the advanced options. It brings me to a window asking me to choose a recovery tool. I just went through startup repair so do not select that one. The next two are "system restore" and "windows complete pc repair." both require backups and i don't have one. The next is "windows memory diagnostic tool" I don't know what this is and have not ran it but assume it will not help. The last is command prompt. When selected a command prompt window opens and begins at the same location as the "open" window: in the sources folder on the x drive. At this point I follow the instructions in the first link provided by toppack and after restarting receive the same result as before. The only exception is that I leave the computer overnight to sit. That's a good 8-9 hours. The computer has "gone to sleep" or is "hibernating" whatever you want to call it. In either event the computer is not responsive. It is completely silent, the fan doesn't run and the power light has turned from its usual blue to its "stand by" yellow color. Wiggling the mouse makes it seem like the computer will start but it doesn't. I will try to post a video later today and show you all these steps visually.*

[Toppack]

it says I have 3 hard drives. HP (C:) , FACTORY_IMAGE (D:) and Boot (X:). I also have the cd drive named (E:).

 

Great Information!

 

Okay, in Windows-7 the Boot partition is a Hidden partition, Not X:

(the boot partition has No Letter Lable)

I think I've read that Vista is the same but I've not used Vista, so not sure.

Maybe someone else on this forum is more familiar with Vista and let us know if it is.

 

It seems that the first thing you need to do is find out about that X: partition, since I'm pretty Sure that's Not normal?

Maybe you ended up with 2 system boot partitions somehow, 1 is hidden and the other on X: ?

 

Since the 'Install System Repair' utility can Not Fix the problem and no Back-ups are found,

It sounds like a HD format and Complete system Install may be Needed (not just a Repair attempt), if doing something about the X: partition does not fix the problem.

[raitono]

here's the link to the video. might not be the best but it shows you what's happening. i also just saw another user post what i think is the same problem.

 

[kronckew]

just to make sure you have covered all the bases, have you tried going into safe mode (press f8 in initial windows startup selection screen)?

 

if you can get into safe mode you should be able to uninstall smart defrag then reboot, if that allows normal startup, you can re-install it if desired.

 

if it hangs loading drivers while attempting safe mode, it usually lists the drivers as they load and may help pin down which driver is at fault.

[raitono]

If you could watch the video and tell me which screen to press f8 at I'll definatly try it. I went through and tried pressing it at all the screens but it didn't do anything.

[Toppack]

F8 is a CMOS command used Before Windows starts loading.

Not all Motherboards use F8 to get into the boot-mode selection but most do.

(I remember some that used F5, ESC or DEL key and another that you had to press and hold the Shift key)

So as soon as you turn on power-switch start pressing the F8 key to get into boot selection menu.

[solbjerg]

Hi raitono

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true

As soon as there is activity on the (black) screen you press F8 (often repeatedly - many times)

The key that is the configured one for your computer is often seen on the screen but only for a second (max.) Likewise the key for getting into the bios settings is usually also shown.

Cheers

solbjerg

p.s. I think it is F2 by me, but as F8 works I always use that. :-)

p.p.s. You can use the Pause/Break key every time you need to gain so much time that you have a good chance to read the very shortlived messages on the black screen (computer boot up) prior to Windows bootup. (continue by pressing Pause/Break again)

 

 

 

If you could watch the video and tell me which screen to press f8 at I'll definatly try it. I went through and tried pressing it at all the screens but it didn't do anything.