When I run the standard W2K defrag, I get a warning after defrag's analyzed the disk that there's 22% free space, but only 10% available for defrag, and that to run effectively, defrag needs 15% (I knew that!).

I don't get it. How can I have 22% free space but only 10% available for defrag to run? I've run chkdsk /r and the hdd comes up fine (no errors).

What gives? Anyone?

Fragmented free space. In other words you have space but its not in big enough blocks to be used by defrag.

You need to backup some folders [assuming you have done all the basic to free up space stuff], delete them and get your drive defragged. Restore them and then defrag regularly. You may want to consider additional storage if you are running this tight.

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

I am going to guess your HD is anything between 9 and 25 GB given your processor size.

Clean that thing out and then get down to some 'fragging!

Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack II
[Microsoft Internet Explorer 6]
VIA C7 Esther 1500MHz [1.39GHz]
1.18GB RAM [64MB Shared Video]
40GB Samsung HD [Partitioned]
Running 24/7.

Already ran Ccleaner (what a great app!). The HDD's partitioned with a 4 gb C: drive and a 7 gb D: drive. The user's got it chocked full of apps, so I'm leery of moving anymore folders off the C: drive than I have and incurring registry issues.

It's a work computer, so I'm hesitant to run my copy of Partition Magic. Will probably end up ghosting the drives, resizing the partitions, and re-imaging. Lawdy, for all the dough this outfit spends on supporting these old computers, they could buy some new stuff.

But noooooo....

:)

CCleaner is a great app, I swear by it as part of my app template.

I know many a person who also is reluctant on upgrading but if you present the facts maybe they can be swayed.. if the job for me is being made harder by out of date hardware I may refuse to do the job if the user persists.

Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack II
[Microsoft Internet Explorer 6]
VIA C7 Esther 1500MHz [1.39GHz]
1.18GB RAM [64MB Shared Video]
40GB Samsung HD [Partitioned]
Running 24/7.

What is the issue with backing up some folders and deleting them so you have enough free space to defrag?

Ya you can then do all that other stuff later but you won't be able to image or run PM with a severely fragmented drive. Trying to do so will result is a bigger mess than you have now.

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

Try it in Safe Mode

DerekW