Used a 3rd party Defrag program and, even though it was fast, resulted in two of my programs not working... that I know of right now. Reinstall I was told. Reading on this subject I was informed that defraging with windows or a 3rd party could eliminate necessary files. Use MS-DOS the article pointed out. Do you bring up a Command window in SafeMode or what. Any comments? Thanks.

MS-DOS' defrag wouldn't work with any file system WinXP would use...

Use the built in XP defrag. Either way from command line or gui is the same. You should have about 75% free space for a complete defrag. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

I was informed that defraging with windows or a 3rd party could eliminate necessary files You were informed wrong. Defrag NEVER "eliminate" files. XP defrag command line syntax or parameters are listed in the following MSKB article. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283080 i_Xp/VistaUser

Start | Run | defrag %systemdrive% "Foolproof systems don't take into account the ingenuity of fools."

Explain to me then~ quote - "Starting DEFRAG from a program such as Microsoft Windows may cause you to lose data." - unquote~ http://www.dewassoc.com/support/msd...

That example is the old defrag that was part of MS-DOS and used up to version 6+. After Windows became more common the version designed for Windows became the required method. With WinXP and Vista you would never use the DOS program to defrag. The note you are seeing is associated with the old version only. All versions of defrag now are designed to be run in Windows. At the top of the page it states for MS-DOS 6 and later, however 6.22 was the last true stand alone DOS package. and that was in the early 90's. Richard