Started to Defrag Automatically
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From: Tim Meddick on 23 Mar 2010 15:43 The truth is I am still learning while giving advice. You may think this at odds, but the first bit of advice I gave still stands : While I have learnt that the defragmentation (background) process is concerned only with defragmenting the prefetch system files. Thing I already said include; it is still automatically called every three days and is not set in the Task Scheduler although Task Scheduler must be enabled for it to work. And more importantly, it should NOT interfere (slow down) your PC and should NOT consume all but the smallest of memory resources (you said your "dfrgntfs.exe" process ate 500-600k in my experience it takes a process over 10000k for it to have any negative impact on PC speed) plus it should desist once user input is detected (not quit mind you, but stop using up so much memory resources). And, finally and MOST importantly; if you just don't want this process to begin I gave you the correct registry setting for you to stop it from happening. I would not have quoted a registry setting for you to change if it had any serious consequences. By stopping automatic boot-disk optimization, you only stop the background defrag process of the prefetch files (in your case, so "dfrtgntfs.exe" will no longer show up in Task Manager when you did not start it), you won't stop PREFETCH which, IMHO, is essential for the smooth running of XP! == Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) "Bright Spark" <brightspark-notnowhere(a)nomore.com> wrote in message news:jrlhq5t0n8t6jkorhkfdno8ghiljkdj1li(a)4ax.com... > Thank you for taking the time, John John. Your explanation certainly > accounts for why I could not find it anywhere in any scheduling > settings. > > I believe I have possibly found at least some of the answer to my > mystery in a website called "File.Net" - it is possible that it is > associated with the Indexing Service. I have shut that off and we'll > see if that solves this problem which, as I say, has only just > recently been happening, not been going on since I've been using XP. > > http://www.file.net/process/dfrgntfs.exe.html > > Again, thank you for taking the time to try to help. I appreciate it. > > Bright Spark > > > > > On Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:33:46 -0300, John John - MVP > <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote: > >> >>What the others are talking about it the Prefetch mechanism, there are >>no other types of system initiated background defragmentation. The >>prefetch defragmentation is launched by the Task Scheduler, it only >>occurs when the system is idle and it is only performed every three >>days. There are no entries for this task in the Task Scheduler and >>there are no user settings for this task in the TS GUI tool. The System >>Idle Task Scheduler service monitors for the system to be idle before it >>launches the task. The system is considered to be idle if for the last >>10 minutes: >> >> * There is no user input. >> * The CPU and disk usage is less than 10 percent. >> * The system is not running on battery power. >> * Presentation programs (such as a slide show or movie playback) >>are not running. >> >>Finally, it should be noted that usually the Prefetch defragmentation >>would be relatively fast, it doesn't take a very long time to optimize >>the prefetch files, after all, the files are optimized every three days >>and they don't change all that often so there is usually not all that >>much moving around to do with the files. If you want to acquaint >>yourself with the Prefetch mechanism read the relevant section here: >> >>http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc302206.aspx >>Windows XP: Kernel Improvements Create a More Robust, Powerful, and >>Scalable OS >> >>Please be advised that there are all kinds of misconceptions about >>Prefetch and that 'false' tweaks abound all over the internet, don't >>believe any of these tweaks, the author here: >>http://members.rushmore.com/~jsky/id14.html sums it up accurately: >> >>[Quote] >> >>Windows XP Prefetching by default is already optimized. There are no >>tweaks that do anything but hurt performance. Anyone making any claims >>otherwise does not understand how Windows Prefetching works. They also >>do not provide documented and accurate reproducible testing to prove >>that some "tweak" does work. This nonsense has been copied off one site >>to another. >> >>[end quote] >> >>I don't know why dfrgntfs.exe is running and bogging down your system. >>This much I can tell you, I don't remember ever having seen this running >>in my Task Manager (yes, Prefetch is enabled on my machine and yes the >>Task Scheduler service is set to start automatically). I am not saying >>that the task doesn't show as part of the boot optimization, I don't >>know if it does or not, I'm only saying that if it does I can't remember >>ever seeing it showing in the Task Manager... but then if the task only >>occurs when the computer is idle for 10 minutes or more, well I wasn't >>at the computer to see it or I was asleep at the keyboard... >> >>I think this is probably being launched by one of your maintenance >>application. Under which user name is the process running? >> >>John >> >> >>Bright Spark wrote: >>> To tell you the truth, John, I have found a whole lot of this thread >>> misleading since I first posted my request for assistance. I was >>> hoping for some help in this group, but instead find it seems more >>> like a contest of who knows what and calling people names, etc. Can't >>> imagine what good all that does other than perhaps some ego-stoking. >>> Certainly doesn't actually help anyone looking for solutions, >>> unfortunately. >>> >>> As far as help, I guess I have been informed now that my computer has >>> always been doing this whether I knew it or not, and I can change the >>> registry if I want (but why would I want to), take it or leave it. >>> >>> I was in here asking for help because my computer has not, in fact, >>> been doing this. I am no computer expert, but I'm not a neophyte >>> either and I do at least know some of the more common places to check >>> and see what might be slowing things down when they do slow down. In >>> other words, hoping perhaps for some suggestions as to why it would >>> suddenly start doing this and thinking I might get some ideas here. >>> That's what I get for thinking. >>> >>> Bright Spark >>> >>> >>> On Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:02:26 -0300, John John - MVP >>> <audetweld(a)nbnot.nb.ca> wrote: >>> >>>> This is a bit misleading, the background defragmentation is part of the >>>> boot optimization process and it involves only startup files. >>>> >>>> John >>>> >>>> Tim Meddick wrote: >>>>> Was it not clear to you what Mr Leonard Grey wrote? >>>>> >>>>> "Background defragmentation has always been a feature of Windows XP" >>>>> >>>>> So then, why ask "question is why is it defragging since OP didn't >>>>> initiate it." ?? >>>>> >>>>> The plain fact is that Win XP will enable an internal setting (by >>>>> default) to AUTOMATICALLY (look it up!) defragment the boot disk when >>>>> the PC is idle... >>>>> >>>>> So the OP need do nothing to initiate this effect as it is already enabled! >>>>> >>>>> Also, as Mr Grey points out, it occurs when the PC IS idle and desists >>>>> when the user intervenes (similar to the effect of a screensaver) and >>>>> thus, cannot be responsible for the slowing down of a PC! >>>>> >>>>> It is certainly NOT the effect of some malware, but a normal in-built >>>>> feature of WinXP! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Finally, to disable this feature (why you would want to, I don't know) >>>>> reset the following registry value : >>>>> >>>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction] >>>>> "Enable"="Y" >>>>> >>>>> ...and change it to : >>>>> >>>>> "Enable"="N" >>>>> >>>>> ...to disable automatic boot-disk background optimization by defrag.exe >>>>> >>>>> == >>>>> >>>>> Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> "Unknown" <unknown(a)unknown.kom> wrote in message >>>>> news:Oe6BrweyKHA.5948(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>> "Background defrag has always been a feature" doesn't really make any >>>>>> sense since programs and/or files in use cannot be >>>>>> defragged. The real question is why is it defragging since OP didn't >>>>>> initiate it. >>>>>> Does this occur immediately at startup or randomly happening. . >>>>>> "Leonard Grey" <l.grey(a)invalid.invalid> wrote in message >>>>>> news:eax%23HCeyKHA.5292(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>> Background defragmentation has always been a feature of Windows XP. >>>>>>> The defrags occur when your PC is idle. Therefore, it's not the cause >>>>>>> for your computer becoming slow. >>>>>>> --- >>>>>>> Leonard Grey >>>>>>> Errare humanum est >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Bright Spark wrote: >>>>>>>> Been using this XP for the past several years, and suddenly in the >>>>>>>> past 2-3 weeks, it has started automatically defragging on its own. I >>>>>>>> will notice that response time is dragging, etc., and when I check the >>>>>>>> Task Master it shows dfrgntfs.exe running. I haven't told it to >>>>>>>> defrag and I haven't set any automatic times for it to do so. I >>>>>>>> have checked all the Task Schedulers and other places I can think of >>>>>>>> where I might have accidentally set something, but nothing shows any >>>>>>>> auto defrag set. I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. >>>>>>>> Many thanks. Bright Spark >>>>>>
From: Tim Meddick on 23 Mar 2010 15:50 This guy "Unknown" is dangerous, not only myself, but TWO MVPs have separately confirmed within this thread that defrag.exe (in your case with an NTFS partition - dfrgntfs.exe) is a NORMAL PART OF THE WIN XP PROCESSES And have told you many times now that if you want to stop it (and there is NO HARM in doing so) just change the registry setting I gave you and you will be bothered by the automatic starting of the "dfrgntfs.exe" process anymore.... For one last and final time.... IT HAS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH SOME MALICIOUS SOFTWARE INVASION CONSPIRACY BY INVADING VIRUSSES! - IT IS NORMAL! == Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) "Bright Spark" <brightspark-notnowhere(a)nomore.com> wrote in message news:npnhq59gjknsgd99m0ij0k4v4qdk4psrum(a)4ax.com... > Thank you, Unknown ..... > > < clipped > >
From: Unknown on 23 Mar 2010 15:59 Read the difference between optimize boot and defrag. If you stop to think, there is nothing to prevent some programs from using other programs routines. Optimizing may well use a routine in defrag but optimizing is NOT defragging. The registry key is "BootOptimizeFunction" You also stated defrag is defaulted as on. No it isn't and can't be. It has to be scheduled. Boot optimize is defaulted on. Entirely different program. Cheers! "Tim Meddick" <timmeddick(a)gawab.com> wrote in message news:enAVZ5ryKHA.5576(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > I'm not going to argue with someone who is so blind to what is true > anymore, than to > say this; > > I am "confusing" things am I? > > If defrag has got nothing to do with the boot optimize process, as you > say, then why > is the registry key that controls the boot optimize process called : > > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction > > ??? > > You will notice the "\Dfrg\" in the middle of that reg-path. Also, under > the above > key is a reg-value called : "ResourceDllName"="DfrgRes.dll" > > DfrgRes.dll being part of the automatic background boot-disk optimization > performed > by defrag. > > The WinXP boot-disk optimization is performed by a mix of (background) > disk > defragmentation and also improved performance by the realigning of the > prefetch > processes. > > This happens once every three days, as a rule, but can be forced by > rebooting (twice) > and executing the command : > > Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks > > I think it is YOU that do not read the other posts, plus you didn't even > check out the registry setting or even look it up! > > == > > Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) > > > > > "Unknown" <unknown(a)unknown.kom> wrote in message > news:uNWAmhpyKHA.404(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> You are confusing boot optimization with defrag. May I suggest you Google >> 'defrag' >> and read whhat it is. >> "Tim Meddick" <timmeddick(a)gawab.com> wrote in message >> news:uHjSYChyKHA.244(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>> And to answer that and your other question ... >>> >>> The AUTOMATIC BOOT-DISK OPTIMIZATION EXECUTED BY DEFRAG.EXE EVERY THREE >>> DAYS >>> CALLING EITHER DFRGNTFS.EXE OR DFRGFAT.EXE CONTROLLED BY DFRGRES.DLL AND >>> UTLIIZING >>> LAYOUT.INF, IS SET BY DEFAULT BY THE REGISTRY SETTING : >>> >>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction] >>> "Enable"="Y" >>> >>> PLEASE NOTICE THE "Enable"="Y" THAT IS "Y" FOR YES ENABLE >>> >>> THAT IS THE DEFAULT SETTING! >>> >>> == >>> >>> Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) >>> >>> >>> P.S. I WILL admit that the URL that I quoted was a bit of a loss, I >>> thought it >>> explained further. >>> >>> I have so far only got the odd references from here and there - nothing >>> that >>> confirms and explains the whole thing. Nut be assured I am right about >>> XP >>> automatically optimizing the boot disk using background disk >>> defragmentation and >>> it being enabled by default AND not scheduled through the Task Scheduler >>> (although, Task Scheduler must be enabled for it to work). >>> >>> >>> "Unknown" <unknown(a)unknown.kom> wrote in message >>> news:OQFQAhgyKHA.404(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>>> You are the idiot because you ASSUME defrag is executed. Where on the >>>> URL you >>>> posted does it say defrag >>>> is started by default? I have had XP since day one and never had defrag >>>> run >>>> without my starting it. >>>> Talk about making statements without knowledge-----read the info at the >>>> URL you >>>> posted. >>>> You being British, do you know what defrag is? >>>> "Tim Meddick" <timmeddick(a)gawab.com> wrote in message >>>> news:Oy5E1VgyKHA.928(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>> You are an idiot. >>>>> >>>>> I will explain. >>>>> >>>>> You are an idiot ,because you make statements without knowledge.... >>>>> >>>>> http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,1149277,00.asp >>>>> >>>>> == >>>>> >>>>> Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> "Unknown" <unknown(a)unknown.kom> wrote in message >>>>> news:O6BkPHgyKHA.3884(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>> It was very clear. He has never experienced the problem till >>>>>> recently. >>>>>> Win XP does NOT (by default) automatically defrag the boot disk. >>>>>> It must be a scheduled event. >>>>>> The OP did NOT initiate this event. >>>>>> You had best get your facts straight and read the other posts from >>>>>> the OP. >>>>>> Also please show where defrag is set by default. >>>>>> "Tim Meddick" <timmeddick(a)gawab.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:O%23dqEcfyKHA.4752(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>>>> Was it not clear to you what Mr Leonard Grey wrote? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "Background defragmentation has always been a feature of Windows XP" >>>>>>> >>>>>>> So then, why ask "question is why is it defragging since OP didn't >>>>>>> initiate >>>>>>> it." ?? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The plain fact is that Win XP will enable an internal setting (by >>>>>>> default) to >>>>>>> AUTOMATICALLY (look it up!) defragment the boot disk when the PC is >>>>>>> idle... >>>>>>> >>>>>>> So the OP need do nothing to initiate this effect as it is already >>>>>>> enabled! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Also, as Mr Grey points out, it occurs when the PC IS idle and >>>>>>> desists when >>>>>>> the user intervenes (similar to the effect of a screensaver) and >>>>>>> thus, cannot >>>>>>> be responsible for the slowing down of a PC! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> It is certainly NOT the effect of some malware, but a normal >>>>>>> in-built feature >>>>>>> of WinXP! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Finally, to disable this feature (why you would want to, I don't >>>>>>> know) reset >>>>>>> the following registry value : >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction] >>>>>>> "Enable"="Y" >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ...and change it to : >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "Enable"="N" >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ...to disable automatic boot-disk background optimization by >>>>>>> defrag.exe >>>>>>> >>>>>>> == >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "Unknown" <unknown(a)unknown.kom> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:Oe6BrweyKHA.5948(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>> "Background defrag has always been a feature" doesn't really make >>>>>>>> any sense >>>>>>>> since programs and/or files in use cannot be >>>>>>>> defragged. The real question is why is it defragging since OP >>>>>>>> didn't initiate >>>>>>>> it. >>>>>>>> Does this occur immediately at startup or randomly happening. . >>>>>>>> "Leonard Grey" <l.grey(a)invalid.invalid> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:eax%23HCeyKHA.5292(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>> Background defragmentation has always been a feature of Windows >>>>>>>>> XP. The >>>>>>>>> defrags occur when your PC is idle. Therefore, it's not the cause >>>>>>>>> for your >>>>>>>>> computer becoming slow. >>>>>>>>> --- >>>>>>>>> Leonard Grey >>>>>>>>> Errare humanum est >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Bright Spark wrote: >>>>>>>>>> Been using this XP for the past several years, and suddenly in >>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>> past 2-3 weeks, it has started automatically defragging on its >>>>>>>>>> own. I >>>>>>>>>> will notice that response time is dragging, etc., and when I >>>>>>>>>> check the >>>>>>>>>> Task Master it shows dfrgntfs.exe running. I haven't told it to >>>>>>>>>> defrag and I haven't set any automatic times for it to do so. I >>>>>>>>>> have >>>>>>>>>> checked all the Task Schedulers and other places I can think of >>>>>>>>>> where I might have accidentally set something, but nothing shows >>>>>>>>>> any >>>>>>>>>> auto defrag set. I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. >>>>>>>>>> Many >>>>>>>>>> thanks. Bright Spark >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> >> >
From: Unknown on 23 Mar 2010 16:07 You are absolutely insane. You yourself said Boot Optimization does not slow down ones computer. The OP's computer is slowing down severely. Now you say it is normal??????? "Tim Meddick" <timmeddick(a)gawab.com> wrote in message news:ei3rgIsyKHA.1796(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > This guy "Unknown" is dangerous, not only myself, but TWO MVPs have > separately confirmed within this thread that defrag.exe (in your case with > an NTFS partition - dfrgntfs.exe) is a NORMAL PART OF THE WIN XP PROCESSES > > And have told you many times now that if you want to stop it (and there is > NO HARM in doing so) just change the registry setting I gave you and you > will be bothered by the automatic starting of the "dfrgntfs.exe" process > anymore.... > > For one last and final time.... > > IT HAS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH SOME MALICIOUS SOFTWARE INVASION CONSPIRACY > BY INVADING VIRUSSES! - IT IS NORMAL! > > == > > Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) > > > > > "Bright Spark" <brightspark-notnowhere(a)nomore.com> wrote in message > news:npnhq59gjknsgd99m0ij0k4v4qdk4psrum(a)4ax.com... >> Thank you, Unknown ..... >> >> < clipped > >>
From: Tim Meddick on 23 Mar 2010 16:10
"Unknown" - You just don't listen to anyone, do you? Boot-disk optimization IS the defragmentation and realignment (according to the contents of the file Layout.inf) of the prefetch system files. The defragmentation part of the process is performed by the automatic background calling of defrag.exe which, in turn, start either "dfrgntfs.exe" (in the case of the OP) or "dfrgfat.exe" and it then defragments the prefetch system files. Section : "Prefetch", on page : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc302206.aspx == Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-) |