[NTLUG:Discuss] partition problems

[Mark Bickel]

> From: Lance Rose <lrose at csiweb.com>
> To: "'discuss at ntlug.org'" <discuss at ntlug.org>
> Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 11:53:48 -0600
> Subject: [NTLUG:Discuss] partition problems

>I am attempting to install Mandrake 7.2.

> I defragged the drive and set aside the required amount of 
> space for the mandrake install and rebooted with the CD in the drive. 
>  Everything went fine until the repartition part.  I came up with an error 
> indicating that I needed to refrag my c:.  I went into a little loop of 
> redefragging and attempting the install.  After 3-4 loops I decided to look 
> for help.  I think the problem is some "non-movable files".  These are 
> preventing the defrag from creating a large enough contiguous space.

The problem may be with files that are locked because they are in use.
Try shutting down as many programs as you can, including extra things
that show up in systray. One could even restart Windows in "safe" mode
which will load even less stuff e.g protected mode drivers. If that
doesn't get it you could try running a DOS-based defrag program, but
note that it will likely require a prior, even specific DOS version.
In that case the best approach is to set up a DOS boot floppy with the
defrag program on it. That way none of the files on you HD part should
be locked. Hidden and read-only files can cause problems too so the DOS
ATTRIB command might be useful there.

Mark.Bickel at ericsson.com