why doesn't defrag work right?

I don't know if this is still true, but a couple of years ago some programs would install some files that could not be moved from their original locations. If the programs you mentioned had these sort of files that were fragmented during installation, then perhaps they could not be defragged.

Perhaps someone else can confirm this. (Or debunk it.)

What programs were they?
some windows files wont move/copy or what not due to file protection. Swap file cant be defragged normally.
May have been files that were in use at the time. Try shutting down all the processes you can in task menu before a defragg to see if it helps.

All in all I wouldnt worry about. You wont see any benifit from getting those files defragged.

Swap file CAN be defragged normally, the only situation that will prevent swap file defragging (apart from a dodgy hd) is if swap file is manually set to a fixed value (typically to 1.5 times the size of physical memory ie. ram). In that situation, in order to allow swap file to defrag, it must be reset back to 'system managed size'.


you will see huge benefit from a defragged swap file. however since I have 2gb of ram I'm able to get by without a swap file altogether so that isn't something I have to worry about anymore   !

Try a third party defragger like Diskeeper or the one from Vopt (Golden Bow).

After you install it, run it in Safe mode.

If you still see scattering, in VoptXP you can click on the box they're at, and you'll be told what files they are. Perhaps knowing the program, you could uninstall, defrag, then reinstall.

Swap file in 95/98/ME can be defragged normally... but the page file in NT/2000/XP must be defragged offline; ie before Windows loads. A defrag pass done in Windows will defrag all your regular files... but not the page file.

If they are not important system files or programs that are always in use ect try cutting and pasting them to and from the hdd and defrag the drive while the file are off the drive(if you have more than one drive that is) this is also the best method fro defraging an full drive or at least that is what i found.

PS is your drive to full to defrag the larger files they might be to large to be moved into any of the empty gaps in the drive