Interrupted Disk Defragmenter Causes Lost Clusters

Last reviewed: August 31, 1995
Article ID: Q131741

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

If your computer loses power, is shut down, or is reset while you are running the Windows 95 Disk Defragmenter tool, lost clusters may be left on the hard disk.

CAUSE

During defragmentation, Disk Defragmenter duplicates files and moves them to unused clusters on the hard disk before writing the files to contiguous clusters. If Disk Defragmenter is interrupted, space designated to receive files during the move process remains improperly allocated and unusable.

Note that this problem is limited to lost clusters and does not result in data loss.

RESOLUTION

Use the Windows 95 ScanDisk tool (or another disk repair program that is compatible with Windows 95) to repair the hard disk.

KBCategory: kbtool
KBSubcategory: wpp95 win95 defrag drvspace dblspace scandisk
Additional reference words: 95

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Last reviewed: August 31, 1995
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