Windows Server 2003 comes with three fairly robust, built-in tools that you can use to perform basic troubleshooting, cleanup, and repair operations:
We examine each of these tools in the following subsections. Using the Disk Cleanup UtilityThe Disk Cleanup utility can remove temporary files, installation logs, Recycle Bin items, and other deadwood that accumulates on your volumes over time. You can start the Disk Cleanup utility in three ways, depending on your needs:
Step by Step 12.23 details how to run the Disk Cleanup utility.
By selecting the More Options tab in the Disk Cleanup dialog box, you are presented with other options to create free space on your drive, such as removing Windows components or other programs that you don't use. The Disk Cleanup utility can be configured for scheduled cleaning by using the Scheduled Tasks Wizard located in the Control Panel. Using the Check Disk UtilityThe Check Disk utility can be used to check the file and folder structure of your hard disks as well as to check the physical structure of your hard disks. Check Disk can also be configured to automatically correct any errors located. Check Disk can be launched by using one of the following methods:
Step by Step 12.24 details how to run the GUI version of the Check Disk utility.
The GUI version of Check Disk can fix most minor problems. However, there are times when you need to have more options available for checking your disks. The command-line Check Disk utility, CHKDSK.EXE, offers more flexibility. The chkdsk command has the following syntax: chkdsk [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C] [/L[:size]] Table 12.1 presents the options for use with the chkdsk command.
Using the Disk Defragmenter UtilityIt was once thought that NTFS could not become fragmented. However, it was soon discovered that NTFS becomes fragmented the same as FAT and FAT32 do. Starting with Windows 2000, Microsoft includes a "light" version of Executive Software's Diskeeper, relabeled as the Disk Defragmenter utility, that is used for performing disk defragmentation. The purpose of a defragmentation tool is to analyze a volume or partition and determine whether each file occupies a contiguous space. During the normal operation of a server, files are written, deleted, and rewritten. If a file needs to be added to, it must be given space wherever free space is available, and the free space might not necessarily be located next to the space that the file currently occupies. As a file is rewritten over and over, parts of it may be scattered all over the volume. This can slow down the access time for the file because it has to be read from various locations. In addition, new files and programs may be installed in pieces because there is no contiguous free space left on the drive large enough to store the new program. Over time, this slows the I/O performance of the volume. After the defragmentation program has analyzed the volume, it can then consolidate the files and folders by moving the data around until the each of the files and folders are located in contiguous space on the volume. In addition, the defragmentation program consolidates the free space at the end of the volume so that new programs and files can be installed in contiguous space. The defragmentation utility included with Windows Server 2003, Disk Defragmenter, can defrag both NTFS and FAT volumes and partitions. Note: Free Space Limitations The GUI version of the Disk Defragmenter in Windows Server 2003 will not defragment a disk that has less than 15% free space. You can access the Disk Defragmenter utility by following any one of these five methods:
No matter which way you start Disk Defragmenter, your options are the same. To analyze a volume, click the Analyze button. You can defragment a volume, with or without first analyzing it, by clicking the Defragment button. The View Report button shows the analysis report again. You can pause or stop a running defragmentation. The Disk Defragmenter utility can be configured for scheduled cleaning by using the Scheduled Tasks Wizard located in the Control Panel. Tip: Check out the full version of Diskeeper at www.executivesoftware.com/diskeeper/diskeeper.asp. In addition to the GUI defragmentation utility, there is also a command-line utility. The command-line version of Disk Defragmenter can be used in scripts, and it also has an option to force a defragmentation to take place when there is less than 15% free space on the volume or partition. When started from the command line, the defrag.exe command has the following syntax: defrag [volume[[path]filename]]] [/A] [/V] [/F] Table 12.2 presents the options for use with the defrag command.
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