Defrag file problem

SQL Server 2000, Windows Server 2003.
We have a 24GB data file with 40GB free space. However even if we stop SQL
server and run the Microsoft Defragmenter it says it cannot defrag the file.
Would I be correct in thinking that if we backed up the database, deleted
and recreated the database making it's starting size 24GB, then restored the
backup file, this would create an unfragmented file.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Adrian.Adrian
try contig.exe from sysinternals.
www.sysinternals.com
It gives you the option to defrag single files and I've used it
succesfully in the past even on open database files.
Markus|||Markus,
Thanks. That's a useful link. I will let you know how I get on.
Adrian
"MarkusB" <m.bohse@.quest-consultants.com> wrote in message
news:1162998868.542722.265490@.i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Adrian
> try contig.exe from sysinternals.
> www.sysinternals.com
> It gives you the option to defrag single files and I've used it
> succesfully in the past even on open database files.
> Markus
>