- Time
- Post link
Is disc defragmenting good fo a computer?
- Time
- Post link
Kidding!
Yes, periodic defragmenting is a good thing, especially if you 1) have installed/removed many programs, or 2) save and move large numbers of smaller files (jpgs, AVIs, etc.). When you "delete" a file, the file doesn't actually get deleted - it is simply written over by a newer file (which is why "deleted files" can still be found.) Larger files (think DVD VOBs and such) have to be squeezed in between all these small files, occasionally being split into smaller chunks and spread throughout the hard drive. For documents and such, this isn't a problem, but if you are trying to watch a video file in real time, hard drive seek times can affect your playback rate. This also goes for video games running at high frame rates.Defragmenting simply means moving existing data around so that files can be placed at easier places to access, and larger files can be kept as whole as possible. Defragmenting also speeds up your boot time, since it's easier for the computer to access and load system files (though most of these are not moved from their original installation locations.)
If your computer use involves a great deal of disk access (as such downloading), then defragmenting can cause a noticeable improvement in overall computer speed. However, if you've not installed any new programs, or offload most downloaded files to CD/DVD, then you probably won't see much of an improvement, but defraggin will take much less time, also.
My advice: Start defragging about an hour before you go to bed. Check on it an hour later, to see if you have any error messages. The most common culprit will be a program running in the background that keeps accessing the disc, thus changing the contents. (The computer takes a "snap-shot" of the hard drive files to analyze before defragging, and if some of the files are moved, the program has to start all over.) You may have to CTRL+ALT+DELETE to the Program Manager and shut down some programs running in the background. Other than that, the program pretty much runs on its own.
<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>
<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>
<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>
<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>
<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>