what is defragmenting?

elsien

I work in a residential home that has just been computerised, but we've been left to get on with it, and don't really have a clue.
My staff tell me they keep getting some sort of message that I haven't seen about defragmenting files?
Could some kind person please explain what this is and how to do it.
Much appreciated - am trying hard to get over my technophobia, but am scared of breaking our new toy!

spacker_2

All explained very well here >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defragmenting

elsien

thanks - does that mean that the program should be on the computer and I just have to find it?

spacker_2

In simple terms a fragmented drive takes more time to be read as a defragmented drive is tidied up (if u like) means that the drive can be read easier thus speeding up the PC.


Depending what OS you are using (OS = Operating System, i.e XP or 98, etc etc.

Usually, Click, Start, Programs, Accessories, Sytem Tools, and then Disk Defragmentation and then you can defrag the drive, it may take some time so beware, also it may not happen if any errors are on the drive but thats a case of "cross that bridge" if your not to sure.

elsien

Wonderful - I'll have a go the next time I'm trying to avoid doing any proper work. Thank you.

LizEstelle

And on the same subject...

.... why does my defrag programme never finish? It could on for days, chuntering away to itself if I let it, never reaching anywhere near the end. I just let it run once a year and cancel it after a few hours of grind. No idea whether this is a good idea or not.

spacker_2

elsien wrote:

Wonderful - I'll have a go the next time I'm trying to avoid doing any proper work. Thank you.

Just bear in mind if its a Windows 98 PC it can take quite some time, also only run defragmenter and nothing else or it will never complete as defragmenter needs access to all programs and if another program is running it wont complete defragmenting, so just start up the PC then do defrag straight away when ready with no other programs open like Word, Excel, or anything else.

spacker_2

LizEstelle wrote:

And on the same subject...

.... why does my defrag programme never finish? It could on for days, chuntering away to itself if I let it, never reaching anywhere near the end. I just let it run once a year and cancel it after a few hours of grind. No idea whether this is a good idea or not.

I posted at about the same time, lol see above post, also if you have any errors on the drive it wont complete a defrag, so youll need to suss what OS you are using, my OS is XP.


OS is short for Operating System.


How I have to perform a scandisk in XP http://www.duxcw.com/faq/win/xp/scandisk.htm

albertross_2

LizEstelle wrote:

And on the same subject...

.... why does my defrag programme never finish? It could on for days, chuntering away to itself if I let it, never reaching anywhere near the end. I just let it run once a year and cancel it after a few hours of grind. No idea whether this is a good idea or not.

try it in safe mode, hit f8 when you boot up.

spacker_2

albertross wrote:

try it in safe mode, hit f8 when you boot up.

I would try this aswell, it may well work because it maybe that by going into safe mode you will be stopping the process that is always using the PC to write to thus stopping a defrag.

LizEstelle

I'm still stuck with Windows 98!