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Defragmenting A Computer Hard DriveOct 08 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Computers running the Windows operating system use a File Allocation Table (FAT) to keep track of every segment of an individual file. Over time these segments become physically separated on the hard drive. This phenomenon is known as fragmentation. While the FAT allows the file segments to be located properly, increased fragmentation causes one’s computer to work less effectively. This will potentially cause any application stored on the hard drive to take unnecessary time locating and reconstructing file segments. That is why it is advisable to defragment one’s hard drive periodically. This review applies specifically to the Windows 98 operating system; however other Windows versions use a similar approach. Microsoft provides a utility named Disk Defragmenter, a program that makes it possible for the fragmented files to be reconstructed and for the FAT to be updated. A metaphor for fragmentation and defragmentation is packing a suitcase. For example, a student who has just arrived at college might be living out of a suitcase. In our example every time the student does laundry, he or she simply stacks the clean clothes on top of the others in the suitcase. Over time it becomes disorganized. Socks are not paired with their mates, whites and darks are mixed together, and locating any specific item is more difficult and time consuming. When the student reorganizes the suitcase, locating specific items is easier and takes less time. Similarly, Disk Defragmenter reorganizes the “suitcase” that is your hard drive. While Microsoft’s Disk Defragmenter program is perfectly adequate for most users, there are several third-party utilities that accomplish the same purpose. The most well known of these is the Symantec Norton Utilities suite, which includes Speed Disk. This utility, unlike Disk Defragmenter, optimizes the Windows swap files used for temporary storage. Disk Defragmenter, on the other hand, does not include the swap files in its optimization process. Additionally, Speed Disk provides far most customizability than does Disk Defragmenter. This review focuses on Disk Defragmenter for the following reasons. First, this tool is available to all Windows users. Second, although other utilities such as Speed Disk may have additional features, Disk Defragmenter is adequate to the specific purpose for which it is designed. Finally, accomplished users of Disk Defragmenter can easily master third-party defragmentation products such as Speed Disk whenever they desire to do so. The Disk Defragmenter program is a Windows system tool. One can start Disk Defragmenter by clicking Start, pointing to Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking Disk Defragmenter. To make it easier to use the program for future sessions, the user can also create a shortcut to Disk Defragmenter on the Windows desktop by right-clicking on the Disk Defragmenter program icon and selecting Create Shortcut. When Disk Defragmenter starts, the user can specify which drives will be optimized. The most obvious candidate is the hard drive, which is commonly labeled as drive C. While the disk is being defragmented, the computer will operate slowly, and the program must restart each time another program writes to the disk. For that reason, it is best to allow the program to finish before using the computer again. Windows also provides a Task Scheduler program that will allow the user to schedule a regular defragmentation session, for example once per week. It is best to schedule such sessions during the times when the computer would otherwise be idle, such as 3:00 A.M. on a weekday. Disk Defragmenter can display partial or full details of its activities, which include reading, writing, and optimizing disk clusters and updating the FAT. An optional color-coded legend shows which clusters are being read and written, as well as the clusters that have already been optimized. Before one’s hard drive is defragmented, it should be cleared of unnecessary files. This can be accomplished by using the Disk Cleanup utility, which is also a Windows system tool. The program will ask which drive is to be cleaned up. After a drive is selected, the program will calculate how much memory can be freed up by cleaning the drive. Disk Cleanup can delete temporary Internet files, downloaded files, the contents of the recycle bin, and temporary files. The following is a suggested set of steps for proper disk defragmentation. The first step is preparation. The user should clear as much disk space as possible, using the Disk Cleanup utility. However, the Disk Cleanup utility is not a substitute for deleting unwanted or unneeded files manually. The second step is planning. The defragmentation should not take place during a time when the computer is needed, such as during a download, writing a paper, or during a chat session. As previously mentioned the defragmentation session can be scheduled in advance using the Task Scheduler. The third step is performing. The Disk Defragmenter must either be started manually or automatically via the Task Scheduler. The computer has to be on for scheduled sessions to work. Also, during the session the best strategy is simply to allow the computer to go through the defragmentation process uninterrupted. The fourth step is prevention. This process should be regular and systematic. It is easier and faster to clean up a disk drive when the fragmentation level is low, as opposed to when it is high. If one allows a disk drive to become badly fragmented, the process of defragmentation can take hours, or even fail to work properly. In conclusion, when defragmenting a hard drive, one should remember the four P’s: preparation, planning, performance, and prevention. Disk Defragmenter provides a service that allows one’s computer to maintain fast and efficient file access. It should be used regularly to optimize disk performance and for the prevention of wasteful file fragmentation.  |
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by texas-swede
