What is defragmentation and how is it carried out ?

Answer 1

Defragmentation is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems. It does this by physically reorganizing the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file close together and contiguously. It also attempts to create larger regions of free space using compaction to impede the return of fragmentation. Some defragmenters also try to keep smaller files within a single directory together, as they are often accessed in sequence.
Reading and writing data on a heavily fragmented file system is slowed down as the time needed for the disk heads to move between fragments, and waiting for the disk platter to rotate into position, is increased. For many common operations, the performance bottleneck of the entire computer is the hard disk; thus the desire to process more efficiently encourages defragmentation. Operating system vendors often recommend periodic defragmentation to keep disk access speed from degrading over time.
Method using the properties of local disk
Open My Computer
Right-click the local disk volume that you want to defragment, and then click Properties
On the Tools tab, click Defragment Now.
Click Defragment

Answer 2

The hard disk is divided into small storage fragments called tracks and sectors (made up of a number of tracks). When some file is loaded into the hard drive, it is first of all fragmented and then stored randomly in these tracks. There is a very good chance that one fragment would be at one corner of the drive and another at the other corner! The next time you 'open' that file, the operating system gathers all those bits, puts them together, checks for the integrity and then finally produces the file before. By computer means, this takes a lot of time. By defragmenting, you bring all those bits together or at least nearer to each other, and the retrievation time for the file is significantly reduced (even though it's usually not noticeable). Defragmentation stores the data in contiguous memory locations, and pushes the free / unused space to the other part of the hard drive. If you are on a Windows, you can defragment any of your rives from Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Defragment.

P.S. It takes a LOT of time, so you have to be patient if you are doing it for the first time.

Answer 3

Hey there.

books in a way which moves the individual books in the volumes further apart from each other. As more books are added to library, the further apart and more mixed up the books in the volumes become. Now imagine that you come to the library and want to check out an entire volume of books. You would have to search all over the library to find each individual book in the volume that you want. In computer terms, what is happening when the individual books are re-shelved in this way is called fragmenting, and this is what happens to your computer as you install programs, download files, or just use your computer in general.

When running programs that contains hundreds of files, fragmenting can degrade the performance of your computer. As the clusters of files on your hard drive become fragmented, they grow further apart and it takes longer for your computer to find and assemble all the pieces necessary to run the programs. This is where defragmenting comes in. It rearranges the files on your hard drive so they are back in order, which cuts down on access latency (the time it takes to access your files). It is as if the library has hired a new librarian who goes through and arranges the books so that the volumes are intact and contiguous. This would greatly reduce the time it takes to find whole volumes or individual books in those volumes.


Defragmenting your Windows XP hard drive

1. To defragment your hard drive in Windows XP, open My Computer and right-click on the C: drive. Select Properties, then click on the Tools tab and select Defragment Now...


2. The Windows Disk Defragmenter program will open and all drives are listed in the top window pane. Since the program is going to be arranging files on your hard drive, it is important that no files are being accessed during the process, or the program won't be able to move them. Close all open programs.

3. The C: drive is where operating system files and programs are installed by default, so make sure that it is selected, then click Defragment. While the program is running, it is recommend that you not use your computer. The time is takes to run the defragmenting process is dependent on the size of your hard drive and amount of fragmentation.

While the program is running you will see a graphical representation of the blocks of files on your hard drive being moved and the fragmented segments joined together. Usually the less gaps of free space between the contiguous segments the better, but as long as the fragmented files are put together into contiguous segments, it will help your computer's performance.

4. Once the process is complete, the graphic should display most of the contiguous files on the left and the majority of the free space on the right. Close the Disk Defragmenter window and resume using your computer.

You have a great day.,

Answer 4

It's carried out by the built in Defrag program in your OS or by a third party software. The program gets all the files that are scattered all over your drive for each program and puts them all together so they won't be scattered through out. This way, when you run a program, all their respective files are together and the hard drive doesn't waste time looking through-out the drive looking for their files to make your program function corrrectly.

Answer 5

Its like reindexing your books, so you know where the books are, when come finding it, all subjects in teh same section.

You can right-click on the drive you want to defrag, choose property, then tools, then defragmentation, its in there

Answer 6

Here is an excellent link which fully explains defrag with graphics.

Explanation of Defrag

http://www.geekgirls.com/windows_defrag.htm

Answer 7

Here's a guide on how to do it. http://xtechforum.com/index.php?page=11