working while disk defragmentating?

Question

Is it ok to have a few programs open and be doing a few things on the computer, like internet surfing while my disk is defragmenting?

Answer 1

don't you wait until your company has left before you vacuum the floor? it's similar here. if you were trying to organize your stuff, you would wait until everyone stopped messing it up first. you can run small programs but it's better to have it clean itself up with nothing else to worry about. I also like to unplug the ethernet cord while defrag

Answer 2

When you use you computer, say to word process, you create files. As you update the file, during original creation, or later, the new data will be added to the file - but not necessarily in adjacent parts of the disk. So a single memo could be in many parts in storage, even though it appears to you as one document. Web surfing will update the cache, which is another file that needs to be updated.

Defragmenting joins the chunks of files together so that they are most efficiently stored and accessed after defragmentation. If you try to defragment while using the computer for other tasks you might end up in a tail chasing situation. If all goes well then you will just end up with a slower process and an incomplete defrag. If things go wrong then you may find the system hangs and that some file updates get lost.

It's your choice, mostly you will get away with it - but it will be less efficient and effective than leaving the job to run over lunch or over night.

Answer 3

If you're using a word processor or doing some light web surfing, it shouldn't be a problem. It would only be a problem if you used a lot of your CPU or used a ram-gobbling application. If you started cranking away on large photoshop files or playing video games, your computer wouldn't defrag effectively.

Light usage is okay, and your computer will essentially defrag fine. But it's still best to have nothing running to ensure that it defragments as thoroughly as possible.

Answer 4

No. I was taught to close everything down before defragging. You should defrag at least once a week.

Answer 5

yes, whilst carrying out a defrag all you need to do is minimise the defrag program and then carry on, no problem. it just might run a bit slower while the defrag is happening. maclaren.

Answer 6

No, it's not.... don't do that. Defrag when you are not using the system. Turn your screen saver settings off and let it do its thing.
It's a bit like trying to replace the dirty oil in you car while you are driving it around.

Answer 7

I don't understand the chorus of "no". It's perfectly fine, however due to the process of defragging some operations might be slow so best keep to light work (typing etc.).

Answer 8

no. do not use the computer for anythign while running defrag.

this vid shows how a hard disk finds and rearranges information http://my.break.com/media/view.aspx?ContentID=300549 so you can see that while its trying to defrag, its best not to ask it do do anything else.

Answer 9

No, run Defrag, in safe mode, overnight for best results.

Answer 10

It depends on the program you're using to defrag. If you're using the built in Windows defragger, then it's best not to run anything else. If you're using an advanced defragger, such as Raxco's PerfectDisk, then you can.
http://www.raxco.com/products/perfectdisk2k/

If you use Linux, however, you won't have to defrag at all. ;-)

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UPDATE:
To the monkey that thumbs downed this answer: Take your clueless preteen misinformation elsewhere. Okay?
Imbecile.