how often should a computer be defraged?when?

Question

when the computer is turned on it runs slow and not that much faster after that. there are no viruses etc.. to make it run slower so it has created a mystery. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Rarely - it causes unnecessary wear on the drives. You are better off getting a good anti virus and spyware programme and using that daily.

Answer 2

Defragging should only take place if you are creating and erasing a lot of large files. Say you're backing up files to CD or DVD, then after that happens a good defrag is recommended.

If you are just using it for word and the internet, then not as often.

A slow computer can mean many different things.

I would recommend a minimum of 512MB of ram for any system (1GB for Vista) and more RAM if you do a lot of intensive work.

You didn't mention the spec of your computer and its operating system. What I mean is, that if you have a Pentium III 500MHz, don't expect to run XP. If your system meets the minimum specification for your operating system, you should go back to the previous operating system.

Also, your hard rive is a limiting factor. You should have AT LEAST 10% free for the computer to run normal operations.

I have seen more computers with less than 1% of the total disk space free and they are SLOW!

Also, do you have folders on your desktop? Are they folders or short cuts to folders?

Use Explorer (if you have a Windows system) and click on DESKTOP near the top.

Right-Click on each folder and select properties. It should give you a size of between 1k and 4k.

If it shows up as MB, you need to move those folders to the My Documents folder and then create short cuts to the desktop for each folder.

This is because of the way that Windows operates. It's a major drag.

Once you have large folders moved off the desktop and into the My Documents folder and shortcuts made, and then you have made sure that you have more than 10% free ON EACH HARD DRIVE, you can run the ant-spy ware and anti-virus programs such as Ad-Aware, CCleaner and Avast to clean up the rest.

Then you will notice an increase in speed.

You may also want to uninstall any programs that you do not use regularly.

Answer 3

There are few things which you have to check,

1. Check how many unwanted programs are running behind (you can see the program icons in the system tray, bottom right) , if there are many then they are using you RAM.
If you are running WIndows XP or 2003 goto
Start --> Run --> MSconfig.
Inside MSconfig goto startup and remove all the unwanted programs from starting while windows starts.

2. To know when to defragment the volume open the Defragmenter window , select the partition and click analyse. Based on the result you defragment or don't. Generally partitions with more I/O operations have to be defragmented once in a month.

3. Check the performance meter for the CPU and Memory utilization.
Right click on the task bar --> Task Manager --> Performance.

4. Check whether you have any virus infection and any spyware or trojan infections.
Can download tools like Spy Bot, Spyware doctor, etc.

Answer 4

Defrag when it is needed the Windows defrager will tell you if it needs doing other than that i have never noticed a speed difference in operational terms before and after a defrag however my system is a lot better than an average desktop plus i also have O & O defrager so when i do defrag i do it properly

Answer 5

I do mine once a year...if I remember. Even then, I don't notice hardly any difference at all and I install a *lot* of programs. I probably should do it more often, but don't much see the point. Anyone who does it once a day has definitely got too much time to spare. Your computer slowdown is most likely related to something like spyware and most assuredly not from a lack of defragging.

Answer 6

A computer should only be defragmented once every few months if that. Note that it will make your comp run faster but the more you do it the more wear and tear on your hard drive. Have you taken up most of your memory? enter the task manager (ctrl+alt+del) and make sure that everything taking up alot of memory is legit. If you have too many processes running, enter run>msconfig and disable unnecessary processes. If everything seems to be fine then check your ram and make sure you have enough to run your system, check your processor to make sure it can keep up with your ram. hope it helps :)

Answer 7

Defragmentation & optimization should be run every week or as often as nec. Check out your memory usage. Most current systems are severely under-resourced. If you are using Vista or XP then max out your memory capacity.
Also dump any software & startup programs you dont need.
In XP pressing ctrl alt del will bring up usage & resources. You can see all the software that is running in the background under processes & under performance you can see memory issues
Also clean up all temp stuff.
Good Luck
Ignore the comments about wear & tear that is baloney. AS a tech my system is 4 yrs old I cleanup 2-3 times a week seeing its on all the time & there are 3 other users.

Answer 8

My comp technician who repairs my Pc told me that you should defrag your computer on a daily basis, but i usually maybe do it once a week, just before i am going to shutdown, or if its running slow i would do it when i first turn the computer on i suppose.

Answer 9

depends on use level... I do mine 2 times per week most do it 1 time a week or less... rule fo thumb ? when you feel it slowing? time for a cleanup.. clearout cache temps cookies browser hist etc...... my servers run 2/4 7 with non stop up and dn loads so i have alot of hdd activity and thus the higher scheduled maint... home use pcs never need this kind of attn...

Answer 10

i go into this about once a month and do an anyalysis, and only if that tells me to defragment do i do it, it would depend on how much you use your computer and how much stuff you download as to how often you have to do it, try weekly and then less often if it tells you you dont need to do it,

Answer 11

make sure u have 15% free space on hard drive and defrag once a week. Thats what i usually do...and delete files you do not need, or put important things (music etc...)on dvd or cd discs.....hope this help