I need to defrag my files but I keep getting the message"file too big". How can I get around that? I am new...

Question

I am new to computers so make the answer really simple.
It just seems as if the computer is slower and if I could defrag it would bea a little faster plus aren't you supposed to defrag every now and then?

Answer 1

You should do a bit of research, the problem would have been solved by now cuz the answer is EASY, read on...

When you perform a DEFRAG (defragment the fragmented files), is a fancy way of saying, "put the mixed up pieces of files that are spread all over the HDD (Hard Disk Drive), back together where they belong (contiguous).

Am I still being too fancy? Try this explanation....
When you install a program, it takes up a certain amount of HDD space, right?

Everything is cool until you fill it up right?

You see a big game you want to install, but ya gots no more room. Darn. So you go and delete some stuff ya don't use until ya gots enough space on the HDD to install the new BIG game. When ya do install it, the files are installed by the OS (Operating System) at spots on the HDD wherever it can. (Files are spread around, Windows can find those spread-around files by a built-in system it has and uses which we will not talk about here.

Now when you load the new big game, the OS has to "find" them-thar files that are spread all over and that takes some time, the more the files are "spread around, fragmented" the more time it takes to load.

GOT IT?

Now when you want to DEFRAG, there must be enough free space on the HDD to let Windows do it's job, which means that you gotta have enough space to allow Windows to put sections of the defragmented files in a location where it puts them all together and then places them back in the HDD spot all together (contiguous).

If there ain't some space fer it ta do it's job, it can't do what ya want cuz there ain't enough room anywhere to temporarily put 'em.

GOT IT?

Good, see I was right.

Anyway, when the Defrag is done, you will see some improvement in loading stuff. Better get a bigger HDD, and don't forget to do a periodic DEFRAG.
;-)

Answer 2

You need to make sure there is 15% free space as the tool needs free space to move the fragments about before it places them back together contiguously. However large movie files dont get spilt and rearranged back. If its such files, transfer them onto an external drive and then defrag and put them back. If none of this works, try a third party trial version.

Answer 3

Defragging won't really speed up your computer. Your computer may be running slow if you have a bunch of spyware/viruses slowing things down. You can get an excellent program to remove that stuff (easy to use too) right here:

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007/3000-8022_4-10766151.html?tag=lst-4-1

Give that a try. If it's still slow, you might want to have someone you know take a look into it, as they may be able to find specific processes that are running that are viruses (and are probably removable).

Just FYI, you should never click on any advertisements while on Myspace/Facebook/Google. Even accidentily clicking that stuff can install programs and slow down your computer.

Answer 4

I had the same problem on my spare laptop . I simply had to take some files off till I had sufficient room to run the defragmenter . You can rather than delete download to discs or other hardware freeing up the needed space and then return those files after you defragment.you might also consider buying an extra hard drive that connects to your USB port . you can get 100 gigs or more relatively cheap at best buy or else where, even on line .

Answer 5

First enter the command prompt:

For XP, click start, click run, type CMD, and hit enter.
For Vista, hit start and type CMD.

Once in the command prompt type:

defrag -c -w -f

This will perform a full defragmentation on all volumes (hard drives / partitions) on your computer even if you are low on hard drive space. This will take a long time so let it run untell you can type in the command prompt. After that just close out, your done.

Enjoy

Answer 6

Your hard drive is too full. Delete some files and then try to defrag. Try to delete your internet cache.

Answer 7

It may be a little too late. What is the file it is trying to move that is too big? It should give you some output as to how large the fragmented files are.

Answer 8

Defrag it taake help from a teacher.

Answer 9

Just delete the file.

Answer 10

Could you tell us exactly which program you are using?