How to Speed-Up Your Computer Part 2 - Defragmentation
Presented by: Charlie Le BerWhen files are first written on a hard drive there is space to add more data at the end of the file. In time the space is used up and the file must be extended to another location on the hard drive. This fragments the file causing the actuator in the hard drive to search for all the parts of the file. This wastes time and slows down the computer.
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What tools can we use to defrag the hard drive to help speed it up?
- Windows Defragmenter
- Already installed in Windows
- Does a good job
- Takes a long time because it does not defrag while you work
- Smart Defrag
- Free, Easy to use
- Defrags while computer is idle
- Optimizes files
- Use on Windows Local Disks not on USB External Hard Drives
- On the club CD in April or you can download it from here http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html
- Windows Defragmenter:
- Click on "Start", "My Computer", and right click on "Local Disk (C:) or where you have XP or Vista Operating System.
- Now click on "Properties"
- Click on "Tools" and "Defragment Now…"
- Click on "(C:)" to highlight it and click on "Analyze"
- Click on "View Report"
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At the top of the Analysis report there is a message. If you do not need to defragment this volume click on "Close". If the report advises you to defragment, click on "Defragment". If you have not defragged for a long time this can take some hours.
- Re-boot to start the programs you stopped.
Smart Defrag: When installing you get this offer.
uncheck these two unless you want Yahoo.
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After the install
Click on the Smart Defrag icon near the clock.
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Click on Volume C and "Analyze".
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The report suggests what to do next. "Fast Optimize".
Click on "Close.
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Beside the "Start" box click on the down pointer.
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Now choose what the report suggested, in this case "Fast Optimize"
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It defragments and fast organizes drive data to eliminate blank space for
optimal disk performance. If you chose "Deep Optimize" it defragments and
intelligently organizes drive data for maximum performance and long-lasting
data contiguity. It may take a long time. You can click on "Turn off computer
after defragment" and go to bed.
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After you have defragged your hard drive you can keep it defragged by using
the default setting of Auto Defrag.
Click on "Auto Defrag".
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Use the default checks. When the computer is idle for 5 minutes, auto defrag will keep your hard drive defragged. You should see the "0 files have been fragmented" go up as needed.
Charlie Le Ber