Nibbles & Bytes - Computer Tips, Tricks, and Hints - printed from North Texas e-News

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Nibbles & Bytes - Computer Tips, Tricks, and Hints
By J. Randy Mitchell
Oct 23, 2007

Nibbles & Bytes - Computer Tips, Tricks, and Hints

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Q: I used to run defrag on Windows 98, but I recently upgraded to a new computer and the defrag looks different. Is it still necessary to defrag with Vista and is there any way to use task manager to schedule the defrag to run unassisted?

A: Defrag is still important to keep your system running at it𠏋 optimum. A brief explanation of what defrag actually does: In the context of administering computer systems, 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.

According to a survey, 42% of PC users fail to defrag their system regularly, adversely affecting system performance.

Fragmentation occurs when the operating system cannot or will not allocate enough contiguous space to store a complete file as a unit, but instead puts parts of it in gaps between other files (usually those gaps exist because they formerly held a file that the operating system has subsequently deleted or because the operating system allocated excess space for the file in the first place). Larger files and greater numbers of files also contribute to fragmentation and consequent performance loss. Defragmentation attempts to alleviate these problems.

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. Fragmented data also spreads over more of the disk than it needs to. Thus, one may defragment to gather data together in one area, before splitting a single partition into two or more partitions. Defragmenting may help people to increase the life-span of the hard drive itself, by minimizing head movement and simplifying data access operations.

Disk Defragmenter is another application that has been changed in Windows Vista compared to Windows XP. Unlike other applications that were modified, Disk Defragmenter was simplified to a bare minimum. You no longer have menus or the colored graphs showing you how the data is arranged on your hard drive. Even though some people will miss the old interface and the configuration features, others will welcome the change. One thing is for sure - working with the Disk Defragmenter is easier than ever.

How to use Disk Defragmenter

To find Disk Defragmenter, go to Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools.

Vista𠏋 application of defrag offers only two options: Modify Schedule and Defragment now. This is where I think the applilcation was made almost too simple, as there really aren't any options.

If you press the Defragment now button, the defragmentation process will start. Unfortunately you won't see a progress bar nor estimation about the time left until the end of the process. You just have to wait until it finishes. This is why I recommend you to do this during the night or when you go to work and the computer is not being used.

If you want to cancel the process, just press the Cancel defragmentation button.

Scheduling automatic defrags

If you want to schedule automatic defragmentations, first click on Modify Schedule In the scheduling window choose the frequency, the day and the time when the automatic defragmentation should start. For most people, it should be enough to run the defragmentation once per month.

If you're using the schedule, I would choose a time that's early in the morning, like 1 or 2 am.

Hope this helps!!

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If you do have any questions feel free to drop me a line at the e-mail address below. I answer each and every inquiry. I send the same column you see here through e-mail each and every Sunday night. If it would be more consistent and convenient for you (or you can sign up a friend, too!) just send a request to the e-mail address below.

jr-mitchell@comcast.net

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