Defragmentation

Computer maintenance

Wait...what?
yes, the computer requires maintenance to keep running in perfect order.

One of the things that should be done monthly is defraging the hard disk.
First, we should know what fragmentation (the opposite for DEfragmentation) is...

You should image your hard disk as a flat.
Each apartment in said flat is a block of data (for instance a folder, or a big file).
Now, the OS will do it's best to never have empty apartment. It will store files in such a way, that gaps should never appear.
If we would let the OS have his way, the hard disk would never require defragmentation.
However, we delete files from time to time, or we uninstall a program  and files are left on your hard disk.

This creates empty spaces, fragments the hard disk.
The images below illustrate a fragmented and a defragmented hard disk

Fragmented:
notice the gaps between the rectangles?

 

Windows hates these gaps:P

It makes your OS get to the data harder.

In some cases, the fragmentation can cause a part of a folder to be in one corner of the hard disk while the other in the opposite corner.

That is bad.

Now, this is how a defragmented hard disk looks like

Ok, how do we do it?

Start> All(my) Programs>Accessories> System tools>Disk defragmenter

Your windows should look like this:

As you can see, the hard disk is split by partitions.

For each partition we should analyze first to make sure there is fragmentation.

Should there be any fragmentation, click "Defragment disk"

Remember, the bigger the partition is, the more it will take to analyze and defrag.

Hello World

Hey fellow computer enthusiasts.

My name if Cosmin, and together we will explore the riddles of the wonderful yet complicated thing the computer is. There are are soooo many things you can do with your computer, if you know how and where to start. I have extensive knowledge on how to do things...

This is mainly aimed at those of us who don't know too many details, as in some posts I will be talking about simple, basic things. But how should one learn to do complicated things if they don't know the basics?

Of course, your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Should the guides not solve your problems, or you find something missing? Or you would like to see an article about a specific thing? feel free to tell me, as I will be reading every single one of your comments, and will do my best to answer all of your questions.

I hope you will find the guides and trivia stuff insightful and helpful. I will do my best to make em as easy to understand and follow as possible.

Off we go!