I think the disk defragmenter tries to re-arrange the files so that there is no space unused on the disk, and, at the same time, the files stored on the disk occupy a continuous location (they are not ripped in bits and pieces and stored here and there, where is space available).
That's exactly how I understand defragmenting to work as well. A single file can become all mixed up on your HDD. In order for your computer to find that file it has to put all the little pieces back together. This really slows your computer down. Defragmenting will help put all these little pieces closer to each other.
After reading a bit more about it, I've read conflicting reports about whether or not it is healthy for your HDD to be routinely defragmented. Any thoughts from anyone else?
Yeah Marc, I have heard that it can be unhealthy for your HDD if you don't routinely defragment it, but defragment it only on the rare occasion, because the head actuator can become over-stressed from performing so many read/write functions. I'm doubtful that there's much validity to that, but if there is it would then be preferrable to defragment routinely to keep defragmentiing from being an overly strenuous process.
I think the disk defragmenter tries to re-arrange the files so that there is no space unused on the disk, and, at the same time, the files stored on the disk occupy a continuous location (they are not ripped in bits and pieces and stored here and there, where is space available).
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I understand defragmenting to work as well. A single file can become all mixed up on your HDD. In order for your computer to find that file it has to put all the little pieces back together. This really slows your computer down. Defragmenting will help put all these little pieces closer to each other.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading a bit more about it, I've read conflicting reports about whether or not it is healthy for your HDD to be routinely defragmented. Any thoughts from anyone else?
Yeah Marc, I have heard that it can be unhealthy for your HDD if you don't routinely defragment it, but defragment it only on the rare occasion, because the head actuator can become over-stressed from performing so many read/write functions. I'm doubtful that there's much validity to that, but if there is it would then be preferrable to defragment routinely to keep defragmentiing from being an overly strenuous process.
ReplyDelete