Cheap Computers | Cheap Laptops

Cheap Computers Information Center

 

The Computer Dictionary

Defragmentation

When you use the computer and update or change information, such as text, you are changing or updating files. In the process of updating files, the computer saves updates on the largest continuous space on the hard drive. This often means that updates end up in more than one sector. This is "fragmentation," and it has the effect of slowing down response time.

Periodically, the computer can be "defragmented" by running a defragmentation program located in Start > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

Defragmentation rewrites parts of files so that files are placed on single sectors. This will increase access and retrieval speed, thus increase performance.

 

 

• Next > Desktop Computer