A guide for Computer defragmentation

What is so important to do "Computer Defragmentation" in PC maintainence

Computer defragmentation is important for users who are involve in multi-tasking where the computer needs the full use of RAM that the computer could handle.

What Computer defragmentation task do is sorting out the files within your computer system (same for laptop too). It may as well be the simple reason where your PC or Laptop is running slow (due to the unsorted files within the system itself).

Familiarize yourself with your computer's Virtual Memory. It's an area of Hard Drive specifically allocated by Windows to act as an overflow for when your system runs low on Physical RAM. Windows will use a part of Virtual RAM to make up the extra.

Before doing Computer defragmentation, you would need to dump all of your background programs. You can do that by running `msconfig', choosing `selective startup', going to the startup tab, and unchecking everything but your antivirus program.

Another software maintenance issue (besides defrag) is to clean out your junk files (For example: the recycle bin, temp files, temp internet files, cache, history, etc.).A software called `Window Washer' can do this easily, but there are several on the market.

Some other problem especially for laptop is where they may get some heat. If the underside of your notebook is not well ventilated it could be running hot - and that will really slow it down.

How do you do a Defragmentation to your PC or Laptop?

When you do a Computer defragmentation to your Hard Drive, the Virtual Memory is shown as Data that cannot be moved (usually Green in colour). The Problem with Windows is that it manages your Virtual Memory Dynamically. Setting a minimum and a maximum value that, changes as and when required. This tends to slow things down as the Virtual Memory allocation becomes fragmented on your Hard Drive. In turn this delays your Processor as it retrieves Data from all over the place instead of simply off your Memory module.

The best way to overcome this is to monitor Task Manager while you are multi-Tasking. And while the PC is at rest. You need to note the "Page File" usage (a.k.a Virtual Memory). See how high it goes when you're multi-tasking, and how low it goes when it's resting. Deduct max from min and add around 10%. This is the figure you'll need later. Your aim is to end up with a Page File in one place with no fragments. All you're doing is optimizing your system.

Start by, Defragging your Hard Drive. Now left click Start,right click My Computer,left click Properties. You should now have the System Properties Window open. Click the Advanced tab,Performance Settings,Advanced. In The Virtual Memory area, click Change. Select Custom Size and insert your calculated figure (Max-Min) +10%.

You need to insert the same figure for both Max and Min. This will fix the memory size and stop windows from expanding and shrinking it dynamically. You'll probably be required to restart before the changes will take effect.

Once restarted, you can go to Defragmentation and analyze the Drive to ensure you have just one Fragment of Page File. This information can be viewed in the report generated by Defragmenter. If you find the Page File is fragmented, try defragging it again to try and clear a contiguous area big enough for it.

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