Defragmenting The Hard Drive - Gateway E-4000 User Manual

Defragmenting the hard drive

When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into
pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called
fragmentation, and it is normal. In order for your computer to use a file,
Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them back together.
This process slows the hard drive performance.
The Disk Defragmenter program organizes the data on the drive so each file is
stored as one unit rather than as multiple pieces scattered across different areas
of the drive. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can improve
hard drive performance.
While the Disk Defragmenter program is running, do not use your keyboard
or mouse because using them may continuously stop and restart the
defragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a network, log off before
starting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop the
defragmentation process and cause it to start over.
To defragment the hard drive:
1
In Windows XP, click
window opens.
- OR -
In Windows 2000, double-click the
window opens.
2
Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, for example Local
Disk (C:), then click
, then click
Start My Computer
My Computer
. The Properties dialog box opens.
Properties
www.gateway.com
Managing hard drive space
. The My Computer
icon. The My Computer
77