Background information - hard disk fragmentation

How fragmentation slows down your system

Defragmentation is a process that re-arranges and re-assembles your files on your hard disk. Think of your hard disk as a shoe box where you store lots of notes (the files). Windows XP/2000/NT simply takes your note (file), tears it into pieces and throws them into the box. When you load that file again, XP/2000/NT must first search for each piece and afterwards paste them together before the file is finally loaded. That process is not only time-consuming, it also puts a mechanical strain on the read-write head, as it has to reposition itself more often than for a file that is not fragmented. 

How do files get fragmented

Fragmentation results from saving your files to your hard disk. Files vary in size; they are made smaller, larger or even get deleted. In order to make this process as fast as possible, the operating system tries to change the physical storage as little as possible, i.e. in the case of expanding a file, additional space gets occupied. But this space is normally scattered throughout the hard disk. The more file changes are carried out, the higher the resulting fragmentation. Even Windows suffers from this phenomenon. You can only solve this problem by using a disk defragmenter. O&O Defrag is such a tool, and offers this function to every user of Windows XP/2000/NT. You can choose between five defragmentation methods, which differ in speed and method of reorganization. 

The solution 

O&O Defrag cleans up your shoe box by reassembling your file pieces and writing them continuously to your hard disk. Additionally, the files can be reorganized to minimize load times. You save time and preserve the mechanical function of your hard disk. When used regularly, O&O Defrag significantly reduces your file access times and increases system performance. You never ever have to waste a thought on "file fragments" when you schedule O&O Defrag to run automatically in the background!
 

What is the point of defragmentation?

The answer is simple: Higher performance when accessing files. Due to the files' continuous storage, the operating system can find and read each file fragment faster than before. Especially on file servers or heavily accessed workstations, there can be huge gains in performance - up to 100% or even more! The regular usage of O&O Defrag suppresses new fragmentation, and helps you to work faster and more efficiently with Windows XP/2000/NT.

How does O&O Defrag work?

O&O Defrag offers you five different defragmentation methods to suit every system. The SPACE method defragments your files and also ensures that there is as much consecutive free space as possible - this means that your hard disk fragments less quickly. The COMPLETE method also reorganizes files on your hard disk - files are moved around, for example to support caching functionality. The STEALTH method provides you with a defragmentation that optimizes the use of resources which uses very little RAM and hard disk space. CPU usage is also kept to a minimum with this method. It goes without saying that O&O Defrag doesn't change or damage your files!