Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

The Life of our Computers Can Easily be Extended

When it comes to our health and the health of our family members it is almost unthinkable to not visit a doctor when symptoms of a serious illness or disease become apparent. With the continued advancements in medicine we know that the earlier we diagnose a disease the better chance we have of surviving that disease and actually becoming cured. While an aggressive approach to treating a disease increases the chances of a positive outcome the opposite is true when we choose to ignore the symptoms of a disease and rely on hope to get better.

While it may sound like a stretch, the same can be said for the health of our computers. The life of our computers can easily be extended when we take the proactive approach of fixing a problem when it becomes apparent or better yet taking the simple steps to prevent problems before they exist. This approach is much more effective than watching our computer slowly become a useless piece of hardware.

In order to properly protect our computers from viruses and diseases it is important to understand there is no one blanket cure or immunization that prevents all possible problems, just like a measles shot won’t prevent cancer.

Of course many of us have heard the dangers associated with computer viruses and the damage that can be done by simply opening an email or following a link to a suspect website but there are other dangers that pose just as serious a threat and potentially greater.

One such danger is the computer disease known as fragmentation. Unlike a virus that comes from a source outside your computer fragmentation is born directly on your hard drive and can quickly suffocate the speed of your computer and lead to a catastrophic crash. While computer viruses are generally more well known, thus better guarded against, it is a disease like fragmentation that can go untreated and cause irreversible damage.

Fragmentation occurs due to the very nature in which the hard drive saves and stores files. This is because a hard drive saves these files in a contiguous manner, meaning each time a file is saved it is stored directly behind the last file saved. This becomes problematic when a saved file is opened, additions are made and then the file is resaved. Because that original file was situated between two other files on the hard drive there is not enough room for the resaved file to fit in the original space. The hard drive’s answer is to cut the excess information and store it in the next available space on the hard drive, thus creating a fragmented file.

There is no limit to how many pieces a single file can be fragmented into, meaning a single file may have thousands of pieces scattered across the hard drive. This poses serious problems with a computers speed and performance and can quickly cause reliability problems for the user.

Speed is affected because each time a fragmented file is retrieved the hard drive is forced to search for all the pieces before being able to deliver the request. That slowdown is a good sign that your hard drive is working too hard to locate that file and if this continues the hard drive will eventually work itself into a crash.

There are several symptoms that a computer user should be mindful of in order to recognize fragmentation. Among the signs to look out for: problems with booting up the computer, difficulty accessing and sending emails, delays in retrieving files and loading pages, and sluggish Internet browsing.

When these problems are noticed it is absolutely necessary to treat the computer’s fragmentation disease and fortunately it doesn’t require follow up visits at the hospital. The complicated computer disease can be quickly remedied with a simple solution, defragmentation software.

Defragmentation software is easy to install and once on the hard drive it will locate all fragmented files and repair them. By identifying the pieces of a file and then saving them in one space on the hard drive defrag software not only restores your computer’s speed but extends its life as well. The great thing about defrag software is that once it has been installed it will continue to monitor the hard drive, protecting a return of fragmentation.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

While nobody would say the health of a computer is of the same importance as eth health of an individual but when protecting a computer from fragmentation is as easy as installing defrag software there really is no excuse for not taking the action.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Audioengine A2+ Next Gen Anniversary Edition in Matte Orange Wireless Desktop Speakers Lifestyle

New Products

Limited to 250 pairs in matte orange, Audioengine A2+ Next Gen wireless speakers offer bold color, stellar desktop design, powerful tech, and great value....

Monitor Audio Bronze 7G Loudspeakers White Monitor Audio Bronze 7G Loudspeakers White

Floorstanding Speakers

Five Monitor Audio Bronze Series 7G loudspeakers bring upgraded drivers, sleek design, and Dolby Atmos support at wallet-friendly prices.

Ikarao Smart Karaoke Speakers Group Ikarao Smart Karaoke Speakers Group

New Products

Ikarao's Shell S1, Break X1, and Break X2 combine wireless and wired music streaming with touchscreens, light effects, and karaoke features for the ultimate...

Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier Front Left Angle Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier Front Left Angle

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

Musical Fidelity’s new B1xi integrated amp ditches streaming for pure Class A/B power, a quality phono stage, and hi-res digital inputs for $879.

AudioQuest Brave Heart Speaker Cable AudioQuest Brave Heart Speaker Cable

Audio Cables

ZERO-Tech speaker cables capable of advanced noise reduction and precise timing for high-end audio systems deserving of geekery loud on specs, quiet on sense.

Ortofon MC X10, X20, X30, X40 Phono Cartridges Ortofon MC X10, X20, X30, X40 Phono Cartridges

New Products

Ortofon’s new MC X Series cartridges bring high-end quad-coil tech and precision tracking to challenge Hana, Dynavector, and Goldring at every price point.

Gift Ideas?

Amazon Prime Day is July 8-11, 2025

Daily Deals

Amazon Prime Day is a four-day shopping event from July 8-11, 2025 offering the biggest discounts of the year on consumer electronics.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers