215Managing hard drive spacewww.gateway.comDefragmenting the hard driveWhen working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information intopieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is calledfragmentation, 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 isstored as one unit rather than as multiple pieces scattered across different areasof the drive. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can improvehard drive performance.While the Disk Defragmenter program is running, do not use your keyboardor touchpad because using them may continuously stop and restart thedefragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a network, log off beforestarting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop thedefragmentation process and cause it to start over.To defragment the hard drive:1 In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computerwindow opens.- OR -In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computerwindow opens.2 Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, for example LocalDisk (C:), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.
