Step 7: Disk Defragmenter for Windows XP

Think of your computer as your local public library. You go to your library to check out books. You keep them for awhile and what do you do when you return them? You dump them in the return bin with all the rest of the books recently returned. Well someone has to restore those books to their original shelves in an organized manner.

Your computer is a library of information. Every time you delete an email, move a file, install or uninstall programs, you change where the information is stored on your computer. As time passes, files get lost or get more and more difficult to get to (books at the bottom of the return bin), causing your computer to run slower while it searches for the information you have requested from it. Imagine that pile of books after a month of no one replacing them to their shelves! We are going to play librarian and return files back to where they belong.

Go to "Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools" and select "Disk Defragmenter." Click "Defragment." There is a legend at the bottom for the colors. The top row shows your disk usage as it is now (before the defragment). The bottom row will show your disk usage after the defragment is complete.



You will see a dialogue box letting you know that the defragment is complete and that some files could not be defragmented (they were in use). Click "Close" and you are done.



Once you restart, you should have a faster boot time, speed to run multiple programs at once, and no error messages! Give yourself a pat on the back, you just fixed your own computer! Better yet, you just saved yourself about $400 from not having a technician do all of these tasks for you! And here you thought you needed a new computer. As long as you perform these maintenance tasks at least once a month, (more is better) you should have no more issues.

Note: If you still have error messages or other problems after restarting, it is time to call your support center or have your computer looked at by your local technician. This information is still vital to perform monthly to reduce your chances of future system problems.
Microsoft Customer Support: (800) 936-4900