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Files are stored on a computer hard drive in sectors. If a single file is stored in multiple areas (sectors) then it is considered fragmented. Basically, fragmentation slows down the computers abilty to to access a file quickly and efficently. A defrag program might reconnect the segments of the file and speed up the process of reading a file into memory. This is a simple explanation. For more information do a search for "defrag"
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoFragmented files have their constituent data spread out geographically on the hard disc. This requires more time spent moving the mechanical heads inside of your hard disc drive. Resulting in slower transfer rates.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoMost typically this happens because over time, as many files are stored on a hard drive, the computer will look for space to store new files and not find enough empty storage space in one contiguous area. Because of this the computer will use any available space to store the files which results in them being scattered all over the disk.
For example, ideally when a file is saved on an empty hard drive, the information is written all in one area of the disk. Over time as you delete files, this will leave empty spaces on the disk in random locations. This means that, when trying to put on a new program or save a new file, the computer will look for places to store the information and, if the only available spaces are spread far apart, it will have to use them. This is what we call a fragmented file. Because the information that would ideally be in one area is spread around, it slows down the read process and the hard disk must work more to retrieve the information.
Imagine that you're trying to store a textbook on your bookshelf, but there's no space to shove the book in. So, you store it by ripping out one page at a time and sticking each page in a crack between other books. That gets the job done (technically the book is "on" the shelf), but if you want to read a chapter of that book you have to run around and pull out all of the right pages from many different places to retrieve the information.
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What is a fragmented file?
A fragmented file is a file that has no purpose or meaning to the computer. So if you have installed a program and then uninstalled it.... many times the computer leaves files on the computer this is called a fragmented file.
What is mean by file in c?
A file in C means a file found in your computer's C Drive. Start > My Computer > C Drive
What is a .nds Computer file?
it is a Nintendo ds game file
A webpage is file stored on a special computer called?
a web page is file stored on a special computer called
Why do you need a file extantion?
A file extention isn't needed but when your the file has a file extention the computer can easily find the appropiate program to run it. If a file doesnt have a file extension the computer will require you to find the appropiate program with means more work for you to do
What is a fragmented file?
A fragmented file is a file that has no purpose or meaning to the computer. So if you have installed a program and then uninstalled it.... many times the computer leaves files on the computer this is called a fragmented file.
How does file become fragmented?
When the contents of a file are scattered across two or more noncontiguous sectors, the file has become fragmented
How does a Hard Drive become fragmented?
A hard drive becomes fragmented when a file that occupies a finite storage location on the hard drive is modified and becomes larger. If the finite storage space on the drive is not large enough to store the larger modified file, part of the file must be stored in another location that is not contiguous to the original storage location. Thus the file becomes fragmented. Now your computer must search for the file in two different locations in order to retrieve it. This is what causes your computer to slooow down.
How do you remove fragmented files?
Go to the All Programs in the My computer section or toolbar then click on Accessories then System Tools then click on Disk Defragmenter. THis program is in every computer like Windows and Mac. This program will shrink files for more file capacity and remove fragmented files.
What is file defragmentation?
Disk Derangement is a tool that rearranges the data on your hard disk and reunites fragmented files so your computer can run more efficiently.
What are contigous files?
Contiguous files are files on your hard drive that are all in one place, and not split up ( fragmented ). Sometimes your computer can take one file, and split it into multiple locations on your disk. This is what Defragmenting does. It takes those fragmented files, and puts them together.
How does a file become a fragment?
When the contents of a file are scattered across two or more noncontiguous sectors, the file has become fragmented
What cluster file can end up all over the drive?
fragmented
What are defragmentation programs?
They take all of the fragmented pieces of files on your hard drive and consolidate them back into contiguous files. This can speed up performance since your computer doesn't have to search for the file fragments.
What is a specific location on the computer indicating preciesely where a file can be found?
There are two parts to this. One, the information in the File Allocation Table, as the file might be spread over different sectors, not all contiguous if your filesystem is fragmented. Two, this would be the specific sectors at which the data resides that make up the contents of the file. Cheers, Chay
What is ubuntu disk defragmenters?
Ubuntu uses the ext4 file journaling system, which doesn't get fragmented.
What is contiguous file in computer?
In essence it's a file that is stored on the filesystem in one piece - that is that all parts of the file are stored from beginning to end in adjascent allocation units instead of being fragmented and each piece of the file stored in separate, non adjascent allocation units. As an analogy, imagine a 10 page document. If you place all the pages on your desk in order from beginning to end without anything in between them you could say it's a contiguous file. If you had room to put five pages down in order but then had to put the other five pages elsewhere on your desk, you could say the file was fragmented. In essence it's a file that is stored on the filesystem in one piece - that is that all parts of the file are stored from beginning to end in adjascent allocation units instead of being fragmented and each piece of the file stored in separate, non adjascent allocation units. As an analogy, imagine a 10 page document. If you place all the pages on your desk in order from beginning to end without anything in between them you could say it's a contiguous file. If you had room to put five pages down in order but then had to put the other five pages elsewhere on your desk, you could say the file was fragmented.
