So, back when Left 4 Dead 2 wouldn't update (suspended), I discovered that the source of the problem was my hard drive. I replaced it, and now I'm back at the same place (damned thing). This time though, I have no other problems (corrupt files, stopped processes, etc.), and the support disc didn't pick up on anything during the comprehensive test.

 

A friend suggested I defragment my entire hard drive, but this is the kind of friend who thinks they know everything about subjects because they know just enough to pretend they do.

So I was curious as to...

A) Process of defragmentation?

B) Usefulness?

C) Worth my time?

 

 

I feel like I constantly ask for help here, Lots of Thanks as always!

Well, I suppose you can try it. I haven't defragmented in ages.

 

The thing is, it hasn't really become as much of an issue since the volume of hard drives has increased quite a lot. It used to be a big thing because of hard drives that had capacities of like 5-6 GB. Now with like 750 GB-1 TB drives being the norm, it becomes almost unnecessary. And the way modern programs handle stuff (as well as faster speeds on hard drives) when a file is opened, it is often resaved as a new thing on the hard drive which helps to prevent this happening.

 

But, as I said it's entirely up to you. It's often debated whether it works or not.

Fragmentation is the concept where individual files (take a word document, for example) are spread in different physical areas of the hard disk, so part A of the file could be on the opposite edge of the hard drive to part B. This means that the hard drive has to move to get this data, and then look around many other parts for fragments of one file. This makes files very slow to open. Defragmentation is where you bring these files back together into one physical location once again. It is very worth your time if you haven't done it recently. You say this is a new hard drive though, and unless you used an image to set the hard drive up, it shouldn't be too fragmented at all.

Most of the files (music and such) were copied from another, external hard drive.

 

So how would I defrag?

What Operating System do you have?

 

If you have Windows Vista or 7, you should be able to go to 'Computer' and right-click your hard drive. Then click 'Properties'. There should be a tab called tools which includes the defrag tool.

 

Well, that's how it is on my Windows 7 anyway.

Oh! Cool, I have 7, I'll just try it now I guess.

Welp, Windows says I don't have any fragmentation at all. OK. Guess there's just something about that game.

 

Thank you, problem solved!

The Windows defrag tool has never been fast and isn't the best. I would suggest using a program such as defraggler, which will detect the drive when the windows one won't.

I second using Defraggler, it works far better than the Windows utility.