Defrag hard drive

[Ed_L]

It used to be that I defragged my hard drive frequently, but lately I've been using the option to analyze the drive to see if it needs to be defragged. Even though for the last three weeks or so, I expected the drive to need to be defragmented, when I analyze it, I'm told it does not need to be defragged. Is this a good indicator, or should the drive be defragged every week or so regardless of what the analysis indicates?

Ed

[DJ Dubovsky]

I was wondering that too but mine says the same thing. I've had my machine longer than you. What gives? I expected to have to defrag long ago but according to that option I don't need to.
DJ

[dcarr]

If you haven't been adding/deleting numerous things, the drive probably wouldn't need a defrag. Photos in and out would not leave gaping holes the way programs would. There are 2 schools of thought regarding constant defragging. Some say a few times a year is enough, others at least once a month depending on your usage. I defrag once a week, whether it tells me to or not. I've been doing this for 4 years now and have had no degradation in hd performance. I figure following a set time period prevents me from forgetting to do it completely, which I know would be the case.
Debbie

[DJ Dubovsky]

Thanks Deb. Makes sense. Most of what I discard is documents and image files. I haven't really uninstalled very many things at all.
DJ

[Ed_L]

Thanks for the replies. I rarely remove programs myself. I do get rid of quite a few images, and what really had me thinking the defrag would be necessary, is the fact that I've had two crashes recently (very uncommon).

Ed

[gland]

Ed I use Norton Utilities not only to defrag but check for registry errors and a host of other problems. I do this once every 2-3 weeks routinely. It's very very seldom I have any problems.