The Slow PC Series: How can I quantify it?

[Foxxy]

My system is getting slow and some of my friends told me it might be because my PC is fragmented.... I'm not sure about this... is there a tool to measure how much fragmentation is in my hard disk? If there is such a thing, can it tell me how much it can improve the problem? I am too scared to fiddle with disk type stuff.

(and I know Chris is helpful... lots of Beethoven chatter here ;-) )

[WWP]

Start --> Accessories --> System Tools --> Disk Defragmenter

Run the tool and leave it overnight. It will take a few hours depending on hard drive size. It should give you before and after pictures of what the hard drive looks like.

[Foxxy]

As I mentioned, I have done this. Before I did the defrag, I went to "Analyse" and I found that I had "Average Fragments Per File" at over 2.10, which I think must be pretty bad. It didn't finish the whole job I don't think but I am down to about 1.23 now so I think this is definitely an improvement!

The help is invaluable. I hope others can learn something from this too... Chris and WWP, you have taught me something about fragmentation and I am shocked at how badly this can impact on the computer AND the sanity of the user!