If you are using your Mac system more often and you are creating, importing, moving and copying files from time to time, chances are your hard disk may be fragmented. For Mac system this is something that you worry less because the system itself is built with routine maintenance that is run periodically. However for new to Mac system they wonder if how can they deal with fragmentation problem and do they need a defragmenter for Mac?
Why Defragment Mac Hard Drive?
If you’re one of the Mac users that move files around, delete applications and emptied the trash more often then your hard drive can be very messy internally. Although Mac OS X has already built-in routine maintenance that will automatically defragment the files but this does not mean that the system is optimize. To boost the hard drive speed it is quite helpful and beneficial that you use third party defragmenter tool and optimization tool for your Mac system.
How Hard Drive Works?
Before you go on selecting the right applications that will defragment your hard drive it is necessary that you have a basic understanding how the hard drive performs and why defragging happens. Hard drive is a circular disk and once data is saves in the disk it spins and data are written into it sequentially from the first open space that it can locate. Once the space is not big enough the rest of the data are stored in other locations on the disk.
If you happen to install and uninstall application and delete files more often, the hard disk becomes full and files will be stored on different locations on the hard disk. The disk need to spin a lot of times to gather that data and put it back together. The more it spins it degrades its performance thus affecting the whole system performance.
Normally when this problem happens, the system’s response time will get slower and it takes longer to organize all the files that are located in different locations. The problem got worst when applications are stored in noncontiguous manner. Once the hard disk is defragmented files are stored in one location thus hard disk spend lesser time in spinning and locating for files thus improve the system’s performance.
Defragmenter for Mac
Using third party defragmenter applications will reorganize the files that are stored in the hard disk. Doing this will improve the response time of Mac hard drive and will resolve the problems on fragmented files. Running a defragmenting tool is simple and before you decide to does it make sure to have a back up copy of all your important files. And when you’re defragging the hard drive choose an appropriate time when the Mac system is idle.
Before you decide to defragment your Mac, analyze the hard disk once in awhile to make sure that they are not getting fragmented. You can do this by using third party defragmenter for Mac that will make sure that all your files are organized and Mac performance is greatly enhanced.
Mac maintenance: Enhancing your Mac System Performance
February 28, 2011
Over time as you use your Mac computer, you will notice that its performance slowed down and you already experience a lot of problems. In order to resolve this you need to update your system software more often, back up your system and most of all perform regular Mac maintenance. And as Mac users you would wonder how can you maintain your Mac system?
Mac operating system such as the Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 versions as well as other Mac portable computers and desktop computers need to be updated and maintained regularly to maintain its top performance. Here it is how to maintain your Mac computers:
1. Keep your system and files updated: You can update your system by simply going to your Apple menu and then select the Software Update options. Make sure that that your computer is connected to the internet. Once the Software Update is already chosen, it will look for any latest version of Apple applications. Then it will appear in the Software Update window pane. If you want you can readily download the latest software version and install it in your system. Mac users can also perform this update daily, weekly or monthly.
2. Organize and sort your files: For your important files place it in a storage location where it can be access easily. If you do this, you can even avoid any data and files that can be remove accidentally and save you more time to locate for your files efficiently and easily. You can do this by creating folders and saving the files according to your preferences. If you forgot where you store your files you can also locate it easily with the use of Spotlight options.
When naming your folders and files used descriptive names that you can remember and locate easily for faster access. Doing this can help you also organized your files and it will be easier for the Spotlight utility to locate for files as well. The Spotlight options are not applicable for applications such as Mail, iTunes and other applications installed in the system. Make sure that the applications are stored in the Applications folder to avoid any problems. You can also have an option to drag the application in the dock settings to open it easily.
3. Regularly back up your data: To prevent accidental lose of your files perform a regular backup in your system. This can be done using Time Machine options. This allows you to back up your files and restore files are a secured location. Files can be back up also to CD, DVD and other external devices.
4. Archive your other files for more free space: Archiving is a way to optimize your disk space. Delete also unnecessary files that you no longer need and try to empty it out in your Trash bin. Doing this, somehow free up some space in your hard disk for more important files.
Mac maintenance is needed regularly for your Mac computers to ensure that it is on its top performance at all times. These are simple tips that you can do to maintain your system and might as well do it today!
