Fragmented hard drive?

[strawberrycheesecake]

My computer says I have a fragmented hard-drive (so some things may be slower starting up). What does this mean, and what can I do to fix it?

[ammck55]

What a defrag basically does is place each program together instead of scattered throughout the hard disk drive allowing the read-write head to access the data more speedily. Every time you delete files, you create gaps in the stored data so that subsequent files that are written to the disc are in many different places. It's sort of like trying to get dressed for work and having to visit each individual room of your house to find all of your clothes. Takes longer.

On an XP OS--Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disc Defragmenter

The GUI is self-explanatory.

ammck55