In our “Implementing Your Speech Recognition Solution” guide, we ask that all soon to be users of Dragon NaturallySpeaking (Professional, Medical & Legal) defragment their computer’s hard drives before Speakeasy Solutions Inc. is slated to install the software. Whether the computer in question is brand new or not is irrelevant. The moment an application or the OS is installed, the hard drive becomes fragmented.
Speakeasy Solutions Inc. is committed to your success with Dragon, and as such, we provide both guidelines and perform techniques during installation that are designed to optimize your computer system and experience. Software, particularly of Dragon’s calibre, will function at its peak if installed in an ideal environment.
What Is a Fragmented Hard Drive?
Whenever an application is installed or a file is saved, Windows saves the data to multiple locations that are usually not contiguous. It attempts to save the data in a linear fashion, but the moment it encounters a filled slot, it lays down the rest of the information in another portion of the hard drive. When data is distributed erratically throughout the hard drive, the computer has to work harder to access data spread out across the hard drive than if the data had been laid down in a linear fashion. Defragmentation reorganizes most data into a linear state on the hard drive so that it is faster to access.
To this end, if a hard drive is defragmented prior to the installation of an application, the application will be optimally installed and quite simply function more efficiently, improving your experience.
More information can be found on the Wiki entry, if you are so inclined.
How to Defragment Your Hard Drive
If your computer does not have a third party defragmentation application, you can use Windows’ standard defrag.
- Restart your PC.
- Close any applications that open automatically on start up.
- Click the Windows Start button, and then All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Disk Defragmenter.
- Select your hard drive (usually C:).
- Click Defragment disk.
- Walk away. Do not use your computer until the defragmentation process is complete.
In Closing
For our prospects and clients, if you have further questions about defragmenting or your computer, please speak with Dean (604-264-9109 ext. 103). If you require another copy of our “Implementing Your Speech Recognition Solution” guide, please speak with Heather (604-264-9109 ext. 101). Outside the lower mainland, within Canada, please call 1-888-964-9109. Or Contact Us.
We look forward to working with you!
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