A hard disk can become fragmented as files are saved and deleted.
Describe how disk defragmentation software improves the performance of a hard disk.
Mark scheme
Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:
- Parts of a file are moved so they are stored together/in consecutive locations (1) so the read/write head has less distance to travel to read the file (1)
- Files are rearranged so that each file is stored in one block (1) which reduces the time taken to open/load the file (1)
- Free space on the disk is collected into one area (1) so new files can be saved without becoming fragmented (1)
- The parts of each fragmented file are put in order (1) so fewer movements of the read/write head are needed to read it (1)
Do not accept responses about compressing files, deleting files or increasing the amount of storage, as these are not what defragmentation software does.
Do not accept 'it makes the disk faster' without saying how the files are changed.
Example answers and how they were marked
It moves the parts of a file so they are stored together in consecutive locations (1), so the read/write head does not have to move as far and the file opens more quickly (1).
Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): the file parts are stored together, which reduces read/write head movement.
It reorganises the files on the hard disk so that they are stored together.
Why: The point is made (1) but there is no development saying how this improves performance, so the second mark is not awarded.
It compresses the files so that they take up less space on the disk.
Why: This describes data compression software, which the mark scheme says is not accepted; no creditworthy point is made.