yes there are things you can do before defraging and they are helpful to do
before hand and as others have said quite safe, try this i do it regulary.go
to use disk clean up first , go to start all programmes> accessories >system
tools> disk clean up. run this tool. If you have been using your pc then shut
down and restart before you start this clean up.tick each catergory to clean
all are safe to tick. if you tick recycle bin it will empty it. follw
instructions ok ect.
now use scan diskopen my computer and right click the icon for hard disk
usually drive c: and choose properties. then click on tools tab in the error
checking section click Check nowafter this a dialogue box opens check boxs ,
put a tick in both of these. you'l see a message click the yes button now
restart your pc , for a while it will look as if windows is starting normally
then it will go to the check disc programme. after these checks windows will
restart normally.
now you can go onto defrag your hard drive if it needs it. you should run
these tools regulary.