Final answer:
Disk fragmentation negatively affects disk access times and computer performance by causing files to be scattered around the disk. A disk defragmentation tool can improve performance by rearranging files contiguously. The issue is less prevalent with solid-state drives (SSDs), which have faster access times regardless of file location.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "Fragmenting ____ ______ disk access and the performance of the entire computer?" is likely asking about the impact of disk fragmentation on disk access speed and overall computer performance.
Disk fragmentation occurs when a file system is unable to lay out the contents of files in continuous regions of disk space. This results in files being scattered around the disk in fragments. When files are fragmented, the read/write head of the disk must move to multiple locations to access an entire file, as opposed to reading it sequentially in one place. This extra movement can slow down disk access times significantly.
Regular use of a disk defragmentation tool can reorganize the data and consolidate files into continuous regions, which improves access times and can enhance the overall performance of the computer. However, with the rise of solid-state drives (SSDs), which have no moving parts and can access data quickly from any location on the drive, fragmentation is less of an issue.