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In the previous column, we explored the first two of the 10-step program to computer happiness. In this article, steps three and four will describe how to check your hard disk for errors and how to remove temporary files using standard Windows XP tools. The complete 10 steps - "Cleaning the Crud from your Computer" can be downloaded from the Gold Country Computer Learning Center Web site at www.gcclc.org.
The hard disk of your computer contains the Windows operating system, software programs you have installed and all the personal files (photos, letters, e-mails, etc.) you've saved. If the hard disk develops any defects or the directory of where it has stored all your information becomes corrupted, then you might not be able to run some of these applications, or worse, be unable to retrieve some of your personal files.
You should regularly check your hard disk for errors, to be certain your hard disk will perform correctly. Again, Windows XP has a great tool for checking out and correcting any problems with your hard disk.
Step 3: Perform a Disk Error Check
Open My Computer by double clicking on the My Computer icon and select the disk you want to check. The hard disk is generally the C Drive and is often called the Local Disk.
On the File menu, click Properties.
On the Tools tab, under Error-checking, click Check Now.
Under Check disk options, select both "Automatically fix file system errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors."
All files and programs open on your computer must be closed for the Disk Error Check to run. If the disk is currently in use, that is you have some programs running, a message box will appear, prompting you to indicate whether or not you want to reschedule the disk checking for the next time you restart your system. Check yes, then when you restart your computer, disk checking will begin. You will not be able to use your computer while the Disk Error Check is running.
Note: Disk checking can take up to an hour - so make sure you don't need to use the computer for a while.
If you have more than one hard drive on your computer, repeat the above steps to check for errors in those drives also.
Step 4: Remove Temporary Files
Many software programs on your computer use temporary files to save information. These temporary files are normally deleted upon exiting from the software program, but occasionally some of the files are left behind. Also, the Windows Operating System sometimes uses files for a specific purpose and then retains them in a folder designated for temporary files.
Temporary Internet files are mainly Web pages and pictures from the Web sites you've visited that have been saved to your hard disk. These can build up over time and consume a large amount of disk space and may contain personal information that you would just as soon not have stored on your computer.
The Windows "Disk Cleanup" utility will safely delete these types of temporary files and create space on your hard disk. To open Disk Cleanup, click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then click Disk Cleanup. If you have more than one hard disk, select C: Drive.
Your computer will take a few minutes to search your hard disc and calculate how much disk space you can reclaim if you delete these files.
A window will appear telling you the amount of hard disk space being used by temporary files. I recommend checking all boxes, except Compress old files, then click OK. All these files will now be removed.
When you visit some Web sites, a small text file is often put onto your computer that will be called up the next time you visit that Web site. These small text files are called Cookies and can assist your Web surfing experience. However, there are instances where you may want to remove the cookies from your computer and in the next article we'll tell you how.
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Roger Thornburn is a volunteer with the Gold Country Computer Learning Center. For information about computer classes or the learning center go to www.gcclc.org or call 273-0497.
The hard disk of your computer contains the Windows operating system, software programs you have installed and all the personal files (photos, letters, e-mails, etc.) you've saved. If the hard disk develops any defects or the directory of where it has stored all your information becomes corrupted, then you might not be able to run some of these applications, or worse, be unable to retrieve some of your personal files.
You should regularly check your hard disk for errors, to be certain your hard disk will perform correctly. Again, Windows XP has a great tool for checking out and correcting any problems with your hard disk.
Step 3: Perform a Disk Error Check
Open My Computer by double clicking on the My Computer icon and select the disk you want to check. The hard disk is generally the C Drive and is often called the Local Disk.
On the File menu, click Properties.
On the Tools tab, under Error-checking, click Check Now.
Under Check disk options, select both "Automatically fix file system errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors."
All files and programs open on your computer must be closed for the Disk Error Check to run. If the disk is currently in use, that is you have some programs running, a message box will appear, prompting you to indicate whether or not you want to reschedule the disk checking for the next time you restart your system. Check yes, then when you restart your computer, disk checking will begin. You will not be able to use your computer while the Disk Error Check is running.
Note: Disk checking can take up to an hour - so make sure you don't need to use the computer for a while.
If you have more than one hard drive on your computer, repeat the above steps to check for errors in those drives also.
Step 4: Remove Temporary Files
Many software programs on your computer use temporary files to save information. These temporary files are normally deleted upon exiting from the software program, but occasionally some of the files are left behind. Also, the Windows Operating System sometimes uses files for a specific purpose and then retains them in a folder designated for temporary files.
Temporary Internet files are mainly Web pages and pictures from the Web sites you've visited that have been saved to your hard disk. These can build up over time and consume a large amount of disk space and may contain personal information that you would just as soon not have stored on your computer.
The Windows "Disk Cleanup" utility will safely delete these types of temporary files and create space on your hard disk. To open Disk Cleanup, click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then click Disk Cleanup. If you have more than one hard disk, select C: Drive.
Your computer will take a few minutes to search your hard disc and calculate how much disk space you can reclaim if you delete these files.
A window will appear telling you the amount of hard disk space being used by temporary files. I recommend checking all boxes, except Compress old files, then click OK. All these files will now be removed.
When you visit some Web sites, a small text file is often put onto your computer that will be called up the next time you visit that Web site. These small text files are called Cookies and can assist your Web surfing experience. However, there are instances where you may want to remove the cookies from your computer and in the next article we'll tell you how.
ooo
Roger Thornburn is a volunteer with the Gold Country Computer Learning Center. For information about computer classes or the learning center go to www.gcclc.org or call 273-0497.
