Guest Author - Chris Curtis

The Properties window for your C:/drive contains two pages (tabs).
• General Tab – displays a pie chart that illustrates the percentage of the drive that is used and the percentage of the drive that is available. The total size of the drive can also be seen on the general page.
• Tools Tab – has three utilities you can use to manage your system. Tools will also indicate the last time each utility was run.

Error Checking
Windows will automatically run error checking whenever the computer is shut down improperly. You can and should run error checking on a regular schedule to detect and repair any potential problems with the disk

Backup
Important as this is, most people only backup to a tape or zip drive because of the size of their hard drives. To backup to floppy disks would require a mountain of disks. If you do not have a tape backup or a zip drive, I recommend you store a copy of any important user files on either a floppy disk or CD-ROM. Software files can be reinstalled for any licensed programs if you have the original program disks or CDs. You could also inquire at a local computer store about the cost of backing up your system to tape of zip drive. You would also want to know the cost to restore in the event of a crash. Consider this option at least annually if you have no other alternative. Remember to keep an archive of new user files throughout the year.

Disk Defragmentation
(Related Article: Optimizing your C:\Drive)
This is a process that the system goes through to organize all the files stored on your hard drive into adjacent sectors and clusters. Your system will run more efficiently and quicker following a disk defrag. Be prepared for your system to be unavailable for several hours.

How to Error Check your System
1. Double click on the My Computer icon on your desktop
2. Right click on the icon for the C:/drive
3. Select Properties
4. Click on the Tools tab
5. Click on the Check Now button

How to Perform a Disk Defragmentation
1. Double click on the My Computer icon on your desktop
2. Right click on the icon for the C:/drive
3. Select Properties
4. Click on the Tools tab
5. Click on the Defrag Now button

You may get a message explaining that the drive is a “small percentage” defragmented and that it is unnecessary to defrag at this time. You may choose to exit defrag or continue with the defrag process.

Once the defrag process has started, you will see a Defrag Drive C message box showing you the percentage complete. Click on the Show Details button to view the process your system is going through. You may find this quite interesting to watch it move the sectors and clusters. Click on the Legend button to see what each of the colored blocks represent.

Once the Defragmentation process is complete, you will see a message box informing you that the process has been completed. Click on Yes to exit the defragmentation utility. Click on OK to close the C:/drive Properties window.

Consider performing a disk defragmentation at least semi-annually. You may want to defrag more frequently if you are a highly active user. Keeping your system error free and defragged will help speed up your computing activities.

Also look for:

Understanding Disk Defragmentation
Spring Clean Your Computer
Cleaning out your Internet Files (coming soon)
e-Mail Maintenance (coming soon)