EZ Computer Tips - Computer Maintenance, Defrag, Cleaning, Error Checking


	Clean your computer and keep it running smooth (Windows XP). You should do this at least twice a year, more if you use the computer every single day of your life. This article will explain how to do some very simple maintenance to keep you up and running.
	CCleaner		Disk Check
	Download a program called CCleaner and install it. Don't worry, I have used this program for quite some time and it's very reliable (and free!). You don't have to install the toolbar that it suggests to. Next, go ahead and run CCleaner by double clicking it. On the screen that opens up, go ahead and click "Analyze" (it may take a while to complete). Once that's complete it will tell how much stuff it's going to remove. Now click "Run Cleaner" and wait until it gets done (This may take a while, as well). Continuing on, click the tab on the left that says "Issues". Click "Scan for Issues" and CCleaner will scan your registry for problems. Once complete click "Fix Selected Issues" and let it delete the problems. It would be a good idea to repeat this part a couple of time in order to get rid of all the issues in your registry. Some problems only show up after certain registry issues are solved.		Microsoft has a built in disk check utility that will correct any file system discrepancies. Open "My Computer" and right-click on the "C" drive and select properties. Click on the "Tools" tab near the top, then click under "Error Checking" click "Check Now". A box should pop up. Make sure only the first box is checked; "Automatically fix file system errors", then click "Start". Another box will pop up telling you that Windows will check the disk during the next startup. Click "Yes" to that statement". Now you should reboot your computer and allow your disk to be checked for problems. After it's done checking for problems your computer will boot back into Windows again with the problems (if any) already fixed. Now you have just one more step to complete; defrag.
			Defragmenting Your Hard Drive
			This is the final step in your quest for computer maintenance. Once again, open "My Computer" and right-click on the "C" drive and select properties. Click on the "Tools" tab near the top, then click on "Defragment Now" under the "Defragmentation" heading. The program will open up and there should be a list of your hard drives at the top (C,D,E ect..)You will want to select the "C" drive and click the "Defragment" button near the bottom. Now you must play the waiting game. A lot of red in the drive map means your drive is heavily fragmented and it will take a while to complete. There is a percentage bar near the bottom that will give you a clue as to how long it will take. Some drives may need a few minutes while some may be a few hours! After the defragmenting is complete you should reboot the computer and, hopefully, feel the difference in speed. If not, well then I don't care because you didn't pay me ;-) "You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." ~~ Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)
	Manual Deletion
	Unfortunately, CCleaner doesn't get rid of all the unnecessary files on your computer. Some will have to be taken out manually. First, navigate to "My Computer" then open the "C" drive then "Windows" folder and finally the "Prefetch" folder. Delete everything inside the Prefetch folder. Delete it all, you do not need it. Now we need to delete the temp folder inside the local settings folder. The easiest way to get there is by using the search command in the "Start" menu. Make sure you're searching for files and folders. Then, make sure that under "more advanced options" at the bottom that the first three boxes are checked (system folder, hidden and subfolders). This is because the local settings folder is hidden. OK, now go ahead and search for "local settings" and you should have at least one show up in the search results. It's OK if you have more than one, I have three myself. Open up each "local settings" folder and delete a folder called "temp" in each one. If it won't completely delete then that means one or more files are being used. Go ahead and open that particular "temp" folder and delete all the files you can. If you are left with one or two that won't be deleted you're OK, just leave them. Now on to disk checking.