PC Novice - ScanDisk & DeFrag 
SCANDISK and DEFRAG -=-=-=-=-=-=- Run once a week!
To keep your PC running like new, be sure to do normal preventative maintenance. It's like the 3,000 mile oil change on your car.
FIRST, the TIP. THEN, a description of what these tools are and do.
If, when to running ScanDisk, you receive a notice like, "ScanDisk is paused because it has restarted 10 times due to other program writing to your disk. Do you want to continue?"
TIP:
If you're having problems like this when running SCANDISK, do this:1.. Exit the ScanDisk program, and 2. Turn off your TSR's.
Turn off all TSR (Transient and Stay Resident) programs which are currently running on your machine. This is turning-off programs like your Anti-Virus protection programs and anything else that is "running in memory." You'll do this by using the "Close Program" Window.
- Hold down both the "Control" and "Alternate" keys at the same time.
- NOW, tap the "Delete" key ONCE. Your "Close Program" Window opens.
- NOTE: THIS IS TOUCHY and TRICKY! If you press the Delete key TWICE,
your PC will automatically REBOOT. (Warm Boot).
- TURN OFF ALL THE PROGRAMS / ITEMS YOU SEE EXCEPT "EXPLORER."
- When your "Close Program" window opens, you may see 8-15 different entries.
Now, one-at-a-time, select an item (program name/DLL names) and click on "End Task." Repeat as necessary until all files are inactivated/deleted from memory. Again, do not turn off "Explorer."
- Now, with only Explorer showing in Close Program, you are ready to run ScanDisk and Defrag.
Using
Disk DefragmenterWe use Disk Defragmenter to rearrange files and unused space on your hard disk so that programs run faster.
To find out more:
1. Minimize this window
2. Press "F1" -- Windows HELP will open
3. Click on the "Index Tab". Enter the letters; defr You will see the word "Defragmenter". Double click on the word "Defragmenter" and you will see two topics.
4. Select a topic one-at-a-time and click on "Display" to read them.
Using
ScanDiskWe use ScanDisk to check our hard drive for logical and physical errors. ScanDisk can then repair the damaged areas. ScanDisk is a very powerful tool. Bernie knows it repairs a lot of things beginning Users don't even want to know about. :-)
To find out more:
1. Minimize this window
2. Press "F1" -- Windows HELP will open
3. Click on the "Index Tab". Enter the letters; sc
4. Read the four or five topics.
Bernie's guarantee!
If you'll run DeFrag and ScanDisk once a week,
you will smile, too!
Bernie Buchta
January 21, 2001