Gateway PC Optimizing and maintaining your data, Windows utilities, Defragmenting the hard drive

Page 55

Optimizing and maintaining your data

Windows provides several utilities you can use to manage your hard drive space and keep your hard drive running efficiently.

Windows utilities

Scanning the hard drive for errors

ScanDisk is a utility that examines the hard drive for errors and file problems and corrects them so that your computer performs correctly.

If you use your computer several hours every day, you probably want to run ScanDisk once a week. But if you use your computer less frequently, once a month may be adequate. You should also run ScanDisk if you have hard drive problems.

Defragmenting the hard drive

Sometimes Windows divides file data into pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called fragmentation, and it is normal. But for the hard drive to use a file, it must search for all the pieces of the file, and this slows the hard drive performance.

Disk Defragmenter is a utility that organizes file data as one unit instead of in pieces, improving hard drive performance.

If you are connected to a network, log off before running the Disk Defragmenter utility. While the Disk Defragmenter utility is running, do not use your keyboard or mouse. Using your computer while defragmenting will start the process again from the beginning.

Using Disk Cleanup

By deleting unnecessary files from the hard drive you free space. Use the Windows Disk Cleanup utility to delete temporary Windows files, delete temporary Internet files, empty the Recycle Bin, and delete other files.

Optimizing and maintaining your data

51

Image 55
Contents Contents Customizing Your Computer Using the InternetTroubleshooting Maintaining Your ComputerIii Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information IndexPage Computer1 Basics Computer front ControlsComputer back Your system comes with a standard keyboard Keyboard featuresTo start your computer Starting and turning off your computerTo turn off your computer Protecting from power source problems Using the mouse Do this Click, clickImproving monitor legibility and reducing eye strain Working safelySetting up your computer and computer accessories Setting up your computer table and chairSitting at your computer Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain Computer Basics Getting Started To get started Page Getting Started Page Getting Started Getting Help HelpSpot For more informationTo start HelpSpot For more information Getting Help Online help Gateway Web site Windows4 Basics About the Windows environment Desktop icons, buttons, Description Elements Desktop componentsDesktop icons, buttons, Description Elements Window element Description Window componentsUsing the Start menu About drives Working with files and foldersTo create a folder About folders and filesUsing Your Computer Inserting a CD Using the CD driveTo insert a CD Using the CD drive To adjust overall volume level Adjusting the volumeTo adjust specific volume levels Creating a new document Working with documentsTo create a new document To open a document in Microsoft Word Saving a documentOpening a document To save a document in Microsoft WordTo print a document in Microsoft Word Printing a documentUsing Your Computer Using Internet Learning about the Internet To connect to your Gateway.net or AOL Internet account Setting up an Internet accountAccessing your Internet account To set up an Internet account with Gateway.net or AOLUsing the World Wide Web To connect to a Web site Connecting to a Web siteTo download files or programs from a Web site Downloading filesTo send e-mail using Gateway.net or AOL Using e-mailSending e-mail Checking your e-mail To check your e-mail using Gateway.net or AOLMaintaining7 Your Computer Maintenance task ImmediatelyAfter purchase Protecting your computer from viruses Windows utilities Scanning the hard drive for errorsUsing Disk Cleanup Optimizing and maintaining your dataBacking up files Windows maintenanceUsing the Maintenance Wizard Checking hard drive spaceTo run Windows utilities Running the Windows utilities using HelpSpotMaintaining Your Computer Customizing 8 Your Computer Adjusting the color depth Adjusting the screen and desktop settingsAdjusting the screen area Changing the desktop background Applying a color schemeSelecting a screen saver To adjust Windows settings Adjusting your settings using HelpSpotAdjusting the screen and desktop settings To change your mouse settings Changing the mouse settingsUsing Standby mode Power managementIf your You Then Computer is Want to To change the power scheme Changing power settingsTo change advanced power management settings To enable Hibernate mode Power management Customizing Your Computer Restoring9 Software To reinstall device drivers Reinstalling device driversTo reinstall a program from the Gateway PC Recovery CD Reinstalling WindowsReinstalling programs To reinstall WindowsTo reinstall a program from a CD Troubleshooting First steps Safety guidelinesComputer does not recognize the CD drive CD driveAudio CD does not produce sound Computer Cleaning CDsComputer will not start Hard drive You receive an Insufficient disk space error messageTo restore files that were deleted in Windows File managementInternet Connecting to a Web site takes too longYou cannot connect to the Internet Modem KeyboardTo check the dialing properties Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K To access the gateway.your.way dial-up serverModem is not recognized by the computer To run modem diagnosticsTo turn down the modem volume Modem is noisy when it dials and connectsTo reinstall dial-up networking You receive an Unable to establish protocols error messageTo reinstall dial-up networking components Computer is running but there is no display To change the display settingsMonitor Screen area is not correctMouse works erratically To clean your mouseMouse Mouse does not workMouse Printer PowerSound You receive a Printer is out of paper error messageWhen you started your computer, it ran ScanDisk ScanDiskBefore calling for technical support Technical support resources Resource Service description How to reachAOL Important safety information Safety Regulatory, and a Legal InformationSetting up your system Care during use Replacement parts and accessoriesFCC declaration of conformity Regulatory compliance statementsUnited States users FCC PartFCC part 68 applicable to products fitted with USA modems ICES-003 Canadian usersDOC notice for products fitted with an IC-compliant modem European directives European usersVcci statement Japanese usersEMI statement Australia and New Zealand usersLightning protection Laser safety statementPower lines External television antenna groundingReference Grounding component 100Trademark Acknowledgments Macrovision statement101 All Rights Reserved102 103 Index104 105 106