Week ending June 26, 2004
The first step towards maintaining a healthy hard drive is to treat it with the care that it deserves. The hard drive on your computer is the main repository of all information stored on your computer. Set aside some time to run regular checks of your hard drive, this will ensure that your computer is running at an optimal level.
1. Run a defragmentation program regularly, at least once per month but not daily.
2. Clear out Internet Explorer's cache, it is recommended at least once per week.
3. Run a virus scan at least once per week (every day a new virus is released).
4. Checking for spyware at least once per week just to check the integrity of your drive.
Ok, so now you have an idea of what your need to do and how often, now lets look at them in details.
1. Defragmentation
When files are written to the hard drive, often they are not written in one continuous area, but instead are spread over several sectors of the hard drive. Files are thus said to be "fragmented". Defragmentation is the process of reorganizing the hard drive to store the files contiguously (where possible). Heavy file fragmentation causes a slowdown in response time and lost space on the hard drive; by defragmenting the hard drive you speed up response time and reclaim lost space as all the files are moved to the beginning of the drive and the free space to the end.
Before running the defragmentation tool close all user applications. Depending on the size of your hard drive and the level of file fragmentation this process may take several hours.
For Windows 95/98/ME
Click on the Start button
Click on Run
In the dialog box type defrag
Select the drive/s you wish to defragment
Let the program run
For Windows 2000/XP**
Click on the Start button
Programs or All Programs Option
Click on Accessories
Click on System Tools
Click on Disk Defragmenter
** With Windows 2000/XP ensure that you are logged in as someone with administrative privileges.
2. Clearing Internet Explorer's cache
Every browser stores some information from sites that you previously visited, in an attempt to make your browsing more enjoyable and productive. However, if left unchecked these files can grow to well over 100 MB. But if you do not need them, why not free up some hard drive space. This is how it is done!
In Internet Explorer 5 and up
Start Internet Explorer (you do not have to be connected to Cybervale for this to work)
Click on Tools in the menu bar or hold down the ALT and T keys simultaneously, then select Internet options.
The General tab is displayed by default.
On the General tab, locate on the Temporary Internet Files subsection
Click on Delete Files option to clear your cache.
You can also click on delete cookies to remove these files. Cookies enable websites to remember you so when you revisit the site you may see a customized page or you may be automatically signed in, as cookies may store login information (username & passwords).
3. Running a virus scan
Click on the Start button
Click on the Programs or All Programs Options
Locate the entry for your anti-virus program
Start the anti-virus program
Select the drive or drives you want to have scanned.
Let the program run and act on the information it displays.
Note 1: Your anti-virus program is only as good as its last update. Run an update before scanning. If you do not know how, consult the help files of your anti-virus program, to find out how to update it.
Note 2: Do not have an anti-virus program? You can either purchase one from any computer store (Norton and McAfee are both industry leaders). Or you can download a free program from the Internet, such as a version of AVG anti-virus on website www.grisoft.com, that offers free updates.
4. Checking for spyware on your computer.
This final option is more of a privacy issue but nonetheless worthy of mention in this article. Spyware is the term assigned to a collective group of programs that transmit information about your surfing habits without your consent. You may visit Spybot Search and Destroy website www.safer-networking.org.
The steps are simple once you have downloaded and installed the program.
Start the program.
Click on the Check for problems option.
Review the information, it reveals and act accordingly. After running a scan and fixing the problems you may also notice a speedup in your web browsing.
This article merely scratched the surface of what you can do to maintain a healthy hard drive. For more information on what else you can do for optimal performance, prepare to spend some time reading on the subject and purchasing software to aid you in your quest, to have an optimally performing hard drive.
If all fails, Cybersurf Internet and Business Service Centre is a subsidiary of Cybervale that offers computer repairs, servicing and maintenance at an affordable price within St. Catherine, locate at Shop # 15 Portmore Plaza, Portmore, Telephone # 988-SURF (7873).
For assistance or queries regarding accounts
Call our Customer Service Representatives at 663-TREK (8375)
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