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Housekeeping

On this page: Defrag, ScanDisk, Error Check, System File Checker, System Restore.

Fragmentation & "Defragging"

During its day to day operation, your computer changes the content of thousands of files, not just your creations, but many others too. Because of the way the Windows has been programmed, when these files are rewritten to the hard drive they are often split up into more than one piece and in more than one place. Over time many files become fragmented and they're scattered all over your hard drive.

Because of this, when a file is needed, instead of the read/write heads on your hard disk drive making one move to find the file, they have to dart about all over the place. Over time, as fragmentation increases, this results in a slowing down of your computer's operation.

It's analogous to an old fashioned gramophone. Imagine if each of the sound tracks on a vinyl disk were split up into 10 individual randomly scattered parts. Problems! If you've never heard of a gramophone (phonograph to some of you) you'll have to trust me on this.

Windows XP doesn't fragment as readily as previous versions and it handles the fragmentation better, partly because the hardware has a lot more grunt. Some technical people say that defragging XP isn't necessary. I emphatically disagree.

How often?

Run Disk Defragmenter (Defrag) at least every two months on Windows XP and Vista, and every two weeks on other versions of Windows. If it takes more than a couple of hours, do it more often.

You will then avoid the dreaded slow down, and you will reduce wear and tear on your hard drive(s). You can continue to use the computer while Defrag runs in the background.

Find it here: Start » All Programs » Accessories » System Tools » Disk Defragmenter.

Here's what you see:

Oh dear! defrag won’t work

So you haven’t been doing your regular defrags? Now you’re in such a pickle that everything’s slowed to a crawl and defrag won’t get beyond 2% finished without getting into an infinite loop.

Worse still, you can't even open the Defrag program.

Don’t panic!

Here’s what to do:

• When your system first starts up, immediately after the “post” beep, tap the F8 key. Your machine should then present you with a list of Startup Options.
• If this doesn’t happen, re-start and as soon as your machine begins to start, keep tapping the F8 key until the Startup Options appear.
• Select Safe Mode.
• When Windows opens in Safe Mode, having loaded the absolute minimum of drivers and auto-start programmes, try running defrag again. It’s more likely to work now.
• To get out of safe mode, just re-start your computer as normal.

ScanDisk

Defragging puts scattered jigsaws back together again, ScanDisk in previous versions of Windows checks your hard drive (or any other drive) and all files and folders on the disk for logical errors or damage and, if asked to, automatically corrects any problems it may find.

It's widely believed that XP doesn't have ScanDisk, but that's only partly true. It's disguised. Open Windows Explorer, (Ctrl + E is the easy way)

• Double-click My Computer, or open Windows Explorer (Windows Key + E) and then right-click the local disk that you want to check.
• Click Properties, and then click the Tools tab.
• Under Error-checking, click Check Now.
• Under Check disk options, check the Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check boxes.
• Click Start.

This process may take some time, but you can carry on using other programs.

ScanDisk or Error Check about once a month.

System File Checker

System File Checker can be a life saver. It checks that all windows files are where they should be and uncorrupted, it then puts things right. If you've done all your virus checking, error checking and defragging, and Windows is still doing strange things, then SFC can be your saviour.

A persistent belief has it that SFC isn't available in XP. Not so. It isn't available in Windows Me, but can be downloaded from the nice guys at Microsoft if you're saddled with that unheralded version of Windows.

Click Start » Run, then, if you're running Windows 98 or Windows 2000, in the little dialogue box type sfc, then click OK and follow the instructions.

In Window XP click Start/Run, then type sfc » scannow, then click OK and follow the instructions. This is probably the source of the confusion. Why Microsoft felt the uncontrollable urge to change something which everyone was happy with, we'll never know.

Problems with System File Checker and the accursed restoration disk

If sfc finds something wrong, it prompts you to place your Windows CD in the drive. It won't accept a restoration disk. Major reason for demanding a full Windows CD with - usually - nice holograms whenever you purchase a Windows computer.

There's a way around this which often works. Open Windows Explorer, Click on C: drive, click on the Windows folder. i386 is a subfolder of the Windows folder. Copy the complete i386 folder onto a blank CD. Use this CD when prompted by sfc.

It's best if you do this copying as soon as possible after a clean installation, just in case something nasty or someone nosey messes about with the files in i386 before you copy them. But better late than never.

SFC in Windows Vista

In Vista they've made SFC even more obtuse. You need to open a Command Window in Administrator mode:

• click Start,
• click All Programs, then Accessories,
• right click on the Command Prompt option,
• on the drop down menu which appears, click on the 'Run as Administrator' option.
• If you haven't disabled User Account Control (and you shouldn't!) you will be asked for authorisation. Click the Continue button if you are the administrator or insert the administrator password.
• In the Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow,
• press Enter.
• You'll see "the system scan will begin".

The scan may take some time and windows will repair/replace any corrupt or missing files. You will be asked to insert your Vista DVD if it's needed.

Close the Command Prompt Window when the job is finished.

 

System Restore

System Restore is a potential wonder. It restores your computer to an earlier time (hopefully when it was running sweetly), without changing any of your data files.

It lives at Start » All Programs » Accessories » System Tools » System Restore. When it works it can be a life saver, but sometimes it goes through its paces and then tells you that it cannot restore you to the halcyon days of last month.

It's a good idea to go to System Restore and set a new Restore Point whenever you install new software, or make a major change to your PC. It only takes a couple of minutes but can save you a couple of days. Windows should do this automatically, but doesn't always.

Learn all about System Restore in Start » Help and Support, type System Restore in the Search window and click the arrow or tap Enter. Also here: http://www.Microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/plan/faqsrwxp.mspx

Imaging

More reliable than System Restore is the ability to make and restore an image of your installation using Acronis or Norton sodtware. Read about that right here.

Caring for your original software

Keep all your original installation disks in a secure place (separate marked box for each computer if you have more than one) and record all software serial numbers, CD keys, Product Keys, etc. Without the serial numbers or keys, which you need during installation, your software is useless in the event of a catastrophic failure or data loss necessitating re-installation.

Make copies of all your important CDs and DVDs. Use the copies for installation purposes in order to protect your originals from accidental damage.

If you have data saved on floppies, you need more than one copy. Floppies are an unreliable medium. Store them in a dry place and run ScanDisk or Error Check on them every few months. Run Scandisk on each disk and to be really sure, try to open each file.