Through normal use of your computer your hard disk drive can become cluttered and a bit messy. Folders can become cross-linked, file names can contain invalid or unknown characters or become damaged, or can become disassociated with their files. ScanDisk can fix these and other problems for you. It's also a good idea to run ScanDisk on a regular basis: once a week for Standard, and once a month for Thorough.
Win98: Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, ScanDisk
W2k –Wxp: Right click My Computer, Explore, Right click C:\, Properties, Tools, Check Now
Leave both boxes below unchecked. Contact the ATUS Help Desk @ x3333 or your Tech Support Unit if ScanDisk discovers errors.
Files and applications on your computer's hard disk drive are not always stored together as one unit, but are often divided into smaller units and scattered around the hard disk. This is caused by normal use.
On a fragmented hard disk, a computer has to work harder to gather all of the small units to perform the commands you give it; this slows down its ability to access files and run applications. Running Disk Defragmenter helps by putting all like files and applications into contiguous groups so the computer can access them quickly.
If you use your computer a lot, it's a good idea to run Disk Defragmenter on a regular basis. It's also a good idea to run Disk Defragmenter after you install a lot of applications to enable them to run at top speed.
Win98: Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Defrag.
W2k-Wxp: Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Defragmenter.
Or: Right click My Computer, Explore, Right click C:\, Properties, Tools, Defragment Now.
The Analyze button will determine if the volume requires defragging.
The Defragment button will begin defragmenting your drive.
Install the Critical Updates and Service Packs. Some are exclusive items and need to be installed individually with a restart after install. Updates come out all the time. Run this program once a week or as often as once a day.
Click on Start and Windows Update.
Or launch IE and go to \\www.windowsupdate.com It will not run from Netscape.
To configure WindowsUpdate for W2k or Wxp to run automatically on a periodic schedule:
W2k:
From Start, Settings, Control Panel, Automatic Updates, set up date and time.
Wxp:
Right click My Computer, Properties, Automatic Updates, set up date and time.
Important Note: If you select option 3, Windows will close all applications & restart your machine in 5 minutes after the update if there is no user intervention.
Right click on or icons in the System tray (lower right of screen) and select About to show version data.
Virus definition files (e.g.; 4.0.4254) should be updated automatically on your pc about once a week. For more information about how to update manually and the latest .dat file, click the ATUSHelp Desk link below.
http://west.wwu.edu/atus/helpdesk/virus.shtml
Or to update now: Double click AutoUpgrade and click Run Now.
Netscape version 4.x:
Typically the cache folder is found at: c:\program files\netscape\users\default\cache. It's ok to delete files in this folder whenever the size of the cache folder becomes excessive – say 5 megs. You may right click on the folder, properties, to view the size.
Netscape version 6.x
Launch Netscape 6.x. From the menu bar click Edit, Preferences, Navigator, History and select Clear History.
Internet Explorer:
Temporary Internet files should be deleted from within IE. Launch IE, Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files. Check the Delete all offline content box and click ok.
Determining size of IE Temporary Internet files folder
W98: Typically the IE cache files can be found at: C:\windows\Temporary Internet Files. Right click this folder, properties, to view the size.
For W2k & Wxp: Each User will need to manage their own profile. Temporary Internet Files are located at C:\Documents and Settings and under the individual users local settings directory. You may right click on the Temporary Internet Files folder, properties, to view the size.
For W98 look in c:\windows\temp
Typically Ok to delete all files. Verify ALL applications are closed first.
Windows uses this as temp working space. If you do not feel comfortable performing this step, please contact your tech support unit and have them do it.
For W2k and Wxp look in C:\windows\temp or c:\winnt\temp
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10.13.2006
