Windows - Caring for Windows

Over time, especially when you install and uninstall programs several times, can happen the computer's performance unsatisfying, because many processes become slow.

It is usually very easy install programs.

Thus, people enough unprepared can literally cram the hard disk programs and several other types of files, is common to find various software on their computers that not are used and the user does not even know that if intended, often installed two or more times in different folders same drive.

One of the common effects of is the overcrowding of the slow excessive machine.

Care

Some basic care and procedures preventive should be performed routinely, to prevent system slowdowns.

Thus, there are programs or procedures that must be performed periodically between 5 and 15 days

or

- When you install or uninstall programs,
- When the computer is too slow
- When you want to ensure the integrity of the disk,
- When you can not read a diskette.

Procedures that should be routine

It should be manually run or schedule execution (At least monthly) of these procedures in this order:

| A. Close programs | B. Cleaning disk | C. Antivirus | d. AntiSpyware |

| E. Scandisk | F Defragmenter | G. Empty and use the trash |

Other procedures

Should be checked when it is noted drop in performance or slow excessive the computer.

But such procedures include a routine monthly or bimonthly only can do well.

| "Uninstall" Program | Cleaning of record |

| Programs Start Menu |

a. Close all programs

Defragmenter or ScanDisk can taking too long (hours and hours) or until not finish. This is because other programs are being run or allocated in memory and interrupt the process. Thus, such programs need to be closed. For example:
- How to put on "pause" the Windows Task Scheduler, - close programs that are on the bar, next to the clock (Eg, GetRight, ICQ, AVG, Download Accelerator). - Put the program screen saver to "none" or input with a very long time (60 minutes or more).
Way to close all programs
1. Simultaneously press Ctrl, Alt and Del.
Open will be the task window. (All programs that are running appear in it at the time).
Click the task (one at a time) and then click Finish, for each one of them.
All programs are be closed, except for Explorer (It should be closing even Systray).
When all are closed, leaving only the task Explorer, start the defragmenter


2. To Windows 98:
Connect the micro and press the key soon as the message "Starting Windows 98 ...".
From the menu, choose the "Safe Mode".
When Windows starts, run the Defrag and Scandisk normally.
Safe mode ensures that no other program being run.


b. Disk Cleanup

When using a computer, many temporary files are generated.

They should be automatically deleted by Windows, but this does not always happen and they end up remaining in HD (Hard disk), Taking up space unnecessarily.

The "Clean of disk ", which is included in Windows, performs the work removal automatically, eliminating the following file types:

- Temporary stored while browsing the Internet,
- programs received that we delete from our system, but still stored and
- temporary the system itself

Cleaning the Disc:

Click on button Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Cleaning Disk.
A window will appear in which they choose to drive.
The drive "C" is selected, but if any, you can select another drive.
Click on OK.
In the new window that appears, Disk Cleanup tab, select all types of files you want to remove.
To carry out cleaning complete, check all the items available:

- Temporary Internet Files (Temporary Internet Files) - Files program copied
- Trash - Archives Temporary (*. Tmp) Click on OK appears question for confirmation. Confirm.


Another way to start the Disk Cleanup
Click on icon "My Computer" - Select the hard drive.
With the mouse over the "drive" chosen, press the right button.
In the window that appears, select the tab "Properties".
(You will see the indication visual size of HD, the area occupied and the area free).
For Cleanup Disco, select the button "Clear Disk".

Program cleaning assistants: Ccleaner

A free program that facilitates very clean, removing temporary files, without change other programs is the Ccleaner.
When eliminates a great run amount of unnecessary files that only are atravacando the computer.

To copy the installer, how to install and use Ccleaner, click here).


c. Antivirus

You should run an antivirus updated on the chosen drive ("drive" A, C, D, etc.) because the Scandisk can spread viruses that are on the computer.

Here there is enough information Grisoft Anti-Virus, the AVG.

To copy the installer, how to install and use AVG, click here).

The program agent system can be scheduled to run these programs periodically (Taking advantage lunch hours, for example).

But the request for execution can also be manual. (The icon for this program can be found next to the clock or Windows Explorer).

The frequency with which the Antivirus should be updated and executed decreases each more.

Many companies cast some updates a week, often daily, and the wise it is Always check and update the antivirus and scan your computer.

Currently it is advisable to make such check at least once a day.

Vaccines many, also updated, as Stinger, can help prevention and disinfection computer.

To copy the installer, how to install and use Stinger, click here).


d. Antispyware

Spyware is a program that collects information about the user, their customs on the Internet and transmits this information to a third person, company or dealers, without the knowledge and authorization of first.

(To learn more about spyware clicking here).

One is antiSpyware a free program that scans the computer for the files produced by these programs spies, Especially in adware.

A program that eliminates Spyware is the Spybot.

To copy the installer, how to install and use Spybot, click here).

e. Scandisk

The Scandisk is a program that checks data integrity existing in units of storage mass ( HD, disk etc.).

In addition, also checks the integrity of disk sectors.

So he makes a "Maintenance" the disc, searching and correcting errors logical.

Such an error can appear, for example, when you turn off the computer while a program is running or when the power goes out power.

If we do not use programs correction as Scandisk periodically, errors logical actually increase and accumulate until you reach a point where that you can not access certain files, and even do not run Windows itself. Therefore, it is useful schedule the execution these programs at least once a month.

According to the operating system installed no way difeentes running scandisk:

| Windows 98 | Windows ME | Windows XP |



ScanDisk in Windows 98

Click Start - Program - Accessories - System Tools - Scandisk
Choose the drive to check.
1.1. If the program runs always, check the options: Correct X X Standard errors automatically
Click start. In the end, The program will provide a brief report saying met errors or not. If few errors, this can be considered normal.
1.2. If the program never was executed instead of option "Standard", select: Complete X and X Correct Errors automatically


ScanDisk in Windows ME

Run on Windows ME Scandisk can be a major problem and often the computer not I completed it.
First, this problem can occur if you have any applications running simultaneously with the Scandisk.
First, it should be proceed as in "Mode 1 to close all programs" Item Close programs.

Scandisk in DOS mode

However, if the problem persists, you can try to run Scandisk in DOS mode:
on Windows ME, Create a Boot Disk
- Access Control Panel Add / Remove Programs
- Click on the Disk tab Startup. Follow the procedure displayed on the screen.
- Then restart your computer with this floppy in the drive.
- When the menu appears, choose "Minimum Boot", and you will see DOS command prompt (C: \).
- Type scandisk and press Enter.
- Wait for the end of the scan.
- Remove the floppy diskette. Reboot the computer.

Scandisk in Windows XP

- Click on "My Computer"
- Select the unit of disk to check (usually C: /) by clicking it and clicking right mouse
- Click on "Properties" ("Properties")
- Click "Tools" ("Tools")
- In "Error Checking" ("Errors checking") click "Check now" ("Check disk")
- In "Check Now" ("Check disk") can be selected (or not)
- "Automatically fix file systems errors."
- "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors."

If a question by saying that there it is now possible to perform the procedure, in which he agrees is made to restart the computer. Turn it off and restart when you can A window appears, type DOS, making it.


f. Defragmenter disk

When the system writes data to HD the file is divided into parts, being in several areas of the disk. This is due to the high speed rotation of the disk drive.

If a file is off, the space previously occupied by a use is another file, and may break new information between the spaces available in HD.

So, after some time, the recorded files can become fragmented and parts are scattered throughout the HD.

Thus, one of the factors that often leave the computer much slow is the constant disk fragmentation, after successive deletions of facilities and data and programs on the PC.

The defrag.exe is the program that find the pieces of each file in HD and the spread reorganizes into a solid block, which facilitates the process reading data.

So, defragmenting is to reorganize the sectors, placing them as parts of a same file, close to one another, continuously.

Another important fact is that versions also recent move to the beginning of the disk disk files and programs that are more frequently accessed, which speeds up the opening.

It is important to note that the use of defragmenter is not required, as with Scandisk, but it is also recommended to run it periodically to improve the performance of hard disk accesses.

It advised not to use the computer while the defragmenter is running, because if the disk drive is accessed, the process will be more time consuming.

Defragmentation can be time consuming and consume a few hours. Therefore, it is might consider leaving the computer defragmenting overnight.

| Windows 98 | Windows XP |

Defragment Windows 98

- Click Start - Program - Accessories - System Tools - Defragmenter Disk
- Select the drive to check.
- Click OK. Expect to reach 100%.
- When finished, restart Windows.


Defrag Windows XP

- Click on "My Computer"
- Select the unit of disk to check (usually C: /) by clicking it and clicking right mouse
- Click on "Properties" ("Properties")
- Click "Tools" ("Tools")
- In "Defragmentation" ("Defrag") click "Defragment Now" ("Defrag Now")
- In the window that opens ("Disk Defragmenter") click in "Analyze"
- Wait. You will see a warning if the drive should be defragmented or not.
- If not, click "Ok" and close everything.
- If so, click "Ok", click "Defragment"
- Defragmenter can start immediately or may appear a Notice that the unit can only be defragmented if the system is restarted.
- If so, click "OK" and close everything and shut down (Not restart) the system. Wait 10 seconds and reconnect. Defragmenter to automatically start be executed.
- Wait finish.
- At the end, reboot Windows.


g. Cleaning the Windows registry

The RegClean and the Ccleaner programs are wrong keys that allow cleaning the Windows registry.

Many registry keys, damaged, unused or unnecessary will remain on the computer especially when installs, uninstall and reinstall programs. Particularly will getting the keys that are not removed when programs are uninstalled. Assi, run RegClean periodically becomes absolutely necessary.

To copy the installer, how to install and use RegClean, Click here.
To copy the installer, how to install and use Ccleaner, click here).


As empty the trash
Windows are in the trash arazenados files that are deleted, which allows its recovery.

However, if one deleted a file, may have been intended to release space the system. And the file is still there, occupying space.

The icon Dump (Empty) is visible in the main Windows screen. And also within the Windows Explorer.

It can be seen immediately that, when a file is placed in the trash, the icon changes, passing the show a trash can full.

As use the trash

1. To retrieve a file
- Giving a double click on the trash to view its contents.
- Select (s) file (s) want (s)
- On the File menu, click "Restore."
Files back to the folder where they were to be deleted.

2. To delete all files from the trash

- Giving a double click on the trash to view its contents.

- On the File menu, Click Empty Trash

or

- Give a click simple on the trash, with the right mouse button.
- Click on Empty Dump

As change the configuration the trash

- Give a click simple on the trash, with the right mouse button.

- Click on Properties

You can define

- If the files deleted should be temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin or summarily deleted

- Size of the area disk that can be used by the Recycle Bin.

- It must appear the question confirming the deletion.

Uninstall Program

It common people have installed on their computers, programs that do not use a long time, or even that they never used.

Such programs can be uninstalled and will be released in space HD.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to know the programs and the name of files you want to keep.

If in doubt, ask before, to not risk losing important programs.

If a program is not desired, uninstall it. (Never simply delete files).

One way to uninstall correctly is:

Start button - Settings - "Control Panel" - "Add / Remove Programs ".

If you want more information about the Uninstall of programs, click here).


Reduce the number of programs on Start menu

When the computer is taking too long to begin to function should be checked what programs are in the Start Menu.

This is, in general, because the installation of many programs, It also installs small programs that are always loaded when the Windows starts.

Some icons of them appear on the taskbar on the right side, next to the clock. Each icon represents a program loaded and active.

Those programs can be closed by clicking on its icon and option close. But it just closes the program this time. In next time Windows starts it will be there, again.

Beyond addition, many programs are invisible, no icon or key in menu to indicate their presence.

So, you can use the MSConfig. exe, that comes with Windows. It lets you control what it is loaded when starting the operating system.

- Click unblown Start / Run
- In the window that appears enter msconfig and click OK.
- Click on the tab Start and uncheck the unwanted programs.

(When withdrawing the mark field that appears on the left side of the line, ensures that the application just will not be loaded when the startup system, but it will remain installed). Of course, if is necessary, you can mark it again, ensuring their future burden.