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Clean up your hard drive
Empty the Windows temp folder:
- Close all programs including any background programs such as CD writer software.
- Click Start, and then click Run.
- Type the following and then click OK:
%temp%
- The Temp folder is displayed.
- Click Edit and then click Select All. This selects all files and folders in the folder.
- Click File, and then click Delete. Click Yes to confirm, if prompted.
- Close this window when done.
Clear the Browser Disk Cache:
Do one of the following, depending upon which browser you use.
Internet Explorer:
- If you use Internet Explorer: Open Internet Explorer
- Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
- Under the "Temporary Internet Files" section, click Delete Files....
- Also check the box to "Delete all offline content." Click the OK button.
- Under the "History" section, click Clear History.
- Close Internet Explorer.
Netscape:
- If you use Netscape: Open Netscape (either online or offline),
then go to Edit + Preferences.
- Click on the "+" beside "Advanced," then click on "Cache"
- Press the button labeled "Clear Disk Cache."
- Close Netscape.
Empty the Recycle Bin:
- On your computer's desktop, double-click on the "Recycle Bin" icon.
- Click on File, then click Empty Recycle Bin
- Close this window when done.
Hard Drive Maintenance:
The following instructions vary depending on which operating system you are using
(e.g., Windows XP or Windows 2000). Repeat the following for each hard drive on your computer
ScanDisk/CheckDisk
- Close all programs
- Double click the "My Computer" icon on the desktop
- Right-click on the icon for the C: drive
- Click Properties
- Click the Tools tab
- Click the Check Now button under "Error-checking"
- A Check Disk window will open
- In Win98, select Standard and check Automatically Fix Errors
- In Windows XP or 2000, do not check either box
- Click the Start button on the Check Disk window
- ScanDisk will begin and will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete
Defrag
Note, a defrag should only be run after a successful Check Disk has been run
- Close all programs
- Double click the "My Computer" icon on the desktop
- Right-click on the icon for the C: drive
- Click Properties
- Click the Tools tab
- Click the Defragment Now button under "Defragmentation"
- The Disk Defragmenter window will open
- Click the drive you want to defragment (e.g., C:)
- Click the Defragment button to begin defragmentation
- Degrag will begin and will take 15 to 45 minutes to complete
- It's OK to start this process and leave your computer running overnight
It is a good idea to turn off any screen saver and disable any programs that frequently access the hard drive (such as anti-virus software) before beginning a defrag.
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