We are still a "computer dummy" at times smiles. Now I can do these steps because he clearly gives precise instructions, but trust me there are plenty other things involving the computer I haven't tried...
----- Original Message ----- From: "Carlene Knight" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2008 11:52 PM Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] PC Maintenance Hi and thanks for the info., I had no idea how to do those things. There are variables though and I suppose it could vary from system to system or service pack. When I did the clean disc function there was no next button, but the ok button seemed to do the trick. It also let the disc check run without me rebooting the system. It freaked me out at first because JAWS was anouncing the progress bar as fast as it could talk for all three stages of the process and I wasn't expecting anything like that. I haven't done the other two things and will probably wait until tomorrow, but I do thank you. I never thought I would be performing these tasks on my own as I am so afraid to mess things up and I thought it would be a lot more complicated. It's no secret to you all that I am a computer dummy. On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:05:02 -0500, you wrote: >Hi, > >I just think this bit of information is something one should all get in the >practice of using on a regular bases. >My husband's computer no matter what we did or tried, could not seem to get >to "my computer" without a long drawn out process until today. I followed >the steps here and did the scan disk on his computer and it sure did take >one hour and it sure did fix a host of problems. One being now his volume >shows in his system tray, it speeded up his computer as well. >I did a few other things on this list as well. All and all the steps here >work exactly as is written and I just wanted to personally thank Denny for >taking the time to make them available for all of us to use and for David >Farren putting it up on his web site for copying.. > >Patricia > >>From time to time I post information that will assist you in working with >your PC > >>From time to time I post information that will assist you in working with >your PC. Just like servicing your car, your PC needs attention also. > >Here are some recommendations everyone should do on a regular basis. > > There are several things you can do to maintain your PC's performance. >These procedures should be done at least once a month or even more often >depending > >on your usage. > > I recommend doing them in this order. > > 1. Prefetch > >When you launch an application, Windows XP stores that information in a >file >called, prefetch. These files can accumulate over a period of time and >will > >have some affect on the loading of Windows. It doesn't hurt to clean out >this file from time to time and will not affect the operation of your PC to >delete > >them. > >Go to the start menu and either arrow down to run or just type the letter >R. > >When the edit box appears, type in: prefetch and press enter. > >You will have a list of applications that you have used since you have been >using Windows XP. > >Simply do a control a to select all and then press your shift delete. If >you just press delete, those files will go into the recycle bin, but adding >the > >shift key will bypass it. > >Now say yes to, are you sure you want to delete these files. > >Finally press alt f4 to exit. > > 2. Disc Clean-up > >Whenever you surf the internet or download files, your PC stores >information >on the hard drive in a temp folder. There are other files included in the > >Disc Clean-Up which you probably would want to get rid of. > > Go to your start menu, then to All Programs, then Accessories, >next to System Tools and finally to Disc Clean-Up and press enter. > > It might take a few minutes for it to open, depending on if it >will compress old files. But once it does, you will probably be asked >which > >Drive your want to clean. Select the C drive. > > Once this is selected, you will have a list of items that the >disc clean-up will clean. These may include: > >Downloaded Internet Files > >Temp Internet Internet Files > >Off Line Web Pages > >Office Set-Up Files > >Recycle Bin > >Temporary Files > >Web Publisher Files > >Compress Old Files > >Catalogue Files > > As you down arrow through the list, you will notice that they may be >checked or unchecked. If they are checked, this will clean that option >when >the next > >Button is pressed. I recommend checking everything with the exception of, >compress old files. You only need to check this if your hard drive is >getting > >Low on free drive space. > > After you have checked the files you want to clean, tab to > next >and press enter. You will be asked if you are sure you want to do this, >just > >Press enter on, yes. It will take a few minutes, but when it is finished, >you will be taken out of the Disc Clean-Up. > > 3. Check Disc > > The check disc should be performed before a scan disc is >performed. To do this, go to the start menu and then to, run. > >When the edit box appears, type in: chkdsk /f and press enter. You will be >presented with a dialogue that says, the check disc cannot be performed >because > >the volume is in use. Would you like to perform this the next time your >system starts? Just type the letter Y and press enter. > > Now you will need to shut down any open applications and >restart your PC. When it begins to boot up and before Windows starts, your >PC will > >perform a check disc. It will take a few minutes to perform, but when it >is >finished, Windows will start up normally. > > 4. Start Up > > One of the main reasons for your PC to be slow in starting is >what is included in your start up. The more applications you have in the >start > >up the longer it takes for your PC to load windows and be ready for use. > > If you don't feel comfortable in performing this operation, >give me a call and I will be glad to help you with it. > > Go to the start menu and then to run. When the edit box comes >up, type in: msconfig and press enter. > > You will be presented with several tabs and will be in the >general tab to start with. Press your control tab key until you hear, >Start >Up. > > You will now have a list of applications that start when you >turn on your PC. > > I personally don't' keep anything in my start up, but this is >completely up to you as to what you want starting up. If you are using >certain > >anti-virus programs, you certainly want to make sure those are kept in your >start up. > > As you arrow down through your list, you will see that each >item will be either checked or unchecked. If it is checked, this means it >will > >start with your PC. Arrow down through your list and uncheck each item you >don't want to start. After you make your selection, tab to OK and press >enter. > >You will be given a dialogue telling you will need to restart your computer >in order for this process to take affect. You will have two choices, >restart > >now and restart later. > > Once you restart your PC, Windows will load, and should load >quicker, and you will have a dialogue telling you that you are in selective >start > >up, Press your tab to the, don't show this dialogue again and check it by >pressing your spacebar, then to tab to OK and press enter. > > 4. Scan Disc > > Windows XP doesn't have an actual scan disc, but it does have >something relatively close to it. > > To run scan disc, go to your desk top and then to, My > Computer. >If you aren't using the classic start menu, you might have to go to your >start > >menu and then to My Computer there. > > Open My Computer and highlight your C drive, sometimes called, >Local Disc C. Don't press enter, just highlight it. Now do an alt enter >to > >bring up the properties. Next do a control tab to the Tools tab. > > You will be on, errors checking, check now button. Press your >spacebar and it will say, Start Button, but don't press enter yet. >Instead, > >tab to the check boxes and check, automatically fix files system errors and >the next check box which is, scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. > >Check both of the boxes. Now tab to the start button and press enter. > > You will be presented with a dialogue saying that the disc >check cannot pbe performed because the disc check needs exclusive access to >some > >files. Do you want to schedule a disc check the next time you start >Windows? Just press your spacebar on yes. Now tab to OK and press enter. >Alt f4 > >out of the properties and shut down any open applications and restart your >PC. > > It may take as long as an hour for this process to complete, >depending on the size of your hard drive and how many errors you have, but >be > >Patient and Windows will restart once the process is complete. > > 5. Defrag > > Sometimes when an application is shut down improperly, or you >turn off your computer improperly, files are fragmented. When this >happens, > >it takes longer for an application to launch since it has to go looking for >the files it needs to start. > > To run a defrag, go to your start menu, then to all programs, then to >accessories, next to system tools and finally to disc defrag and press >enter. > > You will be presented with an analyze button. >Press your spacebar on this and your PC will analyze your hard disc to see >what > >percentage your disc is fragmented. This will only take a few minutes and >when it is finished you can tab to view report and press enter. Arrow down > >and you will find what percentage your disc is fragmented. If it is more >than 5%, I would recommend running your defrag. Tab to the close button >and > >press enter, then tab to the defrag now button and press enter. This >process will take a while depending on how big your hard drive is and what >percentage > >it is fragmented. Once it is finished you can alt f4 out of the >application. > > These are all of the steps I recommend in maintaining your PC >that comes with Windows XP. I do however encourage you to number one, have >an > >Anti-virus program running at all times and also highly recommend a spy >ware >program. There are several of both of these available, some at no charge, > >but remember, you always get what you pay for. > > I personally recommend Norton anti-virus and for spy ware, a >program called, Spy Sweeper. This program is made by Web Root and can be >downloaded > >from the Internet at, > >http://www.webroot.com > >or it can also be purchased at Wal-Mart for around $29.95. It works great >with Jaws and is the best spy ware protection that I have found. > > This document is the property of Gateway For The Blind LLC. And may not be >reproduced, distributed or sold without the expressed written consent of >it's > >owner. > >© 2006 - Gateway For The Blind LLC. > >Denny Huff > >Assistive Technology Specialist > >Gateway For The Blind LLC. > >P.O. Box 515 > >St. Clair, MO 63077 > >P: 636.262.1383 > >F: 301.805.5335 > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >WWW > >.GatewayForTheBlind.Com > >THE GATEWAY TO INDEPENDENCE > > > Visit the JAWS Users List home page at: > http://www.jaws-users.com >Visit the Blind Computing home page at: >http://www.blind-computing.com > Address for the list archives: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > To post to this group, send email to > [email protected] > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > For help from Mailman with your account Put the word help in the subject > or body of a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Use the following form in order to contact the management team > http://www.jaws-users.com/BlindComputing.php > If you wish to join the JAWS Users List send a blank email to the > following address: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit the JAWS Users List home page at: http://www.jaws-users.com Visit the Blind Computing home page at: http://www.blind-computing.com Address for the list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help from Mailman with your account Put the word help in the subject or body of a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Use the following form in order to contact the management team http://www.jaws-users.com/BlindComputing.php If you wish to join the JAWS Users List send a blank email to the following address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit the JAWS Users List home page at: http://www.jaws-users.com Visit the Blind Computing home page at: http://www.blind-computing.com Address for the list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help from Mailman with your account Put the word help in the subject or body of a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Use the following form in order to contact the management team http://www.jaws-users.com/BlindComputing.php If you wish to join the JAWS Users List send a blank email to the following address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
