Information Technology Help Desk

Transcription

1 System Health for Windows XP / 2000 Contents Removal of Temporary / Check Files...Page 2 Disk Defragmenter...Page 4 Scandisk...Page 7

2 System Health Removal of Temporary / Check Files When an applications stops responding and locks up a computer, or Windows fails to turn off properly and hangs, temporary garbage files are left behind on the computer. These temporary garbage files can begin to cause problems with the system itself and must be periodically removed. How often? This depends on how often the system is locking up. It s best to remove these garbage files at least once a week before a scandisk is run. Though removing these temporary files every time a system malfunction occurs is best. Removal of Temporary / Check Files 1. Close all applications that are currently running in Windows. Note: Check the task bar for any open applications. In the example below, Microsoft Word is still open and must be closed before removing temporary / check files. 2. Select the Start button. Pick Search / For Files or Folders. 3. The Search Results window opens. In the What do you want to search for section, select All Files and Folders. Page 2 of 8

3 Removal of Temporary / Check Files (continued) 4. In the Search by any or all of the criteria below section, enter as follows: All or part of the file name: *.tmp,*.chk,~*.* Note: Type EXACTLY as shown above, no spaces between sections Look in: should automatically point to the C drive Select the SEARCH button. 5. When the search is complete, a list will appear with the search results. 6. Use the scroll bar to quickly verify the query worked properly. You should only see files that either end with TMP, CHK or begin with ~. If other files are found, please contact the IT Help Desk. 7. To remove all the files, select Edit / Select All*. This will highlight all the files in the list. Please note that it s normal to receive a message saying that a file(s) are not allowed to be deleted. That s because those temporary files are actually be used by Windows at the time. 8. Next, select the Delete icon from the menu bar or File / Delete from the main menu bar.. You may be asked if you re sure that you want to delete all files or send them to the Recycle Bin. Select Yes if asked. Remember to empty your Recycle Bin after exiting. 9. Exit the Find Files window with the X in the upper right corner. Page 3 of 8

4 Disk Defragmentation Sprague School District Just like changing the oil in a car, it is important that system maintenance be performed on a computer to keep it in good running condition. Windows XP comes with two built-in utilities: Scandisk and Disk Defragmenter. Disk Defragmenter speeds up disk access by rearranging the files and free space on your computer. If files are stored in contiguous units and free space is consolidated in one contiguous block, quicker access results. It s possible to use fragmented files, but it takes the computer much longer to read and write data that could result in computer lockups or hangs. Frequency: Duration: approximately one test per month, more or less depending on actual use - regardless of whether Windows indicates it should be run or not, run it. from 30 minutes to 2 or 3 hours depending on size of drive or fragmentation encountered. It is recommended that you setup a disk defragmenter overnight. Simply place a note on the computer screen so everyone knows that a program is running overnight, please do not touch the computer. Disk Defragmenter 1. Close all applications that are currently running in Windows. Note: Check the task bar for any open applications. In the example below, Microsoft Word is still open and must be closed before removing temporary / check files. 2. Select the Start button. Pick Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Disk Defragmenter Page 4 of 8

5 3. Select the Defragment button to begin the process. Disk Defragmenter (continued) 4. The disk defragmenter program will begin an analysis process. This step could take from several seconds to 5 or 10 minutes. 5. When the analysis is complete, a summary window will open. If the summary does NOT recommend a disk defragmenter, simply select close. Otherwise, select Defragment. Page 5 of 8

6 6. Disk Defragmenter will begin. The process can take anywhere from 5 minutes to several hours or more. It is recommended that you setup a disk defragmenter overnight. Simply place a note on the computer screen so everyone knows that a program is running overnight, please do not touch the computer. Disk Defragmenter (continued) 7. When Disk Defragmenter is done, select the Close button to exit. It is recommended that you reboot the computer before proceeding with any other tasks. 8. Select File / Exit to close the Disk Defragmenter utility. Page 6 of 8

7 Scandisk Just like changing the oil in a car, it is important that system maintenance be performed on a computer to keep it in good running condition. Windows XP comes with two built-in utilities: Scandisk and Disk Defragmenter. Scandisk is a utility scans the hard drive for file or folder errors. These errors occur when applications don t close properly, have error messages or Windows XP / 2000 does not shut down correctly. Frequency: Duration: approximately one test per week, more or less depending on actual use - should be run if Windows ever locks up, hangs, or does not shut down properly. from 45 seconds to 5 or 10 minutes depending on size of drive or errors encountered. Scandisk 1. Close all applications that are currently running in Windows. Note: Check the task bar for any open applications. In the example below, Microsoft Word is still open and must be closed before removing temporary / check files. 2. Double-click the My Computer icon from your desktop or single-click from your Start Menu. Double-click icon from Desktop Single-Click selection from Start Menu 3. Use your right mouse button on the C drive icon. From the drop-down menu select properties. Page 7 of 8

8 4. Select the Tools tab. Scandisk (continued) In the Error-checking section, select the Check Now button. 5. A check disk window opens. Select Automatically fix file system errors. Select the Start button to proceed. 6. An error message will appear indicating that an error-checking scan can only be run at the next REBOOT of your computer. Select YES to proceed. 7. Select YES to close the C-Drive properties window. Reboot the computer for the scheduled scandisk to run. Page 8 of 8