Microsoft has provided two really useful utilities that you can use to improve the performance of your computer as well as ensure the integrity of the data on your hard-drive.

ScanDisk and DeFrag are used to repair and organize the data on your hard disk so that your computer can work at maximum efficiency. They are provided free with Microsoft all versions of Windows.

You should use them on a regular basis just like you would tune up the engine on your car, only it might be a good idea to use them more often than you tune up your car! Running ScanDisk once a week and DeFrag once a month can ensure that your computer will be in tip-top condition each and every time you turn it on.

ScanDisk

ScanDisk checks the file system and folders on your hard drive for errors. Errors can occur when a program shuts down abnormally or misbehaves in any way. They also tend to build up for some reason with time, perhaps this is just another 'feature' of Microsoft's operating system. Fortunately the boys at Redmond have provide us with this nice utility to clean up the mess.

To run ScanDisk:

• Click the START button and select RUN
• Type in scandisk, and click the OK Button
• Select Standard if you want to check the file system only, select Thorough if you want to check out the Hard-Drive itself. The Thorough option will take longer and is not necessary unless you feel there might be a problem with your hard-drive. Oh, be sure to check the option that has ScanDisk automatically fix errors. This will keep it from asking you what to do each time it finds a minor problem.

DeFrag

The Disk Defragmenter, or DeFrag program speeds up the working of your computer by defragmenting the files. When files are stored on your hard-drive they are put in the next available open slot. As you use your computer and remove files and add files, these slots may or may not be close together on the drive, forcing the system to hunt on the drive for the application. When you defragment your drive the files are stored again in a nice order with each file complete on a slice of the hard-disk making file access much faster.

To run DeFrag

• Click START and select RUN
• Type in defrag and click on OK
• Select the hard drive you want to defragment if you have more than one hard-disk
• The system will then tell you how much your disk is fragmented and recommend if you should proceed with DeFrag.
• To go ahead with defragmentation, click START; to do something else, click EXIT.

See how easy it is to keep your computer healthy!! More information on both of these programs is available on your computer by selecting HELP.