How To Perform ScanDisk On Win XP and Win 2K

This is a procedural guide that will teach you how to scan and fix file system errors on XP and Win 2K operating system using a Windows utility called ScanDisk.

ScanDisk is a built-in Windows Utility Tool that provides you the ability to scan and fix errors on your Windows caused by viruses, improper shut down, interrupted installation, and other problems.

Using this tool to scan and correct file errors on your Operating System can mend fatal damage on your system files, improving system performance in the process.

XP and Win2K don't include the DOS SCANDISK utility. However, you can perform the same task using XP's and Win2K's Error Checking feature. To access this feature, perform the following steps:

1. Open Windows Explorer (My Computer).

2. Right-click the drive you want to check, and select Properties from the context menu.

3. Select the Tools tab.

4. Under Error Checking, click Check Now.

5. If you want the scan to automatically attempt to make repairs or check the disk for bad sectors, select those options and click Start.

Remember: This procedure should be done regularly, at least once a month. This frequency should be able to minimize the file system errors on your computer.

How To Defragment Your Hard Disk Drive

Learn how to defragment your hard drive for optimum performance.

You may have already done defragmentation numerous times, but do you really know what good it does for you and your computer?

In the context of computer administration, defragmentation is the process that minimizes the amount of fragmentation in file systems. It can be done using a built-in Microsoft Windows Utility designed to be an easy-to-use tool that anyone can utilize to keep those fragmented files in check, even without extensive computer knowledge.

Remember: This is a very lengthy procedure so make sure that you have nothing else important to do before defragmenting your drives. In some unlucky cases, the whole process can even turn into a whole-day appointment. Another thing that should be remembered and practiced at all times is it's recommended that you perform defragmentation first before "scan disk".

Please diligently follow these simple procedures in defragmenting your hard disk:

1. Open "My Computer".

2. Right click on the drive that you want to defrag — C, D, E, F. The number of drives will depend on the number of partitions you created during the installation and configuration of your Operating System.

3. Select "Properties". After right clicking on the desired drive, a pop-up box appears with several selectable options — one being "Properties" located at the bottommost part.

4. Click on "Tools". The Tools tab is one of the tabs you will find on the properties box. This tab contains all the helpful tools you need to take care of your files and your hard disk. Scan Disk (Error-Checking), Defragmentation, and Backup are the three tools found in this tab.

5. Click on the "Defragment Now" button. After clicking, a new window appears titled Disk Defragmenter; in here is where the whole defragmentation happens. Inside the window you will find all the active drives of your computer.

6. Select the drive that you want to defrag and hit the "Analyze" button located at the bottom. Before you can defrag a drive, it is advisable that you let the utility analyze the drive first. The purpose of this is to avoid unnecessary defragmentation. Sometimes drives will not have any fragmented files therefore no need to perform this lengthy process. After analysis you are sure to get only two recommendations, either to or not to defragment the analyzed drive.

7. Hit the defragment button and wait until the process gets completed.

That's about it. Just simply follow those detailed procedures, then I assure you that not only will you be extending your hard disk's lifespan, but you will also be experiencing a smooth and fluid performance. There goes your tips on how to defragment you hard disk drive.

How To Take Care Of Your Hard Disk Drive

Learn how to take care of your hard drive easily and effectively.

Hard drive is the sturdy rectangular-shaped hardware component found inside your CPU casing. It is where all of your important data are permanently stored — at least only until you delete them or until your hard drive crashes, and the latter isn't exactly inevitable. With proper care, you can add a few months or even years of file storage on top of your hard disk's expected lifespan.

There are a lot of ways you can take good care of your hard drive. The methods ranges from installing other hardware components, to using hard disk maintenance applications, to wiping-off dusts.

Here are some of the easiest yet most efficacious ways you must know and you should do to take care of your hard disk:

1. Install exhaust fans - exhaust fans have been proven-effective in keeping the temperature inside your CPU casing cool. Inside that casing, you will find all of the most hardworking hardware components of your computer — processor, motherboard, hard disk, etc. These components function for as long as your PC is on, making them susceptible to overheating. And what exhaust fans can do is they vent out the heated air inside your CPU to keep the temp down, thus eliminating one of the most common causes of hard drive crashes — overheating.

2. Install anti-virus software - when my knowledge about computers was still on its infancy, i thought that viruses, since it's just a software, can only do harm to other software applications. Unfortunately, I thought wrong; fortunately, I realized this before I had to learn it the hard way. Countless studies and actual experiences have proven that viruses, trojans, spyware, and the likes doesn't only slows your hard disk's performance but also shorten its lifespan. One effective way of safeguarding your hard disk from unwanted viruses is by installing an anti-virus application. There are a lot of potent anti-virus software out there that you can download — you can even get some for free. Check out this site to know how to get a free anti-virus http://sites4free.blogspot.com

3. Installing software monitoring tools - a software monitoring tool is a freeware that you can use to monitor the temperature of your hard disk. This is another free and effective way to prevent your hard drive from overheating. To learn how and where to download this software go to http://sites4free.blogspot.com

4. Regularly perform "scan disk" and "defragmentation" - if your computer has never ever tasted what its like to be scanned and fixed for errors and defragged for fragmented hard drive clusters, I'd definitely say "Man, you're not a good master". If the reason why you haven't done them yet is you don't know how to perform those maintenance, please read my other blog about How To Defrag Your Hard Disk for "defragmentation" and How to Perform Scan Disk For Your Hard Drive for "scan disk".

5. Regularly wipe off dusts and cobwebs in your CPU - this is another overheating measures. Exhaust fans are effective medium of venting out heated air, however if dusts and cobwebs have already clouded your CPU casing, your fans will become less effective. By simply using a clean paint brush or a blower, you can get rid of those heat-trapping dusts and cobwebs.

6. Leave at least 200 MB of hard drive space - Even if you have a decent RAM, there will come a point in time in which your processor will be needing an extra memory from your hard drive for processing purposes. So be kind to your hard disk, leave at least 200 MB worth of free space.

How To Assemble A Gaming Computer

Learn how you can assemble a powerful yet economical gaming computer.

Gaming is one of the most famous uses of personal computers. It doesn't just prove to be effective in helping you get past those idle and boring times, but it will help you get past them with great fun and excitement.

Personal computer is probably the most practical and economical gaming platform that an ordinary, average-wager person should buy. Not because its cheap, because it isn't—in fact it is a lot more expensive than all other gaming consoles, but if you carefully consider all the other amazing feats that this machine can do, it is without a doubt that personal computer is the wisest and most practical choice in buying a gaming device. This is one of those times when the saying "Sometimes spending wisely means spending more" applies.

Investing on a new gaming computer can be a very tricky and expensive task especially if you know nothing about computer hardware. However, if money isn't an issue in your case, then you can just carelessly buy all the high-end computer specs and not worry about thinking which component should you spend more on and which should you not. But if money is a concern and you are looking to buy a powerful yet economical gaming computer, please consider the following tips:

A powerful yet economical gaming computer has...

1. a crystal-clear and high-resolution display (Flat CRT or LCD) - this is your gaming computer's soul. Everything that gets processed and generated behind the scene (in your CPU) will be displayed here. So it is just rightful that you make this your priority. Invest on a wide-screen and high-resolution gaming display and experience an extraordinary, superb gaming.

2. a high-speed and a high-resolution Video Card - this component may be listed second to the display, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it should just be your secondary priority. Definitely not! These first two hardware components are the defining factor of your rig. They will tell a lot to a person what kind of rig you have and what use you have for it. With a high-res and high-speed video card combined with your wide-screen display, PC gaming will never be the same again.

3. a crisp and a base-thundering sound system - now that you have already secured the visuals, let's deal with your computer's audibility. This component too is very important, but not as significant as the previous two. Sound effects is one of the important factors that defines a game along with graphics and gameplay. So make sure that you are hearing clearly what you are suppose to hear in order for you to feel the intensity and thrill of the game. That's why I would highly recommend that you get a powerful speaker or headphones.

4. a good amount of RAM - if this would not have been a gaming computer, this component would probably be ranked in the top two. But as what I've been saying, this ranking is for a gaming rig that's why RAM fall to the 4th spot. Even when you're a pure gamer, RAM is still very important. In games When you start your game, just before you see any graphics, all the buffing and caching is done by the RAM, that's why it is still imperative that you get an above average RAM.

5. a mediocre processor - just like the RAM, this would have been rank in the top two if this article wasn't about a gaming computer. Gaming applications doesn't necessarily need high-processing processors. Games are all about graphics. So don't spend too much on processors. You can instead buy an "OK" processor, and spend more on those top 3 hardware components.

6. Gaming Accessories - keyboard and mouse will actually do the work, but if you have some spare of fortune, why not spend a little something on an analog gamepad or a driving wheel.

How To Clean Your Computer Using House Tools

Personal Computers specifically, your CPU is a very disgusting, dust-prone and -infested place. It started gulping dust the moment you turn it on—when your in-haust fan started rotating carelessly, vacuuming anything that goes within its radius.

Dusts in particles may not pose as a threat, but when you have a group of dusts trapped, they turn into creepy-looking cobwebs that make your computer look old, feel old, and act old. Yes! Dusts, cobwebs and everything else in between, are proven to affect your computer's performance.

These dusts are like termites that slowly, strategically, and effectively gathers around and start depriving your computer from one of the most important element that your computer needs, fresh air.

You see, computers are so sophisticated that even though they aren't really alive to be needing air to breathe, they will need air for ventilation to keep those internal hardware from overheating. Just a reminder in case you've forgotten the main reason why you have an exhaust fan and inhaust fan installed on your PC.

A lot of people have been in this undesirable and very expensive situation. When your hard drive burned due to overheating, your chances of retrieving important data is as slim as waiting for a miracle to happen. You'll either retrieve some small amount of data and buy a new hard drive or, more likely, not retrieve anything at all and buy a new hard drive. Either way, you're surely going to be spending a few hard-earned bucks for a new hard disk.

The good news is you don't have to go through all of these hassles. With a consistent cleaning, and with a little tool-help, all of these can be prevented easily. So easy that in fact, the tools you will need to prevent such catastrophic situations are just around your house sitting dormantly, waiting for them to be called upon to help.

Meet your long-lost, unused friends.

1. Paint Brush. Yes! You can use a paint brush to dust off those 2-year-old cobwebs on your PC. This is perhaps the most economical and the most-of-the-time available (if not always) replacement for those hundred-dollar and powerful air-blower equipment. Just make sure that the paint brush is clean—meaning it's free from paint residues, maintaining its soft, hairy structure.

Directions: So easy to use. Just simply and gently brush off the cobwebs and dusts.

2. Eraser. You have no idea how useful this "I-thought-I'll-never-use-again-since-6th-grade" tool. I thought in this digital age, erasers are just "have beens". I never knew that even the coolest man-made machines (computers) will need help from an 18th century eraser. A simple pencil eraser can help clean your PC's Random Access Memory. The best time to use this is after you turn on your computer, and you don't hear any single, short beep, and your monitor doesn't display anything. That usually means your motherboard did not detect any RAMs installed, even if there is. No need to fret when you encounter this problem because more often than not, it's just caused by dusts and your eraser can easily take care of this situation. Believe me, it works!

Directions: Remove your RAM from your PC. Simply and gently brush the sides of your
RAM's teeth (they are gold in color and are row-arranged like your teeth). This should
take care of any memory problem.

But remember, an eraser can only do so much. There will come a time when your eraser
has already done too much erasing, and that you need to replace your memory.

3. Hair Blower. This will never replace a paint brush in wiping off dusts, but your mother's
hair blower will come in handy in times when you're trying to remove dusts that are
trapped inside those teensy-weensy openings that only air can go in and out of it.

Directions: Just simply aim the blower to that teensy-weensy hole. And don't forget to plug
it in.

So there you have it. Your dormant house tools that can help you save some years of entertainment and livelihood.