Maintaining Your Computer’s Performance (Part Two)

The following link will help you understand what “Cookies” are and if you need milk with them. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cookie1.htm

More Temp Stuff

Another place you can clean “without deleting anything important” is the main “Temp” folder. You may not have the ability to delete all its contents because some programs may be actively using them or hidden. Go to “Start”, “Run”; and then type

%temp%

And press “Enter” or “OK”. You can safely delete everything in this folder. Remember, some items may not be removable.

Another Way In (Windows XP):

Go to “Start”, “Run”; then type (or cut and paste)

C:\Documents and Settings\%UserName%\Cookies

And press “Enter” or “OK”. Delete all you can delete in here. Also, do the same in (Windows XP):

Go to “Start”, “Run”; then type (or cut and paste)

C:\Documents and Settings\%UserName%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

And press “Enter” or “ OK”.

Running CheckDisk

CheckDisk basically checks your hard-drive for problem areas and then quarantines those sectors. Go to “Start”, “My Computer”. Right click on your “C” drive, choose “Properties”.

Choose the “Tools” tab, and then the “Check Now…” button.

Choose both check boxes, click “Start”, then OK, Close everything, then Reboot. This will run the "CheckdDisk" process once it restarts.

Run Defrag

Defrag basicaly resorts the files on the hard-drive (like a filing cabinet). When the files are sorted, they are quicker to find (faster hard-drive access). This may not speed your system up all that much, but it does cut down on hard-drive thrashing.

As above; go to “Start”, “My Computer”, right click on your “C” drive, choose “Properties”, choose the “Tools” tab,  and then the “Defragment Now…” button. Now click “Defragment”.

That’s all folks!

Now after all this hard work, we hope you are running a bit better. If anything, your computer will be happier. Kind of like giving it a foot massage.