Gateway Computer, Reference Manual

Page: 72 / 126

CHAPTER 5: Maintaining Your Computer
66
Checking the hard drive for errors
The Error-checking program examines the hard drive for
physical flaws and file and folder problems. This program
corrects file and folder problems and marks flawed areas on
the hard drive so Windows does not use them.
If you use your computer several hours every day, you
probably want to run Error-checking once a week. If you use
your computer less frequently, once a month may be adequate.
Also use Error-checking if you encounter hard drive problems.
To check the hard drive for errors:
1
Click Start , then click My Computer . The My Computer
window opens.
2
Right-click the drive that you want to check for errors (for
example,
Local Disk C: ), then click Properties . The
Properties dialog box opens.
3
Click the Tools tab.
4
Click Check Now , click the options you want to use, then
click Start . For help, press F1 . Windows checks the drive
for errors. This process may take several minutes.
After Windows has finished checking the drive for errors,
it provides a summary of the problems that it found.
5
Correct any problems that are found by following the
on-screen instructions.
8512980.book Page 66 Thursday, March 6, 2008 1:30 PM