Gateway Desktops, User Manual

Page: 136 / 198

CHAPTER 12: Maintaining Your Computer
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128
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 hard 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 .
5
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.
Help and Support
For more information about Windows
Update, click Start , then click Help and
Support. Type the keyword checking for
disk errors in the Search box, then click
the arrow.
6
Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen
instructions.
7
Click OK .
8511629.book Page 128 Wednesday, July 19, 2006 9:38 AM