Gateway MT6825, User Manual

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CHAPTER 8: Maintaining Your Notebook
84
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 notebook several hours every day, you probably want to run Error-checking once
a week. If you use your notebook 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 Computer . The Computer window opens.
2
Right-click the drive that you want to check for errors, click Properties , then click the Tools
tab.
3
Click Check Now , then click Start . Error checking cannot scan a drive while the drive is
being used, so if you try to check your hard drive for errors, you see a prompt asking you
if you want to scan the hard drive later (the next time you restart your notebook).
4
Click Schedule disc check .
Defragmenting the hard drive
When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into pieces and stores
them in different places on the hard drive. This is called
fragmentation , and it is normal. In order
for your notebook to use a file, Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them
back together. This process slows the hard drive performance.
Disk Defragmenter organizes the data on the drive so each file is stored as one unit rather than
as multiple pieces scattered across different areas of the drive. Defragmenting the information
stored on the drive can improve hard drive performance.
While Disk Defragmenter is running, do not use your keyboard or touchpad because using them
may continuously stop and restart the defragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a
network, log off before starting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop the
defragmentation process and cause it to start over.
To defragment the hard drive:
1
Disconnect your notebook from the network.
Help
For more information about checking the hard drive for errors, click Start ,
then click Help and Support . Type checking for disk errors in the Search
Help box, then press E
NTER
.
Tip
Because defragmenting a drive may take hours to complete (depending on the size
of the drive being defragmented), consider starting the process when you will not need
your notebook for several hours.