Gateway E-4610s User Manual

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75
Using BigFix
Your computer may have BigFix software installed. BigFix 
monitors your computer for problems and conflicts. It 
automatically gathers information about the latest bugs, 
security alerts, and updates from BigFix sites on the Internet. 
Whenever BigFix detects a problem, it alerts you by flashing the 
blue taskbar icon. To fix the problem, click on that icon to open 
BigFix.
To  st art  Bi g Fi x:  
1Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, System 
Tools, then click BigFix.
2To learn more about BigFix, click Help, then click 
Tutorial.
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							CHAPTER 5: Maintaining Your Computer
76
Managing hard drive space
Windows provides several utilities you can use to check drive 
space, and to delete, defragment, and back up files.
Checking hard drive space
To check hard drive space:  
1Click (Start), then click Computer. The Computer 
window opens.Shortcut
StartÖ ComputerÖ right-click driveÖProperties
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77
2Right-click the drive that you want to check for available 
file space, then click Properties. Drive space information 
appears.
Deleting unnecessary files
Delete unnecessary files, such as temporary files and files in the 
Recycle Bin, to free hard drive space.
To delete unnecessary files:  
1Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, System 
Tools, then click Disk Cleanup. The Disk Cleanup dialog 
box opens.Shortcut
StartÖ ComputerÖ right-click driveÖ PropertiesÖ 
Disk Cleanup
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2Click one of the options, then clickOK:
My files only cleans only the folders for the 
currently logged in user.
Files from all users on this computer cleans all 
folders.
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:  
1Click (Start), then click Computer. The Computer 
window opens.
2Right-click the drive that you want to check for errors, 
click Properties, then click the Tools tab. Help
For more information about keeping the hard drive free of 
unnecessary files, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type disk 
cleanup in the Search Help box, then press E
NTER.
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79
3Click Check Now, then click Start. Your drive is checked 
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.
4Correct any problems that are found by following the 
on-screen instructions.
5Click OK.
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 computer 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 mouse 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.Important
Error checking cannot scan a drive while the drive is being used. 
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 computer). If you see this prompt, click Schedule disc check.
HelpFor 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.
TipBecause 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 the computer for several hours.
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To defragment the hard drive:  
1Disconnect your computer from the network.
2Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, System 
Tools, then click Disk Defragmenter. The Disk 
Defragmenter dialog box opens.
3Click Defragment now. This process may take hours to 
complete, depending on the size of the drive being 
defragmented. 
Help
For more information about defragmenting the hard drive, click 
Start, then click Help and Support. Type defragmenting in the 
Search Help box, then press E
NTER.
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81
Backing up files
Backing up files and removing them from the hard drive frees 
space for new files on the hard drive. It also protects you from 
losing important information if the hard drive fails or you 
accidentally delete files.
You should back up your files regularly to a writable optical 
disc (if you have a recordable drive). Use a backup device, such 
as a recordable disc drive, to do a complete hard drive backup.
To back up files:  
1Click (Start), then click Computer. The Computer 
window opens.
2Right-click the drive that you want to back up, click 
Properties, then click the Tools tab.
3Click Backup Now, then click Run a file backup now.
4Follow the on-screen instructions to select a backup 
storage location and the files and folders to back up.
Help
For more information about backing up files, click Start, then click 
Help and Support. Type backup in the Search Help box, then press 
E
NTER.
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							CHAPTER 5: Maintaining Your Computer
82
Scheduling maintenance tasks
Task Scheduler lets you schedule maintenance tasks such as 
running Disk Defragmenter and checking your drives for 
errors. 
To  st art  th e Tas k S c he du l er:  
1Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, System 
Tools, then click Task Scheduler. The Task Sche du ler  
dialog box opens.
2Click Create Basic Task for basic tasks or click Create 
Task for more complex tasks, then follow the on-screen 
instructions to finish setting up and scheduling the task. Important
Your computer must be on during scheduled tasks. If your computer is off, 
scheduled tasks will not run.
HelpFor more information about scheduling tasks, click Start, then 
click Help and Support. Type task scheduler in the Search Help box, 
then press E
NTER.
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83
Moving from your old 
computer 
Transferring files and settings automatically
You can move your files, folders, software settings, and user 
account settings (such as display, Internet, and e-mail settings) 
from your old computer to your new one using Windows Easy 
Tr a n s fe r.
Files can be transferred automatically to it as long as your old 
computer has Windows XP.
While using these transfer utilities, you will not be able to run 
other tasks on the computers.
To move files and settings from your old computer:  
1If you want to transfer program settings to your new 
computer, install those programs on the new computer 
before running Windows Easy Transfer. Windows Easy 
Transfer copies only the software’s settings, not the 
software itself, to the new computer.
2Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, System 
Tools, then click Windows Easy Transfer. The Windows 
Easy Transfer dialog box opens.
3Click Next, click Start a new transfer, then follow the 
on-screen instructions to complete the transfer. Important
If your old computer’s Windows version is not compatible with automatic 
transfer, you must manually move your data by using a writeable disc, flash drive, 
or external hard drive.
HelpFor more information about transferring files, click Start, then 
click Help and Support. Type transferring files in the Search Help 
box, then press E
NTER.
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84
Transferring files and settings manually 
You can manually transfer your personal data files by copying 
them to removable media, such as a writable disc, an external 
hard drive, a network location, or a flash drive.
Finding your documents
M a ny  p ro gra m s  save  yo u r  p e r son a l d at a  fi les  i n  th e  Documents 
folder. Look in your old computer’s documents folder for 
personal data files. 
To find files in the Documents folder:  
1In Windows Vista, click  (Start), then click 
Documents. The Documents folder opens and displays 
many of your saved personal data files. Go to Step4.
- OR -
In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Documents. 
The My Documents window opens and displays many of 
your saved personal data files. Go to Step4.
- OR -
In Windows 98, Windows Me, or Windows 2000, 
double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop. Go 
to the next step.
2Double-click the C:\ drive icon.
3Double-click the Documents or My Documents folder. 
The My Documents window opens and displays many of 
your saved personal data files.
4Copy your personal data files to removable media or to 
another computer on your network.
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