Gateway m350 User Manual
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221 Managing hard drive space www.gateway.com Managing hard drive space Windows provides several utilities you can use to manage your hard drive. Checking hard drive space To check hard drive space: 1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. - OR - In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens. 2Right-click the drive that you want to check for available file space, then click Properties. Drive space information appears.
222 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Notebook www.gateway.com Using Disk Cleanup Delete unnecessary files, such as temporary Windows files, to free hard drive space. To use the WindowsDisk Cleanup program: 1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. - OR - In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens. 2Right-click the hard drive that you want to delete files from, for example Local Disk (C:), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens at the General tab. 3Click Disk Cleanup. The Disk Cleanup dialog box opens.
223 Managing hard drive space www.gateway.com 4Make sure that the check box beside each file type you want to delete is selected. For more information about file types you can delete, read the descriptions in the Disk Cleanup dialog box. 5Click OK, then click Ye s. 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: 1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. - OR - In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens. 2Right-click the hard drive that you want to check for errors, for example Local Disk (C:), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens. Help and SupportFor more information about keeping the hard drive space free of unnecessary files in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword disk cleanup in the Help and Support Search box , then click the arrow.
224 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Notebook www.gateway.com 3Click the Tools tab. 4Click Check Now. 5Click 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. 6Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen instructions. 7Click OK. Help and SupportFor more information about checking the hard drive for errors in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword checking for disk errors in the Help and Support Search box , then click the arrow.
225 Managing hard drive space www.gateway.com 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. The Disk Defragmenter program 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 the Disk Defragmenter program 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. To defragment the hard drive: 1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. - OR - In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens. 2Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, for example Local Disk (C:), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.
226 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Notebook www.gateway.com 3Click the Tools tab. 4Click Defragment Now. 5If Disk Defragmenter does not start automatically, click Defragment or Start. Disk Defragmenter shows its progress on the computer display. When finished, Disk Defragmenter asks if you want to quit the program. 6Click Close or Ye s, then click the X in the top-right corner to close the Disk Defragmenter window. Help and SupportFor more information about defragmenting the hard drive in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword defragmenting in the Help and Support Search box , then click the arrow.
227 Managing hard drive space www.gateway.com 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 CD or DVD (if you have a recordable drive) or to diskettes. Use a backup device, such as a recordable drive or Zip drive, to do a complete hard drive backup. For more information, see “Creating CDs and DVDs using Nero Express” on page 115. If you do not have a high-capacity backup device and you want to purchase one, you can contact Gateway’s Add-on Sales department or visit the Accessories Store at accessories.gateway.com . Using the Scheduled Task Wizard The Scheduled Task Wizard lets you schedule maintenance tasks such as running Disk Defragmenter and Error-checking. Help and SupportFor more information about backing up files in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword saving files in the Help and Support Search box , then click the arrow.
228 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Notebook www.gateway.com To start the Scheduled Task Wizard: 1Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then click Scheduled Ta s k s . The Scheduled Tasks window opens. 2Double-click the Add Scheduled Task icon. The Scheduled Task Wizard opens. 3Click Next, then click the task or program you want to schedule and follow the on-screen instructions to customize the task. ImportantYour notebook must be on during scheduled tasks. If your notebook is off, scheduled tasks will not run. Help and SupportFor more information about using the Scheduled Tasks Wizard in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword Scheduled Task Wizard in the Help and Support Search box , then click the arrow.
229 Cleaning your notebook www.gateway.com Cleaning your notebook Keeping your notebook clean and the vents free from dust helps keep your system performing at its best. You may want to gather these items and put together a computer cleaning kit: ■A soft, lint-free cloth ■An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension ■Isopropyl alcohol ■Cotton swabs ■A CD or DVD drive cleaning kit Cleaning the exterior Always turn off your notebook and other peripherals, then remove the battery before cleaning any components. Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean your notebook and other parts of your system. Do not use abrasive or solvent cleaners because they can damage the finish on components. Your notebook is cooled by air circulated through the vents on the case, so keep the vents free of dust. With your notebook turned off and unplugged, brush the dust away from the vents with a damp cloth. Be careful not to drip any water into the vents. Do not attempt to clean dust from the inside of your notebook. Cleaning the keyboard You should clean the keyboard occasionally by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys. WarningWhen you shut down your notebook, the power turns off, but some electrical current still flows through your notebook. To avoid possible injury from electrical shock, unplug the power cord and modem cable from the wall outlets.
230 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Notebook www.gateway.com If you spill liquid on the keyboard, turn off your notebook and turn your notebook upside down. Let the liquid drain, then let the keyboard dry before trying to use it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it. Cleaning the computer screen Use a soft cloth and water to clean the computer screen. Squirt a little water on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth. Cleaning the mouse If you have a mouse and the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the computer screen or becomes difficult to control precisely, cleaning the mouse will likely improve its accuracy. Clean your optical mouse by wiping the bottom of the mouse with a damp lint-free cloth. WarningThe computer screen is made of specially coated glass and can be scratched or damaged by abrasive or ammonia-based glass cleaners. Help and SupportFor a video tutorial about cleaning the mouse in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword Video tutorials in the Help and Support Search box , then click the arrow. Click Cleaning the mouse.