Find the icon for the hard drive you want to run ScanDisk on. You can run ScanDisk on the system's primary hard drive and also on any secondary hard drives or external hard drives. Right-click on the icon for the hard drive and select "Properties."
3
Choose the "Tools" tab from the hard drive properties window. The ScanDisk utility can be activated from the Error-checking box at the top of the Tools tab. To begin, click the "Check Now" button.
4
Note the two check boxes displayed. You will want to choose the "Automatically Fix File System Errors" box. This will perform a basic fast scan of the drive, which will take only a few minutes.
5
Put a check in the "Scan for and Attempt Recovery of Bad Sectors" box for a more thorough scan. With this checked, Windows XP will take 10 hours or longer to run ScanDisk depending on the size of your hard drive. Run this if you have noticed a problem with the hard drive's performance. For regular checks, run the basic check most of the time and the longer check only occasionally.
6
Hit the "Start" button to start ScanDisk.
7
Wait for Windows XP to finish running ScanDisk and view the report. ScanDisk will tell you what errors it found and fixed. Click the "Close" button when are finished viewing the report.
If You Want Cancel ScanDisk
1
Press "F5" when your computer screen reads "Starting MS-DOS" during boot up. You will only have a few seconds to do this, after which MS-DOS opens and ScanDisk automatically starts.
2
Press and hold the "Ctrl" and "C" keys if the scan is already in process.
3
Repeat Step 2 until the scan cancels. Depending on what phase of disk checking is occurring, the Ctrl C command will not always cancel ScanDisk. ScanDisk is not cancelable during certain phases of disk checking, so whenever possible it is best to stop the MS-DOS prompt using the F5 key before it even starts.
A slow Microsoft Windows boot up can be caused by a wide variety of issues. Below are various suggestions and tips that can help improve the overall speed of your computers startup.
1.Disable startup programs : Programs that are loading up as the computer starts up to remain active in memory, are often one of the main causes of a slow boot in Windows. Disabling programs you don't often use from automatically starting up each time the computer boots can increase the boot time. A program that makes managing your Windows startup programs isMike Lin's Startup Control Panel. Using this program, you can disable any program in any of the locations programs use to start themselves automatically.
2.Scandisk and Defrag : Running MicrosoftScanDiskandDefragor similar disk utilities on the computer can help verify the hard disk drive has no errors, as well as make sure the data on the hard disk drive is organized in the most efficient method. We suggest running both of these utilities at least once every few months.
3. Hard disk drive space : If your computer does not have at least 250MB of free available hard disk drive space this can cause an overall slowdown with your computer as well as decrease the boot time. Make sure your computer hard disk drive has 250MB or more of available disk space.
4. Add memory : Adding additionalmemory(RAM) to the computer will help increase the overall speed of the computer and in some cases can also increase the load times of your computer. Today, we suggest all computers be running a minimum of 1GB of memory in their computer. If your computer is running less than this it may be time to upgrade.
5. Update drivers and Windows : Corrupt, incorrect, or out-of-date drivers can cause a number of different issues. Make sure your computer has the latest drivers as well as any available Microsoft Windows updates.
6. Registry cleaner : Although we don't often recommend registry cleaners in some rare situations running cleaners can help improve the overall performance of Windows including the Windows startup. If you've run through all of the above recommendations you may want to clean your system registry.
7.Format and reinstall : If after following all the above steps your computer still seems to be slow you may want toerase everything from the computer and re-install Windows. This will clean your computer and make it like new.
Issue : My computer is running slow what steps can I do to fix it?
Cause : This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.
Not enough hard disk space.
Left over programs and bad files.
Data Corruption.
Missing Windows updates or outdated drivers.
Computer is overheating.
Corrupt OS.
Bad Hardware.
Solution
Tip: This page only cover an overall slow computer and not a computer that has a slow boot up.
Below are steps for Microsoft Windows users that should help speed up the computer or determine why the computer is running slow.
1. Reboot : If your computer has not been reboot recently make sure to reboot it before following any of the below steps.
2.Not enough hard disk drive space : Verify that there is at least 200-500MB of free hard disk drive space. This available space allows the computer to have room for the swap file to increase in size as well as room for temporary files.
3. Hard drive corrupted or fragmented : Run scan Disk or something equivalent to verify there is nothing physically wrong with the computer hard disk drive. Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible order.
4.Background programs:Remove or disable any TSRs and startup programs that automatically start each time the computer boots. To see what programs are running in the background and how much memory and CPU they are using open Task Manager. If you are runningWindows 7 run Resmon to get a better understanding of how your computer is being used. If you've got an anti-virus scanner on the computer, spyware protection program, or other security utility make sure it's not scanning your computer in the background. Often when these programs begin to scan the computer it can decrease the overall performance of your computer.
5. Scan for malware : Today, spyware and other malware is a big cause of many computer problems including a slow computer. Even if an anti-virus scanner is installed on the computer we recommend running a malware scan on the computer. Use the free version ofMalwarebytes to scan your computer for malware.
6.Hardware conflicts :Verify that the Device Manager has no conflicts. If any exist resolve these issues as they could be the cause of your problem.
7. Update Windows : Make sure you have all the latest Windows updates installed in the computer. If you are on the Internet when your computer is slow also make sure all browser plugins are up-to-date.
8. Update your drivers : Make sure you've got the latest drivers for your computer. Especially the latest video drivers. Having out-of-date drivers can cause an assortment of issues.
9.Computer or processor is overheating : Make sure your computer and processor is not overheating, excessive heat can cause a significant decrease in computer performance some processors will even lower the speed of the processor automatically to help compensate for the heat related issues.
10. Memory upgrade : If you've had your computer for more than one year it's likely you're computer is not meeting the memory requirements for today. Today, we suggest at a minimum the computer have 1GB of memory.
11. Format computer and start over : If none of the above solutions resolve your issues, it is recommended that you either reinstall Windows or erase everything and then start over.
12. Hardware issues : Finally, if your computer continues to be slow after going over each of the above recommendations it's possible that your computer is experiencing a more serious hardware related issue such as a failing component in the computer. This could be a failing or bad hard drive, CPU, RAM, motherboard, or other component.
Windows 7 is far better than previous windows versions (XP and Vista). The install process is plain simple and easy to follow. Now, just follow these steps and you will install windows 7 in no time
You can Install Windows 7 via DVD Disk you’ve purchased or with bootable USB.
This post explains installing windows 7 with dvd disk.
First, insert your Windows 7 Boot Disk into your dvd drive and reboot your PC
While the PC is rebooting, you will be prompted ” Press any key to boot from CD…” Just press any key here
After you press a key, windows will load installation files.
Windows 7 setup will start
Select your language, time and currency format and keyboard input (US)
Click Install Now to proceed
Setup will load for a min or two
If you do, select I accept the license terms andclick Next
If you are upgrading from Windows Vista select Upgrade, if you had Windows XP you have to select Custom (Advanced). Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 is not available. Click Custom (Advanced)
Select the Partition where you want to install Windows 7 and click Next. You will need at least 5716mb free space.
If you don’t have enough free space to Install Windows 7, you will receive the following warning
If that’s the case, you will need to format the partition where you previously had Operating System installed. WARNING: Formatting a partition will erase all existing data on the partition, proceed only if you have backed up all your files!
If you want to format the partition, go to Drive options
and format the partition where you want to install windows 7. Again, do this only if you have backed up your documents/files!
click format and then yes
After you press Next, Windows 7 Installation will begin. Approximately takes about 30 min to 1 hour to finish, depending on your computer speed.
After half an hour, setup is complete and windows 7 installation is almost finished. Few more minutes
Now your computer will reboot, since the Windows 7 DVD boot disk is still in the drive, the message press any key to boot from DVD will appear. We already did that, so this time DO NOT press anything. Just wait 5 sec and your PC will continue booting and finish installing your operating system.
Windows will continue booting and installing, almost there!
Finally!
Insert your name (this will be your windows username)
If you want to, insert password for your computer. ( Hey….you won’t forget it, right? :) )
Insert your Windows 7 product key and press Next
Do you want Microsoft Updates for your new operating system? It is highly recommend you know…! Select use recommended settings
It’s time for Time zone, select yours from the drop down menu
Depending on your location, select the appropriate network location.
If you have more than 1 computer, type homegroup password for sharing files. Make sure to remember it
Windows is finalizing your settings
Can you see the finish line ? Yup, we’re there
That’s it. Now insert your computer manufacturer drivers CD and install drivers.
