Windows incorporates certain tools such as the Disk Defragmenter, the Disk Cleanup the tool to free disk space, the Scheduled Tasks, etc. Almost all of these tools are designed to optimize the behaviour of the computer. Next we will learn in more detail about some of the most useful tools. |
| The Scandisk |
This tool is used to search errors in the system´s units and to repair those errors. When the computer is turned off in an abrupt manner it is possible that some files may be damage. Normally when the computer is turned on after being turned off abruptly (without using the option shut down from the Start menu) the Scandisk is launched to check the system and repair any error that it may find. This tool is usually used when we have a damaged disk. By using it we can fix the possible errors and therefore retrieve the information that it contains. Keep in mind that this tool is not a miracle worker and therefore it is not always possible to retrieve the information.
Now select the unit that you want to perform the scandisk on, for example unit (D), and right click it. A shortcut menu will open, like the one shown select Properties from this menu. |
To open Scandisk click on the icon My Computer on the desktop
, and the screen shown here will open up.| This will cause the window Hard disk (D) Properties to open. Select Tools tab and the window shown on the right will open.
If you click Check Now... , the window Checking hard disk (D) will open. |  |
Click on Start so that the scan can begin. This process can take a few minutes, depending on the size of the disk. Once the scan has finalized a confirmation window will appear.
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Here you need to choose one of two options available: 
The disk defragmenter |
| This tool is in charge of reorganizing the information that is stored in the disk, although it can also fix errors on the units. Windows incorporates this tool because the disk becomes slow as we save new data and delete old data. This is why we need to reorganize the information so that the free spaces between the information disappear and the performance of our disk improves. By doing this we will also be able to access information quicker. The free spaces that are generated when information from the disk is deleted influence the size that files and programs use. This is the reason why when we see the properties of a file two sizes appear, the real size of the file and the space that the file is using in the disk. If we defragment the disk we will notice that the difference between the two sizes decreases.
To use this tool follow the steps shown on the previous topic until this screen is reached. Click on Defragment Now... and the disk defragmenter window will appear, similar to the one shown below. |
First select the volume from the list clicking on it, and then you can choose to run the defragmenter directly by clicking Defragment, or check the state of the disk first by clicking Analyze. Depending on the results, you can choose to defragment the disk or not. When many deletions have been done on the disk a defragmentation in needed because there are many files that are fragmented instead of using a contigous space on the disk. 
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Once the Defragment button has been pressed a window will appear and report the process and it will allow you to pause or finalize it. Remember that this process will take quite a while.
System Information |  |
This tool, as its name indicates, is in charge of showing information regarding the system, such as the installed applications, the drivers, the processor, etc. Here you can find usefull information, such as the models, versions, and manufacturers of your computer´s programs and hardware. There is also more specific information that is only for use by experts, such as the E/S, Ports, etc.
Below is the window that will appear when you use this tool.
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To use this application from the
On System information window you can see on the right side the information of the selected element on the left side. By clicking on + each category is displayed.
This image, for example, shows us a system summary.
On Hardware Resources it shows us the addresses of the physical components.
On Components we have information about components related to Multimedia, Web, Ports and Storage.
On Software environment we can see the installed applications, installed drivers, the tasks being performed, and the programs that begin when we turn the computer on. It even shows the print jobs done.
On Internet Settings we can see information about Internet Explorer and what version it is.
Restore System |
This tool is in charge of restoring the Windows registry, which is the place where all the information about changes to the configuration is kept. The system itself makes a copy of the registry every once in a while. So with this tool we can restore some of these copies or we can generate a new copy of the current registry when we are going to make important changes to the configuration of the system. This way we can easily go back and restore the system if the new configuration does not work properly. To run this application select, from the Start menu, All programs, Accesories and System Tools and then choose System Restore. When you run this tool a screen like the one below will appear. This window gives you the possibility to either Restore my computer to an earlier time or Create a restore point.
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Select the restoration point you want: first select the day that appears in a dark color and then select the restore point. Within any given a day you can have several restore points. Once selected it is not necessary to use any application or make changes to any file. Once the copy has been restored Windows will give you the option undo restore.
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To generate the restore point you will be asked to give a name. We suggest that the name you give be a name that is easy to identify. Next click Next so that the copy of the registry will start. The screen that will appear will have the content shown here.
Once you have given a name to the restore point click next and a window will appear that will show you the name given to the point of restore and the date on which you created it. Go Back to Index |
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