Look after your Windows CD

Earlier today I was asked to go to a neighbor's house to help fix his operating system problems. He has Windows XP home installed. After doing the physical maintainance on his files I asked for his CD to run a system file check.

In brief, this procedure is started by going to Start, Run then entering "SFC /SCANNOW". Windows then uses the CD to check windows system files on the hard drive. If it finds a damaged or missing one, it extracts a copy from the CD and replaces it.

It is an effective way to prevent your windows system from breaking down through lack of care and normal ongoing file read/write operations.

In this case, the owner couldn't find it and wasn't aware of its importance to his PC. While he searches it out, I'm taking time to remind everyone of the risk to your PC if this work is not done or you lose/damage your CD. It must be in good condition for files to be repaired properly. Scratches and scuff marks often render the files unreadable. If the CD is like this, you may have to have it polished (or replaced at considerable cost).

If your Windows system is not performing well, and you are sure it is not infected, then breakdown of the files is the most likely cause. SEE TO IT AT ONCE!

In like manner, the condition of file records (the system that stores and supplies your files each time they are needed), is prone to such wear and tear. This often involves decay of the 'foundation' on which your system works. So like a building, if the foundation crumbles, it falls!

Hopefully it is not that bad in your system.

You can usually fix it by going to "My Computer", right clicking the drive that needs attention, then going down to "properties" (on the drop down menu). There you can click the "tools" tab and click the "Check now" button.

After that, just leave it for as long as it needs to go over your file records and repair them.

If that still isn't enough, you may need a program like "Spinrite" to do detailed repairs of the file system. Note: You have to buy Spinrite separately from Windows. It is a low level physical file record scan and repair system that will do a methodical (possibly lengthy) check and repair of the file records and disk surface on your PC.

Once this is done, you should find it easier to do the other things needed.

Note: If the problem got this far in the first place, then not enough is being done to keep the PC in good condition up to now. These are valuable tips, so make wise use of them!