2005 COMPUTER/DIGITAL CAMERA CLUB
COMPUTER DISCUSSION GROUP
Jim Greenwood Issue #008 March 14, 2005
The more fragmented the volume (Hard Drive) is, the slower the computer's file input/output performance will be.
Volumes become fragmented as users create and delete files and folders, install new software, or download files from the Internet. Computers typically save files in the first contiguous free space that is large enough for the file. If a large enough free space is not available, the computer saves as much of the file as possible in the largest available space and then saves the remaining data in the next available free space, and so on.
After a large portion of a volume has been used for file and folder storage, most of the new files are saved in pieces across the volume. When you delete files, the empty spaces left behind fill in randomly as you store new ones.
Go to PROGRAMS - SYSTEM TOOLS and LC on DISK DEFRAGMENTER. LC on the ANALYZE tab on the top Tool Bar, to view current condition of your Hard Drive. LC on the ACTION tab, then LC on ANALYZE. This will graphically show how Fragmented your Hard Drive is. To Defrag, LC on the ANALYZE tab at the bottom of the dialogue box.
SYSTEM RESTORE
System Configuration Restore:
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then
Click System Restore. System Restore starts.
On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
After Log on, the System Restore Restoration Complete page will appear - Click OK.
CUT AND PASTE
These are functions that move and copy information within a program or between programs. When you "CUT" the information is put on a clipboard. Think of it as a camera that can only hold one image at a time. When you "CUT" the information is removed off the screen and held in the (camera.) When you "COPY", the information stays on the screen and is also in the camera. When you "PASTE", the information goes wherever your mouse was at the time you pasted.
To "CUT", first highlight the area you want to cut.
To highlight, take your mouse to the bottom right of the selection or to the right if it is text and holding down your left mouse button and pulling it leftward or upward and left. You will see that selection change color.
The easiest way to:
"CUT" is to at the same time press the "Ctrl" key and the "X" key.
"COPY" is to at the same time press the "Ctrl" key and the "C" key.
"PASTE" is to at the same time press the "Ctrl" key and the "V" key.
"PRINT" is to at the same time press the "Ctrl" key and the "P" key.
Another easy way is to use the right button on the mouse and "left click" on the appropriate task.