Tuning Up Your Computer

Keeping Windows Up To Date

The computer world changes so fast, it's hard to know when you need to update files on your computer. Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system provides a resource site on the Web, called Windows Update, that helps your computer work and run better. Windows Update can automatically review the system software on your computer and then recommend when you need to install updates specific to your computer. Note that this information is not sent to Microsoft or to anyone else.

To go to the Windows Update, click Start, and then click Windows Update.

Scheduling Tune Ups to Run Automatically

You know you should do it, but you keep putting it off. That's why Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system includes the Maintenance wizard to automatically perform various system maintenance tasks. With the Maintenance wizard, you can make your programs run faster, check your hard disk for problems, and free up hard disk space. Here's how:

1. On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Maintenance Wizard.

2. Follow the instructions on your screen.

You can schedule these programs to run at specific times while you are away from your computer. However, your computer must be on during scheduled maintenance tasks.

Removing Unwanted Files From Your Computer

Running out of space on your hard disk? Try the Disk Cleanup utility included with Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system. It helps you free up space on your hard disk by searching the drive and then listing files that you can safely delete. Here's how:

1. On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

2. Select the drive you want to clean up.

3. On the Disk Cleanup tab, select the files you want to delete.

4. To free up more space, click the More Options tab. Here you can remove Windows components or other programs or files that you don't use.

Saving Power

Why waste power when your computer is standing idle? Microsoft® Windows® 98 Operating System includes Power Schemes that make it easy to manage power consumption. Depending on your hardware, you can turn off your monitor and hard disks automatically to save power, or even put your computer on standby after a certain period of inactivity. Here's how:

1. On the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Power Management icon.

3. In the Power Schemes area, select a scheme from the list that matches the way you are using your computer.

4. If you want, make adjustments to the preset power options in the Settings area.

Note: To use power management, your computer must support these features. For more information, see the documentation that came with your computer.

Speeding Up Your Programs

Want to make your programs start and run faster? Try defragmenting your hard disk with Disk Defragmenter, included with Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system. If this sounds scary, don't worry. Over time as your hard disk fills up, the files required for starting a single program may be located in different areas of your hard disk. This makes it slower to start the program because your computer must look in several locations to find all the files. When you defragment your disk, the files and unused space on your hard disk are rearranged to make it more efficient. Then your programs can start and run faster. Here's how to defragment your hard disk:

1. On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.

2. Select the drive you want to optimize.

3. Depending on how big your hard disk is, it may take a while to finish defragmenting.