Utilities

• Formatting a diskette

Formatting a disk is like putting lines on a blank sheet of paper, so that you can write on that paper. when you format a disk, you divide the dis into areas called tracks and sectors.You can buy already formatted diskettes or unformatted diskettes which you would need to format yourself. when you format a disk, all data on the disk would be areas so don't forget to make a backup [ a second copy] of the diskette before you start formatting

 

...........................................................................................................

• So what are the steps to format a disk you might ask, well here are the 11 steps how to format a disk  

1. Insert the disk into the floppy drive.
2. Double click on MY COMPUTER
3. Right click on the drive you want to format
4. Select format from the menu.
5. Choose the full option. you may choose quick on a disk that has already been used, but it does not check the disk for errors and so is not generally recommended.
6. Enter a label for your disk if you wish. you may use up to 11 letters and/or numbers.
7. If this disk will be used to boot your PC, check the box marked 'COPY SYSTEM FILES' to format the disk as bootable.
8. Click the start button.
9. view results to make sure the disk was properly formatted.
10. Click the close button on the results window.
11. Click the close button on the format window.

............................................................

 



•   Scandisk

Scandisk is another handy utility. It usually comes into action automatically when you shut down your PC improperly or when there is a power failure and so your PC was switched off abruptly without you managing to perform the proper shutdown procedure. Scan disk checks your disk for any errors or faults-faults in file system and physical faults in the disk itself and it either fixes these faults in the disk itself and it either fixes these fault or it emarginates the faulty sectors so that they are not used anymore. to do this so is :

 

1. Go to start button
2. Click on programs
3. Click on accessories
4. Click on scan disk
5. Chosse through for a surface test too- it will check for physical defects in your hard disk

.......................................................................................

 

• Defragmentation

A file that is too large for a single location on a disk is fragmented and stored in any free space on the disk. You can use fragmented files, but your computer takes longer to access them. The disk defragmenter [defrag] rearranges the files and free space on your disk so that files are opened more quickly becuase they are stored in adjacent units and free space is consolidated.

 

To start Defrag :

1. Click start button
2. Point to programs
3. point to accessories
4. Point to system tools
5. Click Disk Defragmenter
6. Choose the drive you want to apply disk defragmenter on.
7. you can STOP, PAUSE and even SHOW MORE DETAILS while the disk defragmenter is working.

..................................................................................................................

• WinZip/ Compressed Folders

Folders that are compressed using the compressed [zipped] folders feature use less space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly. Once you have created a compressed folder, you can compress files, programs, or other folders by dragging them into it. Compressed folders can be moved to any drive or folder on your computer . You can protect zipped comprassed folders by a password. This protects your data if you save it in a shared network folder, attach it to an e-mail message or move it between work / home/ floppy disk

 

To create a zipped compressed folder :

 

1. Open My Computer
2. Double-click a drive or folder
3. On the FILE menu, point to NEW, and then click COMPRESSED [ zipped] folder.
4. Type a name for the new folder, and then press Enter

 

 ..................................................................................................................................................................

 

• Virus and Antivirus

What is a computer virus ?

 

it is a program that disrupts the normal operation of a computer. it is created intentionally to cause harm and it is not a bug or mistake. Viruses can infect your computer from incoming modem transmissions like email or Internet browsing and also trough infected floppy disk or trough

 a network connection.

 

What is an Antivirus ?

 

This is a software serves to protect your computer from viruses. the most common antivirus is Norton antivirus and MacAfee.

 

............................................................................................................