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eMachines W3650 8512635 - eMachines Desktop Hardware Reference Guide - Page 64

Defragmenting the hard drive

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer 5 Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen instructions. 6 Click OK. Help For more information about checking the hard drive for errors, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type checking for disk errors in the Search box, then press ENTER. Defragmenting the hard drive When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called fragmentation, and it is normal. In order for your computer to use a file, Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them back together. This process slows the hard drive performance. Disk Defragmenter organizes the data on the drive so each file is stored as one unit rather than as multiple pieces scattered across different areas of the drive. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can improve hard drive performance. While Disk Defragmenter is running, do not use your keyboard or mouse because using them may continuously stop and restart the defragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a network, log off before starting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop the defragmentation process and cause it to start over. Tip Because defragmenting a drive may take hours to complete (depending on the size of the drive being defragmented), consider starting the process when you will not need the computer for several hours. To defragment the hard drive: 1 Disconnect your computer from the network. 2 Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. 3 Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment (for example, Local Disk (C:)), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens. 58

Section	Page
Contents	3
About This Reference	7
About this guide	8
For more information	8
Accessing the online User Guide	8
To access the User Guide:	8
eMachines contact information	9
Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity	9
Checking Out Your Computer	11
Front	12
Back	14
Setting Up and Getting Started	17
Working safely and comfortably	18
Reducing eye strain	19
Setting up your computer desk and chair	19
Sitting at your computer	20
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain	20
Preparing power connections	20
Protecting from power source problems	20
Checking the voltage selection	21
To set the voltage selection switch:	21
Connecting to a broadband modem or network	22
To connect to a broadband modem or to an Ethernet network:	22
Connecting a dial-up modem	22
To connect the modem:	22
Starting your computer	23
To start your computer:	23
Waking up your computer	23
Turning off your computer	24
To turn off your computer:	24
Restarting (rebooting) your computer	24
To restart your computer:	24
Using the keyboard	25
Enhanced keyboard	25
Standard keyboard	25
Using the mouse	27
Using optical drives	29
Features	29
Loading an optical disc	29
To insert an optical disc:	29
Identifying optical drive types	29
Adjusting the volume	31
To adjust the overall volume using hardware controls:	31
To adjust the volume from Windows:	31
Configuring the audio jacks	32
To configure the audio jacks:	32
Installing a printer, scanner, or other device	33
Upgrading Your Computer	35
Preventing static electricity discharge	36
To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object into the vent holes of the power supply.	36
Opening the case	37
Removing the side panel	37
To remove the side panel:	37
Removing the front bezel	38
To remove the front bezel:	38
Closing the case	39
Replacing the front bezel	39
To replace the front bezel:	39
Replacing the side panel	39
To replace the side panel:	39
Installing memory	40
To install or replace DIMM memory:	40
Adding or replacing an optical disc drive	42
To add replace an optical disc drive:	42
Adding or replacing a hard drive	44
To add or replace a hard drive:	44
Replacing the heat sink and processor	46
To replace the heat sink and processor:	46
Adding or replacing an expansion card	48
To add or replace an expansion card:	48
Replacing the system battery	50
To replace the battery:	50
Replacing the system board	52
To replace the system board:	52
Maintaining Your Computer	55
Setting up a maintenance schedule	56
Caring for your computer	56
Cleaning your computer	57
Cleaning the exterior	58
Cleaning the keyboard	58
To clean the keyboard:	58
Cleaning the monitor	59
To clean the monitor:	59
Cleaning the mouse	59
To clean the mouse:	59
Cleaning optical discs	59
To clean an optical disc:	59
Updating Windows	60
Using BigFix	60
To start BigFix:	60
Managing hard drive space	61
Checking hard drive space	61
To check hard drive space:	61
Deleting unnecessary files	62
To delete unnecessary files:	62
Checking the hard drive for errors	63
To check the hard drive for errors:	63
Defragmenting the hard drive	64
To defragment the hard drive:	64
Backing up files	66
Scheduling maintenance tasks	67
To start the Scheduled Task Wizard:	67
Moving from your old computer	68
Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard	68
To open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard:	68
Transferring files and settings manually	68
Finding your documents	68
To find files in the documents folder:	68
Finding other files	69
To find files using Find or Search:	69
Transferring Internet settings	70
Setting up your ISP	70
To use the Internet Connection Wizard:	70
Transferring your e-mail and address book	70
Transferring your Internet shortcuts	70
Installing your old printer or scanner	71
Installing a USB printer or scanner	71
Installing a parallel port printer	71
To install your old printer:	71
Installing your old programs	72
Troubleshooting	73
Safety guidelines	74
First steps	74
Troubleshooting	75
Add-in cards	75
The computer does not recognize an add-in card	75
Audio	75
CD or DVD drives	75
DVD drives	75
Ethernet	76
You cannot see the other computers on your network	76
The computer does not recognize an add-in Ethernet card	76
Your Ethernet network is running slower than you expect	76
Expansion cards	77
The computer does not recognize an expansion card	77
File management	77
A file was accidentally deleted	77
To restore deleted files:	77
Hard drive	77
You see an “Insufficient disk space” error message	77
You see a “Data error” message	78
The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message	78
You see a “Non-system disk” or “disk error” error message	78
Internet	78
You cannot connect to the Internet	78
You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet	79
Connecting to a Web site takes too long	79
People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received any mail	79
Keyboard	80
The keyboard does not work	80
A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a “keyboard stuck” or “key failure” error message	80
Liquid spilled in the keyboard	80
Media Center	81
The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV	81
You need to configure your Media Center computer to output to a TV	83
You want to change display settings to get better TV or DVD image quality	83
You want to know whether you can burn programs that were recorded with your Media Center computer to a DVD	83
You want to know whether you can play recorded programs on other computers	83
You want to know whether you can play recorded programs on your home DVD player	83
You get the following “Download Error” message when the computer tries to update the Program Guide:	84
Memory	84
You see a “Memory error” message	84
You see a “Not enough memory” error message	84
Memory card reader	84
Drive letters for the memory card slots do not appear in the My Computer window	84
Modem (cable or DSL)	84
Modem (dial-up)	85
Your modem does not dial or does not connect	85
To check the dialing properties:	85
You cannot connect to the Internet	86
Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K	86
Your fax communications program only sends and receives faxes at 14,400 bps when you have a 56K modem	87
The modem is not recognized by your computer	87
To run modem diagnostics:	87
The modem is noisy when it dials and connects	88
To turn down the modem volume:	88
Monitor	88
The screen resolution is not correct	88
The computer is running but there is no picture	88
The color is not uniform	89
The text on the display is dim or difficult to read	89
Mouse	89
The mouse does not work	89
The mouse works erratically	89
Networks	89
You cannot connect to your company network	89
Optical disc drives	90
The computer does not recognize a disc or the CD or DVD drive	90
An audio CD does not produce sound	90
A DVD movie will not play	91
Passwords	91
Your computer does not accept your password	91
Power	92
Your computer will not turn on	92
Printer	92
The printer will not turn on	92
The printer is on but will not print	92
To set a default printer:	92
You see a “Printer queue is full” error message	93
To make sure that the printer is not set to work offline:	93
You see a “Printer is out of paper” error message	93
Sound	94
You are not getting sound from the speakers	94
Recovering your system	95
Recovering your system	95
For more help, you can find the Gateway Customer Care contact information on the label located on the front or side of your computer.	95
Recovering specific files and software	95
To restore your system from the driver and application recovery discs:	95
Recovering your system using Microsoft System Restore	96
To restore using Microsoft System Restore:	96
Recovering your system from the hard drive	98
To recover your system from the hard drive:	98
Telephone support	99
Before calling Customer Care	99
eMachines contact information	101
Self-help	101
Legal Notices	103
Important safety information	104
Regulatory compliance statements	106
Environmental information	110
Notices	110
If your computer has a DVD-compatible drive and an analog TV Out port, the following paragraph applies:	111
A	113
B	113
C	113
D	114
E	114
F	115
H	115
I	115
J	116
K	116
L	116
M	116
N	117
O	117
P	117
R	117
S	118
T	118
U	119
V	119
W	119
Z	119