Running Vista’s Disk Defragmenter
Disk defragmentation describes the process of consolidating fragmented files on your computer’s hard disk.
Fragmentation happens to a hard disk over time as you save, change, or delete files. The changes that you save to a file are often stored at a location on the hard disk that’s different from the original file. Additional changes are saved to even more locations. Over time, both the file and the hard disk itself become fragmented, and your computer slows down as it has to look in many different places to open a file.
Disk Defragmenter is a tool that rearranges the data on your hard disk and reunites fragmented files so your computer can run more efficiently. In this version of Windows, Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule so you don’t have to remember to run it, although you can still run it manually or change the schedule it uses.
Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually.
Disk Defragmenter might take from several minutes to a few hours to finish, depending on the size and degree of fragmentation of your hard disk. You can still use your computer during the defragmentation process.(from the windows help files)
The Disk Defragmenter Will run automatically if set up correctly. Here’s how to check it.
- Click the Start Orb.
- Start typing Disk in the search box.
- At the top of the menu under Programs click Disk Defragmenter.
- Click continue if prompted by the UAC.
- Make sure Run on a schedule is checked.
- If you don’t like the time provided click Modify schedule, and choose How often, what day and what time you prefer.
- Click Ok twice when finished.
You can also run Disk Defragmenter from the Command Prompt with more options. Here’s how.
- Click the Start Orb.
- Type CMD in the search box.
- At the top of the menu under Programs right click CMD.exe and choose run as administrator.
- Click continue if prompted by the UAC.
- In the Command window type Defrag.exe.
Below you will see the options available. As you can see there are many different way you can run the Disk Defragmenter from the command prompt.
To see if a drive needs to be Defragmented just type the following at the prompt. C:Windowssystem32>defrag.exe C: -a
And the following report will be generated after a few minutes.
Then just add the Parameters you want.
Adjusting Vista’s Error Reporting Tool
Yesterday we looked at how to turn off Vista’s error reporting. Today we’ll look at adjusting its settings.
First open up the Problem Reports and Solutions page by clicking the Start Orb and typing Problem in the Search box, then Click Problem Reports and Solutions in the results under Programs. If Vista finds any problems they will be listed in the large highlighted box. When you click Check for new solutions Vista will check online for solutions.
RELATED POSTS:Turn Off Vista’s Error Reporting
When a problem occurs on your computer?for example, if a program stops working?you can send a description of the problem to Microsoft to see if a solution is available. If Microsoft needs more information to solve the problem, you might be asked to provide additional details. Windows will ask if you want to send this information, or you can choose to send it automatically. But you can opt out and not send any info or adjust what you want to send.
I’m not sure if this actually helps or not, I mean look how long we have been sending reports back on XP and we still have problems. But its up to you.
- Click the Start Orb.
- Start typing Problem in the Search box.
- Click Problem Reports and Solutions in the results under Programs.
- Under Tasks, Click change settings.
- Click Advanced Settings.
- Click OFF under for my programs, problem reporting is.
- Click Ok when finished. Click close on the warning dialog box
To see Screen shots for the process, Click the Read the rest of this entry link.
RELATED POSTS:Restore Your Deleted Or Missing Recycle Bin Icon In Vista
Lets face it, it can happen to anyone, you deleted you Recycle Bin icon and can’t get it back. A few readers have asked, how do I get it back. Well when I first started using Vista I did it too. So here’s how to get it back.
- Click the Start Orb, type Control desk.cpl,,@Web and press Enter.
- Click Control desk.cpl,,@Web at the top of the Start menu under programs.
- In the Desktop Icon Settings dialog, enable the Recycle Bin checkbox.
- Click OK when your finished and you’re back in business.
To see Screen shots for the process, Click the Read the rest of this entry link.
RELATED POSTS:Add Items To Your SendTo Menu In Vista
In Xp it was easy to add items to your SendTo menu, but if you try to navigate to your Documents and settings folder in Vista you will get the dreaded error.
The correct path is to use is. C:UsersUsernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsSendTo. Username will be your actual username
So here’s how to add a folder to your SendTo Menu.
- Open an Explorer window.
- Navigate to C:UsersUsernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsSendTo.
- In the left hand pane right click and drag the folder you want to appear in the SendTo menu to the right hand pane, let go and choose Create a shortcut here. And your finished.
The SendTo menu before.
The SendTo Menu after.
To see Screen shots for the process, Click the Read the rest of this entry link.
RELATED POSTS:Adjust Your Auto-Play Settings In Vista
When your insert media such as a DVD,CD, Software or Games into your computer Vista will ask you what you want to do with it. Here’s how to quickly adjust all your Auto-Play settings at once so you won’t need to tell vista what to do each time, or if you want to turn Auto-Play off completely.
- Click the Start Orb and typing Auto in the search box.
- Choose Auto Play under Programs.
- To turn off Auto-Play for all devices remove the check mark next to Use Auto-Play for all media and devices.
- To adjust the settings for each type of Media, click the drop down box next to each item and choose the action you want. Then click Save when your finished.
To see Screen shots for the process, Click the Read the rest of this entry link.
RELATED POSTS:Adjust The Text Size On Your Screen
New computers these days are coming with very high resolution monitors and the text displayed on your screen may be difficult to read but you can make the text and other items, such as icons, on your screen easier to see by making them larger. You do this by increasing the dots per inch (DPI) scale. You can also decrease the DPI scale to make text and other items on your screen smaller, so that more information fits on the screen. Here’s how.
- Click the Start Orb and start typing Personalization. in the search box. You won’t need to type in the whole word usually just the first few letters.
- Click Personalization under Programs at the top of the Start menu.
- Click Adjust font Size DPI under Tasks.
- Accept the UAC if prompted.
- In the DPI scaling screen you can choose the Large Scale 120 DPI or click custom DPI to better control how big or small you go, just click the ruler and drag it to the size you want. When you let go the text will resize. Click Ok when finished. You Will need to restart windows for the settings to take effect.
To see Screen shots for the process, Click the Read the rest of this entry link.
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