Step 7: Disk Defragmenter for Windows 95, 98, and Millennium

Think of your computer as your local public library. You go to your library to check out books. You keep them for awhile and what do you do when you return them? You dump them in the return bin with all the rest of the books recently returned. Well, someone has to restore those books to their original shelves in an organized manner.

Your computer is a library of information. Every time you delete an email, move a file, install or uninstall programs, you change where the information is stored on your computer. As time passes, files get lost or get more and more difficult to get to (books at the bottom of the return bin), causing your computer to run slower while it searches for the information you have requested from it. Imagine that pile of books after a month of no one replacing them to their shelves! We are going to play librarian and return files back to where they belong.

Go to "Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools" and select "Disk Defragmenter." Select the (C:\) drive, and then click "Settings."



Select "Rearrange program files so my programs start faster" (optional for Windows 98 and Me only). De-select "Check the drive for errors" as we already did that in Step 6. Select the "Every time I defragment my hard drive" radio button and click "Ok."



Your defragment will begin. Click the "Show Details" button for more.



Once it gets to 10% completion, the screen will flood with little squares. Click on "Legend" to know what the different colors are. The squares represent the computer writing and moving files. It is animated and fairly mesmerizing to watch, only interesting (for most) to do once. If you enjoy watching it beyond the first time, keep from telling anyone, they'll think you're weird.



Once you restart, you should have a faster boot time, speed to run multiple programs at once, and no error messages! Give yourself a pat on the back, you just fixed your own computer! Better yet, you just saved yourself about $400 from not having a technician do all of these tasks for you! And here you thought you needed a new computer. As long as you perform these maintenance tasks at least once a month, (more is better) you should have no more issues.

Note: If you still have error messages or other problems, it is time to call your support center or have your computer looked at by your local technician. This information is vital to perform monthly to reduce your chances of future system problems.
Microsoft Customer Support: (800) 936-4900