PC Helpdesk - Windows 95/98

 

Contents

Configuration

Remove any unused entries from your config.sys and autoexec.bat files. Example minimal files are shown below. The following entries are not required and should be deleted :

  • DOS=HIGH,UMB

Example minimal config.sys file:

device=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\display.sys con=(ega,,1)
Country=044,850,C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\country.sys

Example minimal autoexec.bat file:

mode con codepage prepare=((850) C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\ega.cpi)
mode con codepage select=850

keyb uk,,C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\keyboard.sys

Disk Defragmenter

Run the Disk Defragmenter regularly to optimise your hard disk.

ScanDisk

Run ScanDisk to check for, and correct, any errors that may occassionally occur on your disks.
Boot Disk with CD-ROM access

Create a boot disk that allows you to access your CD-ROM, so that if you loose access to your hard disk you can boot your system and reinstall Windows from CD-ROM.
Backup

Regularly backup your important data, including the 'My Documents' folder, to an separate device.
Shut Down

Ensure that you Shut Down your system correctly using the Start/Shut Down/Shut Down procedure - otherwise you may lose data. If you do switch-off your PC without using the Shutdown procedure, you will be prompted to run Scandisk when you next switch on your PC - this is to check for any bad areas on your hard disk or incorrect entries in the FAT (File Allocation Table).
If your PC 'freezes' it may be necessary to switch off the PC, in which case Scandisk will also run when you next switch on the PC.
Maintain your hard drive by performing these steps at
least monthly, in this order:
1.) Delete all files and folders with dates older than
one week from C:\WINDOWS\TEMP.
2.) Purge your browser's history and Internet cache files.
3.) Run ScanDisk. Select the Standard radio button and enable
Automatically Fix Errors. Click on Advanced and, under Log File,
pick Replace Log; for Cross-Linked Files, select Delete; click
Free under Lost File Fragments; under Check Files For, check
"Invalid dates and times;" and disable "Check host drive first,"
unless you've compressed your hard drive.
4.) Empty the Recycle Bin.
5.) Run Defrag.