Before you begin tuning up your system, make sure you have a
safety net that includes a Windows Startup Disk, a backup of
your system Registry as well as your personal data. To make
the Startup Disk with Windows 95/98/Me, you need a blank high-
density (1.44 MB) floppy disk. From the Start menu, select
Settings, Control Panel and open the Add/Remove Programs icon.
Next, click on the Startup Disk tab and then, select Create
Disk. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the process.
Your computer's Registry maintains all the vital system
information and changes made to your computer, such as
software installed and system settings. To back up the
Registry, use the built-in Registry Editor to export the
Registry to a *.reg file.
First, open the Registry Editor by clicking on Start,
selecting Run and then type in "regedit" (without the quote
marks) and click OK. Next, select Registry and Export Registry
File. Navigate to where you want to store the backup file, and
type a name for the file. Select All under Export Range, and
click Save. The result is a *.reg file in the location you
specified.
Now that your system files are safe, make sure your personal
files are backed up, too. If your computer is networked,
making a backup can be as simple as duplicating your personal
folders and files on a network machine. If you're not on a
network, or if you want a more secure method of storage, then
put your files on a floppy disk, Zip disk or CD.
Okay, you've warmed up with a little file backup calisthenics.
It's time to get your computer's external systems in top
shape. Start with your mouse and keyboard. If you're still
using a mouse with a roller or track ball, pick up the mouse
and turn it over so the "belly" faces up. Next, using both
thumbs lightly press and rotate the plastic ring that circles
the ball in a counter-clockwise direction to loosen (this
usually requires only a one-quarter turn or so).
Remove the collar and the ball will fall out. Wash the ball
with lukewarm water only. Let the ball air-dry and while
you're waiting, look in the cavity where the ball usually
sits. You'll see three tiny rollers. You should clean them
now, too; in other words, scrape off the gunk using a wooden
toothpick. After you finish cleaning all three rollers, drop
the dry ball back into the mouse and replace the collar. Turn
the collar clockwise until it stops.
To clean your keyboard, turn it upside-down and gently shake
it back and forth. It's also a good idea to use a can of
compressed air to blow out any junk that's stuck between or
under the keys.
There's yet another use for that can of compressed air--blow
out all the accumulated dust and debris from the fan,
motherboard, RAM and other internal components. With your
computer turned off and unplugged, remove the access panel (or
the entire outer casing, depending on the manufacturer's
instructions). If it's never been cleaned, you're likely to
find a lot of dirt. Don't use the can of air like a blowtorch,
though. Gently spray the air to remove the dust bunnies.
Okay, now on to enhancing your system's performance. As you
install programs and create and delete files, data on your
hard drive becomes scattered about, creating inefficiencies as
Windows accesses your applications and files. To speed things
up, the Disk Defragmenter tool should be used monthly to
reorganize the disk clusters. To run Defrag, click on Start,
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KIM KOMANDO'S "KILLER TIP OF THE WEEK"
Q. Hello Kim,
I bought my computer with a CD-RW drive so I could make
backups of my files, but can I also make a CD to backup
the configuration of my programs?
Thanks, you're the best!
Mark Pederson, I listen every week on KLIF 570 AM, in Dallas.
A. Hi Mark,
Sure, you can use your CD-RW drive to make a backup of your
program installations (you can also use a secondary hard drive
or any other high-capacity removable media, like a Zip disk).
The easiest way to make your CD is to use Microsoft Backup,
an application that came with your Windows 98 operating system
(other similar programs use the same basic procedures).
If you haven't installed this program, go to your Start menu
and select Settings>>Control Panel, and then double-click on
the Add/Remove Programs icon. Next, click on the Windows Setup
tab, then scroll down to System Tools and double-click this
icon. Select the box next to Backup, and click OK, then click
Apply, and insert your Windows 98 disk when prompted.
Once Backup is installed, go to the Start menu and select
Programs>>Accessories>>System Tools>>Backup. When Backup
launches, click No when asked if you want to add a backup
device, and check "Create a new backup job," then click OK.
If the Backup Wizard launches, close it as you'll be working
in the Backup application directly.
Under the "What to back up" listing, choose "All selected
files," and then select your hard drive letter(s). Next, in
the directory of folders on the right, deselect your personal
files and folders (which have already been backed up), leaving
just your system and application folders and files selected.
Now, under the "Where to back up" heading (toward the bottom
of the window), choose a file name and the location to store
your backup (later you can copy the file to CD, or select your
Zip drive, etc., to copy directly to that disk). You can also
click on the Options button for additional features like
adding a password or excluding specific types of files.
Finally, click on Start and when the process is finished,
you'll have a nice and tidy backup of your system.