SYSTEM OPERATIONAL TIPS

• Tip #1: What files should you always backup on a BOOTABLE floppy disk for crash recovery?
  • For DOS: Your autoexec.bat, config.sys and startnet.bat if you have a DOS network.
  • For Windows 3.x: Same as above plus these files from your C:\WINDOWS directory:
    • *.INI
    • *.GRP
    • REG.DAT
  • For Windows95: All the above plus C:\WINDOWS files SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT.

Note: These last two files are your Windows 95 Registry files-they are usually large-put them on a second floppy disk.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE SUCH A BACKUP "CRASH RECOVERY" DISK-STOP AND MAKE ONE NOW!

Note: Whenever you install new software or hardware-make fresh backup copies of the above-only if the new stuff works! If it doesn't-uninstall the program and restore your last backup files if needed!

• TIP #2: "Tune up" your hard drive at least once a month by:
  • Running either CHKDSK/F or SCANDISK to check the drive and clean up fragmentation.
  • THEN run your disk defragmenter like DEFRAG or SpeedDisk.

Note: If you have Win95 NEVER RUN older DOS versions of the above type of disk utility programs. They will EAT your Windows 95 "long file names" and you will, at a minimum, have to reinstall Windows 95! If you are NOT SURE don't do it or get help.

• TIP #3: Separate your PROGRAM files from your DATA files on your hard drive!
  • Create a directory (For example) called C:\WORDS for all your word processing work/files , a C:\SOUNDS for sound files, a C:\DATA for spreadsheet files, etc. Take the time to adjust your most used programs' properites to use these directories as your working directories.
  • Why? If you do not have a tape or other huge backup drive to copy your entire hard drive onto regularly, you can fairly easily backup just these working directories onto floppy disks and SAVE YOUR WORK! You can ALWAYS reinstall your programs-YOUR WORK should be treated as precious! Consider this as an extension of basic system backup scheme (Tip #1) above.

• TIP #4: Clean your mouse and mouse pad periodically. Take the ball out and clean it and the rollers with QTips, toothpicks and Rubbing Alcohol. You'd be surprised how much crud builds up inside after a few miles of driving it around! Wipe off the mousepad too. The adventurous might also consider popping off the cover of their computer and carefully vacuuming or blowing out the accumulated dust-especially around/in cooling fans.

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