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Thread ID: 40487	2003-12-09 08:44:00	XP ScanDisk??	B.M. (505)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
198744	2003-12-09 08:44:00	OK team, here’s one for you. I’ve got a mate that has problems with his computer. Well, we all do, I know. However, his problems have got to the stage that to resurrect the computer he simply has to turn the damn thing off and on at the wall. Serious stuff I know. Now, I know this machine must be a right bloody mess by now so I’m looking for suggestions as to how best to approach the problem. Known facts are: OS WinXP (Even that took some finding as we’re working on E-Mails) Backups: Nil Computer savvy: Nil Now, I’ve suggested He run ScanDisk, just a thought off the top of my head, but alas he cannot find such a programme on XP.??? I’m not a lot of help as it’s taken me years to get from DOS 3.1 to Win 98se. Help is desperately needed, but, in light of what I’ve explained. We must look at it from the position that the pilot’s dead and it’s up to us to land the plane. Finally, he doesn’t have any third party programmes like SystemWorks and if he did it would only compound the present problems. As I type this it’s occurred to me this could be a curly question for some Geeks exam paper.?	B.M. (505)
198745	2003-12-09 08:59:00	Defragmenter is under Acessories - System Tools Disk cleanup is there as well, but that needs a basic knowledge. However I seriously suggest running AdAware and/or Spybot Search and Destroy. Its much more likely that is chock full of spyware than needing disk maintenance. Can I suggest you download the freeware and e-mail it to him, in a zip package (XP handles Zip files natively) for him to extract and run?	godfather (25)
198746	2003-12-09 09:03:00	Got to "Start Menu - Settings - Control Panel - Administative Tools - Computer Management - Disk Management then in the right hand panel click to highlight the disk then Right click and choose Properties. Goto the Tools tab and click check Now. Make sure the two check boxes are checked then click Start. It may ask if you want to schedule it on the next bootup. Good luck	mikebartnz (21)
198747	2003-12-09 09:08:00	Instead of sending them to him via email send him the links if you are on dialup otherwise it will take you hours. It was stated that they are on XP so I think you will find my info to defrag will be correct even though I am using 2k	mikebartnz (21)
198748	2003-12-09 09:19:00	Many thanks GF . I follow your thinking . Yes, this machine will be a absolute mess which I'd imagine and it would spend 90% at least of its time surfing the Internet . I've since found out it does run Nortons AV, but no one knows when that was updated . Fortunately the ISP is Xtra, so hopefully they have blocked the known virus's, but as you so rightfully point out there is all the spyware etc . etc to deal with in the fullness of time . With XP have they combined ScanDisk & Defrag? Might make a interesting FAQ? What is the best proceedure to reserect a computer in this state with the minium of third party software?	B.M. (505)
198749	2003-12-09 09:26:00	Thanks to you too Mike. Our postings crossed. I would have never thought to look there! Struth, getting him that far into things could be a days work! However, the more I think of it, the greater the challenge becomes.	B.M. (505)
198750	2003-12-09 09:36:00	Keep it simple. Start - Run chkdsk /f A dos box will ask if you want to schedule it for next start Y/N Select Y. Restart Good old fashioned checkdisk. Scandisk isnt there in XP. Again, most of the agro will be adware/spyware, which AV software ignores.	godfather (25)
198751	2003-12-09 21:40:00	Thanks again gf. Well, Well, chkdsk still exists. I was under the impression that XP had wiped DOS, not so obviously. The bit that’s got me scratching my head is that for about the last 8 years they have coaxed us to use ScanDisk as opposed to Chkdsk and then they wipe ScanDisk and leave us with chkdsk. I wonder how many realise that chkdsk still exists? Anyway, back to the matter in hand. This is my plan of attach for your consideration and comment. 1: Run chkdsk /f (I take it the /f instruction is to fix whatever if it can?) 2: Install and run Spybot. ( I went for Spybot alone on the basis that Spybot apparently can get confused with what Ad-Aware has already found so we’ll keep it simple for now anyway.) 3: Run Anti-virus scan. 4: Run Defrag. That’s it, unless anyone would like to make a correction or addition.	B.M. (505)
198752	2003-12-09 22:43:00	Quickest way to defrag and disc scan is via My Computer, right click the target disc (C, E, H, etc) and choose Properties then Tools tab. Error Checking, Backup and Defragmentation are all there. I believe the command prompt is run by emulation in XP not true DOS, I stand to be corrected. Cheers Murray P	Murray P (44)
198753	2003-12-09 22:48:00	All DOS under XP is by emulation, correct. I was suggesting the use of chkdsk via the run command as its probably simplest for BM to explain to a luddite, and least confusing. I agree with your measures BM.	godfather (25)
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