Insider Power Techniques for Microsoft® Windows® XP

Chapter 12. Maintaining Your System in 10 Easy Steps

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to:

• Maintain your hard disk by checking for errors, deleting unnecessary files, and defragmenting files.

• Set up your system for easier recovery by creating restore points and by backing up your files.

• Keep your system up-to-date by checking for updates, patches, and security vulnerabilities.

• Set up a maintenance schedule to keep your system running in peak form without burdening your schedule.

Computer problems, like the proverbial death and taxes, seem to be one of those constants in life. Whether it’s a hard disk biting the dust, a power failure that trashes your files, or a virus that invades your system, the issue isn’t whether something will go wrong, but rather ...