How to Scan a Dell Computer to Fix Problems

When your computer has problems, it is often hard to figure out exactly where those problems are coming from. And the longer you own and operate your computer, the more likely it is that problems will appear just from using the computer and installing so many applications over a long period of time. However, there are a few steps you can take that will help scan your computer and repair some simple problems to make your computer run better and faster.

Instructions

1. Clean up your disk. Click on the Windows Start menu and select "Computer." Right-click on your local hard drive and select "Properties." On the General tab, select the "Disk Cleanup" button. This will get rid of temporary files and files that are not currently needed, freeing up some space on your hard drive and enabling your computer to run a bit faster.

2. Check your files for errors using scandisk. Start up your computer browser from the Computer menu option on the Start menu for Windows. Right-click on your hard drive (local disk C) and select "Properties." Select the Tools tab. Click on the "Check Now" button under the "Error-Checking" section. This will run a check of all your files and repair any files that appear broken.

3. Defragment your disk. From the same Properties window outlined in Step 2, select the "Defragment Now" button in the Defragmentation section. This process will sort through all your files on your disk and attempt to organize them in a way that will make your computer operate more efficiently.

4. Download, install, and run AVG. This is an anti-virus program that is available at no charge at download.com. This program will scan your computer for any viruses or bad programs that are attempting to damage your computer. You should leave this program running at all times on your computer.

5. Download, install, and run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. This is another program that is available at no cost. It will scan your computer for files, programs, and other things that have been placed there by Internet websites that may be slowing your computer down, or allowing your computer to be used by other machines.