Keep Your PC Running Smoothly
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The best way I know how to make my PC run smooth is by removing unnecessary files and to run the Disk Defragmenter tool. You can remove these files safely without damaging your PC:

- Temporary Internet files - Copies of web pages, images, and media that
are saved for faster viewing.
- Cookies - Files stored on your computer by websites to save preferences such
as login information.

One simple way to remove unwanted files is from your Internet Explorer browser (or whatever browser you use). You can open the Tools menu and select Internet Options. Depending on the version of your browser (6.0, 7.0, etc), you can chose to delete Temporary Internet files from the General tab, and/or under the Browsing history option. You can delete Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, and website history at your discretion.

If you want to thoroughly clean your hard drive to help improve your internet browsing and to help keep your PC from freezing constantly, first try running what's called the Disk Cleanup. This option can be found in your My Computer folder, by opening it and right-clicking your hard disk drive letter C: (or whatever your designated hard disk drive letter is) and then selecting Properties. Next you click the Disk Cleanup button, and you will be able to chose what specific files to delete, again at your discretion.
- NOTE: You can also access Disk Cleanup, usually found in your Start
button, under Programs, Accessories, System Tools or Accessibility.

Finally, the Disk Defragmenter Tool, also found in the System Tools menu (or from the C:, Properties, Tools menu), is good for keeping your programs running efficiently. Defragment simply finds and restores the files in programs and software, and then puts them back in their original order (kind of like file cabinets), for faster loading of that particular program or file, each time you run them.

You can defragment your PC as often as you want. But you should definitely run the Disk Defragmenter at least once a week, maybe two weeks depending on how often you work on your PC. The more you Defragment your PC, the less time it should take the process to complete the Defragmenting. (I don't like big words either ;) ).
- NOTE: If you have an option or button that says Check Now, along with your Defragment Now button, run the Check Now option first, so it can check your hard drive for any physical errors.

Also, do not select the two square buttons on the next screen under Check Now:
- Automatically fix file system errors
- Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors

If you do select either of these two choices, it won't hurt anything, but it will do a thorough scan of your hard drive, which will take a lot more time; or should I say for ever..... Just hit Start, and let it do its thing....

Marv's Tech Side

LAPTOP BATTERY CALIBRATION
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Laptop batteries last about a year and a half on average. But there are things you can do to extend the life of a laptop battery. The best solution is to calibrate or recondition your battery every few months depending on use.

To calibrate your laptop using most Windows platforms, start by rebooting your PC. When your Windows logo appears press the F8 key at the top of your keyboard. This will take you to a Windows start up menu. Select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, if you want to continue online while the battery is charging.

Once you get to the desktop, unplug your power supply, and allow the battery to use all of it's power. When battery is completely drained, simply plug in the power, and allow the battery to fully charge.

Your done. Nothing to it!