If you are searching for a solution to an unknown problem in Microsoft’s Windows XP, you might find this tool helpful. 

The system file checker by Windows was a unique tool that was easy to find in older versions of their operating system, but with XP it fell by the wayside.  What the system file checker does is it searches through the standard files that Windows needs to run properly.  As sfc finds the files it makes sure that they are in their original format and that they have not been corrupted by any activities that may have occurred during the life of your PC.  If a file is missing or has been corrupted sfc will simply ask you to place your Windows Installation disk into your computer and from there it will replace the bad file.  This can many times help diagnose and even fix many problems that you will run into in your daily computing lives.

 To run the system file checker do the following steps.

Go to the start menu.

Open the program Run…

Type in cmd and hit OK.

The command prompt will open.

 Type in sfc /scannow.

A dialog box with a progress bar will apper and the sfc will begin scanning your computers files.  If you need to replace or repair a file you will be prompted to insert you installation disk.

Hopefully this helps a few of you figure out why your computer is malfunctioning.  Good Luck.
 

Your pc is your life, you use it to find where you are going, how to cook dinner, to get your daily celebrity gossip, your email, music, to play games, to balance your checkbook, and at times to raise your kids ( well at least I do with Fisher Price’s learn your abc’s online).  So it is time to give back.     Like any household appliance your computer needs to be cleaned, and cleaned well.     

Starting at your fingertips

Take a can of air duster to your keyboard once a week and you will help remove dust, chip crumbs or any other debris that might fall into the cracks making keys get stuck or broken.

Your monitor can only see you as well as you can see it.

Fingerprints, dust and white out (for those who don’t understand the backspace key) can leave your monitor waiting to be tossed.  Use an antistatic wipe to remove the oils from fingerprints, or dust from the screen. 

Keep the tower from losing power.

 Your computer is a dust magnet.  Its electromagnetic force and fan pulling in air create a dust jungle gym in your computers case.  Don’t be afraid to take the side panel of the computer off and vacuum out some of that dust. It is not a bomb that is going to explode if opened and that dust can suffocate your computer blocking airflow that is need to keep its components cool.  Just be sure to unplug it first. 

These three items should be considered routine maintenance for you and your computer.  I can’t guarantee that this will increase the life span of your pc, but I am sure that it isn’t going to make it shorter.