Computer Technology Tip

Computer Maintenance - Using SFC

Here's one more tool for your maintenance toolbox. It's called SFC or better known as the System File Checker utility. Actually it's been around since the days of Windows 98 but it still can perform some important tasks.

Before I introduce you to this utility a little re-reading of a previous maintenance article is in order. The article is of course at our HM website www.hersheysmill.org. Click on Tech Tips, Computer Performance and Maintenance Tips, Hard Drive Errors - Checking/Repairing. The article discusses using the Chkdsk utility to repair file errors.

After reading through the article and performing the Chkdsk routine, the SFC utility should be run next. SFC differs from Chkdsk in as much it is narrower in scope and is used primarily to correct file and folder errors associated with only Windows itself. If you have Vista, SFC also performs a Registry check and repair if necessary.

To run SFC click the Start button (lower left on your Desktop screen) then click Run (XP) or click Start Search (Vista) and type "sfc /scannow" (no quotes) and press the Enter key or click OK. As the program progresses in the pop-up window it checks for file version problems, corruption, and replaces damaged files with the correct copies from a hidden location on your hard drive. This program is safe to run and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Any errors will be noted in the window and saved in a log file at C:\Windows\Logs\Cbs\cbs.log. Evaluating the log file is for technical experts but you can browse it if you wish.

Now that you have re-read the article on hard drive errors, other articles are also available in this same Maintenance Tips area to keep your computer in excellent shape.

Also the HM website is growing and currently offers links to 15 villages that in turn offer you current information about your various village activities. Click Villages then scroll down and click the link that your Village is located in, then click your Village. If your Village is not there contact someone on your Village's council to see if it can be added.

Explore other areas of the Web site too such as the Calendar and Happenings. It's a great place for newcomers to get a feeling for life at the "Mill".

For more information about computer maintenance please come to our PC Club meetings. They are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM upstairs in the Ardmore room in Winfield Hall.
Don Trauger

To get answers to your questions about computers, please come to the PC Club meeting. The computer club meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in Winfield Hall.

On this website Calendar has a week's view of activities and events similar to the month's guide.