Newdays8 asks:

How often should I defrag my pc and run the scandisk.

Hi Newdays8!
For our readers who don’t know, “scandisk” and “defrag” are programs that come with Microsoft Windows. Scandisk checks the computer hard drive for problems. Defrag organizes the files and free space on the hard drive to make it run more efficently.

You should run both periodically to keep your hard drive in it’s best operating condition. It can also make a difference in your computer’s speed since it optimizes the files system making it easier for your computer to run programs and retrieve files.
Running both once a month is what I would suggest to most people. If you download, create, and delete a lot of files on a regular basis, you may want to do it more often. Use your best judgement to determine if twice a month is necessary for you based on your current hard drive usage.

Here’s some more technical information about actually running scandisk and defrag:

Running defrag in Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP:
Click Start, Programs (All Programs in XP), Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. Select the disk.
click Defragment.

Running scandisk in Windows 98 or ME:
Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, ScanDisk.
Select the disk
Check “Automatically fix errors”
Click Start.

Running scandisk in Windows 2000 and XP
Double click “My Computer”
Right-click the drive you want to scan
Click Properties.
Select the “Tools” tab
Click the “Check Now” button in the “Error Checking” section.
Note: You may need to reboot your computer if select “Automatically fix errors” on the next screen.
(You may also use this same procedure to run defrag, just slect “Defragment Now” button on the “Tools” tab)

I know I answered with a lot more than you asked…I hope it all is helpful!