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#3

Library Automation Q & A - an independent view

Hardware Headaches in the library

A: Not necessarily

There are at least two things (presuming you use Windows 95) you can do that might help:

Run Scandisk. With the mouse, click on Start, click on Run. Type the word SCANDISK and press Enter. Be sure Standard [check files and folders for errors] is dotted. In the little white box next to Automatically fix errors, click to put a check mark in the box. Click START. Takes a few minutes.

Run Defrag. With the mouse, click on Start, click on Run. Type the word DEFRAG and press Enter. If asked, "Which drive do you want to defragment?" be sure it’s [C:]. Click on OK. Even if you get a message, "you don’t need to defragment this drive now," do it anyway. Click START. Could take 10 minutes to an hour.

If the problem persists, run Scandisk again; this time click on the dot by Thorough. This will take 5 minutes to an hour but is more complete.

If either Scandisk or Defrag freeze up while running, you may need a good Tech.

If the slow-down or freeze-up problems persist, you probably do need a good Tech, on-site and hands-on.

The good news is that newer computers and hard disks last much longer than those made a few years ago. And with more memory and Windows 95, systems are designed, to some degree, to fix themselves. But on the other hand, add networks and the Internet and there’s lots more going on in our computers than in the old days.

Nothing in the foregoing fix-it-yourself suggestions is meant to take the place of:

Good security at student access workstations,

Virus protection, regularly updated, in each computer, and

Backups! Tapes, disks, or however you do it, regular backups can put Humpty-Dumpty back together again when total disaster strikes. And keep one backup set out of the school.

But it’s surprising how often the Scandisk / Defrag routine cleans up seemingly ominous problems. In our world of computers, everyone has a disaster story to tell. Hopefully, in your world, it’s a story from the past.

If you have questions about automation and your library, send them to 101 Clark St, 27C, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201 or email them to Q&A@LibraryAutomation.com