Sorci Software

Prefetch Folder: Prefetch is a method used in microprocessors to speed up the execution of a program by
reducing wait times. Today's microprocessors are much faster than the memory where the program is kept, meaning
that the program's instructions cannot be read fast enough to keep the microprocessor busy. Prefetch is the processor
action of getting an instruction from the memory before it will be needed. In this way, the processor will not need to
wait for the memory to answer its request. The problem with this feature is that files are stored in the Prefetch folder
that may not be used often if at all. Deleting the contents of the Prefetch folder every once in a while gets rid of
unnecessary files that take up space on your hard drive. There are a couple of ways to get to the prefetch folder. The
quickest way is to click on the "Start" button at the lower left of your screen, click on the "Run" button, type
PREFETCH in the run box, and click "OK." The Prefetch folder window will come up, press "Ctrl" and "A" at the same
time to highlight all of the files, and press "Delete." The deleted files will go to the Recycle Bin where you can empty
the contents by right clicking over the Recycle Bin icon.

Delete Internet Files: Click on Internet Explorer to bring up the browser, click on "Tool" at the top of the brower
window, click on "internet Options," and click on "Delete Cookies."

Internet Files Disk Space: Click on Internet Explorer to bring up the browser, click on "Tool" at the top of the
brower window, click on "internet Options," and click on "Settings," and reduce the amount of disk space to use to
150mb.

Delete Internet History: Click on Internet Explorer to bring up the browser, click on "Tool" at the top of the
brower window, click on "internet Options," and click on "Clear History."

Delete Cookies: Click on Internet Explorer to bring up the browser, click on "Tool" at the top of the brower
window, click on "internet Options," and click on "Delete Files."

Update Drivers and Firmware: Click on the "Start" button, click on "Control Panel," click on "System," and click
on "Device Manager." To update the drivers/firmware, click the "+" next to a device, right click on a component, and
select "Update Driver." Do this for each component in the list; be patient because it can take a while to go through
the whole list.

Microsoft Windows Update: Microsoft develops solutions to problems with their software as they are reported.
Every so often it is a good idea to go to Microsoft's home page and check for software updates, especially security
updates.

Defragment: When you save data on your hard drive, the computer saves the data with speed being the top
priority. As a result, pieces of the file(s) are scattered on the hard drive. Later on, when you want to pull up the saved
data, the computer takes longer than it should gather up the pieces of the file(s). Defragmenting the hard drive
physically reorganizes the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file close together and contiguously.
Defragmenting can increase the life-span of the hard drive itself, by minimizing head movement and simplifying data
access operations. To defragment a hard drive, click on "Start," click on "My Computer," right click over the drive
that you want to defragment, select "Properties," select the "Tools" tab, click on "Defragment Now," then click on the
"Defragment" button, and let the process run. The first time you defragment, it may take quite a long time, but the
more often you run this process the faster it finish.

Empty Your Recycle Bin: After deleting a number of files, right click over the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop
screen, and click on "Empty Recycle Bin."

Disk Cleanup: To perform a disk cleanup on a hard drive, click on "Start," click on "My Computer," right click over
the drive that you want to defragment, select "Properties," click on "Disk Cleanup." After the computer processes the
necessary data, click on the "Ok" button, and let the process run.

Clean Your Equipment: The cooling fan(s) inside your computer's housing blow dust and debris onto internal
components. Over time, the dust builds up and creates a insulating layer, which causes your computer to run hotter
than normal. It is best to disconnect your computer and take it outside before cleaning. I once cleaned my uncle's
computer in his house, which resulted in an indoor version of the 1930's Dust Bowl. After disconnecting your
computer, push the "on/off" button to release any residual power. Take the computer outside and open the housing.
You can use air-in-a-can and/or Q-tips to remove the dust, but be careful not to bend or disconnect delicate circuit
board components. Air-in-a-can can create condensation via the cold air that is released, so use short bursts to
prevent the condensation.