dacs.doc electric

Cleansweeping My Computer

By Marlene Gaberel

LIKE MY HOUSE, I want my computer to be organized and clutter free (even though neither is dust free). Until recently I achieved this by relying mostly on Windows to delete files and programs that I no longer used. But at a recent DACS general meeting presentation, I discovered CleanSweep, Quarterdeck's powerful uninstaller software, and my life and my PC have changed forever. I learned from the demonstration that the Add/Delete Program function of Windows 95 leaves files behind, and that Windows cannot uninstall everything that has been installed. On my old PC I had a Windows 3.1 uninstaller that I used routinely to remove items no longer needed, especially games that my kids outgrew or were not interested in playing anymore. Uninstaller programs were not new, but I had yet to buy one for my present machine. After the enlightening DACS presentation by Quarterdeck, I took advantage of the favorable price made available to computer user groups to order CleanSweep. One advantage of being a DACS member is that not only do we get a chance at winning at the general meeting raffle, but oftentimes we can buy software at half price. Upon installation, CleanSweep runs an analysis to determine the types of files already installed on the computer. With that information it built a "drive map." I was asked whether I wanted to install "shell extensions," but not knowing what that was I just declined that configuration figuring I could always add it later if needed. Checking the documentation afterward, I learned it was a feature to access CleanSweep Wizards and Finders right from the desktop without having to start the program first. Not a big oversight in not installing it apparently. Quarterdeck also warned that it was inadvisable to delete Microsoft Plus Pack, Internet Explorer 4.0 or WordPerfect Suite 8.0 with CleanSweep. I am not excessively worried about that issue, since of the three I have only IE 4.0 installed, which probably will be updated in the future when Microsoft comes up with a newer version. The online registration was fast and convenient using Quarterdeck's Web site. My first task was to use the Fast and Safe Cleanup function, which deletes files from the Internet Cache, Internet History, the Recycle Bin, Temporary files, and lost cluster files. Obviously those can be independently deleted from the browser and the Explorer, but CleanSweep makes it fast and convenient to delete them in one stroke. One function I like is CleanSweep's bar graph, which shows you how much can be cleaned. I was pleased to see that 72 megabytes were cleaned from my hard drive after Fast and Safe cleanup. It brings me a satisfaction similar to gazing admiringly at my lawn just after mowing it. After deleting all these files, I performed some Internet Cleanup. Our Quarterdeck presenter had mentioned that while surfing the Internet your computer is the recipient of programs from Web pages that make those pages attractive to you particular PC. Internet cleanup permits you to unload such programs as cache, ActiveX, Plug-ins, and "cookies" from your computer. CleanSweep performed an inventory of Internet files located on my computer. The cache had been emptied previously by the Fast and Safe cleanup. I checked the ActiveX and Plug-in that were present but decided to leave them alone since I had only a few of them. I then moved to the cookies section and deleted almost all those that were installed, except for particular Web pages I knew I would return to. Otherwise I would have to input an ID number anew when I called up the page again. The cookies consisted of 144 files, and removing them saved me 4MG of disk space. I also deleted some temporary files that had been downloaded onto the Windows temp file, and then I utilized another convenient feature of CleanSweep to move programs from one drive to another. For example, I have all the Microsoft programs that use up lots of space on the C: drive, all the games on the D: drive, and all my other programs on the E: drive. Now I feel I'm organized! CleanSweep's Smart Sweep, Internet Sweep, and Usage Watch reside in memory and run in the background keeping track of new installations and how often files are used. These can be removed from memory if not wanted there. With that feature on, one drawback is when I insert a CD-ROM, CleanSweep does not recognize that the program has already been installed and asks me if the installation needs to be monitored. I just decline, and CleanSweep's Wizard goes back to sleep. There is much more sweeping I can do with CleanSweep, but it will require more careful attention, such as removing duplicate, unused, redundant and orphan files. There is a backup and restore function that lets a user restore files if removed by error. The viewer function is also practical to decide if a particular file should be deleted. One function I especially like is the bar graph that shows the status percentage of each drive, and how empty or full each drive is. The visual has more impact than just listing the bytes (GB or MG) available on the hard disk. While a more sophisticated user can clean up a hard disk without the assistance of a utility, CleanSweep not only makes it easy for the less experienced user to do a thorough cleanup but also gives you the extra convenience of easily backing up and restoring data files if you remove them erroneously. In addition, it cleans up clutter that you accumulate from the Internet. CleanSweep helps me in my quest to stay organized. Now, if only I could place CleanSweep in the kids' rooms.