Sure, you need your processor and your memory. But when it comes down to it, it's your hard drive that's the guts of your computer.
     And, like everything else in the world, your hard drive needs to be well maintained to work at its best. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your hard drive peppy and ready to save and retrieve all the data you want it to.

Delete What You Don't Need
     A full hard drive is like a full stomach. Too much data will actually slow it down and make it sluggish. If you haven't played with a program since George Bush was President, you probably don't need it on your hard drive. Programs like Clean Sweep (or Spring Cleaning if you have a Macintosh) can help you remove all the little extra files that go with an application.

Check Regularly For Problems
     Lost "clusters"-temporary files created by your applications while running'-can be created when you turn off your computer incorrectly. And every once in a while, a subatomic particle probably just hits your hard drive the wrong way and something gets blipped or frizzled. Left unattended, one small problem can multiply. So use a program that roots out and repairs problems.

Defragment
     You're constantly creating and erasing and saving and resaving programs. Your hard drive stores them as best as it can, but if the file you're asking your hard drive to save is bigger than any particular area on your hard drive, it will be segmented. Over time, many files can be segmented. The problem with that is that each time a file is segmented, your software must consult the master list to see where the next part of the program is. The more segments, the slower. So use a program that defragments (the ones listed above will do so). The process is kind of like that old puzzle game where you had to keep sliding tiles to get the numbers in order (heck, that game came with your Macintosh, if that's what you own).

What To Use
     On the Intel side, there's Scan Disk (for DOS 6.1 and higher) and CHKDSK. Windows 95 has an add-on called Plus!, which also performs these maintenance functions at intervals you set. There's also Norton Utilities, which I think is preferable, because it maintains your directory structure. Scan Disk can't run if your file allocation table is damaged; Norton Utilities can.
     For the Macintosh, try Norton Utilities or Disk First Aid (which comes with your system disks or CD). These programs will catch and repair problems -- but follow their directions carefully.

B o o t D i s k s

If your hard drive's system files are damaged or missing, you probably won't be able to start your computer with the hard drive. You'll need a boot disk -- that is, a floppy disk that contains enough of Windows 95 or DOS or the Mac OS to start the computer. These are easy to create for Wintel machines, and come with the computer if you own a Mac. For DOS (including Windows 3.1): Put a disk in A Drive. From a DOS prompt, type FORMAT A:/S. For Windows 95: Double click on "My Computer." Double click on "Control Panel." Double click on "Add/Remove Programs." Click on "Create System Disk" tab. For MacOS (assuming you can't find the Disk Tools disk supplied by Apple), open the installer, and then have it create the minimum system for your particular computer. You'll basically get a pared-down System and Finder, but it'll get you started.

Remember to keep your boot disk handy, but safe. And mark it clearly -- you'll need it in an emergency and you'd hate to discover that you accidentally saved something over it!

Index
Special Event Mania
Third Anniversary Promises To Be A Blowout
Weird Schedules
School Pride
Candy Is Dandy
Best Buys
Pre-owned Software: More Software, Less Money
Bill's Hot Pick
Hardware: Microsoft Mouse
Software: Microsoft Office Pro

New Items
Quidnunc is Your Internet Solution, Too
Calendar & Schedule
Classes
Coupon Specials
Quidnunc Information

Special Event Mania!
Third Anniversary Promises To Be A Blowout!

     Remember life before Quid'nunc? Those long trips to an unnamed mall where the computer clerks could barely spell their own name, much less figure out whether you wanted Zork or Quark? Trolling forlornly through the racks looking for Mac software?
     Ah, but in 1994, Quid'nunc opened, making your computer fun and easy to use, and West Seattle was never the same.
     This year, we'll be throwing a party to celebrate our third anniversary on November 1 and 2. There'll be free prizes for everyone, natch. You'll get to enjoy special sale prices on games, productivity software and more for
     Windows and Macintosh. . . RAM . .. CD-ROM drives... modems. .. and much, much more. Humongous will demo Freddy Fish', Putt Putt and Pajama Sam on Saturday; Ralph Braun, new manager of the Sierra Internet Games Division, will be here on Sunday to demonstrate new on-line games, and, with a little luck, preview some of the games Sierra will be putting out for Christmas. You'll get the chance to play death matches against other Quid' nunc customers for prizes.
     Basically, it'll be cool. (Call it superstition, but since we sell software, we prefer not to use today's lingo and call it "the bomb.') So enter it in your calendar program: November 1 and 2. Be here!

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Weird Schedules

     Because resident Mac guru John Hendow is returning to school -- not to mention his wild and wacky schedule as a musician -- John will be here on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. But with such a volatile schedule, look for Bob Suh to come back occasionally to fill in when we need a knowledgeable, personable body. Look for Bob on that odd Sunday (and who knows when else, with Christmas fast approaching).

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School Pride

     Remember to mark the week of October 13 on your calendar; when Quid' nunc will once more participate in School Pride Week. We'll have a presentation on display created by the students of Arbor Heights Elementary from October 13-19; if some student you know attends that school, you'll definitely want to stop by. On Thursday night, October 16, there'll be an art walk in the Junction so you can visit the displays created by every school in West Seattle. And on Saturday morning, October 18, students from every school in West Seattle will march along California Avenue through the Junction. It's a kids' event that I'm proud to be part of.

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Candy Is Dandy

     As if it isn't a big enough treat to come to Quidnunc, if you've got kids, bring them by on October 25. That's Trick Or Treat In The Junction Day, and Quid nunc will be supplying any kid in costume a Halloween appropriate treat. (Heck, if an adult shows up in costume, we'll find something to give you, too.) So put Quidnunc on your trick-or-treat route on Saturday, October 25, from 1pm to 3pm.

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Best Buys

Pre Owned Software: More Software, less Money

     Just because someone else opened the box doesn't mean that the software won't work as well for you. But since this is used software, it's also exceptionally affordable. So stop by our pre-owned table and check out Wintel bargains like LucasArts Archives II for only $34.95. . . MDK for only $29.95. . . or Deadly Tide for only $17.95. Or connect with ProComm for just $39.95.
     Don't despair, Macheads-there are pre-owned bargains for you, too! How about Ray Dream Designer for $34.95. . . Canvas 3.0 for only $49.95. . . or Allied General for just $19.95?
     Got a kid? How about Reader Rabbit Journey for just $39.95-for both Wintel & Mac!

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Bill's Hot Pick:

For those of you contemplating a Zip drive - whether for storing that overflow or backing up - for your IBM-type machine, we are now stocking an internal Zip drive that uses your hard drive's controller. Nearly as fast, as the SCSI version and only $134.95! Return to the Index

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Hardware: Microsoft Mouse

     Click your way through dungeons, other worlds and spreadsheets with this well designed item. Works with Windows 95 and Windows3.1, or available with a serial connection or PS/2. Only $39.95

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Software: Microsoft Office Pro

     Everything you need to be productive on your computer, whether you're running a home business (or just your home), all for just $379.95. And without the box. it's environmentally friendly too! :-)

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New Items For Mac Game Masters      Quake for the Mac. Get ready to r-r-r-rumble!      Civilization II. Sure, you conquered the Greeks and the Mongols, invented interplanetary travel and colonized the stars. Wait 'til you see what's next!      Master of Orion 2. Wham! Bam! Kapow For Wintel Game Wizards      X-Car. Ferraris are for wimps. Try one of these souped-up vehicles on your favorite race course of doom. At Presstime-Early Release      Hexen 2. . . For Trekkers, Starfleet Academy. That's right-in the store now! Soon...      For Star Wars fans,Jedi Knight, Shadow Warrior (Mac version follows in two weeks!). . . the devilish Diablo for the Macintosh (mid-October). . . and the long-awaited Star Craft (mid-October; Mac version in mid-November). Quid'nunc Is Your Internet Solution, Too      Ready to sign up for the Internet? Find the options are too confusing? Discovered that America Online isn't your long-term solution for using the World Wide Web.      Why not get an Internet account from Quid' nunc? The store you trust for advice and reliable service is now an Internet Service Provider.      Use the coupon on the back of this newsletter for every day free for your first calendar month. Sign up on the 20th of October, get 11 free days. Sign up on the first and get the whole month free! check out the coupon, & call today! Return to the Index

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CALENDAR October 13-19 School Pride Week October 16 School Pride Art Work October 18 Education on Parade October 25 Trick or Treat In The Junction November 1 & 2 Quid'nunc Third Anniversary Party

CLASSES All classes start at 7:30 pm and run to approximately 9:30 pm Internet Demo October 17 FREE Beginning Windows 95 October 22, 29; November 5, 12 $165 Intro to Computers October 21, 28; November 4, 11 $165 Use the World Wide Web November 18, 25 $60

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What Now? The Official Quid'nunc Newsletter Published by Quid'nunc....... Your Neighborhood Software Store 4306 SW Oregon Street - Seattle, WA USA 98116 One block north of California Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street Tel: 932-8795. Fax: 932-8183     quidnunc@quidnunc.net Hours Mon-Fri: 10-7 Saturday: 10-6 Sunday: 11-5

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