Serious Disk Error

Sometimes my computer flashes a message box that says “Serious Disk Error.” Is there anything I should be doing to maintain my computer disks so this won’t happen?

———- from Jim Rehm of San Jose, CA

Diskettes of any size or density should be cleaned and waxed once a week. Any microscopic metal particles can be removed from the disk surface by waving a powerful magnet over the disk. If you need to “back up” your data, insert two disks into the drive at the same time. The data will automatically be written onto both disks. Never insert a disk upside down…or the data may fall out and get mixed up with the computer’s insides. And, remember you can always recover lost data from any disk by typing the DOS command FORMAT /U. Good luck!

WARNING: Contact Dr. Science personally before following any of the above instructions using your own computer. At work, you’re on your own. Also, should you believe the above instructions are a great way to treat your important data, immediately contact the Montel Williams show for their upcoming segment, “Gullible people too dim to go on living.”