Computer slowing down?

I have noticed over the last 18 months or so that there has been an upsurge in enquiries regarding computer repairs. I have to say I am glad. In the heady days of easy access to money, many a computer has been consigned to the attic to be replaced by a new one, when all that was needed was a bit of TLC.  For all the improvement in people's knowledge of computers the one area that is largely ignored and mostly not understood is computer maintenance. I am talking here about the use of the system tools provided by microsoft and other operating system manufacturers that keep your PC running smoothly. Namely, Checkdisk, Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter.  Over the coming days and weeks I will post information on all of these tools, give a brief explanation of what they do and tell you how to use them.