Windows XP Maintenence

A hard drive must be maintained to be used most efficiently. This maintenance includes deleting old files, defragmenting a drive so that it does not waste space, as well as, from time to time, finding and attempting to correct disk failures.

Using the Internet, and Windows XP Help and Support, research what maintenance should be performed on hard drives. Your response must include the type of maintenance, when it should be performed and the risks of not performing the maintenance.