You can have lots of RAM and a fast CPU but if your hard drive is slow, it brings down your system. In windows when files get saved they are split up into pieces across the drive fragmenting them. The Disk Defragmenter puts them back together in one area which makes accessing them faster.
Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented files on your hard disk so that the PC performs better. Because disk fragmentation occurs over time it is common for you to start seeing slower response times when loading or accessing files in windows.
Note that there are instances that the Disk Defragmenter will not be able to completely do the entire drive because of the following:
- Disk Defragmenter does not defragment files in the Recycle Bin. Best to run Disk Cleaner first and then empty the Recycle Bin, before defragmenting. Also delete temp files so you dont waste time and space on the drive being degragmented.
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- Disk Defragmenter will also not defragment files which are in use. Best to try and shut down as many processes as possible and then defragment. So end the task of as many programs running that you know about.
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Disk Defragmenter does not defragment the following files:
Bootsect dos, Safeboot fs, Safeboot csv, Safeboot rsv, Hiberfil sys, Memory dmp and the Windows page file.
However using the -b parameter, as mentioned below, will optimize the boot files. |
Command line parameters for defragmenting give you more advanced and power users flexibility.
-r
This is the default setting and defragments file fragments that less than 64 MB.
-a
Analyze the selected drive / volume & display a summary report, consisting of analysis and defragmentation reports.
-c
Defragments all volumes on the computer. Don't specify a drive letter while using this.
-w
Perform FULL defragmentation of files of ALL sizes.
-f
Forced defragmentation even when there is less amount of free space on the drive being defragmented. A volume must have at least 15 % free space before Disk Defragmenter can completely defragment it.
-i
This makes Defrag run in the background & operate only if the computer is idle, like when run as a scheduled task.
-v
Displays complete reports.
-b
It optimizes boot files and applications only.
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Written by PCWizKid on August 19th, 2008 with no comments.
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The best way to improve system performance is to make better use of your RAM. Understanding the Windows Task Manager's Performance graphs and indicators will help you determine what you should do.
The first rule of thumb is that you can never have enough RAM. More is better. So if you can afford to go out an buy a little bit more phisycal memory do so, otherwise follow my tips below.
PCWizKid's Video explains what to look for.
The Task Manager's Performance tab provides the best way to monitor memory use. To run the Task Manager, press Ctrl-Alt-Delete, then click on the Performance tab. With it, you can interpret the information as mentioned in the video above and make better use of your memory.
Video notes:
If the Total Commit Charge exceeds the Total Physical Memory, you probably need more RAM. When the Commit Charge is regularly higher than the Physical Memory available, it means that you have to regularly use a Page File, which may slow down your system down if its old. Buy more RAM in that case.
If the Peak Commit Charge is frequently at or near the Limit Commit Charge, you need to increase your memory. When this occurs, it means that your PC is frequently out of memory or close to being out of memory. Either add RAM or increase your Page File size.
Check the PF (PageFile Usage) make sure its not in the red, if so increase it as mentioned in my previous article here.
The Performance Tab has the following areas. (Important ones are highlighted)
| Category | Subcategory | What the data means |
| Totals | Handles | Lets a program use system resources such as registry keys, fonts, and bitmaps. Sometimes, poorly written programs don't close their handles down when the program closes, leading to memory loss. As a practical matter, you won't need to monitor this number. |
| Threads | A discrete portion of a program executing a single task independently of other parts of a program. Again, as a practical matter, you won't need to monitor this number. |
| Processes | Reports on the number of programs and services (processes) currently running on your system. Monitor this to see whether you have too many programs and services running on your PC. To shut down unnecessary services, see [Hack #4]. |
| Commit Charge (K) | Total | The total amount of physical memory (RAM) and virtual memory (page file) currently in use, in kilobytes. The more programs, files, and data you have open, the greater your commit charge will be. The greater the commit charge, the more demands will be put on your system. To reduce the commit charge, close programs and files, especially large files. |
| Limit | Reports on the total amount of physical and virtual memory that is currently available for your PC, measured in kilobytes. To increase the limit, you can increase the Page File size (see article 4.9 "Optimize Your Swap File Size") or add RAM to your system. |
| Peak | Reports on the highest total amount of memory, measured in kilobytes, that has been in use during your current session. Check this value each session to see whether the Peak value is frequently at or near the Limit value. If it is, you need to increase your memory, by either adding RAM or increasing your Page File size. |
| Physical Memory (K) | Total | Displays the total amount of RAM in your PC, in kilobytes. This number can be confusing; to find out the amount of RAM in megabytes, divide it by 1,024. |
| Available | Reports on the total amount of RAM, in kilobytes, currently available. When available RAM is used up, your system begins to use its Page File. |
| System Cache | Reports on the total amount of RAM, in kilobytes, that is being used for the most recently accessed data and programs. Programs and data can be in the system cache even after they have been closed down; the PC looks to the system cache first when opening a program or file, since it can be opened from the cache faster than from the hard disk. |
| Kernel Memory (K) | Total | The total amount of memory, in kilobytes, in use by the primary components of the XP kernel. The kernel is the core programs and files that make up the operating system. |
| Paged | The total amount of memory in a Page File, in kilobytes, used by the primary components of XP. |
| Nonpaged | The total amount of memory of RAM, in kilobytes, used by the primary components of XP. |
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Written by PCWizKid on July 17th, 2008 with no comments.
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What is the Vista Aero Experience? Does your PC have what it takes to support it? How do you enable it?
This is the intention of this article as we go through demystifying the details behind using the Aero features in Windows Vista.
First lets review the features that Aero has to offer.
Vista Aero enables the new a see through Glass look and feel in which the Start Menu, taskbar, and all onscreen windows and dialog boxes take on a new glass-like translucent sheen.
The Aero Glass effect provides a heightened sense of depth and a more professional looking user experience (something we have already seen in Linux Distro's and OSX as desktop effects).
With Aero, Windows Flip 3D creates a view of your open windows in a three-dimensional stack on your desktop. Use the Windows logo+TAB keys to cycle between these windows and find what you want.
To use Windows Flip, hold down the Alt key and tap the Tab key to cycle between all of the running applications and open windows.
Aero also enables dynamic window animations, so that when you minimize a window to the taskbar, it subtly animates to show you exactly where it went. Also Aero enables Live Taskbar Thumbnails, when you mouse over buttons in the taskbar, a small thumbnail preview will pop up, letting you see the window without having to actually activate it first
So what does it take to enable Aero?
First , the version of Vista that you need that supports Aero is either Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate Edition. If you have other versions of Vista then they will not have Aero.
Windows Aero requires high system specifications in order to work, with the minimum requirements of at least 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor and 1 GB (gigabyte) of system memory.
Your video card must support DirectX 9.0 and up (preferably DirectX 10) with Pixel Shader 2 in hardware and be supported by a new Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver. In addition, your video card must have must have enough dedicated memory (128 Meg of RAM is the minimum recommended) to drive your display for a particular screen resolution with Aero.
Use this chart as a starting point to guide you in determining the proper screen resolution.
64 MB video card - Uses less than 1280×1024 (fewer than 1,310,720 pixels) resolution
128 MB video card - Use 1280×1024 to 1920×1200 (1,310,720 to 2,304,000 pixels)
256 MB video card - You can use higher than 1920×1200 (more than 2,304,000 pixels)
Configuring Windows Vista Aero
Microsoft has nicely provided a handy configuration utility to Aero that enables you to fine-tune how it looks. This functionality is available via the Personalization section of the Control Panel. The quickest way to get there is to right-click a blank area of the desktop, choose Properties,
and then select Windows Color and Appearance from the Personalize appearance and sound effects control panel.
You can pick between preset color choices by selecting one of the color scheme swatches shown at the top of the window. You can also disable transparent glass (really translucency) or vary the intensity of the translucency to meet your liking.
Finally, you can expand the Show color mixer option and apply varying levels of color, saturation, and brightness to achieve just the look and feel you want.
If you are not able to access Aero you can try enabling it manually by doing the following:
- Click on the Start button and then click on “Control Panel”.
- Click on “Appearance and Personalization”.
- Click on “Personalization”.
- Click “Window Color and Appearance”.
- Click on “Open classic appearance properties for more color options”.
- Select the Windows Aero color scheme.
An alternative is to do a registry tweak to hack in and enable Aero through the backdoor
- Go to Start button, then click on Run.
- Run “regedit”.
- Browse and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM\ registry branch.
- On the following registry subkeys, edit and change the default value:
Composition to 1
CompositionPolicy to 2
- Exit registry editor.
- Go to Start and click on Run again.
- Execute and run the following commands one by one:
net stop uxsms
net start uxsms
Tweak Windows Vista even more with TweakVI, click the image below for the free edition
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Written by PCWizKid on July 4th, 2008 with no comments.
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One thing users aren't aware of is all the unnecessary network protocols and components that you may have enabled and not using. Sometimes having these enabled may cause network problems and even degrade your connection. I've been through this with countless users that either have enabled too much or too little just for a basic broadband cable modem connection.
If you are experiencing issues with your connection and believe its your PC's configuration, take a look at your network connections properties a little closer:
Verify your connection properties
- Open control panel Network Connections.
- Identify the icon for the network connection your using for the cable modem/ISP, right-click it, and select Properties.
The following components might be worth disabling:
* File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks: this is both a security risk and a source of unnecessary network traffic unless you are sure you require to share files.
* Client for Microsoft Networks: Most cases its enabled if you wish to mount drives from a remote PC on the Internet using Microsoft file sharing.
* Client Service for NetWare: should be disabled.
* Service Advertising Protocol: should be disabled.
* SAP Agent: should be disabled.
* NetBEUI Protocol: should be disabled.
* NWLink NetBIOS: should be disabled.
* NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol: should be disabled.
* iVLAN Protocol: should be disabled.
* AppleTalk Protocol: should be disabled.
* DLC Protocol: should be disabled.
The following components, if present, should not be disabled:
- QoS Packet Scheduler: this is harmless and should be left enabled.
- Network Monitor Driver: this is used by the Performance Monitor, is harmless, and should be left enabled.
- Internet Protocol (TCP/IP): this is essential and must be enabled.
Optimize the remaining network configuration by selecting the name Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click Properties:
- Click the button Advanced
- Click tab DNS:
Uncheck Register this connection's addresses in DNS
- Click tab WINS:
Select Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, unless either:
Client for Microsoft Networks is enabled and you wish to mount drives from remote Windows systems or
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is enabled and you wish remote Windows users to mount your shared resources
- Disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP is also a worthwhile security improvement.
- Click OK to close Advanced TCP/IP Settings.
- Click OK to close Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
- Click OK to close the Connection Properties.
- Disable SSDP Discovery Service: Right-click My Computer and select Manage:
- In the left-hand box, expand Services and Applications, then select Services.
- In the right-hand box, scroll down to find SSDP Discovery Service, and double-click it.
Set Startup type to Disabled.
Click Stop.
Click OK to close SSDP Discovery Service Properties.
Close Computer Management.
Free up 20 percent of your internet bandwidth.
Would you like 20 percent more internet speed? Windows XP reserves 20 percent of your internet bandwidth for itself.
Limit Reservable Bandwidth - Determines the percentage of connection bandwidth that the system can reserve. This value limits the combined bandwidth reservations of all programs running on the system.
By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection, but you can use this setting to override the default. If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the system uses the default value of 20 percent of the connection.
Here is how to change this setting and achieve better download rates.
Click START, Run and then enter
gpedit.msc This opens the group policy editor.
Then go to:
Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Network / QOS Packet Scheduler
In the right hand column under settings double click on
Limit Reservable Bandwidth. It will say it is not configured. The trick is to ENABLE reservable bandwidth, and then set it to ZERO. Click
Apply. Click
OK. This will allow the system to reserve nothing, rather than the default 20 percent. Reboot your system. Now you will have 20 percent more bandwidth to surf the internet faster.
If you have Windows XP Home Edition, follow these instructions to disable QoS:
Click Start and then the “Settings” option.
Select the Control Panel, and open up “Network Connections”
Right-click “Local Area Connection”and choose Properties.
On the General tab, uncheck QoS and O out of the dialogue window.
Restart your Computer and reconnect.
Increase your Bandwidths Capacity· Make sure your logged on as actually "Administrator".
· Start->Run->type gpedit.msc
· Expand the "Local Computer Policy" branch.
· Expand the "Administrative Templates" branch.
· Expand the "Network Branch".
· Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in left window.
· In right window double-click the "Limit Reservable Bandwidth" setting.
· On setting tab check the "Enabled" item.
· Where it says "Bandwidth limit %" change it to read 0.
Effect is immediate on some systems, some need to re-boot. This is more of a "counter what XP does" thing. In other words, programs can request up to 20% of the bandwidth be reserved for them, even with QoS disabled.
Test your network connection speed before and after doing changes to benchmark the results.
Try these free services which will calculate you upload and download speeds
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Written by PCWizKid on February 28th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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Market share for Internet Explorer is still up there at around the 45% mark (between IE7 and IE6 combined), against Firefox following very closely neck and neck. If you haven't converted to Firefox 2.x and are not planning to do so anytime soon, there are a few tweaks that you may want to consider doing immediately in IE 7 so that you are getting the most out of it.
Lets look at some tips and tweaks that don't require you to install any free addons first.
Disable Automatic Network
Detection
If you are connected directly to the internet and are not going through a proxy server then you should uncheck IE's "Automatically detect settings" option on the Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings dialog window.
Move the 'Menu Bar' to the top
Click Start > Run, then type gpedit.msc The config screen will appear, click on User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components >Internet Explorer (there are many other options in there which you cn disable/enable aswell) Right-click on 'Moving the menu bar above the navigation bar' then click 'Properties' Select 'Enabled' then 'OK' Restart your IE 7 browser
Turn OFF Automatically checking for RSS feeds
IE7 performance slows down when you make it do more, specially when the "more" is not even something you need! Turn this off by going to Tools >Internet Options >Content >Feeds >Settings , then uncheck the option that says Automatically check feeds for updates.
Disable use of ClearType with IE7
This funtion has been reported to slow IE7 performance and frankly you wount notice the difference in the looks of the fonts displayed in your browser. Turn this off by going to Tools->Internet Options->Advanced , under settings scroll down to the Multimedia section and uncheck the Always use ClearType for HTML* option
Speeding up your connection
Force IE to download more objects at once, web pages would display more quickly. This is done by Increasing the connection limit from 10-16 connections.
You can do this manually or by using a registry tweak file.
Manual method:
1. Run the Registry Editor by typing regedit at a command line or in the Windows Vista Start Search box.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Internet Settings.
3. Choose Edit --> New --> DWORD Value.
4. Create a new DWORD value called MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server, and give it a value of 10.
5. Choose Edit --> New --> DWORD Value, create another DWORD value called MaxConnectionsPerServer, and give it a value of 10 to 16
(Note: If you want to experiment with fewer or more than 10 simultaneous connections, change the value in both DWORD values accordingly.)
6. Exit the Registry and close IE. When you restart IE, the new value will be in effect and your Web browsing should speed up.
Automated method:
This tweak allows IE to make up to 16 connections per server.
This requires a Registry tweak (and a restart your IE browser),
download the .reg update and add double click on it to add it to your registry. To Undo this tweak use
this .reg file.
This is a windows registry tweak. It has been tested on both Windows XP and Windows Vista for Internet Explorer 7; nonetheless, there is no warranty implied or otherwise, so use at your own risk. Furthermore, it is always a good idea to create a System Restore Point prior to modifying the registry.
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Written by PCWizKid on February 12th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on IE 7 and Internet Explorer and Performance and browser tips and ipod tweaks and leopard tips and network speed.
You can have lots of RAM and a fast CPU but if your hard drive is slow, it brings down your system. In windows when files get saved they are split up into pieces across the drive fragmenting them. The Disk Defragmenter puts them back together in one area which makes accessing them faster.
