"Delete programs you never use
Many PC manufacturers pack their new computers with programs you didn't
order and might not want. These often include trial editions and limited
edition versions of programs that software companies hope you will try, find
useful, and then pay to upgrade to full versions or newer versions. If you
decide you don't want them, keeping the software on your computer might slow
it down by using precious memory, disk space, and processing power.
It's a good idea to uninstall all the programs you don't plan to use. This
should include both manufacturer-installed software and software you
installed yourself but don't want anymore-especially utility programs
designed to help manage and tune your computer's hardware and software.
Utility programs such as virus scanners, disk cleaners, and backup tools
often run automatically at startup, quietly chugging along in the background
where you can't see them. Many people have no idea they are even running.
Even if your PC is older, it might contain manufacturer-installed programs
that you never noticed or have since forgotten about. It's never too late to
remove these and get rid of the clutter and wasted system resources. Maybe
you thought you might use the software someday, but never did. Uninstall it
and see if your PC runs faster."
At least one OS publisher packs their Vista OS full of crap that can't be
removed, whether the end user will ever use it or not.
im looking into buying a blu ray drive in the next few months but i want one so that i can burn all my data currently on all my dvds. Not too bothered about playing high def movies atm coz i dont have any. I was looking at this one but i dont know whether or not it will write to dual layer 50gb disks. Pioneer BDR-202BK 4x BD-R/RE Blu-Ray Serial ATA Dual Layer DVD Writer - Black. also if i just plug it straight into my pc, will vista be able to burn to it? ie in windows media player?
Recently upgraded my RAM and tried to overclock my CPU. OCing the CPU (Q6600) didn't seem to be a problem but the RAM (Corsair 2x2GB TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF) won't run at 1066 at all on my mobo. I just get BSODs.
I've turned the RAM down to 1050 and this gives me one BSOD and then boots and runs ok.
I've got the Q6600 at 2.7.
I'm not happy with this so I've decided I need a mobo upgrade plus a better case .
My local PC guru recommends the Asus P5Q Pro (currently got P5N-E SLI) and I can afford that along with a Coolermaster Cosmos S.
I've looked at the P5Q Deluxe and it doesn't really seem worth the half as much again I'd have to pay. I'm happy with my current GPU (BFG 8800 GTS OC 512) although I might go for a top end ATI when they come down in price.
But basically the P5Q Pro seems to have what I need and is supoosed to be a wicked overclocker.
Does anyone have any experience with this board? I notice it only has 8 phase power rather than 16.
I do support in a smallish/mid-sized business, and for the first time ever we are considering trying out a 64-bit windows client for our 3d cad operator. I've never had any experience with a 64 bit OS before, but I need to try to test it out and make sure it is compatible with our software and systems here. We have a 2000/2003 mixed-mode AD domain with exchange 2007 and terminal servers. A couple of our 2003 servers are already 64-bit.
- What if anything should I be concerned about? Any gotchas? - Would it be wise to test this in a virtual machine before spending money on the hardware and then finding out it may not be feasible? - Is there any other specific advice I should follow?
i am thinking of installing Linux on my pc but want to Keep vista as well. Does someone know exactly what i need to do or tell me which Linux looks/is best.
I needed a usb flash drive, so i thought i would order one that was compatable with vistas readyboost. I have been reading about about it breifly, and it seems to work for some people but not others, but i take it, thats going by everybodys machine is different, but doe's it generally work, like if you are using big resoruces like aero with transparancy, as i am not sure where the performance gains will be, or what you you can run before noticing any performance boost. just some general advice really or any tips.I have currently got 2gb of ram
Unless someone can talk me off this ledge, I'm going to jump. I can no longer take the multiple blue screen crash dumps. I have 32-bit Vista Home Premium on an HP Pavilion. After seeing those internal emails among Microsoft's top executives that were released in a lawsuit a couple of weeks ago -- they were complaining to each other about the same problems on their home computers with peripherals and drivers that I've been having -- I called HP tech this morning and said I want to install XP Professional and that I have a licensed copy on disk.
The HP tech guy, based in Oregon rather than India for a change, said all I had to do was copy the files I want to keep onto my external hard drive and then put the XP disk in the machine and it will direct me to format the hard drive.....and then install.
I recall reading somewhere that the chipsets or something in the guts of this machine -- I'm not a techie -- are designed for Vista and will not accept XP without some serious tinkering at the motherboard/chipset neurosurgery level.
This is my current setup in Control Panel>Programs and Features>Turn Windows features on or off.
To be frank, I haven't a clue what most of these features mean or do, and Help and Support has nothing to explain the function of the majority of them.
For example, if I rest my cursor over Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ) Server, it tells me that it 'Manages and Catalogues removable media and operates automated media devices'.
Because I do use SDHC Memory Cards, USB Memory Sticks, Cameras, Card Readers and other sundry media hardware, should I then have this box ticked? If not, then just what does this feature relate to, or do?
Similarly, what the heck is the TFTP Client, and what does that do?
Advice about the other open boxes and their functions, would be appreciated, with the exception of Games, which is self-explanatory, and something I have no interest in anyway. Recommended settings with reasons for activation, will help me understand these features.
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with compatibility with other bits of kit. I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting again with a clean install). This is my conceptual plan:
* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.
* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.
* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista Ultimate.
* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW
Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or should I expect troubles trying to do this?
I have been fighting with this computer all day, and posting here is my last resort. Basically, this morning one of the users here attempted to use her Outlook profile and the computer could not find it. Upon investigating, it turned out that her AppData folder had been redirected erroneously. On this particular machine, for some reason, the User Shell Folders which we had redirected to our server RS-NS1 (for backup and DR purposes), kept redirecting to our OLD server RSSERVER. I set the correct locations once more and restarted, however this time when I attempted to log in, it showed "User name or password are incorrect". Confused, I tried again, then tried the domain Administrator account, my own domain account, and a few others...none of them worked. Thinking maybe I screwed up the registry, I did a System Restore, but that didn't fix it. I undid that SR and did a new one (this time to the checkpoint this morning prior to the user's first login) and nothing happened then either.
I have since re-joined the computer to the domain, attempted a Startup Repair (which I already knew wouldn't find anything...the computer was starting up fine), and then I stumbled across the local admin account I created when I was first configuring the computer. Imagine my surprise when that account logged in just fine. Using it, I discovered that there were 13 items listed in the Device Manager under Network Devices. The first one listed was the NIC, the second was a duplicate except for "Teefer2 Miniport" at the end. Teefer2, apparently, is a service run for Symantec Endpoint Protection 11's firewall (which we do not use, we have a separate hardware firewall in place). I removed the NIC driver and rebooted...now the NIC is the ONLY item listed in the Network Devices section, but the problem is still here. Any advice before I yank my hair out and do a format/OS reinstall?
First let me start by saying I'm not extremely knowledgable about PCs. Basically here is my problem: I am trying to play an online game and can't seem to connect to their server through their access program. They advise me to run a tracert on the first hop I get:1 * * * request timed out the other 14 hops go through fine. The game company says it's my ISP and my ISP says it's probably on my end, something to do with Vista. I am running straight from my PC to a motorola surfboard 5101 cable modem no router or anything. Any ideas on why my IP would be timing out?
The main problem with ALL Microsoft "support" groups is they are infested with way too many Microsoft butt kissers (ie MVP's) that simply seem unable to give objective advice and generally color their comments to favor Microsoft decisions no matter what. I find it amusing, but also misleading, harmful and counterproductive. :-)
The reality is Vista follows a long line of previous Windows releases that also were buggy, not tested well enough under real world conditions, is overpriced, lacks imagination, contains flawed, crippled or broken features, removes items that were hinted at being included in beta releases or shifts wanted features to the most expensive version and perhaps the worse thing, leaves bugs that were reported in earlier versions of Windows with Vista adding many new ones.
In other words, typical Microsoft software. Overpriced, not thoroughly tested, not ready for prime time and sure to frustrate millions with useless things like UAC that mostly gets in the way rather then helping or offering any real security. Add in a useless Vista Upgrade Advisor that lulls users into falsely thinking their system is ready to have Vista installed when it often crashes in a BSOD due to driver issues the Advisor claimed "shouldn't" be a problem, yes, it is fair to label Vista as a disaster. Is there such a thing as a Quality Control Department at Microsoft?
I'm using Vista Home Premium - I generally use Outlook 2007 for my e-mail and organising but recently went to Windows Mail to find a Newsgroup (unavailable in Outlook). However, no Newgroups were visible. Unable to find a way to find them I clicked on "Help" and the advice includes "Click the Tools menu, and then click Newsgroups." However, there is no "Newsgroups" option in the Tools menu that displays. The Windows Mail I have is version 6.0.6000....
