Yahoo! Messenger is a popular instant messaging client and protocol provided by Yahoo!. It can be used with a generic Yahoo! ID which also allows access to other Yahoo! services, such as Yahoo! Mail, where users can be automatically notified when they receive new email. Yahoo! offers PC to PC telephone, file transfers, webcam hosting, text messaging service, and chat rooms in various categories.
The next version of Yahoo! Messenger, build especially for Windows Vista, will have a bunch of new features, the most interesting one being the tabbed IM windows. Until this version will be released you can still enjoy tabbed IM windows. Here is what you have to do:
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit, hit Enter.
3. Look for HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Yahoo -> pager.
4. In the right pane right click on a blank spot, select New -> DWORD Value, name it Tabbed IM. Double click on it and give it the value of 1.
5. Close the Registry Editor and the next IM window you open will be in a tab.
6. Even though this tweak is provided by Yahoo! it still has bugs. You can use this program to fix some of them.
Friday, May 15, 2009
How To Fix the COM Surrogate Error in Windows Vista
Many of you who started using Windows Vista have been getting an error saying COM Surrogate has stopped working. You might get this whenever you browse video or Media Files, you are trying to watch a movie etc, and is due to some software you have installed that isn't fully compatible with the Vista operating system. Even though Nero and DivX are the programs to cause the most crashes, the list doesn't stop here, as others can cause the problem as well.
Here is the most effective solution for this error:
1. Click Start, then right click Computer and from the menu select Properties.
2. Click Advanced system settings located in the top left corner of the window.
3. Under the Performance field click Settings.
4. Go to the Data Execution Prevention tab.
5. Select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.
6. Now click the Add... button.
7. Browse to C:\Windows\System32\ and select dllhost.exe. Click Open and when prompted click OK.
8. Click Apply.
9. Restart your computer and you shouldn't be bothered by the COM Surrogate error again.
Here is the most effective solution for this error:
1. Click Start, then right click Computer and from the menu select Properties.
2. Click Advanced system settings located in the top left corner of the window.
3. Under the Performance field click Settings.
4. Go to the Data Execution Prevention tab.
5. Select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.
6. Now click the Add... button.
7. Browse to C:\Windows\System32\ and select dllhost.exe. Click Open and when prompted click OK.
8. Click Apply.
9. Restart your computer and you shouldn't be bothered by the COM Surrogate error again.
How To Speed Up Folder Browsing in Windows XP
When you are browsing the folders on your computer you can notice a little delay, because Windows XP automatically searches for network files and printers everytime you open Windows Explorer. Here is what you have to do in order to fix this and to increase browsing significantly:
1. Open My Computer.
2. Click on Tools -> Folder Options menu.
3. Click on the View tab.
4. Uncheck the Automatically search for network folders and printers check box.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click Ok.
7. Reboot your computer.
1. Open My Computer.
2. Click on Tools -> Folder Options menu.
3. Click on the View tab.
4. Uncheck the Automatically search for network folders and printers check box.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click Ok.
7. Reboot your computer.
How To Hide Drives in Windows XP
Do you have important files stored on a disk drive (disk partition) that you don't want tampered with or easily accessible to other users? Now you can hide it! Here are the steps to hide your important data:
1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools and double click Computer Management.
2. On the left side browse to Storage -> Disk Management.
3. Here you will see all your partitions and disk drives.
4. Right click the one you want to hide and select Change Drive Letter and Paths...
5. Select Remove to erase the letter assigned to that drive and therefore to hide it.
6. The changes will take effect immediately. Don’t worry, your data will remain the same.
7. Now if you want to unhide the drive, just repeat the process. But in 5th step, click on the Add... button in order to assign a letter for the drive so that Windows Explorer will recognize it.
1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools and double click Computer Management.
2. On the left side browse to Storage -> Disk Management.
3. Here you will see all your partitions and disk drives.
4. Right click the one you want to hide and select Change Drive Letter and Paths...
5. Select Remove to erase the letter assigned to that drive and therefore to hide it.
6. The changes will take effect immediately. Don’t worry, your data will remain the same.
7. Now if you want to unhide the drive, just repeat the process. But in 5th step, click on the Add... button in order to assign a letter for the drive so that Windows Explorer will recognize it.
How To Have Unlimited Simultaneous Downloads in Internet Explorer 7
Windows Internet Explorer 7 is a web browser released by Microsoft in late 2006 for Windows Vista and XP SP2. The number of simultaneous downloads from one server is limited to 2 in Internet Explorer 7. For those of you who are making tons of downloads a day this might be some how annoying. But don't get mad because there is a way to get around this. Follow the instructions below:
1. The first step is to open the Registry Editor. Do this by clicking Start and type regedit in the Start Search field. Then hit Enter.
2. Now navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Internet Settings.
3. At this point you will have to make two new keys. So in the right pane right click on an empty spot and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Give it the name MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server. To change the number of simultaneous downloads double click this value and in the value field enter the number of connections you want (i.e. 5).
4. Create the second key the same way as you did at the previous step. Name it MaxConnectionsPerServer. The value for this key should be the same with the value of MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server.
5. Restart Internet Explorer to take advantage of this hack. If problems appear on the way set the values for these keys to 2.
1. The first step is to open the Registry Editor. Do this by clicking Start and type regedit in the Start Search field. Then hit Enter.
2. Now navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Internet Settings.
3. At this point you will have to make two new keys. So in the right pane right click on an empty spot and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Give it the name MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server. To change the number of simultaneous downloads double click this value and in the value field enter the number of connections you want (i.e. 5).
4. Create the second key the same way as you did at the previous step. Name it MaxConnectionsPerServer. The value for this key should be the same with the value of MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server.
5. Restart Internet Explorer to take advantage of this hack. If problems appear on the way set the values for these keys to 2.
How To Delete Files Immediately in Windows XP
In Windows XP when you delete files they are sent to the Recycle Bin. To immediately delete files, without having them move to the Recycle Bin you must edit some settings in the Group Policy Editor. Here is what you have to do:
1. Go to Start -> Run... and type gpedit.msc.
2. Now navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Explorer.
3. Once you do this find Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin.
4. Set this option to true. And that is all you have to do in order to immediately delete files.
1. Go to Start -> Run... and type gpedit.msc.
2. Now navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Explorer.
3. Once you do this find Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin.
4. Set this option to true. And that is all you have to do in order to immediately delete files.
How To Recover Deleted Items From Outlook
If you are using Microsoft Outlook as you e-mail client, you will be glad to know the program has a hidden feature which can recover deleted items, even though you have deleted them from the Deleted Items folder. To take advantage of the feature you will have to enable it, by an implementation of a Windows XP registry tweak. Here is how:
1. First you will have to make sure Outlook is closed.
2. Now click Start -> Run... and type regedit followed by the Enter key.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Exchange -> Client -> Options.
4. In the right pane right click on a blank spot and select New -> DWORD Value.
5. Give it the name DumpsterAlwaysOn.
6. Set the DWORD value to 1 by double clicking on it.
7. Open Outlook.
8. In the Tools menu you will notice that the option Recover Deleted Items appeared for every Outlook Folder.
1. First you will have to make sure Outlook is closed.
2. Now click Start -> Run... and type regedit followed by the Enter key.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Exchange -> Client -> Options.
4. In the right pane right click on a blank spot and select New -> DWORD Value.
5. Give it the name DumpsterAlwaysOn.
6. Set the DWORD value to 1 by double clicking on it.
7. Open Outlook.
8. In the Tools menu you will notice that the option Recover Deleted Items appeared for every Outlook Folder.
How To Delete All XP's Temporary Files With Disk Cleanup
Temporary files are usually created by applications that need to store information that is either too big for storage in RAM or that needs to be saved in non-volatile memory (such as a hard drive).
Microsoft Windows uses many temporary files to store data about the users' web browsing history and settings. The most common files associated with Windows temporary files are index.dat and the entire Cookies folder under Documents and Settings that stores HTTP cookies.
You can use the Disk Cleanup built in utility to delete the temporary files in Windows XP. Even so this will now clean all the files, because it is set not to delete files that have been accessed in the last seven days. However with a little trick made to the Windows Registry you can get rid of all your temporary files. Here is how:
Note: Because you will make changes to the registry, a good idea is to backup it first.
1. Open the Registry Editor by clicking Start -> Run... and typing regedit. Click OK.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Explorer -> VolumeCaches -> Temporary Files.
3. In the right pane look for a value named LastAccess and double-click to modify it.
4. In the Value data field put 0 instead of 7. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer and from now on all your temporary files will be deleted no matter when they have been accessed.
Microsoft Windows uses many temporary files to store data about the users' web browsing history and settings. The most common files associated with Windows temporary files are index.dat and the entire Cookies folder under Documents and Settings that stores HTTP cookies.
You can use the Disk Cleanup built in utility to delete the temporary files in Windows XP. Even so this will now clean all the files, because it is set not to delete files that have been accessed in the last seven days. However with a little trick made to the Windows Registry you can get rid of all your temporary files. Here is how:
Note: Because you will make changes to the registry, a good idea is to backup it first.
1. Open the Registry Editor by clicking Start -> Run... and typing regedit. Click OK.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Explorer -> VolumeCaches -> Temporary Files.
3. In the right pane look for a value named LastAccess and double-click to modify it.
4. In the Value data field put 0 instead of 7. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer and from now on all your temporary files will be deleted no matter when they have been accessed.
How To Disable Tab Scrolling In Firefox
One of the many features of Firefox 2.0 is the tab scrolling. When you have many tabs opened you can scroll through them with the right and left arrows. However many of you consider this annoying and would prefer to have all there tabs visible, even though they are small. So here are the steps in order to disable tab scrolling:
1. Open Firefox and type in the address bar about:config.
2. In the Filter field type in browser.tabs.tabMinWidth.
3. Now double click browser.tabs.tabMinWidth and set its value to 0. This is to completely disable tab scrolling. Also you can put in a smaller number than 100 so that you have more tabs opened until the scroll feature kicks in.
And that is all you have to do!
1. Open Firefox and type in the address bar about:config.
2. In the Filter field type in browser.tabs.tabMinWidth.
3. Now double click browser.tabs.tabMinWidth and set its value to 0. This is to completely disable tab scrolling. Also you can put in a smaller number than 100 so that you have more tabs opened until the scroll feature kicks in.
And that is all you have to do!
How To Remove Duplicate Files
ou might not be aware but there is a high probability that you have duplicate files on your computer. These take up disk space and in some cases may get you into trouble. So here is a little program to help you remove duplicate files. Duplicate File Finder is a simple, but effective tool to locate duplicate files in one or more selected search paths.
1. Download the program from here.
2. When you open the program you will see in the top left corner a button Add Path.
Click it.
3. In the window that appears you can select the path where the program will look for duplicate files. Also, in the same window you have the option to select for which type of files the program will search.
Note: You can put in more than one path where to do the search.
4. When done click Start Search. Now the program scans the files and compares them based on Byte for Byte Comparison, which ensures 100% accuracy.
5. The program is multi threaded and performs scans quickly. At the end of the search you will be able to see all your duplicate files and choose the ones to erase.
That's it! Now you should have a cleaner computer.
1. Download the program from here.
2. When you open the program you will see in the top left corner a button Add Path.
Click it.
3. In the window that appears you can select the path where the program will look for duplicate files. Also, in the same window you have the option to select for which type of files the program will search.
Note: You can put in more than one path where to do the search.
4. When done click Start Search. Now the program scans the files and compares them based on Byte for Byte Comparison, which ensures 100% accuracy.
5. The program is multi threaded and performs scans quickly. At the end of the search you will be able to see all your duplicate files and choose the ones to erase.
That's it! Now you should have a cleaner computer.
How To Control Image Animations in Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a cross-platform browser, providing support for various versions of Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Firefox's source code is freely available under the terms of the Mozilla tri-license as free and open source software.
There is an easy configuration change in Firefox that limits animated images. By limit I mean you can stop or just run animated images once. Here is how:
1. Open Firefox and type in the address bar about:config.
2. Now in the Filter field enter image.animation_mode.
3. By default this option is set to normal. Double click this entry and change its value to none to stop all animated images, or once to let images run only one time the animation.
4. At any time you can go to the default behavior by modifying the value of this setting to normal.
There is an easy configuration change in Firefox that limits animated images. By limit I mean you can stop or just run animated images once. Here is how:
1. Open Firefox and type in the address bar about:config.
2. Now in the Filter field enter image.animation_mode.
3. By default this option is set to normal. Double click this entry and change its value to none to stop all animated images, or once to let images run only one time the animation.
4. At any time you can go to the default behavior by modifying the value of this setting to normal.
How To Automatically Kill Non-Responsive Applications In XP
Windows XP is a line of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. Now all of you who use Windows XP have to deal with non-responsive programs. To close them you have to open the Task Manager, find the process and end it. But here is a better way to automatically close any program that crashes.
1. Go to Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Control Panel -> Desktop.
4. In the right pane look for AutoEndTasks.
5. Double click it and modify the value to 1.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. From now on every time a program crashes, automatically will be closed.
1. Go to Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Control Panel -> Desktop.
4. In the right pane look for AutoEndTasks.
5. Double click it and modify the value to 1.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. From now on every time a program crashes, automatically will be closed.
How To Move the Public Folder in Windows Vista
The Public folder is a convenient way to share files that are stored on your computer. You can share files in this folder with other people using the same computer and with people using other computers on the same network. By default the Public folder is located in C:\Users\Public. But sometimes you do not have enough space available on your C drive to share all the things you want. So here is how you can move the Public folder to a bigger partition.
1. Click Start and type regedit in the Start Search field. Hit Enter.
2. With the Registry Editor opened, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows NT -> CurrentVersion -> ProfileList.
3. In the right pane, look for the entry named Public and double click it.
4. At this point you have to change the value on the entry to something else, like E:\share\Public.
5. After reboot your Public folder will be moved. Now you can easily erase the old one, but not before you copy the files in it to the new location.
1. Click Start and type regedit in the Start Search field. Hit Enter.
2. With the Registry Editor opened, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows NT -> CurrentVersion -> ProfileList.
3. In the right pane, look for the entry named Public and double click it.
4. At this point you have to change the value on the entry to something else, like E:\share\Public.
5. After reboot your Public folder will be moved. Now you can easily erase the old one, but not before you copy the files in it to the new location.
How To Set AutoPlay Defaults for Media and Devices in Windows Vista
The new Windows Vista consolidates AutoPlay options for various types of media into a single Control Panel applet. This applet allows you to change the AutoPlay settings for different media like CDs, DVDs, and pictures. Here is how:
1. Click Start -> Control Panel.
2. Find the AutoPlay icon and double click it.
3. Make sure you have the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices box checked.
4. Now you will have to take one by one all the drop down menus and set the default setting for each option you have there.
5. Click Save for your preferences to be saved. You are done!
1. Click Start -> Control Panel.
2. Find the AutoPlay icon and double click it.
3. Make sure you have the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices box checked.
4. Now you will have to take one by one all the drop down menus and set the default setting for each option you have there.
5. Click Save for your preferences to be saved. You are done!
How To Avoid Typos In Firefox
We all hate typos, but we still commit them unknowingly. Things get even worse when you hit the return key in Firefox address bar and then realize that you committed a typo.
URL Fixer is a super handy Firefox extension which does the dirty job of fixing these typos for you. It can fix most common typos in both prefix (http:, https:) and suffix part (com, org, net, info.. etc) of a domain name.
Here is how you can take advantage of what this extension has to offer:
1. Open Firefox and go to this address.
2. On the page click the Install now button. This will install the extension.
3. This extension does not have an options panel, instead simply click in the address bar. In the context menu select Confirm corrections to allow you to approve the correction or uncheck (default) this option to allow the extension to auto-correct.
URL Fixer is about 10K and it's compatible with Firefox 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and be forced to work with 3.0 (via about:config, change extensions.checkCompatibility to false). It also have been nominated extension for a standard feature in Firefox 3.
URL Fixer is a super handy Firefox extension which does the dirty job of fixing these typos for you. It can fix most common typos in both prefix (http:, https:) and suffix part (com, org, net, info.. etc) of a domain name.
Here is how you can take advantage of what this extension has to offer:
1. Open Firefox and go to this address.
2. On the page click the Install now button. This will install the extension.
3. This extension does not have an options panel, instead simply click in the address bar. In the context menu select Confirm corrections to allow you to approve the correction or uncheck (default) this option to allow the extension to auto-correct.
URL Fixer is about 10K and it's compatible with Firefox 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and be forced to work with 3.0 (via about:config, change extensions.checkCompatibility to false). It also have been nominated extension for a standard feature in Firefox 3.
How To Speed Up Opera
Opera is a cross-platform web browser and Internet suite which handles common internet-related tasks including visiting web sites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, chatting online and displaying Widgets.
In addition to the web browser, the other main component in the desktop versions of the Opera suite is the Opera Mail client, previously known as M2. Opera Mail supports regular POP and SMTP mail as well as IMAP. It also has an Address book. Opera Mail also features a newsreader and a newsfeed reader for RSS and Atom, as well as an IRC client for online chat.
Here are a few tricks to speed up Opera:
1. Go to Tools -> Preferences..., click on the Advanced tab and find Network on the left side of the window. Now click Server name completion.
If you uncheck Try name completion and Look for local network machine, Opera will stop cycling your CPU, trying to guess what you're typing in the address bar.
2. To speed up internet browsing in Opera, go to Network under Preferences, and set Max connections to a server to 16, and Max total connections to 20.
This is recommended for Broadband users, such as cable or DSL. If you don't have broadband, set it to something smaller, like 8/16.
3. Users of old computers should probably turn javascript off by default unless a page requires it. This is one of the biggest slowdowns for webpage loading, since Java, and Javascript can be very complex, and take a long time to load. Remember F12 toggles these settings easily and quickly.
4. Put the cache on a drive different to the one your operating system is installed and keep the drives well defragmented. A good idea is to put the cache directory on a flash disk. To put the cache somewhere else, add the following line to the [User Prefs] section of opera6.ini:
Cache Directory4=your\path\here
You can find the opera6.ini file in C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Opera\Opera\profile.
5. Favicons will use resources, if you need absolutely minimal resource usage, turn them off. You can do this by going to Tools -> Preferences... -> Advanced -> Browsing and selecting Show no icons under the Page icons section.
6. Use standard windows skin, and disable special effects, which will save a few CPU cycles.
7. One more thing. You can change the process priority of Opera to get a further enhancement (set to high). Do this only if you are not multitasking with other apps.
In addition to the web browser, the other main component in the desktop versions of the Opera suite is the Opera Mail client, previously known as M2. Opera Mail supports regular POP and SMTP mail as well as IMAP. It also has an Address book. Opera Mail also features a newsreader and a newsfeed reader for RSS and Atom, as well as an IRC client for online chat.
Here are a few tricks to speed up Opera:
1. Go to Tools -> Preferences..., click on the Advanced tab and find Network on the left side of the window. Now click Server name completion.
If you uncheck Try name completion and Look for local network machine, Opera will stop cycling your CPU, trying to guess what you're typing in the address bar.
2. To speed up internet browsing in Opera, go to Network under Preferences, and set Max connections to a server to 16, and Max total connections to 20.
This is recommended for Broadband users, such as cable or DSL. If you don't have broadband, set it to something smaller, like 8/16.
3. Users of old computers should probably turn javascript off by default unless a page requires it. This is one of the biggest slowdowns for webpage loading, since Java, and Javascript can be very complex, and take a long time to load. Remember F12 toggles these settings easily and quickly.
4. Put the cache on a drive different to the one your operating system is installed and keep the drives well defragmented. A good idea is to put the cache directory on a flash disk. To put the cache somewhere else, add the following line to the [User Prefs] section of opera6.ini:
Cache Directory4=your\path\here
You can find the opera6.ini file in C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Opera\Opera\profile.
5. Favicons will use resources, if you need absolutely minimal resource usage, turn them off. You can do this by going to Tools -> Preferences... -> Advanced -> Browsing and selecting Show no icons under the Page icons section.
6. Use standard windows skin, and disable special effects, which will save a few CPU cycles.
7. One more thing. You can change the process priority of Opera to get a further enhancement (set to high). Do this only if you are not multitasking with other apps.
How To Speed Up Windows XP
Windows XP is a line of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers.
Disable services
There are quite a few services you can disable from starting automatically. This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources. Here is a tutorial on which services to disable.
Clear Page File on Shutdown
If you want to clear the page file on each shutdown make the following changes.
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and press OK.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Control -> Session Manager -> Memory Management.
4. Double click the option ClearPageFileAtShutdown and set the value to 1.
5. Reboot your computer for this tweak to take effect.
Increase Graphics Performance
By default, Windows XP has a lot of shadows, fades and other effects turned on. All together slow down your computer. Therefore you might consider giving up on some of them.
To turn these off selectively:
1. Click Start and right click on My Computer.
2. Select Properties and click on the Advanced tab.
3. Under Performance, click on the Settings button.
4. You can turn them all off, by selecting Adjust for best performance. However you might want to customize them on your likes.
Clean the Prefetch Directory
WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs. However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs. Once a month is good to detele them all.
1. Click Start -> Run... and type prefetch.
2. A window will appear. Select all the files and delete them.
Speed the startup of some CD burner programs
If you use a program other than the native Windows XP CD burner software, you might be able to increase the speed that it loads.
1. Go to Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services.
2. Double click on IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service.
3. For the Startup Type, select Disabled.
4. Click the OK button and then close the Services window.
Decrease boot time
Microsoft has made available a program to analyze and decrease the time it takes to boot to Windows XP. The program is called BootVis.
1. Download BootVis.
2. Install BootVis.
3. Run BootVis.
4. For a starting point, run Trace -> Next Boot + Driver Delays. This will reboot your computer and provide a benchmark.
5. After the reboot, BootVis will take a minute or two to show graphs of your system startup.
6. Then run Trace -> Optimize System.
7. Re-Run the Next Boot + Drive Delays. Note how much the time has decreased.
Increase system performance
If you have 512 MB or more of memory, you can increase system performance by having the core system kept in memory.
1. Start Regedit.
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Control -> Session Manager -> Memory Management.
3. Double click DisablePagingExecutive and set the value to be 1.
4. Reboot the computer.
No GUI Boot
If you don't need to see the XP boot logo, you cand have it removed.
1. Click Start -> Run..., type msconfig and hit Enter.
2. Go to the BOOT.INI tab.
3. Check the box for /NOGUIBOOT.
4. Click Apply.
Disable services
There are quite a few services you can disable from starting automatically. This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources. Here is a tutorial on which services to disable.
Clear Page File on Shutdown
If you want to clear the page file on each shutdown make the following changes.
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and press OK.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Control -> Session Manager -> Memory Management.
4. Double click the option ClearPageFileAtShutdown and set the value to 1.
5. Reboot your computer for this tweak to take effect.
Increase Graphics Performance
By default, Windows XP has a lot of shadows, fades and other effects turned on. All together slow down your computer. Therefore you might consider giving up on some of them.
To turn these off selectively:
1. Click Start and right click on My Computer.
2. Select Properties and click on the Advanced tab.
3. Under Performance, click on the Settings button.
4. You can turn them all off, by selecting Adjust for best performance. However you might want to customize them on your likes.
Clean the Prefetch Directory
WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs. However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs. Once a month is good to detele them all.
1. Click Start -> Run... and type prefetch.
2. A window will appear. Select all the files and delete them.
Speed the startup of some CD burner programs
If you use a program other than the native Windows XP CD burner software, you might be able to increase the speed that it loads.
1. Go to Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services.
2. Double click on IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service.
3. For the Startup Type, select Disabled.
4. Click the OK button and then close the Services window.
Decrease boot time
Microsoft has made available a program to analyze and decrease the time it takes to boot to Windows XP. The program is called BootVis.
1. Download BootVis.
2. Install BootVis.
3. Run BootVis.
4. For a starting point, run Trace -> Next Boot + Driver Delays. This will reboot your computer and provide a benchmark.
5. After the reboot, BootVis will take a minute or two to show graphs of your system startup.
6. Then run Trace -> Optimize System.
7. Re-Run the Next Boot + Drive Delays. Note how much the time has decreased.
Increase system performance
If you have 512 MB or more of memory, you can increase system performance by having the core system kept in memory.
1. Start Regedit.
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Control -> Session Manager -> Memory Management.
3. Double click DisablePagingExecutive and set the value to be 1.
4. Reboot the computer.
No GUI Boot
If you don't need to see the XP boot logo, you cand have it removed.
1. Click Start -> Run..., type msconfig and hit Enter.
2. Go to the BOOT.INI tab.
3. Check the box for /NOGUIBOOT.
4. Click Apply.
How To Uninstall Windows Messenger Forever
Windows Messenger was introduced with the release of Windows XP, and is installed and enabled by default. It has a variety of features, such as instant messaging, presence, file transfer, application sharing and whiteboarding. Later versions added ink support and integration with Live Communication Server.
Theoretically, you can get rid of it (as well as a few other things).
1. Open My Computer.
2. Select Tools -> Folder Options.
3. Go to the View tab and check Show hidden files and folders.
4. Now navigate to C:\WINDOWS\inf.
5. In the INF folder, open sysoc.inf. It is a good idea to make a backup copy of this file.
6. Look for the line containing msmsgs in it. Near the end of that particular line, you'll notice that the word hide is not so hidden.
7. Delete hide, so that the flanking commas are left sitting next to one another.
8. Save the file and close it.
9. Now, open the Add or Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel.
10. Click the Add/Remove Windows Components icon.
11. You should see Windows Messenger in that list. Remove the checkmark from its box, and you should be set.
12. Click Next. This should do it.
NOTE: There are other hidden system components in that sysoc.inf file, too. Remove hide and the subsequent programs at your own risk.
Theoretically, you can get rid of it (as well as a few other things).
1. Open My Computer.
2. Select Tools -> Folder Options.
3. Go to the View tab and check Show hidden files and folders.
4. Now navigate to C:\WINDOWS\inf.
5. In the INF folder, open sysoc.inf. It is a good idea to make a backup copy of this file.
6. Look for the line containing msmsgs in it. Near the end of that particular line, you'll notice that the word hide is not so hidden.
7. Delete hide, so that the flanking commas are left sitting next to one another.
8. Save the file and close it.
9. Now, open the Add or Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel.
10. Click the Add/Remove Windows Components icon.
11. You should see Windows Messenger in that list. Remove the checkmark from its box, and you should be set.
12. Click Next. This should do it.
NOTE: There are other hidden system components in that sysoc.inf file, too. Remove hide and the subsequent programs at your own risk.
How To Run Google Talk Directly from Firefox Sidebar
Google has launched on 14 march a new way to use Google Talk.
The Google Talk Gadget is a web-based module that you can add to your Google Personalized Homepage, letting you see your friends and chat with them -- all on your homepage.
There are a few reasons that Google Talk Gadget - Firefox combination is more efficient than the standalone program:
1. There is no need to install any software on your system.
2. Each chat session opens up as a tab (like Firefox browser tabs)
3. You can find all your Gmail and Google Talk contacts organized for you in the Talk Gadget.
4. It looks and feels the same on a Linux desktop as on a Windows laptop, and it also works on Macs. It is portable.
5. If you have a webpage or blog, you can put the Google Talk Gadget in those places too, so your visitors can sign in and start instant messaging right from your page.
6. You can now watch YouTube videos and see Picasa Web Albums photos inside of the Google Talk Gadget anytime someone IMs you a link or sets it as their status message.
Sure you can use this gadget on your google homepage but it's more useful to simply add it to your sidebar.
To add Google Talk Gadget to your Firefox sidebar:
1. Bookmark the following URL (right-click and choose Bookmark this link)
talkgadget.google.com/talkgadget/client
2. Goto Bookmarks menu
3. Navigate to the above bookmark
4. Right click and choose Properties
5. Tick the checkbox that says Load this bookmark in the sidebar
You should see something like this.
That's it.
The Google Talk Gadget is a web-based module that you can add to your Google Personalized Homepage, letting you see your friends and chat with them -- all on your homepage.
There are a few reasons that Google Talk Gadget - Firefox combination is more efficient than the standalone program:
1. There is no need to install any software on your system.
2. Each chat session opens up as a tab (like Firefox browser tabs)
3. You can find all your Gmail and Google Talk contacts organized for you in the Talk Gadget.
4. It looks and feels the same on a Linux desktop as on a Windows laptop, and it also works on Macs. It is portable.
5. If you have a webpage or blog, you can put the Google Talk Gadget in those places too, so your visitors can sign in and start instant messaging right from your page.
6. You can now watch YouTube videos and see Picasa Web Albums photos inside of the Google Talk Gadget anytime someone IMs you a link or sets it as their status message.
Sure you can use this gadget on your google homepage but it's more useful to simply add it to your sidebar.
To add Google Talk Gadget to your Firefox sidebar:
1. Bookmark the following URL (right-click and choose Bookmark this link)
talkgadget.google.com/talkgadget/client
2. Goto Bookmarks menu
3. Navigate to the above bookmark
4. Right click and choose Properties
5. Tick the checkbox that says Load this bookmark in the sidebar
You should see something like this.
That's it.
How To Enable Aurora Boot Screen In Windows Vista
Boot screen is the graphical representation of boot process of the operating system (kernel). The boot screen can be a simple visualisation of the scrolling boot messages in the console, but it can also present graphics or some combinations of both. The default Windows Vista boot screen hasn't got any change from the one in Windows XP. Anyway you can enable a more pleasant boot screen, which Microsoft decided to hide from us.
1. Click Start and type msconfig in the Search Bar. Hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the Boot tab.
3. Check the No GUI boot checkbox.
4. Click Apply, then OK and restart your computer.
5. On boot you should see the new screen, Aurora.
1. Click Start and type msconfig in the Search Bar. Hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the Boot tab.
3. Check the No GUI boot checkbox.
4. Click Apply, then OK and restart your computer.
5. On boot you should see the new screen, Aurora.
How To Install A Wordpress Blog
A blog is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order.
Many blogs focus on a particular topic, such as web design, politics, sports, or mobile technology. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.
In November 2006, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 57 million blogs.
There are many ways to run a blog, but the best way is to run your own software on your own site. Software that provides a method of managing your website is commonly called a CMS or Content Management System.
WordPress is one such advanced blogging tool and it provides a rich set of features. It's being said that you can install your own Wordpress blog in no more than 5 minutes so let's see the steps needed to be taken for this to happen:
1. In order to run your own site the first thing you will need is a web host that has this server specifications in order for Wordpress 2.1 to run smooth:
- PHP version 4.2 or greater
- MySQL version 4.0 or greater
- (Optional) Apache mod_rewrite module
Here are some recommended web hosts.
2. Once you are ready with the thirst step you can go on, download Wordpress and unzip the package into a folder on your hard drive.
3. You will need to create a database on your web server where Wordpress can keep all your information, like comments, posts. Remember the name of the database, because you will need to configure your software in the next steps.
4. And now it's time to configure it. In the folder where you have unzipped Wordpress look for a file named wp-config-sample.php and rename it to wp-config.php.
5. Open wp-config.php with a text editor.
6. Fill in your database details, like the database name, user, password and host.
7. Upload the files on your server using a FTP client like FileZilla.
8. All you have to do now is run the install. Open your browser and type in www.yourdomainname/wp-admin/install.php.
9. Just follow the prompts and that's it! WordPress should now be installed.
Many blogs focus on a particular topic, such as web design, politics, sports, or mobile technology. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.
In November 2006, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 57 million blogs.
There are many ways to run a blog, but the best way is to run your own software on your own site. Software that provides a method of managing your website is commonly called a CMS or Content Management System.
WordPress is one such advanced blogging tool and it provides a rich set of features. It's being said that you can install your own Wordpress blog in no more than 5 minutes so let's see the steps needed to be taken for this to happen:
1. In order to run your own site the first thing you will need is a web host that has this server specifications in order for Wordpress 2.1 to run smooth:
- PHP version 4.2 or greater
- MySQL version 4.0 or greater
- (Optional) Apache mod_rewrite module
Here are some recommended web hosts.
2. Once you are ready with the thirst step you can go on, download Wordpress and unzip the package into a folder on your hard drive.
3. You will need to create a database on your web server where Wordpress can keep all your information, like comments, posts. Remember the name of the database, because you will need to configure your software in the next steps.
4. And now it's time to configure it. In the folder where you have unzipped Wordpress look for a file named wp-config-sample.php and rename it to wp-config.php.
5. Open wp-config.php with a text editor.
6. Fill in your database details, like the database name, user, password and host.
7. Upload the files on your server using a FTP client like FileZilla.
8. All you have to do now is run the install. Open your browser and type in www.yourdomainname/wp-admin/install.php.
9. Just follow the prompts and that's it! WordPress should now be installed.
How To Close Your Laptop Lid Without Putting Your PC on Standby
Sometimes I let my laptop on over the night to download torrents with the lid down.
You may have noticed that by default, if you take the lid down all laptops either go on standby or turn off to save precious battery.
This is a Windows rule which may be overridden:
1. Open Control Panel ( Click Start -> Control Panel )
2. Power Options
3. Click Advanced Tab
4. Select from the drop down menu: Do nothing
That's all.
You may have noticed that by default, if you take the lid down all laptops either go on standby or turn off to save precious battery.
This is a Windows rule which may be overridden:
1. Open Control Panel ( Click Start -> Control Panel )
2. Power Options
3. Click Advanced Tab
4. Select from the drop down menu: Do nothing
That's all.
How To Stop Annoying Sounds From Websites
The most annoying thing a website can do apart from displaying popups is autoplaying audio. Therefore, you can use some extensions to avoid those annoying sounds and not to turn off your speakers, which isn't a very pleasant option.
Note: This works only with the Firefox browser.
Stop Autoplay
Stop Autoplay can disable the autoplay of the embedded music and movie (mp3, wma, wmv, avi, mpg, rm...). To make use of this open Firefox, and install the extension from here. When the installation is complete restart Firefox.
The program has two blocking options:
a) Disable only the autostart of the embedded media. The users can press the play button of the controller to play it.
b) Block the media when loading a page. It will be replaced by a red frame. Press the red frame to load and then play it.
In order to modify between the two options above and others that come with the program, with Firefox opened, go to Tools -> Add-ons. In the new window find Stop Autoplay and click Options.
Flashblock
While Stop Autoplay takes care of the music from webpages, Flashblock is useful in blocking flash animations. But if you want to see it, just click on it. You can install Flashblock from here.
Both extensions have the ability to make whitelists with sites on which you don't want the sound and flash animations to be blocked.
Note: This works only with the Firefox browser.
Stop Autoplay
Stop Autoplay can disable the autoplay of the embedded music and movie (mp3, wma, wmv, avi, mpg, rm...). To make use of this open Firefox, and install the extension from here. When the installation is complete restart Firefox.
The program has two blocking options:
a) Disable only the autostart of the embedded media. The users can press the play button of the controller to play it.
b) Block the media when loading a page. It will be replaced by a red frame. Press the red frame to load and then play it.
In order to modify between the two options above and others that come with the program, with Firefox opened, go to Tools -> Add-ons. In the new window find Stop Autoplay and click Options.
Flashblock
While Stop Autoplay takes care of the music from webpages, Flashblock is useful in blocking flash animations. But if you want to see it, just click on it. You can install Flashblock from here.
Both extensions have the ability to make whitelists with sites on which you don't want the sound and flash animations to be blocked.
How To Make Your HDD Faster
To speed up your hard disk speed you need to configure a special buffer in the computer's memory in order to enable it to better deal with interrupts made from the disk. This tip is only recommended if you have 256MB RAM or higher.
Buffer Configuration
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type sysedit and hit Enter.
This command will open your System Configuration Editor, which has four windows open: SYSTEM.INI, CONFIG.SYS, WIN.INI and AUTOEXEC.BAT.
3. Click on the SYSTEM.INI window, place the cursor after [386enh] and hit Enter.
4. Type Irq14=4096. Make sure you type it correctly because the command is case sensitive.
5. Go to File -> Save in order to save the new configuration.
6. Close the System Configuration Editor and restart you computer. The most speed improvement is visible with IDE drives, however there are reports that this tweak also does good for SCSI disks. In any case, it won't harm your system, so why not try it yourself.
Buffer Configuration
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type sysedit and hit Enter.
This command will open your System Configuration Editor, which has four windows open: SYSTEM.INI, CONFIG.SYS, WIN.INI and AUTOEXEC.BAT.
3. Click on the SYSTEM.INI window, place the cursor after [386enh] and hit Enter.
4. Type Irq14=4096. Make sure you type it correctly because the command is case sensitive.
5. Go to File -> Save in order to save the new configuration.
6. Close the System Configuration Editor and restart you computer. The most speed improvement is visible with IDE drives, however there are reports that this tweak also does good for SCSI disks. In any case, it won't harm your system, so why not try it yourself.
How To Install A CD-ROM/CD-Rewritable
If you want to upgrade your CD-ROM drive, install it on a machine that does not have one or put in a CD burner without having to pay serious money, here is some information that will help you.
Supplies
Before you start digging around in your computer, make sure you have the necessary supplies:
* A CD-ROM drive
* Phillips Screwdriver
* Needlenose Pliers
* Anti-static wrist strap (optional)
Before installation
Unplug your computer and carry the case to a clear space on a table or desk. Remove the screws holding the out shell of your case, and remove out shell. The motherboard and all the insides should be clearly visible. In the top left of the case you should see the power supply, the box with red, yellow and black cables coming out. At the end the wires of the power supply have a connector with 4 pin holes. The ribbons you see are what transfer the data from the drive to the motherboard. Look at your existing setup and look how they connect to the floppy drive etc.
A. Adding a CD-ROM drive(Burner, DVD, or any CD-ROM)
1. Remove the face plate cover on your tower where your CD-ROM will be taking its place.
2. Set the jumper on the back of your new CD-ROM drive to slave if not already set. If there is no diagram refer to manufacturers website for settings.
3. Slide the drive into the open slot in your case.
4. Once your drive is in place look at the IDE ribbon connected to your hard drive and see if there are any free connectors to plug into your CD-ROM. If there are not use the IDE ribbon that came with the drive and connect the CD-ROM to your motherboard.
5. Connect the audio cable (the small one almost like phone cord and jack) to your CD-ROM drive then connect the other end to your audio card.
Note: This is only necessary if you want sound from your CD-ROM.
6. Now connect your power supply connector to your CD-ROM drive. It is a cord that has yellow, black and red wires with a connector on the end.
7. Once everything is connected, screw the drive into place and close up the case and reboot. When the system starts the new piece of hardware should be recognized and the drivers for it should be installed by the operating system.
8. Test it out to make sure its working.
B. Upgrading an existing CD-ROM
1. Remove the existing CD-ROM drive by disconnecting all the cables and power supply.
2. Set the jumper on the back of your new CD-ROM drive to the same settings on your old CD-ROM drive.
3. Slide the drive into the open slot in your case. But do not screw in the screws yet because you might need to slide it around.
4. Once your drive is in place connect the IDE ribbon. You can use the ribbon that came with the new drive.
5. Connect the audio cable to your CD-ROM drive then connect the other end to your audio card.
6. Now its time to connect your power supply connector to your CD-ROM drive. It is a cord that has yellow, black and red wires with a connector on the end.
7. Once everything is connected, screw the drive into place, close up the case and reboot. The new drive should be recognized and the new drivers should be installed when the operating system starts.
8. Test it out to make sure its working.
Supplies
Before you start digging around in your computer, make sure you have the necessary supplies:
* A CD-ROM drive
* Phillips Screwdriver
* Needlenose Pliers
* Anti-static wrist strap (optional)
Before installation
Unplug your computer and carry the case to a clear space on a table or desk. Remove the screws holding the out shell of your case, and remove out shell. The motherboard and all the insides should be clearly visible. In the top left of the case you should see the power supply, the box with red, yellow and black cables coming out. At the end the wires of the power supply have a connector with 4 pin holes. The ribbons you see are what transfer the data from the drive to the motherboard. Look at your existing setup and look how they connect to the floppy drive etc.
A. Adding a CD-ROM drive(Burner, DVD, or any CD-ROM)
1. Remove the face plate cover on your tower where your CD-ROM will be taking its place.
2. Set the jumper on the back of your new CD-ROM drive to slave if not already set. If there is no diagram refer to manufacturers website for settings.
3. Slide the drive into the open slot in your case.
4. Once your drive is in place look at the IDE ribbon connected to your hard drive and see if there are any free connectors to plug into your CD-ROM. If there are not use the IDE ribbon that came with the drive and connect the CD-ROM to your motherboard.
5. Connect the audio cable (the small one almost like phone cord and jack) to your CD-ROM drive then connect the other end to your audio card.
Note: This is only necessary if you want sound from your CD-ROM.
6. Now connect your power supply connector to your CD-ROM drive. It is a cord that has yellow, black and red wires with a connector on the end.
7. Once everything is connected, screw the drive into place and close up the case and reboot. When the system starts the new piece of hardware should be recognized and the drivers for it should be installed by the operating system.
8. Test it out to make sure its working.
B. Upgrading an existing CD-ROM
1. Remove the existing CD-ROM drive by disconnecting all the cables and power supply.
2. Set the jumper on the back of your new CD-ROM drive to the same settings on your old CD-ROM drive.
3. Slide the drive into the open slot in your case. But do not screw in the screws yet because you might need to slide it around.
4. Once your drive is in place connect the IDE ribbon. You can use the ribbon that came with the new drive.
5. Connect the audio cable to your CD-ROM drive then connect the other end to your audio card.
6. Now its time to connect your power supply connector to your CD-ROM drive. It is a cord that has yellow, black and red wires with a connector on the end.
7. Once everything is connected, screw the drive into place, close up the case and reboot. The new drive should be recognized and the new drivers should be installed when the operating system starts.
8. Test it out to make sure its working.
How To Fix Broken Interner Explorer
So you have nuked your Internet Explorer and you do not know how you achieved this. You've eliminated the possibility of viruses and adware, so this just leaves you and a broken Internet Explorer. Before you begin to even consider running a repair install of the operating system , try to do a repair on Internet Explorer instead.
The Repair Process
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Active Setup -> Installed Components -> {89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}.
4. Right click the IsInstalled value. Click Modify.
Change the value from 1 to 0.
5. Reinstall Internet Exprorer from here.
Note: If messing with the registry and something goes horribly wrong, you can use "Last Known Good Configuration (F8 Safe Mode)" or a Restore Point to get back to where you were before, with your settings.
The Repair Process
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Active Setup -> Installed Components -> {89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}.
4. Right click the IsInstalled value. Click Modify.
Change the value from 1 to 0.
5. Reinstall Internet Exprorer from here.
Note: If messing with the registry and something goes horribly wrong, you can use "Last Known Good Configuration (F8 Safe Mode)" or a Restore Point to get back to where you were before, with your settings.
How To Change The Default Location For Installing Apps
As the size of hard drives increase, more people are using partitions to separate and store groups of files.
Microsoft Windows XP uses the C:\Program Files directory as the default base directory into which new programs are installed. However, you can change the default installation drive and/or directory by using a registry hack.
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and click OK.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion.
4. Look for a value named ProgramFilesDir. By default, this value will be C:\Program Files.
5. Edit the value to any valid drive or folder.
Windows XP will use that new location as the default installation directory for new programs.
Microsoft Windows XP uses the C:\Program Files directory as the default base directory into which new programs are installed. However, you can change the default installation drive and/or directory by using a registry hack.
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type regedit and click OK.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion.
4. Look for a value named ProgramFilesDir. By default, this value will be C:\Program Files.
5. Edit the value to any valid drive or folder.
Windows XP will use that new location as the default installation directory for new programs.
How To Run Two Separate Versions of Firefox Simultaneously
Unless you're extremely technical, Internet Explorer is a one-shot affair: either you install it once or you don't install it at all. Firefox is not like that; you can install many versions and related products and pick between them as you see fit.
Mozilla-based browsers do not yet fully support profile sharing between products. Firefox and Thunderbird are a partial exception, since they overlap only in a few profile files, such as the certificate database. If you run two Mozilla products that use the standard profile system and the same profile, it's possible, but not likely, that you will corrupt the profile if you make extensive configuration changes. You could lose your bookmarks and other content.
You can install two separate versions of Firefox and alternate between them. By default, you can't run them in parallel on Windows. If you start Firefox version A while Firefox version B is already running, all you get is another version B browser window.
However, there's no problem of this sort on Unix/Linux.
Solution
1. To put this hack in place, first grab a free Windows executable editor, such as Resource Hacker or XN Resource Editor.
2. Next, locate the Firefox binary firefox.exe in the install area.
3. Open it with your editor and drill down to the 102 and 103 entries in the StringTable section.
4. Change these values to an alternate value, such as Myfirefox.
5. Choose Compile Script and select File -> Save.
6. Now you're ready to start up the modified Firefox. Just run it as normal.
Mozilla-based browsers do not yet fully support profile sharing between products. Firefox and Thunderbird are a partial exception, since they overlap only in a few profile files, such as the certificate database. If you run two Mozilla products that use the standard profile system and the same profile, it's possible, but not likely, that you will corrupt the profile if you make extensive configuration changes. You could lose your bookmarks and other content.
You can install two separate versions of Firefox and alternate between them. By default, you can't run them in parallel on Windows. If you start Firefox version A while Firefox version B is already running, all you get is another version B browser window.
However, there's no problem of this sort on Unix/Linux.
Solution
1. To put this hack in place, first grab a free Windows executable editor, such as Resource Hacker or XN Resource Editor.
2. Next, locate the Firefox binary firefox.exe in the install area.
3. Open it with your editor and drill down to the 102 and 103 entries in the StringTable section.
4. Change these values to an alternate value, such as Myfirefox.
5. Choose Compile Script and select File -> Save.
6. Now you're ready to start up the modified Firefox. Just run it as normal.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How To Create And Use A Restore Point in Windows Vista
System Restore is a component of Microsoft's Windows Me, Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems that allows for the rolling back of system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc., to a previous state in the event of a failure. In Windows Vista, System Restore features an improved interface. Here are the steps to take to create a system restore point and use one already created.
Create restore point
1. Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools and click System Restore.
2. Now you will have to click Open System Protection.
3. Check the box next to the partition you want to make a restore point to and click Apply.
4. Now in order to make a system restore point click Create....
5. Give a description for the restore point to help you identify it later. When finished click Create.
6. The operating system will create the restore point for you.
Click OK.
Use restore point
1. Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools and click System Restore.
2. Click Next.
3. Select the restore point you want.
Click Next.
4. At this screen by clicking Finish you will confirm your restore point. System Restore will restart your computer to apply the changes.
Creating a system restore point before you load new or beta drivers for one of your peripherals can save you time and headaches if that driver happens to crash the system to an unbootable state. Some misbehaving applications can cause the same problem.
Create restore point
1. Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools and click System Restore.
2. Now you will have to click Open System Protection.
3. Check the box next to the partition you want to make a restore point to and click Apply.
4. Now in order to make a system restore point click Create....
5. Give a description for the restore point to help you identify it later. When finished click Create.
6. The operating system will create the restore point for you.
Click OK.
Use restore point
1. Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools and click System Restore.
2. Click Next.
3. Select the restore point you want.
Click Next.
4. At this screen by clicking Finish you will confirm your restore point. System Restore will restart your computer to apply the changes.
Creating a system restore point before you load new or beta drivers for one of your peripherals can save you time and headaches if that driver happens to crash the system to an unbootable state. Some misbehaving applications can cause the same problem.
How To Download YouTube Movies
YouTube is a popular free video sharing website which lets users upload, view, and share video clips. Videos can be rated, the average rating and the number of times a video has been watched are both published.
If you are using Firefox as your default browser you can accomplish this by installing an extension. UnPlug ( https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2254 ) is an extension which lets you save video and audio which is embedded on a webpage. Install the extension and when you are on a page with a movie that you want to save just go to Tools -> UnPlug and download the movie.
In case you are not a Firefox user and want to have a movie from YouTube on your computer follow the steps and you will accomplish just that:
1. Download the free tool iTube ( http://www.benjaminstrahs.com/download/iTube_Setup.exe ) and install it.
2. Open iTube and select File -> Options.
3. Under the Save Movies To: field enter the path where you want to save the movie. You have the option to convert the file either to use it with your iPod or to MPEG for everyday use on your computer. So select which option suites you better. If you want to put the movie on your iPod make sure the option Import Converted Files Into iTunes is checked.
Note: If you do not have iTunes installed make sure this options isn't checked because the program will prompt you with an error. Still the download will be finished successfully.
When you have finished, click OK.
4. Now enter the YouTube URL of the movie in the Page URL field.
5. Click Go!.
6. The program will initialize.
And start the download of the flv movie on your hard drive.
7. When the download is over it will convert the movie according to what you had selected at the third step.
Note: To be able to download movies from other sites like Google Video or Metacafe you need additional handlers. A list of handlers can be found here. Download the handler you want, install it and now you can enter in URLs from the new site, iTube taking care of the rest. You can see what handlers are already installed by selecting File -> Supported Sites.
If you are using Firefox as your default browser you can accomplish this by installing an extension. UnPlug ( https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2254 ) is an extension which lets you save video and audio which is embedded on a webpage. Install the extension and when you are on a page with a movie that you want to save just go to Tools -> UnPlug and download the movie.
In case you are not a Firefox user and want to have a movie from YouTube on your computer follow the steps and you will accomplish just that:
1. Download the free tool iTube ( http://www.benjaminstrahs.com/download/iTube_Setup.exe ) and install it.
2. Open iTube and select File -> Options.
3. Under the Save Movies To: field enter the path where you want to save the movie. You have the option to convert the file either to use it with your iPod or to MPEG for everyday use on your computer. So select which option suites you better. If you want to put the movie on your iPod make sure the option Import Converted Files Into iTunes is checked.
Note: If you do not have iTunes installed make sure this options isn't checked because the program will prompt you with an error. Still the download will be finished successfully.
When you have finished, click OK.
4. Now enter the YouTube URL of the movie in the Page URL field.
5. Click Go!.
6. The program will initialize.
And start the download of the flv movie on your hard drive.
7. When the download is over it will convert the movie according to what you had selected at the third step.
Note: To be able to download movies from other sites like Google Video or Metacafe you need additional handlers. A list of handlers can be found here. Download the handler you want, install it and now you can enter in URLs from the new site, iTube taking care of the rest. You can see what handlers are already installed by selecting File -> Supported Sites.
How To Create New Document For Office Mobile Standard Users
With the new Windows Mobile release, standard users do not have the option to create new documents on their mobile devices using the Office Mobile Suite. However, this is not a tragic situation because here is a simple solution that comes to get around this idea from Microsoft not to allow creation.
Note: For this to work you will have to use any version of Microsoft Office except Microsoft Office 2007, which for the time being does not support Office Mobile for Windows Mobile Standard.
1. Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
2. Click File -> Save as...
3. In the File Name field enter New Word Doc.dot and click Save.
4. Using Windows Explorer browse to where you have just saved the file.
5. Right click it and select Properties.
6. At the bottom of the window check the box next to where it says Read-Only. Now click OK.
7. Connect your Windows Mobile device to your comptuer.
8. Now you will have to browse to the \My Documents folder on the device and copy the file from your hard drive to this folder.
9. Launch Word on your Windows Mobile device.
10. Select New Word Doc from the open menu. Here is your blank new word document.
11. Press Menu -> Edit so you can type in the document.
Since the original file is marked as Read-Only you won't be allowed to save over it, and therefore it will prompt you to save the document before closing the application.
Note: For this to work you will have to use any version of Microsoft Office except Microsoft Office 2007, which for the time being does not support Office Mobile for Windows Mobile Standard.
1. Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
2. Click File -> Save as...
3. In the File Name field enter New Word Doc.dot and click Save.
4. Using Windows Explorer browse to where you have just saved the file.
5. Right click it and select Properties.
6. At the bottom of the window check the box next to where it says Read-Only. Now click OK.
7. Connect your Windows Mobile device to your comptuer.
8. Now you will have to browse to the \My Documents folder on the device and copy the file from your hard drive to this folder.
9. Launch Word on your Windows Mobile device.
10. Select New Word Doc from the open menu. Here is your blank new word document.
11. Press Menu -> Edit so you can type in the document.
Since the original file is marked as Read-Only you won't be allowed to save over it, and therefore it will prompt you to save the document before closing the application.
How To Shut Down XP Faster
Windows XP is a line of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers.
To shut down Windows XP faster you need to do some changes in your registry.
1. Click Start menu button -> Run...
2. Type in regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Control Panel -> Desktop.
4. Now you must look for HungAppTimeout and WaitToKillAppTimeout. Make sure that HungAppTimeout is set to 5000.
5. Double click WaitToKillAppTimeout and set its value to 4000.
Click OK.
5. Now navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Control.
6. Double click WaitToKillServiceTimeout and set its value to 4000.
Click OK.
7. Restart your computer and next time you shut down it will be a lot faster.
To shut down Windows XP faster you need to do some changes in your registry.
1. Click Start menu button -> Run...
2. Type in regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Control Panel -> Desktop.
4. Now you must look for HungAppTimeout and WaitToKillAppTimeout. Make sure that HungAppTimeout is set to 5000.
5. Double click WaitToKillAppTimeout and set its value to 4000.
Click OK.
5. Now navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Control.
6. Double click WaitToKillServiceTimeout and set its value to 4000.
Click OK.
7. Restart your computer and next time you shut down it will be a lot faster.
How To Install Windows XP Professional Better
The most important things when planning to install Windows XP Professional:
-Check System Requirements
-Check Hardware and Software Compatibility
-Determine Disk Partitioning Options
-Choose the Appropriate File System: FAT, FAT32, NTFS
-Decide on a Workgroup or Domain Installation
The most popular methods you can install Windows XP are:
-Boot from CD - No existing partition is required.
-Boot from the Setup Boot Disks, then insert the CD - No existing partition is required.
-Run an already installed operating system, insert the CD in the drive and choose setup.exe to upgrade yours system.
We will choose in this example the first method using a bootable CD with Windows XP
1. Start your computer and insert the XP disk.
Note: If your computer supports booting from a CD you may need to change the BIOS startup options. The key you press to access the BIOS may differ depending on the make of your computer. Most use the DELETE key, if not then it will be one of the FUNCTION keys (F1, F2, etc.) Save changes and exit. If your computer does not support booting from CD then insert the first Windows XP floppy disk.
2. You will be asked to press F6 if you need to install any third-party or RAID drivers.
3. If you want, you can press F2 to run the ASR sequence. This is a new XP feature that lets you recover non-booting systems from XP Setup.
4. Setup will load all the needed files and drivers.
5. Now setup begins. In this step, you can set up XP, launch the Recovery Console, or quit. Press ENTER to continue Setup, and it will examine your hard drives and removable disks.
6. Read the licensing agreement and press F8 if you accept it.
7. Select or create the partition on which you will install Windows XP Professional. If you have one disk, but would like to create two partitions, one for XP and one for your data, you can do that here.
8. Select the file system. Windows XP Professional supports the NTFS file system in addition to the file allocation table (FAT) and FAT32 file systems. It is best to format the partition using NTFS and you shouldn\'t use the Quick option.
9. After the format of the partition is finished, Setup will then begin copying necessary files.
Note: If you began the installation process from an MS-DOS floppy, make sure you have and run SMARTDRV from the floppy, otherwise the copying process will probably last more than an hour, perhaps even more. With SMARTDRV the copying will probably last a few minutes.
When the file copy is complete, Setup will initialize and save your XP configuration.
It will then reboot your PC. At this point if you had a floppy in the drive then remove it.
10. When the system reboots, you will probably see the Press any key to boot from CD message again. If this happens, do not press a key. Setup will now boot from your C: drive. In the event that you cannot prevent the CD-based Setup from reloading, eject the CD and reboot. Setup will ask for the CD when needed.
11. The installation continues in graphical mode. Device drivers will be loaded based upon what the setup program finds on your computer.
12. Setup will ask for Regional and Language Options that will be used by XP. The default is U.S., English. To change this click Customize. At this screen you can change the text input language by clicking Details. When done click Next.
13. Now type your Name and Organization. Click Next.
14. Your CD shipped with a Product Key. Enter it now and then click Next.
15. Enter a computer name and password for the local Administrator account. Setup generates a random name for your PC, but it's always nasty looking, so it is recommended to rename it to something more logical. Click Next to continue.
16. Select the date, time, and time zone settings. When ready click Next to continue.
17. Setup will now install the networking components.
After a few seconds you will receive the Networking Settings window, where you can choose to keep the default settings (recommended) or enter custom settings. Click Next to continue.
18. In the Workgroup or Domain window enter the name of your workgroup or domain. If you are a stand-alone computer, or if you don't know what to enter, or if you don't have the sufficient rights to join a domain - leave the default entry selected and press Next.
19. Next the setup process will finish copying files and configuring the installation. You do not need to do anything.
20. After the copying and configuring phase is finished, you will see the XP splash screen on first boot.
21. Windows XP will setup your monitor resolution and then the final part of the setup process will start.
Click Next at the first screen.
22. Select Help protect my PC by Turning Automatic Updates now and click Next to continue.
23. Click Skip so that your Internet connectivity won't be checked.
24. Select one of the two options depending if you want or not to register online your copy of Windows XP with Microsoft.
25. Type in the names of the users that will use the computer and click Next to continue.
26. Click Finish to complete the installation process.
Install Windows XP Professional Better
27. That is it. You are done!
-Check System Requirements
-Check Hardware and Software Compatibility
-Determine Disk Partitioning Options
-Choose the Appropriate File System: FAT, FAT32, NTFS
-Decide on a Workgroup or Domain Installation
The most popular methods you can install Windows XP are:
-Boot from CD - No existing partition is required.
-Boot from the Setup Boot Disks, then insert the CD - No existing partition is required.
-Run an already installed operating system, insert the CD in the drive and choose setup.exe to upgrade yours system.
We will choose in this example the first method using a bootable CD with Windows XP
1. Start your computer and insert the XP disk.
Note: If your computer supports booting from a CD you may need to change the BIOS startup options. The key you press to access the BIOS may differ depending on the make of your computer. Most use the DELETE key, if not then it will be one of the FUNCTION keys (F1, F2, etc.) Save changes and exit. If your computer does not support booting from CD then insert the first Windows XP floppy disk.
2. You will be asked to press F6 if you need to install any third-party or RAID drivers.
3. If you want, you can press F2 to run the ASR sequence. This is a new XP feature that lets you recover non-booting systems from XP Setup.
4. Setup will load all the needed files and drivers.
5. Now setup begins. In this step, you can set up XP, launch the Recovery Console, or quit. Press ENTER to continue Setup, and it will examine your hard drives and removable disks.
6. Read the licensing agreement and press F8 if you accept it.
7. Select or create the partition on which you will install Windows XP Professional. If you have one disk, but would like to create two partitions, one for XP and one for your data, you can do that here.
8. Select the file system. Windows XP Professional supports the NTFS file system in addition to the file allocation table (FAT) and FAT32 file systems. It is best to format the partition using NTFS and you shouldn\'t use the Quick option.
9. After the format of the partition is finished, Setup will then begin copying necessary files.
Note: If you began the installation process from an MS-DOS floppy, make sure you have and run SMARTDRV from the floppy, otherwise the copying process will probably last more than an hour, perhaps even more. With SMARTDRV the copying will probably last a few minutes.
When the file copy is complete, Setup will initialize and save your XP configuration.
It will then reboot your PC. At this point if you had a floppy in the drive then remove it.
10. When the system reboots, you will probably see the Press any key to boot from CD message again. If this happens, do not press a key. Setup will now boot from your C: drive. In the event that you cannot prevent the CD-based Setup from reloading, eject the CD and reboot. Setup will ask for the CD when needed.
11. The installation continues in graphical mode. Device drivers will be loaded based upon what the setup program finds on your computer.
12. Setup will ask for Regional and Language Options that will be used by XP. The default is U.S., English. To change this click Customize. At this screen you can change the text input language by clicking Details. When done click Next.
13. Now type your Name and Organization. Click Next.
14. Your CD shipped with a Product Key. Enter it now and then click Next.
15. Enter a computer name and password for the local Administrator account. Setup generates a random name for your PC, but it's always nasty looking, so it is recommended to rename it to something more logical. Click Next to continue.
16. Select the date, time, and time zone settings. When ready click Next to continue.
17. Setup will now install the networking components.
After a few seconds you will receive the Networking Settings window, where you can choose to keep the default settings (recommended) or enter custom settings. Click Next to continue.
18. In the Workgroup or Domain window enter the name of your workgroup or domain. If you are a stand-alone computer, or if you don't know what to enter, or if you don't have the sufficient rights to join a domain - leave the default entry selected and press Next.
19. Next the setup process will finish copying files and configuring the installation. You do not need to do anything.
20. After the copying and configuring phase is finished, you will see the XP splash screen on first boot.
21. Windows XP will setup your monitor resolution and then the final part of the setup process will start.
Click Next at the first screen.
22. Select Help protect my PC by Turning Automatic Updates now and click Next to continue.
23. Click Skip so that your Internet connectivity won't be checked.
24. Select one of the two options depending if you want or not to register online your copy of Windows XP with Microsoft.
25. Type in the names of the users that will use the computer and click Next to continue.
26. Click Finish to complete the installation process.
Install Windows XP Professional Better
27. That is it. You are done!
How To Disable Windows XP Professional Services And Which Ones
When you install any Windows it will immediately be running multiple services. A Windows service is an application that starts when Windows is booted and runs in the background as long as Windows is running. It is very similar in concept to a Unix daemon.
In Windows Vista, users can also manipulate services through a simpler interface in MSConfig.
Before you continue with this create a restore point. If something goes wrong this will be the easiest way to return the unit back to the way it was.
Now you will have to launch the Services Utility. To do this click Start -> Run.... Type services.msc and hit Enter.
This will popup your Services Utility.
Double click a service from the list to view it's status.
Under the Startup type you have three options: Automatic, Manual and Disabled. From here, you can disable and enable services that run on your computer.
Below is a complete list of the default System Services.
Alerter
Description: Notifies users of administrative alerts. Not required under normal circumstances.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Application Layer Gateway Service
Description: Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Windows Firewall.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Application Management
Description: Used when you modify an application i.e. Add/Remove.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
ASP.NET State Service
Description: Provides support for out-of-process session states for ASP.NET. If this service is stopped, out-of-process requests will not be processed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic if you use ASP.NET programming
Automatic Updates Service
Description: Enables the download and installation of Windows updates. If this service is disabled, this computer will not be able to use the Automatic Updates feature or the Windows Update Web site.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Description: Service used to transfer asynchronous data via http1.1 servers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
ClipBook
Description: Used to store information (cut/paste) and share it with other computers.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
COM+ Event System
Description: One of the support files that you'll probably never have any use for, but if you disable it, the warning notices you receive are worse than leaving it enabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
COM+ System Application
Description: Basically, this is the application that controls COM+ Event System. One of the support files that you'll probably never have any use for, but if you disable it, the warning notices you receive are worse than leaving it enabled. Disabling this service will generate Event Log entries noting it isn't running. An annoyance, but not harmful.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Computer Browser
Description: Maintains a listing of computers located on the network. This service is not needed on a standalone system.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Cryptographic Services
Description: Mainly, it confirms signatures of Windows files. You may always get a dialog box complaining about uncertified drivers if this is Disabled. Required for Windows Update to function in manual mode.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Manual
DCOM Server Process Launcher
Description: Provides launch functionality for DCOM services.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
DHCP Client
Description: Receives a Dynamic IP address from your DHCP server. Required for ICS/internet client and also if you run IPSEC, disable on a standalone system or one that has a static IP address.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Description: Maintains links with NTFS files within your computer or across a domain.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Description: Takes care of transactions that span multiple resources. Required if using Message Queuing.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
DNS Client
Description: Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Error Reporting
Description: Calls home to Microsoft when application errors occurs. A waste of memory and resources.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Event Log
Description: Allows Event Log messages from applications to be viewed in Event Viewer. Always helpful to check out the Event Log to see what problems with applications are popping up that is hidden from the normal user. Windows Management Instrumentation also Requires Event Log Service to be running.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Fast User Switching Compatibility
Description: Unless you have many users on a system (more than 3), you probably do not even need this service to be running.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Help and Support
Description: Required for Microsoft online help documents.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Human Interface Device Access
Description: Used for specific peripherals.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Manual
HTTP SSL
Description: Another added security provision for sites that make use of HTTPS such as banking and e-commerce sites. Set it to Manual and it will kick in when needed.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
IMAPI CD-Burning COM
Description: Used for that drag and drop CD burn capability. You will need this service to burn CD's.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Indexing Service
Description: Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Internet Connection - Firewall (ICF) / Sharing (ICS)
Description: Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic
IPSEC Services
Description: Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver. May be required on some domains, but the average user will not need this.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Logical Disk Manager
Description: Essential to managing and updating the hard drives. Works in conjunction with Disk Management plug-in in Microsoft Management Console.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Logical Disk Manager Administrative
Description: Works in concert with Logical Disk Manager, but can be set to Manual and it will be started and stopped as stated above.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Machine Debug Manager
Description: Manages local and remote debugging for Visual Studio debuggers
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled unless you use a visual studio like VB 6 enterprise or .NET.
Messenger
Description: Sends messages between clients and servers. Not needed under normal home conditions.
This has nothing to do with MSN Messenger.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
Description: Used in conjunction with the Volume Shadow Copy Service. MS Backup uses these services. You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Net Logon
Description: Domain Authentication, used when you log into the Domain. No domain? No Net Logon needed in spite of the way the name sounds.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Description: Makes it possible for a remote user with NetMeeting to access your computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Network Connections
Description: Basically, it controls the network and your ability to connect to the internet via Dial-Up.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Network DDE
Description: Unless you use remote ClipBook, Disable it.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Network DDE DSDM
Description: Unless you use remote ClipBook, Disable it.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Description: A part of the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) component.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Network Provisioning Service
Description: Manages XML configuration files on a domain basis for automatic network provisioning.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
NT LM Security Support Provider
Description: Not needed unless you are running Message Queuing or Telnet server.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Performance Logs and Alerts
Description: Another way to monitor system performance. If the box and network stats interest you, set this to Manual. If ignorance is bliss, Disabled is the way to go.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Plug and Play
Description: This is the automatic discovery of devices attached to your computer.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Portable Media Serial Number Service
Description: Retrieves serial numbers from portable music players connected to your computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Print Spooler
Description: Queues up print jobs for later printing. This service is Required if you have printers, even if they are network printers.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Protected Storage
Description: Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
QoS RSVP
Description: Provides traffic control on a network using IPSEC and applications that support QoS. The QoS Packet Driver is installed by default on any TCP/IP connections.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Description: Creates a connection to a network when a program requests a remote address.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Remote Access Connection Manager
Description: Creates a network connection. This service is Required if you use Internet Connection Sharing. This service may also be Required for your Internet connection.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Description: Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box. If you're a Remote Desktop user, keep this enabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Description: This service is rather Vital. Just about everything depends on this service to be running. This is also the only service that you can not disable via the Services MMC.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
Description: Manages the RPC name service database.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Remote Registry
Description: Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Removable Storage
Description: Used for managing removable media. Disable this service if you do not have items like tape backup devices, etc.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Routing and Remote Access
Description: Allows LAN and WAN dial in access to the computer.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Script Blocking
Description: Script Blocking stops script-based viruses.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Secondary Logon
Description: Enables starting processes under alternate credentials.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Security Accounts Manager
Description: Like Protected Storage, it saves security information for local users. This service is Required for IIS Admin.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled unless needed
Security Center
Description: Monitors system security settings and configurations.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Server
Description: Provides basic file and print services on the LAN.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Shell Hardware Detection
Description: Testing shows that it's related to AutoPlay functionality such as digital cameras, CD ROM's
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Smart Card
Description: Supports the use of a Smart Card for local or network computer authentication. If you do not have a Smart Card, you do not need this service running.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Smart Card Helper
Description: Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
SSDP Discovery Service
Description: Used to locate UPnP devices on your home network. Used in conjunction with Universal Plug and Play Device Host, it detects and configures UPnP devices on your home network.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
System Event Notification
Description: Used in conjunction with COM+ Event System, this service notifies particular services when system events, such as logon and power events occurs. You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
System Restore Service
Description: Allows you to take a snapshot of your system and then roll it back to that particular point in time.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Task Scheduler
Description: This service is used to schedule maintenance, MS Backup sessions or maybe even Auto Update.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Description: Service Legacy support for NetBios over TCP/IP. If your network does not use NetBios, disable this function.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Telephony
Description: Controls telephony devices on the local computer. This service is Required for dial-up modem connectivity.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled, Automatic if you require dial-up connectivity
Terminal Services
Description: Allows remote login to the local computer. This service is Required for Fast User Switching, Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Telnet
Description: Allows remote login to the local computer via the telnet function.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Themes
Description: Provides user experience theme management.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Description: Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Description: Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Upload Manager
Description: Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Volume Shadow Copy
Description: Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
WebClient
Description: Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Windows Audio
Description: Controls all audio functions.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Description: Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Description: Used for some scanners and cameras.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Windows Installer
Description: This service is required for software applications that install using MSI files.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Windows Management Instrumentation
Description: If you don't want your computer to work, set this to Disabled.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Description: Provides systems management information to and from drivers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Windows Time
Description: If you like to synchronize your clock to a time server this is the way to go.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Wireless Zero Configuration
Description: Automatic configuration for wireless network devices. If you do not have any wireless network devices in use, Disable this service.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
WMI Performance Adapter
Description: Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Workstation
Description: Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
In Windows Vista, users can also manipulate services through a simpler interface in MSConfig.
Before you continue with this create a restore point. If something goes wrong this will be the easiest way to return the unit back to the way it was.
Now you will have to launch the Services Utility. To do this click Start -> Run.... Type services.msc and hit Enter.
This will popup your Services Utility.
Double click a service from the list to view it's status.
Under the Startup type you have three options: Automatic, Manual and Disabled. From here, you can disable and enable services that run on your computer.
Below is a complete list of the default System Services.
Alerter
Description: Notifies users of administrative alerts. Not required under normal circumstances.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Application Layer Gateway Service
Description: Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Windows Firewall.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Application Management
Description: Used when you modify an application i.e. Add/Remove.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
ASP.NET State Service
Description: Provides support for out-of-process session states for ASP.NET. If this service is stopped, out-of-process requests will not be processed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic if you use ASP.NET programming
Automatic Updates Service
Description: Enables the download and installation of Windows updates. If this service is disabled, this computer will not be able to use the Automatic Updates feature or the Windows Update Web site.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Description: Service used to transfer asynchronous data via http1.1 servers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
ClipBook
Description: Used to store information (cut/paste) and share it with other computers.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
COM+ Event System
Description: One of the support files that you'll probably never have any use for, but if you disable it, the warning notices you receive are worse than leaving it enabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
COM+ System Application
Description: Basically, this is the application that controls COM+ Event System. One of the support files that you'll probably never have any use for, but if you disable it, the warning notices you receive are worse than leaving it enabled. Disabling this service will generate Event Log entries noting it isn't running. An annoyance, but not harmful.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Computer Browser
Description: Maintains a listing of computers located on the network. This service is not needed on a standalone system.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Cryptographic Services
Description: Mainly, it confirms signatures of Windows files. You may always get a dialog box complaining about uncertified drivers if this is Disabled. Required for Windows Update to function in manual mode.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Manual
DCOM Server Process Launcher
Description: Provides launch functionality for DCOM services.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
DHCP Client
Description: Receives a Dynamic IP address from your DHCP server. Required for ICS/internet client and also if you run IPSEC, disable on a standalone system or one that has a static IP address.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Description: Maintains links with NTFS files within your computer or across a domain.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Description: Takes care of transactions that span multiple resources. Required if using Message Queuing.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
DNS Client
Description: Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Error Reporting
Description: Calls home to Microsoft when application errors occurs. A waste of memory and resources.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Event Log
Description: Allows Event Log messages from applications to be viewed in Event Viewer. Always helpful to check out the Event Log to see what problems with applications are popping up that is hidden from the normal user. Windows Management Instrumentation also Requires Event Log Service to be running.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Fast User Switching Compatibility
Description: Unless you have many users on a system (more than 3), you probably do not even need this service to be running.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Help and Support
Description: Required for Microsoft online help documents.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Human Interface Device Access
Description: Used for specific peripherals.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Manual
HTTP SSL
Description: Another added security provision for sites that make use of HTTPS such as banking and e-commerce sites. Set it to Manual and it will kick in when needed.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
IMAPI CD-Burning COM
Description: Used for that drag and drop CD burn capability. You will need this service to burn CD's.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Indexing Service
Description: Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Internet Connection - Firewall (ICF) / Sharing (ICS)
Description: Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic
IPSEC Services
Description: Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver. May be required on some domains, but the average user will not need this.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Logical Disk Manager
Description: Essential to managing and updating the hard drives. Works in conjunction with Disk Management plug-in in Microsoft Management Console.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Logical Disk Manager Administrative
Description: Works in concert with Logical Disk Manager, but can be set to Manual and it will be started and stopped as stated above.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Machine Debug Manager
Description: Manages local and remote debugging for Visual Studio debuggers
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled unless you use a visual studio like VB 6 enterprise or .NET.
Messenger
Description: Sends messages between clients and servers. Not needed under normal home conditions.
This has nothing to do with MSN Messenger.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
Description: Used in conjunction with the Volume Shadow Copy Service. MS Backup uses these services. You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Net Logon
Description: Domain Authentication, used when you log into the Domain. No domain? No Net Logon needed in spite of the way the name sounds.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Description: Makes it possible for a remote user with NetMeeting to access your computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Network Connections
Description: Basically, it controls the network and your ability to connect to the internet via Dial-Up.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Network DDE
Description: Unless you use remote ClipBook, Disable it.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Network DDE DSDM
Description: Unless you use remote ClipBook, Disable it.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Description: A part of the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) component.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Network Provisioning Service
Description: Manages XML configuration files on a domain basis for automatic network provisioning.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
NT LM Security Support Provider
Description: Not needed unless you are running Message Queuing or Telnet server.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Performance Logs and Alerts
Description: Another way to monitor system performance. If the box and network stats interest you, set this to Manual. If ignorance is bliss, Disabled is the way to go.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Plug and Play
Description: This is the automatic discovery of devices attached to your computer.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Portable Media Serial Number Service
Description: Retrieves serial numbers from portable music players connected to your computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Print Spooler
Description: Queues up print jobs for later printing. This service is Required if you have printers, even if they are network printers.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Protected Storage
Description: Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
QoS RSVP
Description: Provides traffic control on a network using IPSEC and applications that support QoS. The QoS Packet Driver is installed by default on any TCP/IP connections.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Description: Creates a connection to a network when a program requests a remote address.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Remote Access Connection Manager
Description: Creates a network connection. This service is Required if you use Internet Connection Sharing. This service may also be Required for your Internet connection.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Description: Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box. If you're a Remote Desktop user, keep this enabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Description: This service is rather Vital. Just about everything depends on this service to be running. This is also the only service that you can not disable via the Services MMC.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
Description: Manages the RPC name service database.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Remote Registry
Description: Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Removable Storage
Description: Used for managing removable media. Disable this service if you do not have items like tape backup devices, etc.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Routing and Remote Access
Description: Allows LAN and WAN dial in access to the computer.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Script Blocking
Description: Script Blocking stops script-based viruses.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Secondary Logon
Description: Enables starting processes under alternate credentials.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Security Accounts Manager
Description: Like Protected Storage, it saves security information for local users. This service is Required for IIS Admin.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled unless needed
Security Center
Description: Monitors system security settings and configurations.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Server
Description: Provides basic file and print services on the LAN.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Shell Hardware Detection
Description: Testing shows that it's related to AutoPlay functionality such as digital cameras, CD ROM's
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Smart Card
Description: Supports the use of a Smart Card for local or network computer authentication. If you do not have a Smart Card, you do not need this service running.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Smart Card Helper
Description: Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
SSDP Discovery Service
Description: Used to locate UPnP devices on your home network. Used in conjunction with Universal Plug and Play Device Host, it detects and configures UPnP devices on your home network.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
System Event Notification
Description: Used in conjunction with COM+ Event System, this service notifies particular services when system events, such as logon and power events occurs. You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
System Restore Service
Description: Allows you to take a snapshot of your system and then roll it back to that particular point in time.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Task Scheduler
Description: This service is used to schedule maintenance, MS Backup sessions or maybe even Auto Update.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Description: Service Legacy support for NetBios over TCP/IP. If your network does not use NetBios, disable this function.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Telephony
Description: Controls telephony devices on the local computer. This service is Required for dial-up modem connectivity.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled, Automatic if you require dial-up connectivity
Terminal Services
Description: Allows remote login to the local computer. This service is Required for Fast User Switching, Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Telnet
Description: Allows remote login to the local computer via the telnet function.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Themes
Description: Provides user experience theme management.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Description: Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Description: Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Upload Manager
Description: Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Volume Shadow Copy
Description: Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
WebClient
Description: Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Windows Audio
Description: Controls all audio functions.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Description: Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Description: Used for some scanners and cameras.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Windows Installer
Description: This service is required for software applications that install using MSI files.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Windows Management Instrumentation
Description: If you don't want your computer to work, set this to Disabled.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Description: Provides systems management information to and from drivers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual
Windows Time
Description: If you like to synchronize your clock to a time server this is the way to go.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Wireless Zero Configuration
Description: Automatic configuration for wireless network devices. If you do not have any wireless network devices in use, Disable this service.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled
WMI Performance Adapter
Description: Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled
Workstation
Description: Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic
How To Speed Up Network Browsing
It seems that communication between network computers under Windows has some lacks slowing down browsing. Here are some things that you can do in order to speed up the network browsing.
Note: Because the tricks require registry editing, make sure you backup the registry before you edit it.
Click Start -> Run...
Type regedit.
Hit Enter.
Disable Scheduled Task and Printer Checking
By default, a Windows XP machine connecting to a Windows 95/98/Me computer will search for scheduled tasks or enabled printers on the network computer.
1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Explorer -> RemoteComputer -> NameSpace.
2. Find a key named {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}.
3. Right click on it and delete it.
4. Find a key named {2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}.
5. Right click on it and delete it.
Raise the threshold level for the requested buffer
1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Services -> lanmanworkstation -> parameters.
2. Right click in the right pane and select New -> DWORD Value.
3. Name this value SizReqBuf and provide a decimal value of 16384.
Increase Network Redirector Buffers
1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Services -> lanmanworkstation -> parameters.
2. Right click in the right pane and select New -> DWORD Value.
3. Name this MaxCmds and give it a value between 0 and 255. It is recommended to choose the value of 64.
4. Right click in the right pane and select New -> DWORD Value.
5. Name this MaxThreads and give it the exact value as MaxCmds.
Now in order the settings to take effect you will have to restart the computer.
Note: Because the tricks require registry editing, make sure you backup the registry before you edit it.
Click Start -> Run...
Type regedit.
Hit Enter.
Disable Scheduled Task and Printer Checking
By default, a Windows XP machine connecting to a Windows 95/98/Me computer will search for scheduled tasks or enabled printers on the network computer.
1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Explorer -> RemoteComputer -> NameSpace.
2. Find a key named {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}.
3. Right click on it and delete it.
4. Find a key named {2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}.
5. Right click on it and delete it.
Raise the threshold level for the requested buffer
1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Services -> lanmanworkstation -> parameters.
2. Right click in the right pane and select New -> DWORD Value.
3. Name this value SizReqBuf and provide a decimal value of 16384.
Increase Network Redirector Buffers
1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Services -> lanmanworkstation -> parameters.
2. Right click in the right pane and select New -> DWORD Value.
3. Name this MaxCmds and give it a value between 0 and 255. It is recommended to choose the value of 64.
4. Right click in the right pane and select New -> DWORD Value.
5. Name this MaxThreads and give it the exact value as MaxCmds.
Now in order the settings to take effect you will have to restart the computer.
How To Restore Defaults For Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall is a personal firewall, included with Microsoft's Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista operating systems. There are situations when you need to reset your Windows Firewall settings, after removing a Trojan. This operation sets the configuration to factory defaults by removing all the programs, port, exceptions settings.
Follow the steps below to restore defaults for Windows Firewall:
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type in firewall.cpl and click OK.
3. Now go to the Advanced tab in the new window.
4. On the bottom of the page click the Restore Defaults button.
5. Click Yes when you are prompted if you want to continue.
6. The Windows Firewall is now turned ON, and set to factory default state.
Restoring the default settings will delete all settings of Windows Firewall that you have made since Windows was installed. This may cause some programs to stop working.
Follow the steps below to restore defaults for Windows Firewall:
1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type in firewall.cpl and click OK.
3. Now go to the Advanced tab in the new window.
4. On the bottom of the page click the Restore Defaults button.
5. Click Yes when you are prompted if you want to continue.
6. The Windows Firewall is now turned ON, and set to factory default state.
Restoring the default settings will delete all settings of Windows Firewall that you have made since Windows was installed. This may cause some programs to stop working.
How To Partition A Disk For BitLocker
BitLocker Drive Encryption is an integral new security feature in the Windows Vista operating system that provides considerable protection for the operating system on your computer
and data stored on the operating system volume. BitLocker uses a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to provide enhanced protection for your data and to assure early boot component integrity.
For BitLocker to work, you must have at least two partitions on your hard disk. The first partition is the system volume and labeled S in this document. This volume contains the boot information in an unencrypted space. The second partition is the operating system volume and labeled C in this document. This volume is encrypted and contains the operating system and user data. The partitions must be created before installing Windows Vista.
1. Start the computer from the Windows Vista product DVD.
2. In the initial Install Windows screen, choose your Installation language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard layout, and then click Next.
3. In the next Install Windows screen, click System Recovery Options.
4. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, choose your keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. In the next System Recovery Options dialog box, make sure no operating system is selected. To do this, click in the empty area of the Operating System list, below any listed entries. Then click Next.
6. In the next System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Use Diskpart to create the partition for the operating system volume. At the command prompt, type diskpart, and then press ENTER.
8. Type select disk 0.
9. Type clean to erase the existing partition table.
10. Type create partition primary size=1500 to set the partition you are creating as a primary partition.
11. Type assign letter=S to give this partition the S designator.
12. Type active to set the new partition as the active partition.
13. Type create partition primary to create another primary partition. You will install Windows on this larger partition.
14. Type assign letter=C to give this partition the C designator.
15. Type list volume to see a display of all the volumes on this disk. You will see a listing of each volume, volume numbers, letters, labels, file systems, types, sizes, status, and information. Check that you have two volumes and that you know the label used for each volume.
16. Type exit to leave the diskpart application.
17. Type format c: /y /q /fs:NTFS to properly format the C volume.
18. Type format s: /y /q /fs:NTFS to properly format the S volume.
19. Type exit to leave the command prompt.
20. In the System Recovery Options window, use the close window icon in the upper right (or press ALT+F4) to close the window to return to the main installation screen. (Do not click Shut Down or Restart.)
21. Click Install now and proceed with the Windows Vista installation process. Install Windows Vista on the larger volume, C: (the operating system volume).
and data stored on the operating system volume. BitLocker uses a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to provide enhanced protection for your data and to assure early boot component integrity.
For BitLocker to work, you must have at least two partitions on your hard disk. The first partition is the system volume and labeled S in this document. This volume contains the boot information in an unencrypted space. The second partition is the operating system volume and labeled C in this document. This volume is encrypted and contains the operating system and user data. The partitions must be created before installing Windows Vista.
1. Start the computer from the Windows Vista product DVD.
2. In the initial Install Windows screen, choose your Installation language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard layout, and then click Next.
3. In the next Install Windows screen, click System Recovery Options.
4. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, choose your keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. In the next System Recovery Options dialog box, make sure no operating system is selected. To do this, click in the empty area of the Operating System list, below any listed entries. Then click Next.
6. In the next System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Use Diskpart to create the partition for the operating system volume. At the command prompt, type diskpart, and then press ENTER.
8. Type select disk 0.
9. Type clean to erase the existing partition table.
10. Type create partition primary size=1500 to set the partition you are creating as a primary partition.
11. Type assign letter=S to give this partition the S designator.
12. Type active to set the new partition as the active partition.
13. Type create partition primary to create another primary partition. You will install Windows on this larger partition.
14. Type assign letter=C to give this partition the C designator.
15. Type list volume to see a display of all the volumes on this disk. You will see a listing of each volume, volume numbers, letters, labels, file systems, types, sizes, status, and information. Check that you have two volumes and that you know the label used for each volume.
16. Type exit to leave the diskpart application.
17. Type format c: /y /q /fs:NTFS to properly format the C volume.
18. Type format s: /y /q /fs:NTFS to properly format the S volume.
19. Type exit to leave the command prompt.
20. In the System Recovery Options window, use the close window icon in the upper right (or press ALT+F4) to close the window to return to the main installation screen. (Do not click Shut Down or Restart.)
21. Click Install now and proceed with the Windows Vista installation process. Install Windows Vista on the larger volume, C: (the operating system volume).
How To Configure Policy That Prevents Installation or Update of Any Device in Windows Vista
This document shows you the steps required to implement the most restrictive configuration, where all device installations are prevented and existing devices cannot be updated with new device drivers. Users will not be able to install a device and use it without intervention from an administrator. Administrators can still install or update any device as needed.
1. Log on to your computer with an administrator account.
2. To open Group Policy Object Editor, click the Start button, type mmc gpedit.msc in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
3. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Continue.
4. In the Group Policy Object Editor navigation pane, double-click Computer Configuration to open it. Then open Administrative Templates, open System, open Device Installation, and then open Device Installation Restrictions.
5. In the details pane, right-click Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings, and click
Properties. The policy dialog box appears with the current settings.
6. On the Setting tab, click Enabled to turn the policy on.
7. Click OK to save your settings and return to Group Policy Object Editor.
1. Log on to your computer with an administrator account.
2. To open Group Policy Object Editor, click the Start button, type mmc gpedit.msc in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
3. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Continue.
4. In the Group Policy Object Editor navigation pane, double-click Computer Configuration to open it. Then open Administrative Templates, open System, open Device Installation, and then open Device Installation Restrictions.
5. In the details pane, right-click Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings, and click
Properties. The policy dialog box appears with the current settings.
6. On the Setting tab, click Enabled to turn the policy on.
7. Click OK to save your settings and return to Group Policy Object Editor.
How To Configure Gaim For Gtalk
Nowadays, more and more people use Gtalk as an interesting alternative to MSN Messenger because Gtalk uses an open-source protocol: Jabber. Gtalk and Jabber clients are also better because they don't have ads.
Here is how to configure Gtalk on Gaim, a popular multi-platform instant messaging client that supports many commonly used instant messaging protocols.
1. If you do not have Gaim already installed onto your computer then download the program from here ( http://gaim.sourceforge.net/downloads.php ). Once the download process is over, install Gaim.
2. Launch Gaim.
3. On the Login window click Accounts.
4. A new window will pop. Now click Add to add your Gtalk account to the list.
5. At this step you must enter some information in order to configure your Gtalk account.
For Protocol select from the list Jabber.
Under the Screen Name type your Gmail username without @gmail.com.
In the Server field enter gmail.com.
Leave Gaim in the Resource field.
Type in your password in the Password field and enter an alias, the nickname you want to be displayed in your friends' buddy list.
Check the Remember password and Auto-login boxes.
6. Click the Show more options button. The windows will expand and you will have to enter the following:
Use TLS if available: You need to check this option
Port: 5222
Connect server: talk.google.com
Proxy type: Use Global Proxy Settings
7. When you are done, click Register, and your Gtalk account will be added to your list of accounts.
You will be connected to Gtalk and after a few seconds, your Gtalk buddies should be added to your buddy list in Gaim.
Here is how to configure Gtalk on Gaim, a popular multi-platform instant messaging client that supports many commonly used instant messaging protocols.
1. If you do not have Gaim already installed onto your computer then download the program from here ( http://gaim.sourceforge.net/downloads.php ). Once the download process is over, install Gaim.
2. Launch Gaim.
3. On the Login window click Accounts.
4. A new window will pop. Now click Add to add your Gtalk account to the list.
5. At this step you must enter some information in order to configure your Gtalk account.
For Protocol select from the list Jabber.
Under the Screen Name type your Gmail username without @gmail.com.
In the Server field enter gmail.com.
Leave Gaim in the Resource field.
Type in your password in the Password field and enter an alias, the nickname you want to be displayed in your friends' buddy list.
Check the Remember password and Auto-login boxes.
6. Click the Show more options button. The windows will expand and you will have to enter the following:
Use TLS if available: You need to check this option
Port: 5222
Connect server: talk.google.com
Proxy type: Use Global Proxy Settings
7. When you are done, click Register, and your Gtalk account will be added to your list of accounts.
You will be connected to Gtalk and after a few seconds, your Gtalk buddies should be added to your buddy list in Gaim.
How To Disable PDF Browser Plugin For Firefox
Adobe Reader is an application that allows you to view and print PDF files. It includes a browser plugin for viewing PDF files directly in a web browser such as Firefox or Mozilla Suite. You can disable the Adobe Reader browser plugin and force .PDF links to open the associated program as an external helper application by using one of the methods below:
#1
1. Open the Adobe Reader program and go to the Edit -> Preferences dialog.
2. Select the Internet category and uncheck Display PDF in browser.
After closing Adobe Reader, open your Mozilla application’s installation directory, open the Plugins folder and ensure that the file nppdf32.dll is not present. If it is, remove it (or rename nppdf32.dll to Xnppdf32.dll). Failing to remove or rename this file may cause the browser to hang when attempting to open a PDF file.
Mozilla applications may use plugin scanning to locate the Acrobat Reader plugin. You can disable the plugin scan via about:config.
1. Open Firefox and type about:config in the address bar. Press Enter.
2. Type plugin.scan.Acrobat in the Filter box.
3. Double-click the option plugin.scan.Acrobat and change the value from 5.0 to 8.0. Press OK.
#2
Open your Firefox browser. Go to Tools -> Options menu and choose the appropriate option from the ones below:
Firefox 2
1. Go to Content --> File Types and click the Manage... button.
2. Select PDF from the list of extensions, click the Change Action button.
3. Change the action to Open them with the default application.
Firefox 1.5
1. Go to Downloads --> Download Actions and click the View&Edit Actions button.
2. Select PDF from the list of extensions, click the Change Action button.
3. Change the action to Open them with the default application.
Firefox 1.0.x
1. Go to Downloads and click the Plugins button.
2. Uncheck PDF from the list of extensions. Next time you click a .pdf file link in Firefox, you will get an Opening... dialog box asking what you would like to do with the .pdf file. Choose the option to open with the default application and check the box to do that automatically from now on.
#1
1. Open the Adobe Reader program and go to the Edit -> Preferences dialog.
2. Select the Internet category and uncheck Display PDF in browser.
After closing Adobe Reader, open your Mozilla application’s installation directory, open the Plugins folder and ensure that the file nppdf32.dll is not present. If it is, remove it (or rename nppdf32.dll to Xnppdf32.dll). Failing to remove or rename this file may cause the browser to hang when attempting to open a PDF file.
Mozilla applications may use plugin scanning to locate the Acrobat Reader plugin. You can disable the plugin scan via about:config.
1. Open Firefox and type about:config in the address bar. Press Enter.
2. Type plugin.scan.Acrobat in the Filter box.
3. Double-click the option plugin.scan.Acrobat and change the value from 5.0 to 8.0. Press OK.
#2
Open your Firefox browser. Go to Tools -> Options menu and choose the appropriate option from the ones below:
Firefox 2
1. Go to Content --> File Types and click the Manage... button.
2. Select PDF from the list of extensions, click the Change Action button.
3. Change the action to Open them with the default application.
Firefox 1.5
1. Go to Downloads --> Download Actions and click the View&Edit Actions button.
2. Select PDF from the list of extensions, click the Change Action button.
3. Change the action to Open them with the default application.
Firefox 1.0.x
1. Go to Downloads and click the Plugins button.
2. Uncheck PDF from the list of extensions. Next time you click a .pdf file link in Firefox, you will get an Opening... dialog box asking what you would like to do with the .pdf file. Choose the option to open with the default application and check the box to do that automatically from now on.
How To Speed Up PDF Display
Adobe Reader is an application that allows you to view and print PDF files. It includes a browser plugin for viewing PDF files directly in a web browser such as Firefox
or Mozilla Suite. Adobe Reader 6 and the browser plugin automatically load a large number of components when they are opened, which can slow down your computer. You can solve many problems just by upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Reader, currently 8.0 on Windows and Mac and 7.0.9 on Linux. But if this still doesn't help try one of the following:
Adobe Reader Speedup
The Adobe Reader Speedup program disables many of the unnecessary components. Adobe Reader SpeedUp is a simple application that was created to help make the loading time of Adobe's Acrobat/Reader software bearable for everyday use.
1. Go and download the program from here ( http://www.tnk-bootblock.co.uk/software/index.php?type=supported&id=7F7290B5 ).
2. Launch the Adobe Reader SpeedUp program.
3. If Adobe Reader is not installed in the default location, you will have to change the setting in Adobe Reader Speedup's settings.
a) In the main window click Change Settings.
b) In the new window by using the Browse button you will have to point to the correct location.
Click Save.
4. Check the Speed Up box and click Next.
5. Adobe Reader SpeedUp comes with two profiles: Fast and Turbo. It is recommended that you choose Fast.
Alternatively, you can pick and mix plugins you want to enable. By clicking the Plugin Help button a window will appear where you will find information about the plugin.
When you are done, click Start.
Manual method
1. Open the Adobe Reader plug_ins folder, e.g., C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Reader\plug_ins.
2. Create a new folder named optional, e.g., C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Reader\plug_ins\optional.
3. Move all files and folders from the Adobe Reader plug_ins folder to the Adobe Reader optional folder, except for these files:
eBook.api
EWH32.api
Search.api
or Mozilla Suite. Adobe Reader 6 and the browser plugin automatically load a large number of components when they are opened, which can slow down your computer. You can solve many problems just by upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Reader, currently 8.0 on Windows and Mac and 7.0.9 on Linux. But if this still doesn't help try one of the following:
Adobe Reader Speedup
The Adobe Reader Speedup program disables many of the unnecessary components. Adobe Reader SpeedUp is a simple application that was created to help make the loading time of Adobe's Acrobat/Reader software bearable for everyday use.
1. Go and download the program from here ( http://www.tnk-bootblock.co.uk/software/index.php?type=supported&id=7F7290B5 ).
2. Launch the Adobe Reader SpeedUp program.
3. If Adobe Reader is not installed in the default location, you will have to change the setting in Adobe Reader Speedup's settings.
a) In the main window click Change Settings.
b) In the new window by using the Browse button you will have to point to the correct location.
Click Save.
4. Check the Speed Up box and click Next.
5. Adobe Reader SpeedUp comes with two profiles: Fast and Turbo. It is recommended that you choose Fast.
Alternatively, you can pick and mix plugins you want to enable. By clicking the Plugin Help button a window will appear where you will find information about the plugin.
When you are done, click Start.
Manual method
1. Open the Adobe Reader plug_ins folder, e.g., C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Reader\plug_ins.
2. Create a new folder named optional, e.g., C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Reader\plug_ins\optional.
3. Move all files and folders from the Adobe Reader plug_ins folder to the Adobe Reader optional folder, except for these files:
eBook.api
EWH32.api
Search.api
How To Speed Up Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a fast, full-featured web browser that makes browsing more efficient than ever before. Firefox includes pop-up blocking, a tab-browsing, integrated Google searching, simplified privacy controls that let you cover your tracks more effectively, a streamlined browser window that shows you more of the page than any other browser and a number of additional features that work with you to help you get the most out of your time online. Version 2 features an updated theme and user interface, built-in phishing protection, enhanced search capabilities, improved tabbed browsing, and inline spell checking.
Mozilla Firefox provides support for various versions of Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Although not officially released for certain operating systems, the freely available source code works for many other operating systems, including FreeBSD, OS/2, Solaris, SkyOS, BeOS and more recently, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
There are a few tricks to speed up Firefox. Check them out below:
1. Open Firefox.
2. Type about:config in the address bar and press Enter.
HTTP PIPELINING
HTTP is the application-layer protocol that most web pages are transferred with. In HTTP 1.1, multiple requests can be sent before any responses are received. This is known as pipelining. Pipelining reduces page loading times, but not all servers support it.
In the filter bar type network.http.pipelining. Make sure under the value field is says true. If not double-click to set it.
Return to the filter bar and type network.http.pipelining.maxrequests. Double-click this option and set its value to 8.
HTTP PROXY
Go to the filter bar and type network.http.proxy.pipelining. Once it opens double-click it to set it to true.
DNS
IPv6 was designed in part to solve the problem IPv4 will soon be facing: the exhaustion of all possible IP addresses. Mozilla implemented IPv6 support in early 2000, but that support did not receive widespread testing until recently as IPv6-capable OSs and network software/equipment became more common.
One particular bug that has appeared exists not in Mozilla, but in IPv6-capable DNS servers: an IPv4 address may be returned when an IPv6 address is requested. It is possible for Mozilla to recover from this misinformation, but a significant delay is introduced.
Type network.dns.disableIPv6 in the filter bar and set this option to true by double clicking on it.
CONTENT INTERRUPT PARSING
This preference controls whether the application will interrupt parsing a page to respond to UI events. It does not exist by default.
Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Boolean from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.interrupt.parsing in the New boolean value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to choose the value for the new boolean. Select true and click OK.
CONTENT MAX TOKENIZING TIME
Rather than wait until a page has completely downloaded to display it to the user, Mozilla applications will periodically render what has been received to that point. This preference controls the maximum amount of time the application will be unresponsive while rendering pages.
Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.max.tokenizing.time in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 2250000 and click OK.
CONTENT NOTIFY INTERVAL
This preference specifies the minimum amount of time to wait between reflows. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.notify.interval in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 750000 and click OK.
CONTENT NOTIFY ONTIMER
This preference specifies whether to reflow pages at an interval any higher than that specified by content.notify.interval. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Boolean from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.notify.ontimer in the New boolean value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to choose the value for the new boolean. Select true and click OK.
CONTENT NOTIFY BACKOFFCOUNT
This preference controls the maximum number of times the content will do timer-based reflows. After this number has been reached, the page will only reflow once it is finished downloading. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.notify.backoffcount in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 5 and click OK.
CONTENT SWITCH THRESHOLD
The user can interact with a loading page when content.interrupt.parsing is set to true. When a page is loading, the application has two modes: a high frequency interrupt mode and a low frequency interrupt mode. The high frequency interrupt mode interrupts the parser more frequently to allow for greater UI responsiveness during page load. The low frequency interrupt mode interrupts the parser less frequently to allow for quicker page load. The application enters high frequency interrupt mode when the user moves the mouse or types on the keyboard and switches back to low frequency mode when the user has had no activity for a certain amount of time. This preference controls that amount of time. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.switch.threshold in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 750000 and click OK.
NGLAYOUT INITIALPAINT DELAY
Mozilla applications render web pages incrementally - they display what's been received of a page before the entire page has been downloaded. Since the start of a web page normally doesn't have much useful information to display, Mozilla applications will wait a short interval before first rendering a page. This preference controls that interval. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter nglayout.initialpaint.delay in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 0 and click OK.
UI SUBMENU DELAY
This preference controls the time a menu takes to open a sub-menu. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter ui.submenuDelay in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 0 and click OK.
PLUGIN EXPOSE FULL PATH
This preference shows full path to plugins in about:plugins. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Boolean from the pop-up menu.
Enter plugin.expose_full_path in the New boolean value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to choose the value for the new boolean. Select true and click OK.
BROWSER CACHE MEMORY CAPACITY
When a page is loaded, it can be cached so it doesn't need to be rerendered to be redisplayed. This preference controls the maximum amount of memory to use for caching decoded images and chrome (application user interface elements). Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter browser.cache.memory.capacity in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 65536 and click OK.
Mozilla Firefox provides support for various versions of Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Although not officially released for certain operating systems, the freely available source code works for many other operating systems, including FreeBSD, OS/2, Solaris, SkyOS, BeOS and more recently, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
There are a few tricks to speed up Firefox. Check them out below:
1. Open Firefox.
2. Type about:config in the address bar and press Enter.
HTTP PIPELINING
HTTP is the application-layer protocol that most web pages are transferred with. In HTTP 1.1, multiple requests can be sent before any responses are received. This is known as pipelining. Pipelining reduces page loading times, but not all servers support it.
In the filter bar type network.http.pipelining. Make sure under the value field is says true. If not double-click to set it.
Return to the filter bar and type network.http.pipelining.maxrequests. Double-click this option and set its value to 8.
HTTP PROXY
Go to the filter bar and type network.http.proxy.pipelining. Once it opens double-click it to set it to true.
DNS
IPv6 was designed in part to solve the problem IPv4 will soon be facing: the exhaustion of all possible IP addresses. Mozilla implemented IPv6 support in early 2000, but that support did not receive widespread testing until recently as IPv6-capable OSs and network software/equipment became more common.
One particular bug that has appeared exists not in Mozilla, but in IPv6-capable DNS servers: an IPv4 address may be returned when an IPv6 address is requested. It is possible for Mozilla to recover from this misinformation, but a significant delay is introduced.
Type network.dns.disableIPv6 in the filter bar and set this option to true by double clicking on it.
CONTENT INTERRUPT PARSING
This preference controls whether the application will interrupt parsing a page to respond to UI events. It does not exist by default.
Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Boolean from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.interrupt.parsing in the New boolean value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to choose the value for the new boolean. Select true and click OK.
CONTENT MAX TOKENIZING TIME
Rather than wait until a page has completely downloaded to display it to the user, Mozilla applications will periodically render what has been received to that point. This preference controls the maximum amount of time the application will be unresponsive while rendering pages.
Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.max.tokenizing.time in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 2250000 and click OK.
CONTENT NOTIFY INTERVAL
This preference specifies the minimum amount of time to wait between reflows. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.notify.interval in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 750000 and click OK.
CONTENT NOTIFY ONTIMER
This preference specifies whether to reflow pages at an interval any higher than that specified by content.notify.interval. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Boolean from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.notify.ontimer in the New boolean value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to choose the value for the new boolean. Select true and click OK.
CONTENT NOTIFY BACKOFFCOUNT
This preference controls the maximum number of times the content will do timer-based reflows. After this number has been reached, the page will only reflow once it is finished downloading. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.notify.backoffcount in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 5 and click OK.
CONTENT SWITCH THRESHOLD
The user can interact with a loading page when content.interrupt.parsing is set to true. When a page is loading, the application has two modes: a high frequency interrupt mode and a low frequency interrupt mode. The high frequency interrupt mode interrupts the parser more frequently to allow for greater UI responsiveness during page load. The low frequency interrupt mode interrupts the parser less frequently to allow for quicker page load. The application enters high frequency interrupt mode when the user moves the mouse or types on the keyboard and switches back to low frequency mode when the user has had no activity for a certain amount of time. This preference controls that amount of time. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter content.switch.threshold in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 750000 and click OK.
NGLAYOUT INITIALPAINT DELAY
Mozilla applications render web pages incrementally - they display what's been received of a page before the entire page has been downloaded. Since the start of a web page normally doesn't have much useful information to display, Mozilla applications will wait a short interval before first rendering a page. This preference controls that interval. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter nglayout.initialpaint.delay in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 0 and click OK.
UI SUBMENU DELAY
This preference controls the time a menu takes to open a sub-menu. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter ui.submenuDelay in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 0 and click OK.
PLUGIN EXPOSE FULL PATH
This preference shows full path to plugins in about:plugins. Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Boolean from the pop-up menu.
Enter plugin.expose_full_path in the New boolean value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to choose the value for the new boolean. Select true and click OK.
BROWSER CACHE MEMORY CAPACITY
When a page is loaded, it can be cached so it doesn't need to be rerendered to be redisplayed. This preference controls the maximum amount of memory to use for caching decoded images and chrome (application user interface elements). Right-click (Apple users ctrl-click) anywhere in the about:config window and select New and then Integer from the pop-up menu.
Enter browser.cache.memory.capacity in the New integer value pop-up window and click OK.
You will be prompted to enter a value. Enter 65536 and click OK.
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