PC Magazine^® Windows^® XP Speed Solutions

by Curt Simmons (St. Jo, Texas)

• ISBN13: 9780764578144
• ISBN10: 0764578146
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-01
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

Get that snail out of your system "In these pages, you'll find all kinds of tips, tweaks, hacks, and configuration settings that should help you regain some speed control over Windows XP. I'll also show you how to get rid of the clutter and junk that Windows XP picks up over time..." -Curt SimmonsWhen everything seems like slow motion, it's time to call in PC Magazine's favorite system doctorYou have to clean out most things after you use them for awhile. Why should your PC be any different? This indispensable book shows you exactly how to turn that snail into a cheetah by unloading the junk that Windows XP has collected, turbo-charging your system for faster response, cleaning up the Registry, and using all the safeguards provided in Service Pack 2. Just don't be surprised if your PC is faster than on the day you brought it home.Give Windows XP a power boost Make programs start faster with hidden prefetch settings Eliminate spyware, adware, and unwanted cookies Dump programs you don't need (but know which ones you DO) Pre-schedule maintenance tasks Boost system startup by disabling features Tweak virtual memory Learn to work with the Registry Update your device drivers Beef up your cable or DSL speed Learn from special tips and tricks in every chapter

Author Biography

Curt Simmons (MCP, MCSE, MCSA, A+, CTT, MCT) is a technology author and trainer who focuses on Microsoft products.  The author of almost 50 computing books for a wide-range audiences, including, most recently, Windows XP For Power Users: PowerPack, and Windows XP Secrets.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xix
Introduction	xxi
Part I Programs, Junk, and Other Things that Get in the Way
Removing Programs and Unneeded Files	3	(24)
Removing Old Programs	3	(7)
Removing Programs with Add or Remove Programs	4	(2)
Manually Removing Programs	6	(2)
Removing Spyware and Adware	8	(2)
Making Programs Start Faster	10	(7)
Configuring Prefetch Settings	10	(4)
Using the Intel Application Accelerator	14	(1)
Setting Application Priority	15	(2)
Cleaning Up Files	17	(10)
Organizing Your Personal Files	18	(1)
Removing Temporary Files	18	(1)
Cleaning Up Internet Explorer Files	19	(5)
Manually Cleaning Up Your Temp Folder	24	(1)
Automating Temp Folder Cleanup	25	(2)
Cleaning Up the Desktop and Start Menu	27	(16)
Cleaning Up the Desktop	27	(5)
Using the Desktop Cleanup Wizard	29	(1)
Configuring the Recycle Bin	30	(2)
Cleaning Up the Start Menu	32	(8)
Reducing Graphic Effects for Slower Systems	40	(3)
Managing Notification Area Items and Startup Programs	43	(12)
Exploring the Notification Area	44	(6)
Controlling the Notification Area	44	(1)
Stopping Programs in the Notification Area	45	(2)
Clearing Past Icons from the Notification Area	47	(1)
Disabling Notification Area Balloon Tips	47	(3)
Controlling Startup Programs	50	(5)
Part II Supercharging Windows
Making Windows XP Start Faster	55	(20)
Stopping Unneeded Startup Services	55	(5)
Speed Tips and Tricks for Windows XP Startup	60	(12)
Manual IP Addressing on Small Office/Home Networks	60	(2)
Disabling Recent Documents History	62	(1)
Disabling the Boot Logo	62	(1)
Removing Unwanted Fonts	63	(1)
Stopping Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop Sharing	64	(1)
Updating Device Drivers	65	(1)
Stopping Windows Messenger in Outlook Express 6	66	(1)
Speeding Up Logons to Windows Domains	66	(3)
Speeding Up the Dual-Boot Timeout	69	(1)
Speeding Up Your PPPoE Connection	69	(1)
Editing the PC Setup Program	70	(1)
Disabling Unused Devices	70	(2)
Making Your Computer Shut Down More Quickly	72	(3)
Reducing the Wait Time	72	(1)
Stopping the NVIDIA Driver	73	(1)
Automatically Killing Tasks on Shutdown	73	(2)
Working with Memory and System Settings	75	(12)
The Hard Truth About RAM and Processors	75	(1)
Working with Memory	76	(5)
Changing Virtual Memory Settings	76	(3)
Boosting Virtual Memory	79	(1)
Using Other Tools That Can Help	80	(1)
Speeding Up the Processor	81	(6)
Checking the Processor Settings	82	(1)
Removing Unneeded Programs and Services	82	(1)
Cleaning Up the Registry	82	(1)
Running PC PowerScan	83	(4)
Cleaning Up the Registry	87	(14)
Getting to Know the Registry	87	(12)
The Registry's Structure	88	(1)
Understanding the Registry Keys	89	(2)
Restoring the Registry	91	(1)
Using the Registry Editor	92	(1)
Exploring the Subtrees	93	(6)
Using the Registry Editor	99	(1)
Cleaning Up the Registry	99	(2)
Regclean	99	(1)
Regseeker	100	(1)
Registry Mechanic	100	(1)
Registry Tuneup	100	(1)
Optimizing Disk Performance	101	(24)
Fundamentals of Hard Disk Configuration	101	(7)
Comparing Basic and Dynamic Disks	102	(2)
Getting to Know Dynamic Disks	104	(4)
Working with Disk Volumes	108	(6)
Creating Simple Volumes	109	(2)
Extending a Simple Volume	111	(1)
Creating a Spanned Volume	112	(1)
Creating Striped Volumes	113	(1)
Speeding Up Hard Disk Performance	114	(9)
Converting to NTFS	114	(1)
Reducing NTFS Overhead	115	(2)
Defragmenting the Hard Disk	117	(1)
Checking for Disk Errors	118	(2)
Cleaning Up Unnecessary Files and Optimizing the Recycle Bin	120	(1)
How Compression and Encryption Affect Performance	120	(1)
Stopping Hibernation	121	(1)
Using DMA Mode on IDE Drives	122	(1)
Helpful Disk Management and Performance Utilities	123	(2)
Diskeeper	123	(1)
ShowSize	123	(1)
Norton Speed Disk	124	(1)
Other Free Utilities	124	(1)
Dealing with Hardware Devices and Drivers	125	(18)
Installing and Removing Hardware	125	(3)
Using the Device Manager	128	(3)
Managing with Device Drivers and Driver Signing	131	(3)
Hardware Optimization and Management Tactics	134	(9)
Stopping the Unsigned Driver Dialog Box	134	(1)
Showing Hidden Devices in the Device Manager	135	(1)
Solving Mouse Problems in Games	136	(1)
Using Tweak-XP Pro	137	(1)
Creating a Hardware Profile	138	(5)
Optimizing Display Performance	143	(16)
Display Properties	143	(10)
Themes	143	(1)
Desktop	144	(2)
Screen Savers	146	(1)
Appearance	146	(1)
Settings	147	(6)
Display Optimization and Speed Solutions	153	(6)
Using Compatible Video Cards and Correct Drivers	153	(1)
Reducing Visual Effects	153	(1)
Making BIOS Adjustments for Faster Performance	153	(1)
Overlocking Video Cards	154	(5)
Part III Internet, E-mail, and Digital Media
Making the Internet Work Faster	159	(20)
Managing Temporary Internet Files	159	(4)
Configuring Internet Explorer to Speed Up Internet Usage	163	(9)
Managing the Browser History	163	(1)
Stopping the Home Page	163	(1)
Stopping FTP Folder View	164	(1)
Stopping Script Errors	165	(1)
Increasing the DNS Cache Size	165	(1)
Allowing More Than Two Simultaneous Downloads	166	(1)
Stopping Pop-up Windows	166	(3)
Other Internet Explorer Tweaks and Utilities	169	(3)
Speeding Up Your Internet Connection	172	(7)
Modem Drivers and Your Phone Line	173	(1)
Modem Connection Properties	173	(2)
Modem Initialization Strings	175	(1)
Other Advanced Modem Settings	175	(2)
Download Manager (Modem Connections)	177	(1)
CableNut	178	(1)
MTU Settings	178	(1)
Dealing with Spam and E-mail Problems	179	(12)
Creating E-mail Rules	179	(5)
Blocking Senders	180	(1)
Creating Rules	181	(2)
Setting Security	183	(1)
Dealing with Spam	184	(7)
Using Common Sense	185	(1)
Using Separate E-mail Accounts	185	(1)
Configuring Filters	186	(1)
Using Third-Party Software	186	(5)
Working with Cookies and Internet Security Settings	191	(12)
Managing Cookies	191	(5)
Internet Explorer Privacy Settings	192	(2)
Cookie Management Software	194	(2)
Configuring Internet Explorer Zones	196	(2)
Managing Internet Content	198	(5)
Making Digital Media Faster and Easier	203	(14)
Organizing Digital Media	203	(3)
Adobe Photoshop Album	204	(1)
Jasc Paint Shop Photo Album	204	(1)
ACD Systems ACDSee	204	(1)
Photools IMatch	204	(1)
Photodex CompuPic Pro	205	(1)
iView Media	206	(1)
Adjusting AutoPlay	206	(4)
Speeding Up Windows Media Player	210	(7)
Player Tab	211	(1)
Rip Music Tab	212	(1)
Performance Tab	213	(4)
Part IV Keeping Your PC Healthy and Happy
Automating the Health of Your System	217	(12)
Creating Scheduled Tasks	217	(4)
Automatically Downloading Web Pages	221	(2)
Using Batch Files	223	(6)
Automating Disk Defragmenter	224	(1)
Automating Disk Cleanup	225	(2)
Automatically Deleting Content from the Prefetch Folder	227	(2)
Keeping a Check on Your System	229	(60)
Using the Windows Task Manager	229	(1)
Using the Performance Tool	230	(15)
Exploring the Performance Tool	231	(3)
Adding Counters	234	(1)
Logging Data	235	(1)
Creating Alerts	236	(2)
Using Memory and Processor Performance Counters	238	(3)
Using the Event Viewer	241	(4)
Part V Appendixes
Appendix A Helpful Web Sites	245	(8)
Appendix B Running a Clean Windows XP Installation	253	(4)
Appendix C Quick Catalog of Helpful Third-Party Utilities	257	(14)
Appendix D Keeping Your Computer Secure	271	(18)
Index	289