All Posts by Paul

Windows Vista Hidden Super Fetch

Paul

I was talking to a friend last night about Vista. She was talking about speed and reliability, I suggested that she use ReadyBoost. What is Readyboost? It retrieves all the important files and documents that it needs after you start up. Microsoft says:

Windows Vista introduces Windows ReadyBoost, a new concept in adding memory to a system. You can use non-volatile flash memory, such as that on a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, to improve performance without having to add additional memory “under the hood.”
[Via Microsoft]

So by saying you can use a USB for this. All your really doing is using external memory to help augment the internal memory. So you system doesn’t have to cache everything on the hard drive. It will speed up the system, I know it does on mine!!

What is Super Fetch?

SuperFetch monitors which applications you use the most and preloads these into your system memory so they’ll be ready when you need them. Windows Vista also runs background programs, like disk defragmenting and Windows Defender, at low priority so that they can do their job but your work always comes first.
[Via Microsoft]

So now that you know what this is let’s talk about how it speeds up your system. Readyboost uses someting like Super Fetch and reads all it can and stores it in memory, the most common programs, the most common applications and keeps it in a memory cache. Oh now here’s where it gets interesting. Memory Cache is simply the excess amount of information that can’t be used in ram. So this excess information would go to the cache memory directory and create a file for that particular information so it can organize and be ready to launch and speed up the system. In theory, The information that it has organized onto the directory would be easier and quicker to read so as not to use up a lot of file processing. It’s like the old saying an apple a days keeps the doctor away. See, Windows is constently looking at what you open up the most and wants to keep those files loaded as much as because it is quicker that way.

So how do I use Readyboost?

This is a simple way to use Readyboost.

  1. Get an USB memory stick preferably twice the size of your memory (You can also use Sd cards if you have an SD reader.)
  2. Put it in the slot
  3. Right Click on the drive
  4. Select Properties
  5. Select Readyboost tab (remember the card or USB device has to be fast enough to use it)
  6. Select use this device
  7. hit Apply, and then Ok

That’s it, you’ve completed the steps to get Readyboost to work . Enjoy

Microsoft Can’t you get anything Right?

Paul

I sit here listening to “Windows Weekly 61, Windows 7” and I wanted to talk about what he said and I quote:

Windows Vista was a major release, and Microsoft is positioning Windows 7 as a major release as well. However, the language Microsoft uses to describe the technical underpinnings of the Windows 7 suggest that this product will in fact be a minor release.
[Via Winsupersite]

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So My one questions is Windows going to be in fact a new whole system or just an update to Vista!! Here is some other quotes that I’ve found on the web:

Microsoft clearly are trying to launch Windows 7 as soon as possible, even though many users are only just getting around to upgrading to Windows Vista. I wonder if Windows 7 will be one upgrade too many for some customers?
[Via Windows7.cc]

So let’s start talking about this news. Will they be doing the final RC for Windows soon or are they going to wait till next year. It appears that they are going to do something soon but not sure what. They’ve been tight lipped from the start of windows Vista and have not been releasing anything big about Windows 7, Is this the attempt to hide there disgrace about Vista and how hard they are having to work for Windows 7?

First, there’ll be some new, unspecified integration with the Internet “cloud.” Windows 7 will have built-in connections with something like Microsoft’s “Live Mesh,” a Web-based system for sharing and synchronizing folders, learning the online status of friends and family, and syncing mobile devices with your desktop system.

Next, you’ll find automated backup, Microsoft’s catch-up answer to Apple’s Time Machine. This seems obvious from a leaked screen shot of the new Windows Health Center control panel applet in Windows 7.

[Via PcMagazine]

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So let’s Start talking about what Pc Magazine is talking about “cloud” computing. What they mean by cloud computing is like how you have google mail on your laptop but also on there website to be able to access it anywhere you have internet access. You can have it come in more than one ways and has the ability to keep your notes in Sync with other systems. Now they also are talking about the Apple’s Time Machine like backup for Windows 7, I am quite curious how they are going to do that also, they seem to be copying Apple and making it seem like they come up with even more features. Some other points I’d like to make are “Is Windows 7 a threat to Vista or a Complete replacement to Vista?”

PDC 2008 is slated for October 27 to 30 in Los Angeles. (I wonder if it will be right before/after/during the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, also slated for some time next fall, and possibly in Los Angeles.)
[Via Zdnet]

Now here’s my thinking on this one that they will have to start developing programs and talk when and what will be involved in Windows 7. They serious can’t be thinking it’s all about Vista, I haven’t seen a shred of evidence to think this Professional Developers Conference is going to be anything but talk about the next Windows 7. I just want to ask Microsoft to get this right this time. I don’t want to see another system that has to many bugs for corporate to use. Is Vista a doomed O/S and if so why?

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Turn Vista into a Power Tool!!

Paul

I’ve been thinking of some other cool things you can do with Vista and here are some of them!!

As you see, this little program can make command line shortcuts. All you have to do is go to the start menu search bar and type in a shortcut command and it will run a nice little script. It is a real nice shortcuts.

Snipping Tool

If you need something to capture a portion of a screen in vista. You have a nice little capturing program. It’s call snipping tool, and it isn’t readily available. You can get to it by hitting the start Menu and typing “Snip” in the vista Search bar. It is really nice not to have to download a program for making screen shots.

Super Root Administrator

Now if you’re a Linux user your understand the value of this little secret. Vista has a Super Root Administrator available to use but deactivated and if you use this you must be understand this is for people who need to have an Admin Account that can do more than just an Administrator, so Here is how you do it. Type Cmd in the search bar, (star menu), and right click on cmd.exe and run as Admin, then you type this in prompt. “Net user administrator /active:yes” in the command prompt. Now after you activate, you will need to make it unprotected by selecting a password for this after wards. If you want to disable this account you do the same stuff first then this : “Net user administrator /active:no” on the Command line. That will turn it off. I hope this helps you out when you use Vista.

UAC Discussions and Tips

Paul

As many of you know, if you bought Windows Vista you’ve had this annoying little pop up for User Account Control. It darken}s the screen and only allows you to continue if you select OK or you can always Cancel. I find it waste CPU cycles, and Resources. I’ve been reading about a program called:

[TweakUAC] — TweakUAC(TM) is a free software tool that you can use to quickly turn UAC (User Account Control of Windows Vista) on or off, or to make UAC operate in the quiet mode.

This little program lets you make it quite, I’ve found that quite mode doesn’t do me any good because it makes you still have to click ‘OK’ on a lot of system level programs. Like Regedit.exe, and MsConfig.exe. This can get annoying if you are using you system for more than just day to day routines. I also find that if you use common sense you won’t have to have UAC on at all. That’s right I have turned my UAC off on windows and have no viruses or problems yet that have been associated with turning it off. I find most of the time people ignore the UAC and gets to used to it to prevent Viruses or Spyware. It’s all about getting to used to the UAC and ignoring all the warnings.

If you’re like me and want to disable UAC without downloading any programs check out my previous post on how to do it at:

Ways to improve Battery Life in Vista

People also say don’t use an Administrator account, Well I’ve been using an Administrator account for the past year and half. I’ve had no problems doing it, it’s all about how you use your account.

Now if you want to know about security and how to protect yourself you should read my other post:

Some Important programs to prevent yourself from having viruses and Malware!!

This little post talks about ways to prevent viruses and Malware a.k.a. Spyware. I have had great response on that little post. I will be later on this weekend posting ways to use Vista safely. If you have any ideas or want to help provide avenues of discussion please leave a comment.

Vista Tips and Secrets!!

Paul


I’ve learned a lot of little tips and tricks in Vista and I want to share you one or two!!

You can add the run command to your Start menu:

  1. Right-click on the Start menu and choose Properties.
  2. Select the Start Menu tab and click on the Customize button.
  3. Check the “Run command” option.

Add Items to you quick launch bar such as browser, email ,other important programs and you can easily start them up with a keyboard command:

  1. Windows Key + #

If you have Firefox first next to the start menu, you’d hit 1, and the next is 2, and so on.

I found these shortcut keys to be quite helpfull with Vista and it helps with speed. I also suggest getting a SD Card or Flash memory card, twice the size of your current memory if you’ve got a 1 gig, get a 2 gig flash and use that as a ReadyBoost
option. I will put more up later!! Keep watching!!