**** GUT SHhtuff for "Our PC Care Basics (Win 98) (5/6/2000) *** NOW U Know More #2 *** Performance: The Speed You Need Windows 98 alone doesn't offer huge performance boosts, though it does make applications load faster. As with Win 95, your system can bog down when you have a lot of programs running--and that goes double for Active Desktop items. Here are a few ways to keep things moving. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 98 How can I speed up my big, sluggish software suites? It's possible to make programs load more quickly--especially those in Microsoft Office--but this won't help them run faster. The Intel Application Launch Accelerator, a tool included with Windows 98's Disk Defragmenter, does the trick for you. This utility arranges the pieces of your most commonly used software on your hard disk in the order they'll load the fastest--a step beyond regular defragmenting, which merely consolidates files into contiguous clusters and doesn't take into consideration when various parts of a file get loaded. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. When the utility's opening screen pops up, click the Settings button, make sure the "Rearrange program files so my programs start faster" option is checked, and then click OK. On the opening screen, click OK again, and leave your PC for an hour or so while it does the job. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 95 98 Does having an Active Desktop slow down my system? If so, how can I speed it up again? Active Desktop by itself doesn't cause any performance problems, but the elements you include in it might. Active Desktop consists of three elements, all of which were introduced with Internet Explorer 4.0 and have continued with Windows 98 and IE 5. The first, Web View, turns your desktop into one big Web page with clickable links, which by itself won't slow down your computer. *** To Many Variables = I do NOT use active desktop *** The second feature allows you to add active items--such as HTML code or JavaScript tickers--to your desktop. You can also plant items drawn from the Web onto the desktop and receive updates periodically. Both of these capabilities can put significant drag on your system. ***Do NOT Subscribe! Unneccesary Memory storing is needed1*** If you suspect a Web site subscription is slowing you down, try changing the update profile of your subscription. Right-click the desktop, select Properties, and click the Web tab. Select the item in question and click the Properties button. Under the Receiving tab, you can elect to not have IE update the changed item and instead just tell you, with a pop-up dialog box or an e-mail, that an update is available. Under the Schedule tab, you can reduce the frequency of updates or turn updates off completely. You can always update pages manually by right-clicking the desktop and selecting Active Desktop, Update Now. In general, we recommend avoiding subscriptions--a much-hyped feature that isn't worth the hassle.!!!!! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 98 The more software I install, the slower my system seems to get. How can I reverse the trend? Many applications install little programs that run every time you start up Windows, although you can't see them; if you have a lot of them, they slow your system down. Check the contents of your system tray: Each icon represents a program that uses at least a few CPU cycles and some system resources, and there are many more you can't see. To monitor or turn off (* OFF = Means Auto Load @ Start-up = Shorter Start-UP*) these programs, load Windows 98's System Configuration Utility. Select Start, Run, enter msconfig, and click OK. In the SCU dialog box, click the Startup tab and scroll through the list of items for unnecessary tools. These could include monitor programs, scheduling agents, and others. Click to remove the check mark next to any you don't want to run. **I Highly recommend! turning off alot of them! except Most used and Systray & Explorer** If you change your mind, you can run any disabled start-up item by selecting it from the Start, Programs, Disabled Startup Items. To get an item to run at start-up again, return to the SCU's Startup tab and reselect the item. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 98 How can I regularly scan and defrag a 4GB or larger hard drive without losing hours of productive time? Windows 98's all-in-one Maintenance Wizard can automatically run cleanup tools on a schedule you set. Maintenance Wizard can clean up your Start menu, scan for and remove viruses, flush the browser cache and temp folders, check the hard disk for errors, defragment your hard drive, and even optimize compressed drives. To schedule a tune-up, select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Maintenance Wizard. To set up a loose schedule, make sure the Express radio button is selected, click the Next button, and then choose the stretch of time--day, evening, or night--when your system is normally running but you're not working on it. Maintenance Wizard will kick in only when your computer is idle during the period you've chosen. *** Biggest "PIA" is "Windows Auto Update default setting is EVERY 5 min.'s RESET for Weekly !*** *** 5/6/00 I'm Working on recommended settings for all these tasks *** +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copyright © 1999 PC World Communications. All Rights Reserved. Use of this service is subject to the PC World Online Terms of Service Agreement. PC World Online complies with the ASME Guidelines with IDG Extensions for new media.