*** Improving My PC's Performance ***
					(FROM Excite's @Home)
			(*** = Great Advise and/OR My 2 cents, Karl)

                  Your computer may be a factor in Internet and @Home-related 
                  performance problems. A fast, optimized computer is always 
                  better for good Internet performance.

                  **To improve performance:** 
                    Reboot - Reboot your computer after several hours of use. 
                    You do not need to be turn the power on and off. 


                    *Disk space* - Keep at least 15% of your hard disk space free. 
                    If you have a hard disk with capacity of less than 1 GB, 
                    keep 10% free. 


                    *Defragmenting* - Run the defragmenter tool once a *week* at 
                    Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk 
                    Defragmenter. Use the default settings.


                    Virtual Memory - *Use the default setting* to let Windows 
                    manage virtual memory. Some programs will crash if you use 
                    other settings. (* Do NOT mess with THIS *)


                    Proxies - Access to most Web pages is improved with proxies. 
                    Leave them on unless you have a specific need to turn them 
                    temporarily off. (*** = ? I do not have a clue, leave alone!*)


                    System Resources - RAM requirements grow as programs become 
                    more demanding. Go to Control Panel > Windows System 
                    Properties > Performance. Anything less than 50% System 
                    Resources suggests that your computer would benefit by 
                    having more RAM. With Windows 98, performance improves 
                    noticeably when upgrading up to 96 MB. Windows 95 is less 
                    demanding. 


                    Computer upgrade - If your computer was low-end 1 year ago, 
                    or midrange 2 years ago, the CPU is limiting your Internet 
                    performance. Sometimes only one part needs upgrading, such 
                    as the video card, or RAM. For an assessment, consult a 
                    local vendor. (* If Your happy with IT = Save money/ don't buy!)

                  If performance has recently degraded, it may be caused by new 
                  hardware or software recently installed. Get the latest 
                  software drivers from the manufacturer's Web site. The 
                  software in the original box is often out-of-date.

                  If a performance enhancement is not listed here, it probably: 
                    Does not work in many situations, such as turning off the 
                    option to let Windows manage virtual memory.


                    Works for some people and on some computers, but not 
                    necessarily for you on your computer. You might not know if 
                    something is made worse, at least not right away. 


                    Potentially damages your computer or software. For example, 
                    over-clocking. 
                  @Home is not responsible for maintaining any non-@Home 
                  software. 


                  *** These factors degrade performance: ***

                  If you must use the following, limit yourself to two or three 
                  features and programs. Avoid the others if possible. For 
                  example, running a virus checker and a screen saver, but none 
                  of the others, is reasonable for performance. At the other 
                  extreme running Microsoft Office Task Bar, Active Desktop, 
                  subscriptions, StartUp programs, and a screen saver may bring 
                  your computer to its knees, even before browsing the Internet. 

                    *Microsoft Office Task Bar* - *Remove it*, unless you absolutely 
                    need it. (*** YES I BELEIVE This !!! ***)

                    Unused programs - Programs that are not used waste memory 
                    and CPU time. ***Close them***.
 
                    *Windows 98 Active Desktop* - Right-click an empty area on the 
                    desktop and select Active Desktop. *Clear* *"View As a Web Page"*. 
                    Then select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Web > 
                     and *CLEAR* ***View my actice Desktop as a Web Page***.
 
                    **Windows 98 subscriptions** - If you think that your computer 
                    is slow getting one Web page, imagine getting several pages 
                    at once while you are doing something else. **Avoid** this 
                    feature!

                    ***Microsoft Find Fast*** - **DELETE it !** from the Startup folder via 
                    Start > Programs > StartUp. Right-click and select Delete.
			(***THIS "Was" my Number 1 P.I.Ass on Win 95 !!)
 
                    ***StartUp folder programs*** - Your computer runs fastest with no 
                    items in the StartUp folder. Start programs as you need 
                    them. One exception is an anti-virus program: if you have 
                    one, *leave it*.(** @ LEAST Get rid of the Junk Programs !
			Like - "*REAL Player*" leave alone one not sure about ***)
 
                 -->***File sharing and print sharing*** - ***TURN THESE OFF !!!***  
                   Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network > Click "File & Printer 
                    Sharing" and *UNCHECK* both options. These are off by default.
			(*** IF they are ON then YOU WILL! be sharing ALL ! your
			Files when on the Internet !!! ***) 

                    **Screen savers** - While screen savers are fun, *they SLOW* 
                    programs on your computers. They also cause some programs to 
                    ** CRASH ! **. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Screen 
                    Saver, and *set* the "Screen Saver" box to *NONE*. Click Ok. 
                    
		    *Software that claims to improves network performance* - This 
                    software usually *does the opposite* for cable modems. Windows 
                    comes installed optimized for network connectivity. This 
                    includes anything adjusting the computer's MTU. 
                    Proxy software - For instance, Wingate. This often installs 
                    incorrectly, allowing many computers to connect through 
                    yours. 
                    Server software - this means setting up your computer to be 
                    a server. This may slow down your computer considerably. 
                    Personal Web Publishing is an example. 
                    Anti-Virus software - Do not remove this unless you are the 
                    only user on your computer, and you rarely download files to 
                    your hard disk.