COMPUTER CENTRAL PERFORMANCE TIPS

Switch between programs using Alt + Tab [95/98/NT4]: To flip from one application to another using only the keyboard, the old Window 3.1 trick of using Alt+Tab still works, in fact it works better than before. Now, instead of seeing one application&#top46;s icon at a time, you see them all, along with an outline box highlighting the one you are about to select. Keep your thumb on the Alt key while tabbing. To select an application, release the Alt key.

Get better caching performance [95]: Go to Control Panel - System Tab - File system - change the Typical Role of the Machine to Network server, then apply changes. Instead of rebooting your PC, run Regedit and go to to this key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FS Templates\Server\. Edit the Namecache and pathcache to these binary values: NameCache - a9 0a 00 00 PathCache - 40 00 00 00. These values are actually reversed before you edit the changes. Exit Regedit and reboot.

Help avoid crashes [95/98/NT4]: To help avoid crashes, make sure that you have twice as much hard drive space available as you have RAM. For example, a system with 16MB of RAM should have 32MB of hard drive space available.Your computer is constantly creating new temporary files (.TMP) to help with productivity. To help avoid crashes, delete all the .TMP files that are not current. Using your find feature, search for *.TMP files, sort the files by date, and delete all the .TMP files without today's date.

Deciding whether to convert to FAT32 [98]: Before you convert to FAT32, make sure it's the right choice. FAT32's strong point is that it uses hard disk space more efficiently. The minimum file size for FAT16 on a 1GB disk, for example, is 32K. For FAT32, it's 4K. Another benefit is that unlike FAT16, FAT32 isn't limited to a 2GB-per-disk partition.

On the other hand, you can't use DriveSpace to compress a FAT32 disk. And if you like to use your notebook's suspend-to-disk feature, it won't work with FAT32. Nor can you dual-boot your system to run most earlier versions of Windows or DOS. Additionally, some older disk utilities work only with FAT16, so you may have to upgrade your third-party utility programs. And once you've converted to FAT32, the only way to return the disk to FAT16 and reclaim these capabilities is through repartitioning and reformatting.

If you choose to convert, the Drive Converter Wizard does a good job of warning you about possible problems. Be sure to read each screen carefully as you work your way through the choices, and don't hesitate to cancel the conversion if you have any doubts.

Converting the file system to FAT32 [95/98/NT4]: If you upgraded to Win 98 on an old system, odds are the disk uses the older 16-bit FAT, or file allocation table, instead of the newer 32-bit FAT. Win 98 includes a conversion utility that updates your disk so you won't have to reformat it. To run the utility, choose Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|Drive Converter (FAT32), then work your way through the Drive Converter Wizard screens.

Clean up unneeded files with the Disk Cleanout tool [98]: The Disk Cleanup tool helps you find and delete unnecessary files. If you have any doubts about deleting a category, such as Temporary Internet Files, choose the View Files button to see a description of the files marked for deletion. You can manually select only those you want to delete.

Automate system tune-ups [98]: Take advantage of the Windows Maintenance Wizard to automate system tune-ups. To open this wizard, choose Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|Windows Maintenance. To let the wizard walk you though the steps to customize the tune-up, choose "Change my tune-up settings or schedule" (you won't get this option the first time you run the wizard; you'll go directly to the next step). In the resulting dialog, you must select either the Express or Custom setup option. Unless you're in a big hurry, Custom is the better choice, because it gives you much more control over the details.

In addition to scheduling tune-ups for your system, you can use the Windows Maintenance Wizard to force an immediate tune-up. Choose Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|Windows Maintenance, select "Tune up my computer now," and click OK.

Extend battery life with improved power management tool [98]: To set the power scheme for your system, choose Start|Settings|Control Panel, then double-click Power Management and go to the Power Schemes tab. You can pick one of the predefined choices from the Power Schemes pull-down list, or you can define your own and save it by choosing the Save As button. When you're working from a battery on a portable computer, for example, you may want to set a shorter interval for the monitor to remain on without input than when you're plugged into a power outlet. Depending on your system, you may see choices for how long to wait for activity before the system turns off the monitor, spins down the hard disk, or puts itself in standby mode.

Increase Windows Speed and Memory [95/98] [For experienced Windows users only] FDISK will erase all data from your hard drive so Backup!!! Use the fdisk utility to repartition your hard drive into two logical drives. D: should be about 200 MB, while C: should claim all of the space left on the hard drive. Install windows to the C: partition. Once Windows is installed, go to CONTROL PANEL -> SYSTEM -> PERFORMANCE -> VIRTUAL MEMORY. Click on "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings" Set the hard disk to the newly created 200 mb partition on D:. Set the maximum to about 10mb less than the total disk space, with no minimum.

Clear up to 7 MB of space by deleting unused .avi files [95]: Look in your c:\Windows\Help folder for .AVI files. You could have as much as 7MB of .AVI tutorials left over. Unless you are using Windows 95 for the first time, you don't need them.

Delete files directly without sending them to the Recycle Bin [95/98/NT4]: To immediately delete a file rather than send it to the Recycle Bin, hold down the <Shift> key when you delete it.

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