optimizing performances *

The basics of speed Limiting Windows' usage of disk cache Handling Windows' virtual memory Increasing Windows' stability

Overclocking tips Freeing up IRQs Boosting the Pentium Pro/Pentium II video chipset No ISA card = 5% performance boost

> The basics of speed

• Make sure that the L1 and L2 cache are activated in the BIOS. If you use a Celeron processor, disable L2 cache. L1 cache is of primary importance, disable it and computer performances are reduced considerably.
  

• Right-click on My Computer and go to the Performance tab. Check that your parameters are set for maximum performances ; unless you have reasons to change them (ex: you're trying to troubleshoot and have disabled some Files system features):
  
  Under "Hard Disk", the settings must be determined by the RAM capacity of your computer, however Windows does not choose the best adjustment automatically. Position set the Read-Ahead all the way up. If you have 32Mb of RAM or more, put the typical use of the computer on "Network Server". If you have 4 or 8Mo, choose "Mobile or docking system". In all other cases, choose "Desktop computer".
  
  Under "CD-Rom", make sure that the definition matches the speed of your CD-Rom and set the Supplemental Cache Size all the way up.
  
  Under "Troubleshooting", unless you have a good reason to tick any other, leave only the "Disable synchronous buffer" checkbox ticked. It bypasses a test of the data written on the hard disk, and offers a gain in speed of approximately 10%.

• You can restart Windows faster by holding the Shift key when you click on OK for "Restart" in the Shutdown option of the Start Menu. This restarts only Windows, instead of rebooting the entire system.

• It is a good idea to restart after a GPF or a blue screen.

• Unless you use it, disable Active Desktop. Right-click on an empty space of the desktop, then click on Properties. In the Web tab tick the box "View my Active Desktop as a Web page". This feature eats up memory and can slow down your boot-up time by 3-5 seconds.

• Along the same lines, you can disable Web Integration when browsing folders on your hard disk. This option really slows down your computer. Open a file and go to the View menu then click on "Folder Options..." Choose either "Classic Style" or "View Web content in folders" under the heading "Custom..." and choose "Only for folders where I select As Web Page (View menu)."

• You can turn off the Windows 95/98 boot-up logo with the cycling colors, and it's simple. First, load up a DOS Prompt. Type the following:
  
  C:
  CD\
  ATTRIB MSDOS.SYS - S - H - R
  EDIT MSDOS.SYS
  
  Now that file MSDOS.SYS is opened, locate the line "Logo=1". If you can't find it, add the line "Logo=0" under the [Options] header. Save the file, exit, then reboot. The Start logo does not appear any more.

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