Computer newbies forum: A Few 'Tips' For Computer Newbies

I am learning so much from all of you guys! Thanks for the great ideas. I hope to know more important tips!

I am running Windows 2000 and when I try to run msconfig I get error message saying it can't find file 'msconfig' (or one of its components). I also can't find the Perforamnce tab when I open properties. Is Windows 2000 so different that your instructions can not be follwed to check system resources at startup?

It was suggested to me that using "msconfig" and selecting "Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices & services only" (Windows XP)... and then re-booting the machine was the simple way to obtain minimum start up programs. However, I don't know enough about the subject to comment with any knowledge - could someone advise me as to the advisability of using this method? Is it safe? Does it work?
Jon McNamara

to check '% system resources' using XP/XP(SP2)/W2K, both at startup and after having disabled unecessary programs/services?. I've read through this entire thread without seeing any mention of how this can be done for these versions. While the help/advice and links you've provided has been extremely helpful, I think it would be nice for the above users to have some means of 'verification' after disabling their startup programs(numbers-wise), in the same way as the Windows 9.x/ME users have.

Hope you can help.

Cheers

K.

Although XP doesn't show "resources percentage" like Windows 98/ME because it doesn't "use" them in the same manner, you can still check how the memory/resources are being used.

Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete, click on the "Task Manager" button, then click on the "Performance" tab. It will tell you the CPU and Page File usage statistics.

Likewise, you can get a little more information by opening the Control Panel, double click on the "Administrative Tools" icon, then double click on the "Performance" icon. If it's not already displayed, click on the "System Monitor" listing on the left side of the screen and you can see a graph of current activity. It's a little cryptic but it does give you a general idea of the computer activity.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I am definately a newbie but tried your tip to shut down unnecessary start up programs as I felt my computer was taking too long to load. Also I was having difficulty getting on to the internet. My system froze when I clicked on Outlook Express. I'm on Broadband and am using ME. After clean up My System Resource is much better, it was 57 and is now 79percent - still not 90 is this ok. The main difference I have found is that I am instantly on-line now as soon as load up is complete - is this ok? if so I am thrilled. Thanks a lot Grif for an easy to understand tip.

One more problem Grif. Now when I open up all the icons on my desktop have moved places, I can put them back for the session but they move the next time AND I get a note on opening saying "I am using Selective Setup System for troubleshooting" What does this mean and do I do anything about it. Thanks for your help. Chris

When I try the following instructions from your post and click right on ''My Computer'', I don't see a ''Performance'' tab. On the ''Advanced'' tab there is a performance ''settings'' button, but it does not show any percentage of usage. Am I looking in the wrong place? I have Windows XP Home w/SP2.

(Your instuctions: ''Try this: Restart your computer. Wait for it to load completely then, right click on My Computer, choose ''Properties'', then the ''Performance'' tab. The System Resources should be at about 90% or more at startup.(Mine starts at 93%)'')

Please note that my original post in this topic was created 2 years ago when Windows 98/ME were more prevalent. In fact, the first line of that post says: "The instructions below were originally written for Windows 9.x/ME, but much can be used for Windows XP as well:"

If you would have read the other posts on this particular topic, you would have seen that Windows XP and 2000 don't have a "Performance" tab or "Resources" percentage. Below is a link to one of those other posts that would have helped you, IF you had read further:

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6121-0.html?forumID=45&threadID=22053&messageID=1359796

In addition, below is a good "Services" link that I like to provide. It should help you determine which unnecessary services can be shut down.

Services Guide For Windows XP

Hope this helps.

Grif

...There will be some items in "msconfig" which aren't listed in the "Services" section.

Remember though, we're talking about apples and oranges.. "Msconfig" has a "Startup" tab and a "Services" tab. (That's what BlackViper is referring to.) The instructions I gave were referring to the "Startup" tab, NOT the "Services" tab in "msconfig".. It is entirely correct to use "Services.msc" to shut down unnecessary "Services" exactly as BV has indicated.

Hope this helps.

Grif

..which ones are needed or unneeded. Check the same Pacs Portal site for the information you need.

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

Hope this helps.

Grif

System Resources is a generic term that covers RAM, processor, and virtual memory usage. It's been a long time since I had 90% free as Grif mentioned, but the lower the consumption/usage shown at startup the better.

John

(2002 ed.), w/SP2, on a Gateway FX400 X, though I've upgraded the RAM to 2 GB, added a hard drive (for video capture),and added a hardware modem (with the intent that it would take some load off the processor).

my MSCONFIG start up list is :
NvCpl RUNDLL32.EXE
nwiz nwiz.exe/installquiet/keeploaded/nodetect
sttray sttray.exe
IntelAudioStudio "C:\ProgramFiles\IntelAudioStudio\...exe"
LTMSG LTMSG.exe 7
qttask "C:\ProgramFiles\Quicktime\qttask.exe" - at boot time
WkUFind "C:\programFiles\CommonFiles\MicrosoftShared\WorksShared/
zlclient "C:\ProgramFiles\ZoneLabs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
PPE "C:\PROGRA~1\Pinnacle\PPE\PPE.EXE
avgcc "C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe/STARTUP
dumprep O -k %systemroot%\system32\dumprep O -k
adobe Reader Spe... "C:\Progra~1\Adobe\ACROBAT~1.0\Reader~1.EXE

First of all, I thought I'd uninstalled the Pinnacle, but I'm still finding bits and pieces here and there.
Next, the Quicktime came with the Pinnacle installation, and it's the only part of that installation I didn't uninstall. I'd rather not have it, and I'll probably never use the QTPlayer. But it seems necessary for video editing. If I get rid of it entirely, will the Movie Maker or the Adobe P.E.3 be compromised/corrupted?
As far as I know, Idon't have any use for the Intel Audio Studio. But do I need it for the Intel motherboard and processor?

This nwiz concerns me. The "keeploaded/nodetect" makes me suspicious.
so I unchecked it.

If I uncheck the Adobe Reader Speed Launch, will it still function when I need it?

As for the Services, there's about 2.5 pages worth, but only about 7 that aren't MS. But there's a number of the MS services I'm thinking I don't need, since I'm the only user, and my only "network" is with my ISP.

Normally, when I'm gonna do video, I turn off the Zone Alarm and AVG from the desktop. When I'm done, I reboot, and they come back on, no problem.

* Quicktime is actually required by select programs and websites with multimedia content, but its removal won't directly affect MovieMaker or Adobe PE 3.

* Intel Audio Studio is for your sound chip, and its removal could result in the loss of functionality or even loss of sound. It's best left alone.

* Are your graphics handled by nVidia? If so, nwiz.exe is likely just part of their Nview utility, which enables advanced features such as multiple desktops. If you're not using them, though, you can safely remove it.

* Yes, Adobe Reader will still work, but it will take a few seconds longer to load the document as part of it won't always be running in the background.

* You can click here to determine which services are not needed. I'd start by disabling the Indexing Service, Portable Media Serial Number Service, and Wireless Zero Configuration.

* You should never disable your security software as long as you are connected to a network/the internet. If you must, I recommend booting into Safe Mode (without networking) to avoid the possibility of being attacked while your shields are down.

Hope this helps,
John

Thanks, it helps me a lot. I'm a newbie with this stuff