Windows Tutorial 10 Improving Your Computers Performance

COMPREHENSIVE

Objectives
Optimize computer performance Monitor system tasks Examine system information Increase memory capacity with ReadyBoost Find troubleshooting steps Troubleshoot printer and network problems Respond to software and operating system errors Manage remote assistance

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

Improving System Performance

After you use your computer for awhile, and especially after installing software and saving and deleting files, you might notice changes in your system performance

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

Improving System Performance

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

Viewing and Calculating Your Base Score

XP

Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, and then click Performance Information and Tools View the Windows Experience Index base score and subscores for your computer. If these scores are not displayed, click Score this computer To find out if your score has changed, click Update my score

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

Optimizing Visual Effects and Other Options

XP

In the Performance Information and Tools window, click Adjust visual effects in the left pane

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

Using Advanced Performance Tools

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

Viewing Details About System Events

XP

When you are troubleshooting problems with Windows and other programs, it is often helpful to view details about system events
Program events Security events System events

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

Monitoring System Performance

Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click the System and Maintenance category, and then click Performance Information and Tools Click Advanced tools in the left pane Click Open Reliability and Performance Monitor In the left pane, click Reliability and Performance, if necessary, to display an overview of system resources Click Performance Monitor to graph system performance Click Reliability Monitor to display a chart of system stability information
New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

XP

Monitoring System Performance

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

10

Tracking Processor Time

In the Reliability and Performance Monitor window, click Performance Monitor in the left pane Click the Add button on the Performance Monitor toolbar Click % Usage, and then click the Add button Click the OK button

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

11

Tracking Processor Time

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

12

System Stability Chart

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

13

Using Task Manager to Examine System Information

XP

Besides using the Reliability and Performance Monitor to track system information, you can also use Task Manager to view information about the programs and processes running on your computer

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

14

Examining System Information

XP

In the Advanced Tools window, click View advanced system details in System Information

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

15

Generating a System Health Report

XP

In the Advanced Tools window, click Generate a system health report

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

16

Using ReadyBoost to Increase Memory Capacity

XP

Windows ReadyBoost can use storage space on some removable media devices, including USB flash drives, to speed up your computer Plug a USB flash drive into an available USB port on your computer

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

17

Finding Troubleshooting Information

XP

Click the Start button on the taskbar, and then click Help and Support Click Troubleshooting

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

18

Troubleshooting Printer Errors

Print quality Running out of paper Clearing a print jam Print errors can cause problems with the print queue

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

19

Repairing a Network Connection

XP

Right-click the network icon in the notification area of the taskbar, and then click Diagnose and repair on the shortcut menu Follow the suggestions that appear in the Windows Network Diagnostics window, if any Click the Close button

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

20

Repairing a Network Connection

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

21

Finding the IP Address of Your Computer

XP

Click the Start button on the taskbar, point to All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Command Prompt Type ipconfig

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

22

Finding the IP Address of Your Computer

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

23

Checking for Solutions to Software Problems

XP

Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, then click Problem Reports and Solutions to open the Problem Reports and Solutions window Click Check for new solutions in the left pane Follow any steps Windows provides, then close the Problem Reports and Solutions window

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

24

Checking for Solutions to Software Problems

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

25

Checking for Solutions to Software Problems

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

26

Recovering the Operating System

System Restore Last Known Good Configuration Safe mode Startup Repair Reinstall Windows

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

27

Requesting and Managing Remote Assistance

XP

In the System and Maintenance window, click System Click Remote settings If necessary, click the Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer box to insert a check mark

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

28

Requesting and Managing Remote Assistance

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

29

Requesting Remote Assistance

XP

Click the Start button on the taskbar, and then click Help and Support In the Ask someone section of the Windows Help and Support window, click Windows Remote Assistance

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

30

Requesting Remote Assistance

XP

New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista

31