Optimize Vista
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By Gregg Perez and Tony Pham  | Published Dec 2007

So it’s the holidays and what to do with that new laptop/desktop running Microsoft Vista?

Although it looks great it is at he cost of some performance. Don’t get me wrong your new computer probably is up to spec with Vista requirements. I would just suggest you be aware of how much ram is included with you new pc. If it does not have at least 2 gigs you may want to consider this small upgrade. Trust me you will enjoy the “Vista” experience more. Well let’s get down to the tweaks that won’t cost you a thing and will keep you running your Vista a little smoother.

Cut the fat!

Microsoft really did try to include everything in this OS if you need it or not. Most likely you can disable programs that pop up in the start up.

To change how a service starts, right-click it and click Properties. If you don’t want a service to load, fi rst stop the service by clicking Stop. Then, pull down the Startup Type list and set the service to Manual or Disabled.

It’s safer to set it to Manual if you not sure what the program is. Then you can also set it back.. If you know you don’t need a service, set it to Disabled.

Here are some services you can disable that start automatically by default:

• Tablet PC Input Service (unless it is a tablet PC)
• Windows Error Reporting
• Offl ine Files
• Remote Registry
• Distributed Link Tracking Client

Do NOT disable these services :
• Multimedia Class Scheduler
• Superfetch
• Windows Driver Foundation
• Plug and Play
• Task Scheduler

Play around with this. Only you know what programs you use and what you don’t. Follow the manual rule. If your not sure switch to manual not disable.

1. Right-click on any icons you fi nd that isn’t simple Windows status icons. Look for settings, properties, or a similar option. Then, in the resulting window, look for a way to prevent the program from loading when Windows starts.

Need all the Eye Candy?

Windows Vista features look great and take full advantage of your graphics card driven by Direct3D.

Here are some simple tweaks for the interface:

• The Side bar is a cool looking feature but unfortunately it eats up memory. Rightclick the Sidebar, click Properties, and uncheck Start Sidebar When Windows Starts. Click Ok. Then, right-click the Sidebar and click Close Sidebar. If you ever want it back, you can simply click the Start button and key in “sidebar” and hit Enter.

• Lose the transparency. Right-click the desktop click Personalize, and click Windows Color and Appearance. Uncheck Enable Transparency. Click Ok.

• Open Control Panel, click Performance and System Tools, and click Adjust Visual Effects. In the resulting window, you can uncheck line items for animations, fades, and other effects; or simply click Adjust For Best Performance.

• You can have a classic view, use the Windows Classic, Windows Vista Basic, or Windows Standard theme. Right-click the desktop, click Personalize, and click Windows Color and Appearance. Click Open Classic Appearance Properties...
and choose a theme in the Color Scheme list box. Click Ok.

There are also a number of Vista performance programs like tweakvista, VistaBoot-Pro, and RegToy. I actually have not been able to test all of the programs out there but I did test out RegToy which is free. It is actually a powerful little program so take you time with it. You can customize almost anything in vista visually and optimize performance with ease and it’s free!

Well I hope this gets you on your way to enjoying Vista! It great and if your using a PC kind of your only choice. Now there is Linux but that will be for another discussion. We look forward to your questions about Vista, PC’s, or electronics so drop us a line!

Thanks and catch you on the next issue!

Gregg
leetspeak07@gmail.com