Speed up your pc/laptop

Hi friends,

I am sharing my cool, tried and absolutely free ways to speed up pc/laptop performance.

1. Install CCleaner, it's a freeware cleaning tool designed to remove unwanted startup entries, unwanted softwares, temporary files, form history, cookies, logs, recycle bin, recent documents, fake registry entries, remains of an uninstalled softwares etc. and much more. This tool is absolutely free to download and offers a great in removing garbage from laptop.

2. Defragment my hard drives once in a month.

3. Using AVG Antivirus free edition that includes both antivirus & antispyware services. Auto update is on and ensure scanning of laptop once every 15 days.

4. Using fastestfox 3.1 firefox plugin for enhanced browsing.

5. Using DownThemAll! 1.1 firefox plugin for speeding up download process. It includes inbuilt download manager which will extraordinarily speed up the download process.

6. When interacting with google sites like gmail, youtube, orkut, adsense etc., I prefer to use Google Chrome browser, it works faster on these sites than other browsers.

7. Always make sure that atleast 35% of the hard drive space remains free. I do take backup in DVDs regularly to remove unused data from pc/laptop.

8. Set up my virtual memory at exactly 1.5 to 2 times of my RAM. (From My Computer properties - Advanced - Performance Settings - Advanced - Virtual Memory)

9. Allocating just enough space to Recycle Bin(5% of hard drive), System Restore(5% of hard drive) etc. This gives me more space on hard drive to use.

10. Turning Automatic Window Update off but manually updating windows version once every 15 days.

11. Removed unnecessary startup entries (using CCleaner).

12. Don't delete OLD Prefetch Data, to make window startup and shutdown a bit faster. Uncheck this option in Ccleaner too.

These easy to use 12 ways are making my interaction with computer a comfortable and speedy experience.

Speed up your Internet Download

In Windows Xp, by default, 20% bandwidth is reserved by Microsoft for their own purposes (updates, interrogating your machine, etc.)

To eliminate this reserved bandwidth space, perform the following steps :-

1. Type gpedit.msc in Run, this will group policy editor.

2. Navigate to "Local Computer Policy" --> "Computer Configuration" --> "Administrative Templates" --> "Network" --> "QOS Packet Scheduler"

3. Double click "Limit Reservable Bandwidth"

4. Check "Enable" and set "Bandwidth limit[%]" to zero and click OK

Now you 20% more bandwidth for your internet work.....Enjoy Surfing........
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Good Informative sites about CPUs, Microprocessors, Motherboards, Chips etc.

Here are the list of sites that discuss different CPUs, Processors / Microprocessors, Motherboards, Chips in detail. Their pin diagram, datasheet, architecture, internal circuits, functionality, technical details, characteristics etc.

cpu-world.com : rare microprocessors, co-processors and microcontrollers; microprocessor architectures, socket and core names pages; CPU/MCU families, pinouts pages, support chips, benchmarks, odd looking chips; Online tool - Identify chip by part number; BSP · CPU · FPU · MCU · SoC · Other ICs and lots of other information.



gecko54000.free.fr : virtual CPU museum, the Gecko's CPU Library; Collection is grouped by manufacturer and then by family; large CPU and FPU collection; documentation, ressources, packages, sockets sections; till now 3113 images in 784 albums.



antiquetech.com : vintage chips that is difficult to find; some of the most discussed old chips : Intel 4004, MOS 6502, Motorola 6800, RCA 1802, Rockwell PPS-4, NEC uPD751, National Semiconductor IMP-00A.




Microprocessor Report has been the leading technical publication for the microprocessor industry since it was first introduced by Michael Slater in 1987. Microprocessor Report is exclusively subscriber-supported and dedicated to providing unbiased, in-depth, and critical analysis of new high-performance microprocessor developments. The newsletter covers the microprocessor implications of emerging platforms, emerging personal computer technologies, new memory and system logic chips, mobile computing devices, embedded processors, DSP technology, and intellectual property issues.




cpushack.com : Microprocessor Museum of CPU History for Intel CPUs, AMD Processor History, Cyrix Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and more. Till date : Total CPU's: 2228, Total manufacturers represented: 104, Total EPROM's:560

OpenOffice.org : Excellent and free alternative to Ms Office

OpenOffice.org is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.


OpenOffice.org is the open source project through which Sun Microsystems is releasing the technology for the popular StarOffice productivity suite. It is an international office suite that will run on all major platforms and provide access to all functionality and data through open-component based APIs and an XML-based file format. It establishes the necessary facilities to make this open source technology available to the developer community.

OpenOffice is a free, Open Source alternative to MS Office with a Word compatible word processor, a complete Excel compatible spread sheet program and a Power Point like presentation software and drawing program and also allows to save to PDF file.

Click on image above to download it.......
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Lost your Software Product Keys !! Find them with these free softwares

Lost your Software Product Keys !! Find them with these free softwares.

These softwares are safe to use and can retrieve your lost product keys of softwares like Windows Xp, 2003, Vista, Office Xp, etc. in a second.

You can even change and backup the current product key through these softwares.

The only biggest disadvantage of these softwares is that they can be detected by your Anti-Virus programs as a malware or adware, but don't worry they are safe to use.

Here goes the list :-

1. Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder

The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware open source utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install Windows from your registry. It allows you to print or save your keys for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003, Server 2008, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007 family of products. Current Version v2.0.1.



2. Winkeyfinder

Win keyfinder retrieves your Windows Xp, win 2000, Windows me, 98, 2003 and .NET Product keys from the registry and display it for you. Current Version 1.73 RC2.




3. Product Key Finder PRO

Product Key Finder PRO software utility allows you to recover your CD Product key for Windows or Office programs for the purposes of reinstalling / repairing your Windows or Office setup. Recover your lost key for (Windows) 2000, XP, 2003, Vista. (Office) XP, 2003, 2007. Current Version 2007.


4. RockXP

RockXP allows you to retrieve your XP product key that you used when you installed Windows XP, as well as keys for other Microsoft products. This can come very handy if you need to reinstall but have misplaced or lost the CD cover with the serial sticker. In addition, the program also lets you save the product activation to a file, recover usernames and passwords contained in the Windows Secure Storage, as well as MSN logins, Internet connection parameters and more. Current Version 4.0

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Free Ubuntu Operating System CD

Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

Ubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, we make our very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Ubuntu are and always will be free of charge.

Everything you need comes on one CD, providing a complete working environment. Additional software is available online.

Click here to get Ubuntu CD absolutely free


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Review : Google Chrome Beta

Google Chrome Beta is a new internet browser from Google. It is designed so as to make surfing web faster, easier and safely. It is still in Beta phase, so this is not the final version. Google is always been serious about the web application, this time it is serious about the web browser and it's surfing capabilities too.

Some Cool Features :-

• Smooth User Interface. Lightweight.
  
• Google Search is combined with Web Address Bar.
• Dynamic Dragging Tabs to create new windows.
• Inbuilt Task Manager(Shift+Escape).
• Independent Tabs to facilitate Crash Control.
• Incognito mode for private browsing (Ctrl+Shift+N).
• Warns for a suspected phishing, malware or any unsafe website.
• Import bookmarks from current browser.
• Faster Java related Applications
  
• Download Status Bar
  
• Shortcuts like Ctrl+L, Ctrl+K, Ctrl+N etc.
  

Current Issues :-

• No IRC Support, No Add-Ins, No Plug-Ins.
• Available Only for WindowXp and Vista Platform, Not for Linux, Unix etc.
• Don't Support Bookmarking from Opera.
• Some Facebook Aplications doesn't work properly.
• Crashes on some websites in the long run.
• No RSS support
• Working with Bookmarks is a bit uneasy

Google have to work a bit more on this product to eliminate Beta version issues and to give it more enhancing capabilities. Personally I love to prefer Google and its products, and I believe its final version will be a good competitor to IE7-8 and Firfox3.

Also remember, it is wise to choose option to send crash reports to Google while installation of Google Chrome, so that Google comes to know about errors and fix them for the final version.

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Netbooks : Great Subsitute to Expensive Laptops

Netbooks are simple, cheap, compact mobile devices that can be used for surfing the Internet, emailing, working on basic office applications, listening to music and even making Skype video phone calls.

The cost of the Netbooks currently range from Rs.15,000 to Rs.23,000 and will come down further. One of the main reasons for such low prices is because of low cost chips from Intel, Via, AMD and Nvidia. The growth of these Netbooks are staggering and in a price conscious market like India, the sales will be massive.


The recommended Netbooks are the ASUS EeePC 900, Acer Aspire One and the MSI Wind.


Various Comparisons of these Netbooks :-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_netbooks



Other Links which can be of great help for knowing Netbooks :-

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=328902

http://www.tech2.com/india/category/netbooks/191/0/0/0/a

http://www.techgadgets.in/features/2008/24/asus-eee-pc-904h-and-1000h-netbooks-arrive-in-india/

Cool Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP

Check out this cool link
it's all about Power Toys
for windows Xp

PowerToys are additional programs or tools to add fun and functionality to the Windows experience. check out below link
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Windows Xp : Speed Up Shutdown Time

Try this under Supervision. Any harm to Registry can cause Xp operating system to crack.

XP clear your paging file (pagefile.sys) of its contents whenever you shut down for security reasons. Your paging file is used to store temporary files and data, sensitive information, such as unencrypted passwords etc.

So if extreme security isn't required, then shut down XP without clearing your paging file by :-

1. Run the Registry Editor ( type regedit in Run and enter)

2. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

3. Change the value of ClearPageFileAtShutdown to 0.

4.Close the Registry and restart your computer.

Now on while turning off XP , the paging file won't be cleared, and shut down will be more quickly.


Excellent tutorial on Windows Registry : http://www.pctools.com/guides/article/id/1/page/1/

Xp Keyboard Shortcuts

When speed counts, the keyboard is still king. Almost all the actions and commands you can perform with a mouse you can perform faster using combinations of keys on your keyboard. These simple keyboard shortcuts can get you where you want to go faster than several clicks of a mouse. You'll work faster on spreadsheets and similar documents, too, because you won't lose your place switching back and forth between mouse and keys.

Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts:

Copy. CTRL+C
Cut. CTRL+X
Paste. CTRL+V
Undo. CTRL+Z
Delete. DELETE

Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin. SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item. F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all. CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder. F3
View properties for the selected item. ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program. ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously. CTRL+F4
Switch between open items. ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened. ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu. CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu. ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command. Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program. F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu. RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu. LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task. ESC
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.


Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:

Move forward through tabs. CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options. TAB
Move backward through options. SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button. ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box. SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display Help. F1
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE

If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:

Display or hide the Start menu.
Display the System Properties dialog box. +BREAK
Show the desktop. +D
Minimize all windows. +M
Restores minimized windows. +Shift+M
Open My Computer. +E
Search for a file or folder. +F
Search for computers. CTRL+ +F
Display Windows Help. +F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. + L
Open the Run dialog box. +R
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Open Utility Manager. +U


Helpful accessibility keyboard shortcuts:

Switch FilterKeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager. +U

Keyboard shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer:

Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW

IT & Computer Learning Site

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Configuring Multi Booting of WindowsXp and Red Hat Linux 9 Systems

Instead of using 3rd party software for multibooting try out this :-

To avoid the problem of multibooting of windowsxp and linux on same hard drive,
don't install grub on MBR but install grub at the first sector of /boot partition.

My Case, hope this will help :


first installed windows xp on first primary ntfs partition hda1
then i have d: and e: as logical fat32 drives hda5 & hda6 respectively
then i have /boot partition on hda7, / partition on hda8 and swap as hda9
after installing linux, booted from floppy and in root terminal i typed

mkdir /mnt/d:
mount -t vfat /dev/hda5 /mnt/d:
dd if = /dev/hda7 bs=512 count=1 of=/mnt/d:/linux.bin

then i restarted in windows copied linux.bin image from d: to c:
add the following line to the c:\boot.ini file using notepad.
c:\linux.bin="red hat linux 9" and save it.

now restart the system u will see two option at boot
1. windows xp
2. red hat linux 9

now reinstalling of one operating system cannot interfere with the boot of the other operating system. hope it helped