Tech Tips
Performance Options can slow down Windows XP
Windows XP includes many functional improvements and visual features that do not directly add to or improve the functionality of the product. Examples of these features include the shadow behind the mouse cursor and menus, animated windows, and others....
Run optimizations manually
Windows XP actively monitors every application startup and logs the files that are used. The same logging is enabled when the operating system loads. Memory pages are logged in the %windir%\prefetch folder. In fact, each application you run will have a special file in this folder....
Learn the (non) value of disabling QoS
Numerous Internet sites feature tips and tricks on the optimization of Windows XP, and most of them promise huge performance gains. However, a lot of optimization tricks actually do very little to improve performance....
Get the inside details of a crash report
When a program crashes, Windows XP gathers information about the program, its code, and the actual crash. This data is then compiled into a special report. A dialog window appears, which prompts you to send the crash report to Microsoft....
Decipher the name behind the process
Windows XP runs numerous processes. To view them, open Task Manager and go to the Process tab. While several of these processes are self-explanatory, the majority of them are not....
Cool off with the System Idle Process
If you take a look at the Task Manager—press [Ctrl][Shift][Esc]—and click the Processes tab, you'll see all the programs and system processes that are currently running....
Conserve energy with these power states
Standby and Hibernation are two power states in which computers use less electricity. When the computer enters Standby mode, the machine shuts off the monitor and hard disks and uses minimal power to keep other devices running, such as the motherboard and memory....
Changes to Task Manager in Windows XP
Microsoft made minor improvements to the Task Manager in Windows XP. When you run it (the simplest way is to press [Ctrl][Shift][Esc]), you'll see five tabs....
Identify third-party burning software compatibility issues
Although Windows XP includes a burning engine, you can still use third-party burning applications. Before you use third-party applications, however, you should ensure that they are compatible with Windows XP....
Exploring burning engine limitations
Microsoft has integrated more and more features in Windows XP that were previously available only through third-party applications....
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