Take back control of your system startup

 

Often windows gets so loaded with software that over time too many programs are loaded when windows starts or there is a troublesome app that locks up the system. Having too much loading at startup is the main culprit in slow boot ups. One handy tool to help with this is the system config tool. This tool allows for choosing what services or programs windows will start automatically. I’ve even seen some programs make deselecting an auto-start tricky or impossible.

 

In vista or XP:
click start
click run
type in msconfig
click ok

 

 

This tool is meant for diagnosing problems. If an application is causing startup issues it’s best to uninstall it entirely via its uninstall application and don’t just uncheck it from the startup menu. Sometimes Spyware apps will be listed here!

 

There are options under the general tab to start normally which is to run all programs as usual or start selective which means you can choose which specific apps to allow. Diagnostics startup which is like a safe mode start up with only basic services and apps loaded. The Start up tab shows all the third party software that you can selectively startup, checked boxes indicates the program is selected to start. Be aware that sometimes some of this software may be necessary to run windows optimally (i.e a mouse driver, video card drivers). The services tab shows all windows services. Now be careful with the services because many of these are required for basic components of the system to operate. Unless you know for sure that a service isn’t needed at all it’s best to leave it as is or feel free to read Some services that can be safely disabled. Happy computing.

 

Windows Vista has a bunch of programs that load automatically every time you start windows, no matter who logs in. These programs run in the background while you work in windows. Some of you may find added system performance by disabling some of these extra services that you may not need since many people are running vista with 1 gig of ram you may need to try some of these suggestions. Ive only included some services that start automatically and I think many people may not be using.

 

to see the services that windows manages:

 

click start
click run
type “services.msc”
click ok

 

Now you can scroll through all the services that windows manages and you can see whether they are currently started or stopped, automatically started, manually started or disabled. Selecting a service name and double clicking will bring up a windows with options to start, stop, autostart or disable a service. Be careful what you change here because some services are critical for normal operation and can be a trick to re-enable.

 

Desktop window Manager Session Manager
If you are using Vista’s aero glass functionality then you need this service otherwise it can be disabled.

 

Print spooler
If you aren’t using a printer you can disable.

 

Readyboost
Provides for increased system performance using usb flash drives. If your aren’t using thumb drives for this, you can disable it.

 

Tablet Pc input service
Allows functionality of a Tablet PC, if no tablet pc you may disable.

 

Telephony
can be disable if you don’t use a modem.

 

Terminal services/terminal service configuration
may be disabled if you don’t use remote desktop

 

windows Defender
You should only disable if you have other third party antivirus and spyware protection.

 

Windows Media Center Service
All five of these services may be disabled if you don’t use the Windows Media Center or Media player.

 

Windows search
If you don’t need faster or advanced search capabilities you can disable this feature.

 

Internet Connection Sharing
Can be disabled if you don’t share your computers internet connection.

 

Security Center
Can be disabled if you don’t want to see security related notifications.
Need more tips and tricks to avoid a computer fix?!

Windows XP’s remote assistance uses an internet connection to allow a remote user direct access to a problem computer. There are a couple different ways to accomplish this I will cover one way. For Remote Assistance to work you need to allow it to work through your firewall. Windows Firewall has a couple quick check boxes to enable the connection to take place, unless you choose to disable it altogether for now. Also the remote helper has to have his firewall configured to use Remote Assistance on his end.

 

Remote Assistance only works between Vista and XP when the XP user is requesting the assistance.

 

The remote helper can’t be on a XP machine helping a Vista user.

 

Additionally both computers need to enable the remote connections in system properties.
Here are the step by step instructions for creating a request from an XP user machine to a Vista helper machine:

 

click start
click control panel
click System
click Remote tab
(in Vista click Remote Settings)
check the box - Allow Remote Assistance invitations …
(in Vista check Allow Remote Assistance connections…)
click Advanced button
click Allow this computer to be controlled remotely
click ok

 

click start
click Help and Support
under “Ask For assistance”
click Invite a friend to connect with Remote Assistance
click Invite someone to help you
type in the help person’s email address

 

This processes is started by sending an email invitation to the person who you will give access to your pc. You can use Windows Messenger or Outlook from within the Help and Support Center, but you can send this invitation from any outside email program, you would have to save the invitation as a file then attach it to the email.

 

click Invite this person
type your name in the from box
type your message in the message box (example: Please help me!)
click continue

 

You are allowed to specify a time limit for this help request by typing in an expiration time starting when the message is sent from you until the time expires (in minutes hours or days from when the message is sent). If you choose 1 hour for example, the person accepting your request has only 1 hour to respond and make the connection. Then you can require a password be used by the remote person in order to connect to your computer.

 

choose a time limit for the help request
check the box next to - Require the recipient to use a password
type a unique password for this connection
re-type the password for confirmation
click Send Invitation

 

Now you simply wait for the help person to respond to your email. Of course you should be at the computer from where you sent the request and logged in under an administrator account. The remote helper will open your email and the attachment you sent. This will open the remote assistance program on his computer. The remote helper will be asked to enter the password that you the user created for this connection.

 

Helper opens email and attachment

 

 

User will see this box

 

 

The remote helper will then be connected. Once connected the remote helper can see the users computer screen (boxed within the remote desktop program window) just as the user sees it. Once connected the user will see a Remote Assistance chat window.

 

Helper will see this box

 

 

User will see this window

 

 

The two users will be able to chat using the dialog chat boxes in the Remote Assistance windows. From here the remote helper can choose to take control of the users computer. By clicking the Request Control button in the remote users Remote Assistance window. He will be able to control the mouse on the users pc, as well opening programs or typing. It’s recommended that only one person try to control the users mouse at one time. This remote controlling can be stopped at any time by the user or the remote helper (the user may press ESC key to resume local control).

 

Helper see this window

 

 

User will see this box

 

Remote Assistance is a neat program that allows a technician to fix your computer from afar, but if you have internet connection issues or no connection at all this program won’t do you much good. If you are a computer newbie and are unfamiliar with where things are in windows or a particular application is troubling you, this can really help in a fix. Avoiding a computer fix is what I’m all about!

Windows Vista has a neat feature that allows you to see how well it has been functioning over time.

 

When you first get your Vista system your rating is 10, the highest rating, and from there it may fluctuate down depending on system problems. The tools usefulness is that you can track a trend of poor ratings back to a particular day. This day could have been the day you downloaded or installed malware or screwy drivers.

 

 

Using this tool together with others like the Event Viewer can help you find what ails your computer.

 

To open the reliability monitor:

 

click start
right click computer
click manage
click Reliability and Performance Monitor
click Reliability Monitor

 

 

Avoid a computer fix and check back often.