MaximumPC 2004 08

1

CLEAN OUT YOUR SYSTEM

TRAY: Every unnecessary app run-

ning on your PC saps precious CPU cycles

and memory.

2

UPDATE YOUR DRIVERS: New

videocard and chipset drivers can

help you reap performance dividends.

3

ENABLE DMA FOR YOUR

DRIVES: Go to the Device Manager

and take a look at the properties of your

Primary IDE Channel. On the Advanced

Settings tab, make sure that DMA, if avail-

able, is checked for both devices. Rinse

and repeat for the Secondary IDE Channel

4

VISIT WINDOWSUPDATE.COM

REGULARLY: Patches don’t just

protect your PC, they also improve perfor-

mance.

5

CONVERT YOUR DRIVES TO

NTFS: Get the most from your drives

by converting them to NTFS. Open a com-

mand line, and type convert x: /

fs:ntfs, but replace x with your drive

letter. Back up your important files first!

6

USE QUICK LAUNCH: Instead

of cluttering your Desktop with loads

of shortcuts, right-click the Taskbar, go to

Toolbars, and make sure Quick Launch is

checked. Then drag your favorite short-

cuts to the Quick Launch bar for easy

access, anytime.

7

SPEED UP YOUR UI: Bells and

whistles are great, but faster is bet-

ter. Go to the Display control panel, click

the Appearance tab, and hit the Effects

button. Uncheck the first two options, as

well as “Show shadows under menus.”

8

ONE CLICK TO DEVICE

MANAGER: To open Device

Manager in Windows XP without the

hassle of going to System Properties, just

create a shortcut to devmgmt.msc.

9

FIRE UP THE ONSCREEN

KEYBOARD: If you need to type

something and your keyboard’s not avail-

able, Open My Computer and browse to

C:\Windows\System32 and double-click

osk.exe. You can use the onscreen key-

board by pointing and clicking at indi-

vidual characters.

10

DEFRAG: Regular defrag-

mentation can improve your

machine’s hard drive performance by mas-

sive amounts. To start Defrag, right-click

your hard drive in My Computer, select

Properties, go to the Tools tab, and then

click Defrag.

10 EASY WAYS TO TOUCH UP WINDOWS XP

How To...^ A step-by-step guide to tweaking your PC experience

41 tips, tricks, and top-secret

web sites that will turn even

Windows XP a puny PC into a powerhouse

SUPERCHARGE

BY WILL SMITH

52 MAXIMUM PC AUGUST 2004

1100

THINGS TO

DO TO YOUR

BRAND-NEW PC

Get your Internet connection up and run-

ning. Without net access, your PC is damn

near worthless!

Install the latest drivers for your motherboard’s

chipset. They’ll be at your mobo manufactur-

er’s web site. Many system crashes can be

traced directly to either old chipset drivers or

evil, evil gnomes.

Download and install the latest drivers for

your videocard and soundcard. They’ll work

with the chipset drivers to have your PC per-

forming at its peak potential.

Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 and all the

updates from Windowsupdate.com. Don’t

ask questions, just do it.

Restore your precious data to your new

machine.

Install and tweak all those apps you use every

day. Install Winzip , an MP3 player, a word pro-

cessor, your e-mail app, and Mozilla Firebird.

Activate Windows, register all your apps—or

click the “Never bother me again” but-

ton—and make a backup image of your

minty-fresh system.

Install your favorite benchmark app and take

your PC for a test spin.

Burning in your PC will help ferret out faulty

components and give you a pretty good idea of

your system’s stability. We like SiSoft Sandra’s

burn-in utility. Download the free version at

Sisoftware.net.

Open a tasty beverage, fire up your favorite

game, and let the frags roll in. Your PC is

ready to rumble!

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