Tips on customizing Windows XP: MFT

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Master File table fragmentation is a major problem. There are few tweaks that can be applied to tune up your system performace. http://xptools.tripod.com has 48 xp tips:

1. Not sure of website address and want to try out all possible options ?

2. Attention LAPTOP Users ! Do your eyes a favor, use Clear Type Fonts.

3. Fine tune Internet connection speed: Tip on improving internet bandwidth.

4. Further fine tune Internet access speed: Tip on improving DNS resolution.

5. Want to remove shared documents folder from My Computer window ?

6. Want to have more options in the Add/Remove program list ?

7. How to verify XP software you bought is OEM/UPGRADE/RETAIL?

8. Group Policy Editor: Extremely powerful tool in Microsoft XP Operating System.

9. Have tendency to forget passwords ? Want a solution that will help you get back in business ?

10. Want to change font size of Internet Explorer content on the fly ?

11. Start menu is slow in responding? Want to boost response time of start menu ?

12. Want to enhance Network throughput? Try out this tip.

13. Change the default search engine in Internet explorer?

14. Heard of Microsoft Platform Support Reporting Tool?

15. How to remove recycle bin from your desktop ?

16. How to create a XP Bootable Disk?

17. Trying out hardware/software updates & feel the need to reinstall but want to avoid reactivation?

18. Having problems with new install ? Like to restore your system quickly?

19. Having problem with slow boot time or is it taking long to resume ?

20. What to do with "the system has recovered from a serious error......" error message after boot ?

21. Installed Windows XP on the same volume as old OS?

22. NetMeeting does not open up quickly or not at all?

23. Do you know you can reduce keystrokes by pressing CTRL key while keying in web addresses ?

24. Why sending a file does not work in MSN messanger if NAT is installed ?

25. DVD-RAM model supported in XP but not being recognized or being recognised as CD-ROM?

26. Further speedup broadband cable internet connection

27. Avoid download of file attachments that may have virus infections

28. Heard of Atomic Clocks? or NIST ? Here is a tip on accurately setting your computer clock

29. Do you know there are two different command shell environments in XP ? which one is better ?

30. Ever wondered how come you get into those HTML error pages ? Want to customize them?

31. If you have a lot of RAM, do you really need swap file?

32. How to boost XP speed by by changing real time clock prioriry?

33. Reduce IO and increase turnaround time which means faster computer !

34. Correctly set your level 2 cache and improve performance

35. Do you know you can have Virtual Desktops (like in Linux) with PowerToys ?

36. How to login as administrator if you don't see it available ?

37. How to avoid password entry at startup ?

38. How to stop new programs installed ballon from coming up ?

39. How to improve on shutdown time ? Close apps automatically & quickly at shutdown

40. Speedup boot up sequence by defragmenting all key boot files

41. Create your own customized legal notice at Windows XP StartUp

42. One more way to fine tune internet explorer load time

43. Customize Internet Explorer title bar

44. Are you a MP3 fan ? Add ability to rip MP3 songs in Windows Media Player 8

45. Enable write caching on disk and improve disk performace

46. MFT (Master File Table) manipulations to improve disk performace

47. Improve system performace and Reduce MFT fragmentation by disabling DOS 8.3 naming convention

48. Customize Login Prompt with your own words!

[MxxCon]

"3. Fine tune Internet connection speed: Tip on improving internet bandwidth. "

complete and obsolete bull....

it's been proven beyond doubt that QoS makes no difference.

search msgboard and you'll find proof.

"37. How to avoid password entry at start up ?"

that's the most IDIOTIC tip i ever saw!

you are telling user to set their password length to 0. YOU ARE INSANE?! not only is this EXTREME security hole, but it also disables user's ability to remotely login to that puter w/ that account. XP disables remote login on any account that doesn't have password.

if you don't want to enter password on startup use tweakui.

"50. Set the low level hook timeout and stop certain programs from crashing or becoming unstable"

you will experience that if you have progrm running at real time or very high priority which doesn't happen often and it's best to change that value

[ad1729]

I am not sure what wrong with tip 37. I have tested it on my machine and it works great. I do not have any network nor do I feel a need to logon from a remote computer. For most of the uses this is the case. In fact http://xptools.tripod.com has the most comprehensive list of tips and secrets anywhere on web.

I think MxxCon should have appreciated this.

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  Quote

Originally posted by MxxCon

"3. Fine tune Internet connection speed: Tip on improving internet bandwidth. "

complete and obsolete bull....

it's been proven beyond doubt that QoS makes no difference.

search msgboard and you'll find proof.

"37. How to avoid password entry at start up ?"

that's the most IDIOTIC tip i ever saw!

you are telling user to set their password length to 0. YOU ARE INSANE?! not only is this EXTREME security hole, but it also disables user's ability to remotely login to that puter w/ that account. XP disables remote login on any account that doesn't have password.

if you don't want to enter password on startup use tweakui.

"50. Set the low level hook timeout and stop certain programs from crashing or becoming unstable"

you will experience that if you have progrm running at real time or very high priority which doesn't happen often and it's best to change that value

[Kris]

  Quote

Originally posted by ad1729

In fact http://xptools.tripod.com has the most comprehensive list of tips and secrets anywhere on web.

What about http://www.tweakxp.com and all the rest?

/me thinks your getting a bit too over-enthusiastic bout that site... your site is it? ;)

Regards,

Kris

[MxxCon]

you don't see anything wrong with having password leghth set to 0? especialy admin password?!

dude, b4 bragging about your site, go learn some basics of security!

[ad1729]

Even in this scenario (pass length==0) I can access the account from my machine, right ? So whats such a big deal ! I don't really see as some thing of a security hole ! Its absord that I would be in trouble just because password length is zero. How does an average user like me would ever be effected by lack of access from a remote computer !. I think instead of scaring others, give a practical advice. Life of a computer is not even 1 year now a days on an average and we are talking about security loop hole !!!!!!! I must agree though, this makes sense for corporate users but definitely not me !

  Quote

Originally posted by MxxCon

you don't see anything wrong with having password leghth set to 0? especialy admin password?!

dude, b4 bragging about your site, go learn some basics of security!

[MxxCon]

want easiest example?

how many users have dir/drive shares? unknowingly...

how about administrative shares? everybody

geez, if you don't want login prompt at bootup just use bloody tweakui and enable autologin.

seems like you just collected those tips from some site and copied them w/o understanding wtf they do

[ad1729]

What difference does it make if everyone have administrative shares !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you explain me how a single user on a personal computer (and not a corporate network) or even a multiple users on a personal computer would cause a SECURTITY LOOPHOLE !!!!! May god help your arrogance and language !

  Quote

Originally posted by MxxCon

want easiest example?

how many users have dir/drive shares? unknowingly...

how about administrative shares? everybody

geez, if you don't want login prompt at bootup just use bloody tweakui and enable autologin.

seems like you just collected those tips from some site and copied them w/o understanding wtf they do

[ad1729]

This is another example of arrogance ! No where has the mention been made of administrator account password being set to zero. This is strange !

  Quote

Originally posted by paegoo

setting no password for any account is a stupid idea, let alone the administrator account. there are hidden shares on your computer, and if you're not on a "network" how did you post your ugly-colored web page on this board?

[ad1729]

Well if you are that smart, figure out my ip address. I don't think hacker should be asking for password or IP address !

  Quote

Originally posted by paegoo

you're on the internet aren't you? that is a network. gimme your IP and i'll show you what can happen to a non-corporate computer user with no password set on their account.

[ad1729]

May be you are right there ! but I do. I have a separate user account just because it is not a good idea to log on with administrative priviledges all the time ! I think thats my reco to all xp users.

  Quote

Originally posted by paegoo

how many people install XP Professional and create themselves a restricted non-administrator account and actually use it? do you?

[MxxCon]

  Quote

Originally posted by ad1729

What difference does it make if everyone have administrative shares !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you explain me how a single user on a personal computer (and not a corporate network) or even a multiple users on a personal computer would cause a SECURTITY LOOPHOLE !!!!!

dude, you defenatly have NO IDEA about security or winxp.

administrative shares means you can access ANY AND ALL files drives on your computer. admin shares are C$, D$, E$, etc. admin group have total control over those shares meaning total control over all files.

you wanna say you don't see problem with having admin shares w/o password on the internet?

[ad1729]

I guess thats where the misunderstanding is. I never said that we should set admin password to 0. This is your assumption that there is only one user in the world and thats administrator. Dude I would suggest that you create a separate user account ! Its not a great idea to log in as Administrator for all your computing needs !

  Quote

Originally posted by MxxCon

dude, you defenatly have NO IDEA about security or winxp.

administrative shares means you can access ANY AND ALL files drives on your computer. admin shares are C$, D$, E$, etc. admin group have total control over those shares meaning total control over all files.

you wanna say you don't see problem with having admin shares w/o password on the internet?

[MxxCon]

true

but xp create default user as member of admin group

[ad1729]

yes that true ! xp does create a default user in admin group. I guess thats what should be made clear to all. Thanks for the postings. It has been constructive.

  Quote

Originally posted by MxxCon

true

but xp create default user as member of admin group

[cyoung1616]

Well, all I can say is I used several of the tips and I'm very happy with the speed increase in boot-up , internet and overall speed . So they aren't just someone making up stuff, the ones I tried work great.

Cody Young

also the guy was just passing along tips, use them or ignore them , he's not trying to force you .

CY

[ad1729]

Update- Total number of tips have been increased to 62.

http://xptools.tripod.com

[MxxCon]

you still include that bull about QoS...

"34. Correctly set your level 2 cache and improve performance !!"

not needed. it's there purely for legacy support.

windows automaticaly detect proper amount of L2 cache. so manualy changing that value will not make windows any faster, if anything you can make it slower by specifing incorrect value.

"56. Are you using an computer that is accessed by more than one ? Secure your privacy by cleaning pagefile."

by recreating page file on each boot you fragment it alot degrading any performance gain your other tweaks could have provided.

"63. Working in command environment ? Avoid keystrokes - use TAB key and let window do the typing work"

easier to use TweakUI

[ad1729]

If you look at tip 34, you would see three important articles describing why it may not make sense in many situations.

Tip 56 is for those who are too concerned about security more than anything else. It is not for everyone... I don't do it myself...but again we all have differences in opinions and priorities...

TIP 63 is perfectly all right. what I am trying to tell is the use of TAB key and not on howto..

You are ephasizing a lot on TweakUI (which no doubt is good) but I would like users to know what happens behind the scene. TweakUI does the very thing in registry.

  Quote

Originally posted by MxxCon

you still include that bull about QoS...

"34. Correctly set your level 2 cache and improve performance !!"

not needed. it's there purely for legacy support.

windows automaticaly detect proper amount of L2 cache. so manualy changing that value will not make windows any faster, if anything you can make it slower by specifing incorrect value.

"56. Are you using an computer that is accessed by more than one ? Secure your privacy by cleaning pagefile."

by recreating page file on each boot you fragment it alot degrading any performance gain your other tweaks could have provided.

"63. Working in command environment ? Avoid keystrokes - use TAB key and let window do the typing work"

easier to use TweakUI

[MxxCon]

by all means educate the user

i'm just saying that it's easier, faster and safer to use tweakui

and while you only mention tab key, you can configure bunch of other keys to do same thing

[ad1729]

I mentioned tab key because thats the default. And I do not find any better key that could do its job all that well. For those who still want to do map another key, registry modification is provided or tweakUI and other third party utilities are available.. Yes TweakUI is easier then manipulating registry...

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-http://xptools.tripod.com

  Quote

Originally posted by MxxCon

by all means educate the user

i'm just saying that it's easier, faster and safer to use tweakui

and while you only mention tab key, you can configure bunch of other keys to do same thing

[ad1729]

Total number of tips now stand at 65.

http://xptools.tripod.com

[ad1729]

SOME NEW UPDATES:

TOTAL NUMBER OF TIPS : 72

TIPS HAVE BEEN BROKEN INTO BUNCH OF 25s.

http://xptools.tripod.com

[ad1729]

SITE PERFORMANCE SHOULD BE MUCH BETTER NOW THAT TIPS HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN SETS OF 25.

HTTP://XPTOOLS.TRIPOD.COM

[ad1729]

Hi Folks,

Me again. Just to let you know total number of tips at http://xptools.tripod.com bumped up to 75.

two mirror sites added.

they are

http://xptips.tripod.com

http://www.geocities.com/xptipstricks

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