|
|
Technologies Tricks |
|
|
Technologies Tricks |
|
Hardware Tricks |
|
BIOS
Most processors (such as the Pentium ) have an internal chache that operates at the same speed as the processor. Newer chips have larger caches. Enabling this extra-fast memory facilities access of frequently needed data and boosts system performance. The Other (External) cache memory or L2 cache lies between the RAM and the processor and in most cases, is enabled by default. If you find a significant drop in the level of performance while using memory-intensive applications, check if this memory has been enabled.
The Error Correction Cache Support increases the reliability of your system but can slow down the PC. If you prefer speed over reliability, disable this option.
The parallel port mode setting can be
set to bi-directional of ECP/EPP. If Your Printer, Scanner or
Peripheral device ,which is connected to the Parallel port of
Your PC, is dysfunctional, try setting it to one recommended by
most of the Peripheral devices.
The rule for Print jobs us the simpler the document, the faster it prints. If you are in a hurry, use normal text and avoid formatting details like bold, underlining, italics or different fonts because they take longer to Print.
If you normally look at a draft before you go in for a final print, set your Printer to use the draft or lo-resolution mode Also, try and make most of the changes on the computer itself so you avoid taking a printout or the best mode only when you have finalised the text/spelling, etc. this saves you toner, time and paper. The low-res mode uses just half the toner to give you a good, legible printout.
Printing to different Printers can be take more time and effort than you wish to spare the task. To speed up matters, add those printer devices to the Send To menu to dispatch the document you wish to print to the printer you want to use for the task. To do this go to the Send To folder located in your Windows folder and create shortcuts to the printers you normally employ.
Here is a shortcut to all your print
jobs. Add your Print command to the Send To menu. This menu pops
up when you right-click on a document in Explorer of My
Computer.
If your serial ports are governed by windows 95 and you have a 16550 UART chip, how do you get your modem's worth out of it ? Click Control Panel and select modem > Properties. Next check the Connection tab for Port Settings, Go to the 'Use FIFObuffers' option and drag both sliders to the right. In case of problems as you go down, drag the sliders back some and begin afresh. Repeat this till you reach total stability.
You need to pass additional AT Commands to your modem in addition to what Windows already sends, what do you do ? Simple , click on modems in the Control Panel, on nection Tab, click on advanced and enter the string in the 'Extra Settings' box Don't forger to use AT at the beginning of the command string as Windows won't be adding the command prefix for you.
When the modem decides to go on a sudden blink, most users simply switch it on and off to reset it. It would also make sense to re-initialize the modem using the communications software, Otherwise the modem could use its default profile of commands, which may not include those needed by your software.
If you have trouble getting a new modem to work under Windows 95 try manually installing the modem as through it were a 'standard' modem. Use the Add New Hardware Wizard under Control Panel, but select No when it asks if self if should search for the new device. Your choice would depend upon the capabilities of your modem has installed, you can edit its properties, adding any special string the manufacturer recommends for the modem's proper instalisation.
If you equip your Pc with as much Ram as possible, it reduces disk cache for most applications. The result is a drop in the number of disk accesses your machine experiences, and hey presto! longer battery life.
Does your notebook suck your batteries dry? It could be the fault of a PCMCIA modem. Keep PCMCIA cards only if you plan to connect to an online service, local area network, the Internet or other communications-related services. Otherwise turn them off by opening Control Panel and double-clicking on the icon marked PC Card. Click on the right device and select Stop.
There are new battery type these days, which are better than the older nickel cadmiums. Try the nickel metal hydride or lithium icon batteries, But hey, make sure your computer can use the new battery before you buy it.
Improve the performance of Windows CE application like Outlook and Pocket Mail by deleting data file you don't need form your hand-held computer.
Grain control when downloading e-mail files in Microsoft Exchange by using the Remote Mail function rather than Tools > Deliver Now. Remote Mail lets you view headers so you can choose which message s to download and which to delete without reading. Deliver Now is an option that downloads all mail addressed to you.
If you plan to test the tonal range of a scanner by running an artwork or a photograph, set the scanner's tonal output to prevent clipping of the image's histogram. The tonal range setting of most scanners is usually 0-255 on each channel. It can be used to adjust the signal send back to the computer. Each channel's tonal range should should be set to 5 minimum and 250 maximum to prevent accidents like clipping and to ensure proper calibration.
The lens and the glass in the scanner need regularly cleanings, These days there are scanners that come with pre-moistened 'appliquettes' to clean the lens and glass. You can also use a chamois cloth ( the stuff that one wipes spectacles with) and isopropyl alcohol.
Scanning an image at a high resolution waste processor time, scan memory and disk space if your ultimate output resolution is going to be low (unless of course, you're trying to down-sample a larger image). Scanner usually slow down considerably at above 600dpi, especially since the TWAIN driver is doing software us doing software interpolation to obtain the range. KEYBOARD and MOUSE
Physically challenged users have a few options tailor-made features in Win95. One of these accessibility-enhancing options is MouseKeys. This option lets you move your mouse pointer with the help of the numeric keypad on your keyboard. Summon it if you're recovering form a repetitive strain injury from prolonged and continuous use of the mouse. It also help in case you want to use a notebook without a mouse. How ? Simple. Activate MouseKeys by Control Panel. next click on the Mouse tab and select Use MouseKeys.
You now have a choice on your input device. Attaching one device to your serial port and one to your PS/2 port lets you switch between trackball and mouse or left-and right-handed devices. This of course saves you the trouble of unplugging and replugging. One point to be taken care of however is to check that both device support the same drivers, or you'll have to switch drivers. To change drivers, go to Control Penal > Mouse and exchange the driver by clicking on the Change button under the General tab.
The new kid on the Windows 95 applications block is the auto scrolling mouse. Office 97 and Internet Explorer 3.0 support it. Clicking the middle button of any three button mouse, can allow you to scroll through your document as if you had hit the Down arrow. Soon some non-Microsoft programs will also support this feature.
A tip for moderm living : clean your mouse regularly. When You mouse slow down, switch off your PC, unplug the input device and remove the ball(to do this, turn the cover over the ball anti-clockwise). Use a mild detergent to clean the ball Then wipe it dry with a lint-free cloth, Also clean dust and lint from the ball cage by using a cotton swab. For really stubborn dirt, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. CD-ROM DRIVES
Can't hear CD-ROM audio on your system? Play a music - only CD and monitor the output via a front-panel head-phone jack if that works, you know the drive is okay, Otherwise, run a cable form the headphone jack to the line input on the sound card and then adjust the mixer's line level and master level. If that works too, sound card is also okay and the problem is probably is probably in the separate audio-only line between the CD-ROM drive and the sound card. But keep in mind that the only audio you'll hear from the driver's headphone jack is conventional compact-disc audio.MIDI and WAV on a CD-ROM disk will ot be heard via the headphone jack.
Often internal CD-ROM drives, which are newly installed, don'g play music through the speakers, because some CD-ROM drives require a separate cable that connects the drive to your soundcard which has a special input connector for the purpose, Sadly, Soundcard and CD-ROMs vary to a very greate extent with regard to the implementation of this connector, so if you do not have the right cable be sure to specify your dive and card model when you're out to purchase one. Once Connected you could use the CD slider in the volume control applet to adjust sound volume.
No. A misaligned CD that is struck in a drive doesn't mean the end of your system. The way out is simplicity itself. Find the manual-eject hole in front of the drive and insert a small pointed object like, say, a paper clip in to release the CD. |
Always enable
External/Internal cache memory