http://www.bootdisk.com/ 0030 April 2008
HouseCall
Welcome to the 30th Edition of HouseCall
INDEX
1) Screen Saver Niggle
2) Fix XP Automatically
3) Firewall(s)
4) Duplicate Files
5) Adding More RAM
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1) Screen Saver Niggle
DEFENDER01 posted - No matter what I do I just can not get my screen saver to switch on after choosing any of the screen savers click preview which works fine and click apply it just will not change from my desk top back ground.
Bob I responded:
The screen saver does not work on a Windows XP-based computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916256/en-us
*** This is not really a new thing. For example, when installing XP on one of my PCs I have to remove my ps/2 Microsoft natural keyboard and use a $7 keyboard to enter in the serial # :)
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2) Fix XP Automatically
I've noticed many ads that say that their program will "automatically fix" windows problems. After some research, it seems to me that most of these programs/applications just scan your registry for "unused" entries or "bad calls". Note that "bad" or "orphan" entries do "NOT" necessarily cause a problem with your OS or OS performance when using XP.
In other words, "bad" entries in the registry in XP do NOT, for the most part cause any noticeable slowdown or problem with XP. No reason to pay for a program to "fix" what they call a "problem". Yes, on the other hand, despite what so many PC "experts" say, a call in the registry to a file that no longer exists "may" slow down the bootup. However, I do install more programs than you do [my hobby] to test them out and then remove them. But, I rarely notice a slowdown, even tho the so called "fix windows automatically" programs may ID "bad" entries.
Point is, bad or unneeded entries in the XP registry are most often, not a problem whatsoever. But, for Win98SE, yes, a registry cleaner is highly recommended. I still use EasyCleaner for Win98SE, free.
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3) Firewall(s)
zynteq7 wrote - I've got a router from vonage (Motorola, NAT with Stateless packet inspection I believe, VT2??? ) anyway, I also have the windows firewall on. I've read that turning on 2 FWs were a bad idea, but is that only when having 2 software 'firewalls' and not the case with a Hardwired and a Software option.
*** I agree. Then you only need a software firewall if you are concerned with unauthorized outgoing traffic; eg many trojans may install an SMTP mailing program.
The windows firewall is redundant if you have a a modern router and are NOT concerned with outgoing traffic. As far as I know, most all routers these days are NAT.
Yes it's true, you never want two software firewalls turned on all the time. It will very/most often cause a problem.
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4) Duplicate Files
Jack C. asked - wanting to search my disk for duplicate files. Would like to flag files that are identical, and also files with same names, but different content or dates.
*** Keep in mind many applications want to see perhaps the same .dll you may have in the windows folder in their "own" folder the application will create when installing. This is to make sure that the application works, even if you've updated the OS and may have a more modern .dll of the same name that a particular application wants.
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5) Adding More RAM
perky posted - I have 3 memory slots, two of which have a 256mb card in them. The one that is free, do I put an additional card in it, or is it better to remove the two and just add one card of 1gb.
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In theory, its less risky to add a single large ram card then take the chance of seeing if an additional card will get along with your original ram cards. However, it depends on the brand of your PC whether or not different brands of ram can get along with each other, whether home built or commercially built.
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