Question | Answer |
Computer Management | A window that consolidates several Windows utilities called snap-ins |
Console | A window in which one or more Windows utility programs have been installed. |
Event Viewer | A window tool useful for troubleshooting problems with Windows, applications, and hardware. |
Ready Boost | A vista utility that uses a flash drive on secure digital (SD) memory card to boost hard drive performance. |
Registry | A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software configuration information, user preferences, and setup information |
Registry Editor | The windows utility used to edit the Windows registry. |
Snap-ins | A window utility that can be installed in a console window by microssoft management console. |
System Configuration Utility | A windows utility that can identify what processes are launched at startup and can temporarily disable a process from loading. |
Microsoft Management Console | A windows utility to build customized consoles. These consoles can be saved to a file with an .msc file extension. |
Microsoft Management Console launched with | •mmc.exe (run or search box) •Saved and built-in Management Consoles are identified by the .msc file extension |
Task Manager (Utility)launched in a number of ways | Ctrl+Alt+Del(security dialog box), Right click(R/C) the Taskbar and select TM, Ctrl+Shift+Esc(directly), taskmgr.exe, etc. |
Under what condition will XP Task Manager display the Users Tab? | A system is set for fast user switching and lets you monitor other users logged onto the system |
Task Manager (Utility) | •View applications/processes and graphical performance data •Terminate applications/processes •Allows customization of available information •Allows the assigning of priority levels to applications |
Applications Tab | Start or Stop Applications, Status info (Running or Not Responding) |
Processes Tab | Services/processes, resources, Stop Process or Tree, change priority |
Services Tab | installed services, status, access to services console |
Performance Tab | system resource use, access to Resource Monitor |
Networking Tab | LAN activity by system |
Users Tab | currently logged on users, user logoff access |
System Configuration (Utility) launches with | msconfig.exe |
System Configuration (Utility) | •Troubleshooting tool used to discover launched processes •Allows a process to be disabled for troubleshooting •Tools tab allows launching of many utility programs |
Briefly describe how to view only non-Microsoft services in System Configuration. | Check hide all microsoft services |
Computer Management (MMC)launches in a number of ways | oR/C Computer and select Manage, oenter compmgmt.msc in search/run field |
Computer Management (MMC) | •Built-in MMC with a number of snap-ins designed for local PC and Network management •Requires administrative access for most maintenance activities |
Services Console (MMC)launched in a number of ways | oSelect it while in Computer Management under services and applications, oenter services.msc in search/run field |
Services Console (MMC) | Used to control system services, Windows and third-party |
Identify the startup types in the services console. | Automatic (delayed start), Automatic, Manual, and Disabled |
Event Viewer (MMC)launched in a nuber of ways | oSelect it while in Computer Management, oenter eventvwr.msc in search/run field |
Event Viewer (MMC) | •Tool used to track and log significant events (Hardware failures, error messages, etc.) •Application, Security and System Events (System Events: Information, Warnings and Errors) |
Identify the Event Viewer log viewable only by an administrator. | The security log |
Reliability and Performance Monitor (MMC)launched in a number of ways | oSelect it while in Computer Management, oenter perfmon.msc in search/run field |
Reliability and Performance Monitor (MMC) | •Tool used to collect, record and display Data Collector Sets oData Collector Sets are self-created with diagnostics |
Registry is a hierarchical informational database of | hardware, software, device drivers, protocols and user settings/preferences. |
Registry used by OS and applications | For example: changes made within Device Manager are recorded in the registry |
Identify the five registry files (the files are also called hives): | Security Accounts Manager (SAM), Security, Software, System, and Default |
Identify the five registry keys: | HKey_Local_Machine(HKLM), HKey_Current_Config(HCCC), HKey_classes_root(HKCR), HKey_Users(HKU), Hkey_Current_User(HKCU) |
Which registry key is built when a user logs on? | Hkey_current_user(HKCU) |
Registry Editor (Utility) | •Tool used to manually backup or make changes to the registry •Changes cannot be undone, proceed with caution |
Briefly describe how to start the registry editor: | Click start and type regedit in the start search dialog box, press enter, and respond to the UAC box |
Improving Windows Performance Routine Maintenance | updates, HD maintenance, system cleaning |
Improving Windows Performance Hardware Supported | oNew OS on older system? Run the Upgrade Advisor first oWindows Experience Index |
Performance Warnings (How to select) | Select Advanced Tools within Windows Experience Index |
Performance Warnings | oCheck for Performance Issues listed near the top oSelect individual issue for detailed information |
Reliability Monitor | o Located within Reliability and Performance Monitor (MMC) oGraphical display of system performance |
Windows Indexing | Background service designed to speed searches |
Aero Interface | olocated in task bar oRequires increased memory and CPU resources |
Sidebar | ogadget oRequires increased memory and CPU resources, but not as much as Aero |
Memory Leaks | oTypically caused by an application not releasing memory or over-requesting oInspect with Reliability and Performance Monitor (MMC) |
User Account Control | Not recommended to disable |
Readyboost | oUses flash drive or SD memory card to boost HD performance |
When does Readyboost give the greatest performance boost? | When you have a slow hard drive (running at less than 7200 RPM) |
Startup Programs (methods programs use to startup - Limit startup programs) | programs that launch when Windows starts |
Startup Programs(methods programs use to startup - Multiple sources of automatic startup | startup folder, services and registry |
Startup Programs(methods programs use to startup - Manage the startup options | within the OS or the application |
Startup Programs | oUse System Configuration to identify startup programs causing slowdowns oCheck Task Scheduler for startup tasks oDisable automatically starting programs |
Remove unnecessary programs | Use the uninstall routine of the program (often calls the Windows installer) Use add/remove programs utility Manually uninstall by deleting the program and “cleaning” up components |
Scheduled Tasks can be applications, services or: | other background processes |
Microsoft Management Console administrative tool(s)console | allows customized MMC creation (Tools are called Snap-ins) |