PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Module 9 - Performance Tuning

Overview

System optimization refers to the fine-tuning of the computer using

certain tips and techniques.

Topics Covered in this Module

System Optimization

Sound card

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 1 Techniques used to optimize

system optimization

Introduction

There are certain tips and techniques that enable you to optimize
system performance.

These techniques must be followed to enhance, streamline and

optimize the performance of your system.

Topics covered in this lesson

Techniques Used to Optimize System Performance

Overclocking

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 1 - Techniques Used to Optimize

System Performance
Streamlining the Boot Process

Enable the "Quick Boot" Feature - This causes the BIOS to skip
some of the normal test routines that it performs at boot time.

Remove the Boot Delay Setting - This is helpful when the BIOS
boots too fast.

Disable Floppy Drive Seek Most PCs have a BIOS setting to

disable floppy drive seeking.

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 1 - Techniques Used to Optimize

System Performance

Optimizing system resource and

performance of operating system,
windows system resource

Tips to optimize and conserve system resources:

enhancing
hard disk

the
and

Free up a serial (COM) port by using a PS/2-Style mouse

Free up IRQ12 by disabling the built-in PS/2 mouse port and/or

moving to a serial mouse

Tips to optimize the performance of operating system:

Customize Swap File Settings

Eliminate Swap File Resizing

Optimize Swap File Size

Optimize Swap File Location on Your Hard Disk Volumes

Optimize the Location of Important Files for Better Performance

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 1 - Techniques Used to Optimize

System Performance
Specific ideas to help reduce system resource problems

under Windows 3.x are

Reboot Windows 3.x daily

Lower the video color depth

Curtail automatically loaded programs

Close applications that you are not using

Be careful not to open the same application more than once

Reboot Windows 3.x whenever you have a crash of a significant

application

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 1 - Techniques Used to Optimize

System Performance

The steps taken are

Improving the PC's physical and environmental characteristics

Optimizing video and image file system and disk space

Ways to achieve the optimization of video and images

are:

Upgrade or change video drivers

Adjust the screen resolution

Adjust the image color depth

Some tips for freeing up disk space are:

Scan for file system errors to free lost space and improve data
integrity

De-fragment to improve performance

Organize files for easier access

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 1 - Techniques Used to Optimize

System Performance
Optimizing

conventional
reliability of the system

memory

and

improving

Tips for maximizing conventional memory:

Reduce Driver and Memory-Resident Program Use .

Use HIMEM.SYS and the High Memory Area for DOS

Use EMM386.EXE and the Upper Memory Area

Disable Expanded Memory

Reduce the Number of FILES and BUFFERS

the

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 2 - Overclocking

Overclocking

It refers to changing the settings of a computer system so that the

hardware runs at a faster rate than the actual speed of the computer

Risks involved in overclocking the processor

Immediate Destruction of the Processor

Non-Functionality of the Processor

System Instability

Data Loss

PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 2 - Overclocking

Risks involved in overclocking the System Bus

When speed of system bus increases, the speed of the

following components of the computer also increases:

The processor

The chipset

The memory bus

The system cache

The system memory

The integrated IDE hard disk controllers

The PCI bus

The ISA bus

Every peripheral connected to either the PCI or the ISA bus

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 2 - Overclocking
Guidelines for Overclocking
Consider the following before deciding to overclock the

system:

Is There Critical Data on the PC?

Is the PC New and Under Warranty?

Do You Really Need Absolute Maximum Performance?

Do You Have the Time to Deal with Problems?

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Lesson 2 Sound card

Introduction

Sound card is used to convert computer signals into sound

On the back of the sound card, there is a small, round, 1/8-inch jacks
available to connect microphones, headphones, and speakers

The sound equipment are also available in the back side

Topics covered are

Installation

Configuration

Troubleshooting

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 1 - Installation
Installation

Install sound card like a video card, but on PCI slot not on AGP slot

OS will recognize the sound card once it is installed

If CD is given along with the sound card, follow the instruction on the
CD to install the software

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 2 - Configuration
Driver Signing

Device driver signing is a process by which the operating system

vendors verify the software and hardware products

This indicates that the product has been tested by the operating
system vendor and has not been altered

The driver files that are provided with Windows XP Professional have a
digital signature from Microsoft. These signatures ensure that the file

Has passed compatibility tests administered by the Windows Hardware

Quality Lab

Has not been altered or overwritten by another programs installation

process.

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 2 - Configuration
Updating Device Drivers

Device driver update is the procedure of updating the device driver

with the latest version provided by the manufacturer through windows
update

Rolling back a driver

System problems (like the OS not booting up, device becoming nonfunctional) can arise after installing or updating of a particular driver

Windows XP Professional has a system recovery feature known as

Driver Rollback

This feature lets you reinstall the last device driver that was
functioning before the installation of the current device driver

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 3 - Troubleshooting

Sound Failure

Firstly, check to see if sound is enabled in your operating system

This can be done by going to the Control Panel and locating the
Sounds or Sounds and Audio Devices menu there

Double clicking it will bring up the Properties window where you will
notice small speakers next to the common OS sound events

Enable some of the sounds (like minimize or Exclamation) and check

to see if sound can be heard via your speakers

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Topic 3 - Troubleshooting

Replacing a Sound card

Unplug the power cord to the PC

and remove screws so that one
side of the case slides back and can
be removed Locate the sound card
in the case

Remove the screw that had secured

the sound card to the case.

Insert the replacement sound card

into the slot by applying pressure
on the bracket on the edge of the
card

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PC Maintenance Guide

Module 1 - Performance Tuning

Conclusion
Summary

Freeing up system resources is vital if it proves problematic adding

new hardware into the PC

There are several common techniques that can be used to maximize

the amount of free conventional memory in the DOS environment

Overclocking refers to changing the settings of a computer system so

that the hardware runs at a speed faster than the rated speed

Sound card is used to convert computer signals into sound

Device driver signing is a process by which the operating system

vendors verify the software and hardware products

Device driver update is the procedure of updating the device driver

with the latest version provided by the manufacturer through windows
update

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