Notebooks.com Forums - View Single Post - Something you should know about Microsoft Windows Vista

sushrukh · 05-22-2008, 07:45 PM

Part Two

Get basic information about your computer.

To open

Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> System

Description

The System Control Panel shows you at a glance basic information about your computer, including the type of processor and speed, installed RAM, Windows Vista edition, computer name, product ID, and more.

The panel also includes a variety of links to settings, such as System Properties.

View and modify many general Windows settings.

To open

Control Panel [System and Maintenance] System, then click Change settings

Command Prompt -> control sysdm.cpl

Description

The System Properties window contains settings that affect hardware, system performance, networking, and other Windows features.

Roll back your computer's configuration to an earlier state, with the intention of undoing potentially harmful changes.

Using System Restore.

To open

Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore

Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> System -> System Protection

Command Prompt -> rstrui

Description

System Protection (also confusingly called System Restore) is a feature that runs invisibly in the background, continuously backing up important system files and Registry settings. The idea is that at some point, you may want to roll back your computer's configuration to a time before things started going wrong. By default, System Restore is turned on, using at least 300 MB of your computer's hard-disk space.

System Restore is particularly useful for restoring the state of your computer if you ever install an application that wreaks havoc on your system. Theoretically, every time you install a new application or drive, a new restore point is created, which is then used to restore the state of your PC to what it was before the installation. But a restore point may not always be created, so if you're about to install a new application that you fear may not be well behaved, it's a good idea to manually create a restore point. System Restore automatically creates a Restore Point once a day as well as whenever a significant system event occurs, such as installing a driver or a new program.

Oddly enough, Windows calls the feature both System Protection and System Restore. System Protection actually refers to the overall configuration screen for System Restore, and System Restore is the actual application that creates restore points and performs system restorations.

Display currently running programs, background processes, and some performance statistics.

To open

Ctrl-Alt-Delete -> Start Task Manager

Right-click on empty portion of the Taskbar -> Task Manager

Command Prompt -> taskmgr

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl-Shift-Esc

Description

The Task Manager is an extremely useful tool, but you won't find it on the Start menu. In its simplest form, it displays all running applications, allowing you to close any that have crashed or stopped responding.

Run a program or script at a specified time.

To open

Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> Schedule tasks

Command Prompt -> taskschd

Description

The Task Scheduler allows you to schedule any program or WSH script to run at a specified time or interval.

To create a new scheduled task, click Create Basic Task to open the Task Scheduler Wizard. You'll be prompted to do the following:

Type in a name for the task and its description.

Select a trigger (for example, at a specific day, when your computer starts, when you log on, when a specific event occurs, and so on). The trigger can also be a specific time of the day and day of the week.

Select an action that the Task Scheduler should take (for example, run a program, send an email, or display a message).

Click Finish, and you're done. The task will now run at the scheduled time.

Transfers file, folders, and settings among PCs.

To open

Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> Welcome Center -> Transfer Files and Settings

Description

Windows Easy Transfer can transfer files, programs, and settings from a PC running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista to a PC running Windows Vista.

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Tip: If you upgrade from a PC running Windows XP to Windows Vista, your files, settings, and programs will be transferred automatically.
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You can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer files and program settings from a computer running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista to another computer running Windows Vista. Start Windows Easy Transfer on the computer running Windows Vista, and then follow the instructions.

Fixes problems that can stop Windows from starting properly, such as missing or damaged files.

To open

Insert the Windows installation disk into your PC, restart the computer, and click "View system recovery options." After typing in a username and password of an account on the computer, click Startup Repair.

Description

If you can't start Windows properly, this utility scans your system and automatically tries to fix the problem. In some instances, a computer manufacturer will install Startup Repair on your hard disk. If so, you can run it not only from the Windows installation disk, but also from the Windows Advanced Startup Options menu (Control Panel [System and Maintenance] System Advanced system settings Advanced tab, click Settings in Startup and Recovery).

05-22-2008, 07:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
sushrukh Status: Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 192	Part Two Get basic information about your computer. To open Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> System Description The System Control Panel shows you at a glance basic information about your computer, including the type of processor and speed, installed RAM, Windows Vista edition, computer name, product ID, and more. The panel also includes a variety of links to settings, such as System Properties. View and modify many general Windows settings. To open Control Panel [System and Maintenance] System, then click Change settings Command Prompt -> control sysdm.cpl Description The System Properties window contains settings that affect hardware, system performance, networking, and other Windows features. Roll back your computer's configuration to an earlier state, with the intention of undoing potentially harmful changes. Using System Restore. To open Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> System -> System Protection Command Prompt -> rstrui Description System Protection (also confusingly called System Restore) is a feature that runs invisibly in the background, continuously backing up important system files and Registry settings. The idea is that at some point, you may want to roll back your computer's configuration to a time before things started going wrong. By default, System Restore is turned on, using at least 300 MB of your computer's hard-disk space. System Restore is particularly useful for restoring the state of your computer if you ever install an application that wreaks havoc on your system. Theoretically, every time you install a new application or drive, a new restore point is created, which is then used to restore the state of your PC to what it was before the installation. But a restore point may not always be created, so if you're about to install a new application that you fear may not be well behaved, it's a good idea to manually create a restore point. System Restore automatically creates a Restore Point once a day as well as whenever a significant system event occurs, such as installing a driver or a new program. Oddly enough, Windows calls the feature both System Protection and System Restore. System Protection actually refers to the overall configuration screen for System Restore, and System Restore is the actual application that creates restore points and performs system restorations. Display currently running programs, background processes, and some performance statistics. To open Ctrl-Alt-Delete -> Start Task Manager Right-click on empty portion of the Taskbar -> Task Manager Command Prompt -> taskmgr Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl-Shift-Esc Description The Task Manager is an extremely useful tool, but you won't find it on the Start menu. In its simplest form, it displays all running applications, allowing you to close any that have crashed or stopped responding. Run a program or script at a specified time. To open Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> Schedule tasks Command Prompt -> taskschd Description The Task Scheduler allows you to schedule any program or WSH script to run at a specified time or interval. To create a new scheduled task, click Create Basic Task to open the Task Scheduler Wizard. You'll be prompted to do the following: Type in a name for the task and its description. Select a trigger (for example, at a specific day, when your computer starts, when you log on, when a specific event occurs, and so on). The trigger can also be a specific time of the day and day of the week. Select an action that the Task Scheduler should take (for example, run a program, send an email, or display a message). Click Finish, and you're done. The task will now run at the scheduled time. Transfers file, folders, and settings among PCs. To open Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> Welcome Center -> Transfer Files and Settings Description Windows Easy Transfer can transfer files, programs, and settings from a PC running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista to a PC running Windows Vista. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tip: If you upgrade from a PC running Windows XP to Windows Vista, your files, settings, and programs will be transferred automatically. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer files and program settings from a computer running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista to another computer running Windows Vista. Start Windows Easy Transfer on the computer running Windows Vista, and then follow the instructions. Fixes problems that can stop Windows from starting properly, such as missing or damaged files. To open Insert the Windows installation disk into your PC, restart the computer, and click "View system recovery options." After typing in a username and password of an account on the computer, click Startup Repair. Description If you can't start Windows properly, this utility scans your system and automatically tries to fix the problem. In some instances, a computer manufacturer will install Startup Repair on your hard disk. If so, you can run it not only from the Windows installation disk, but also from the Windows Advanced Startup Options menu (Control Panel [System and Maintenance] System Advanced system settings Advanced tab, click Settings in Startup and Recovery).