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Messages - Samson

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851
Everything Else / DNS Cache
« on: September 19, 2012, 11:30:36 am »
Running Firefox in private browsing, with Windows XP DNS client service disabled, I have found that browsing and page load times are faster than with the DNS client service enabled. I use Norton connectsafe (DNS servers) set on my Netgear router (DG834G V4)

My question is why is this so? I thought that  DNS caching was supposed to speed up browsing, without constant look ups. Does my router cache DNS look ups? Or is my browsing quicker with the DNS client disabled because I am using a slow, old machine (1.2GHz Celeron, with 512MB (100MHz) RAM, and Norton DNS is just quicker than my machine is at reading it's cache?

It's not a problem, quite the opposite really as I've got a faster response time, but a bit puzzling nonetheless....Or am I missing something really obvious here?

852
General Computer Support / Re: Graphics card question
« on: August 26, 2012, 02:46:42 pm »
Thanks Shane, I will do what you suggest  :wink:

853
General Computer Support / Re: Graphics card question
« on: August 26, 2012, 10:44:56 am »
I think I've answered my own question  :shy:

Out on my bike this afternoon it hit me! The memory on the graphics card is not controlled by the CPU, but the GPU and therefore not governed by the FSB speed of 533Mhz. I ran ATITool and it confirms the memory speed at 200Mhz, DDR400, so apologies for my "blonde" moment!

I'd still like to know what AGP aperture would be best for me to use? Given that my RAM is slower than the graphics card memory, would my idea of setting the max at 256MB be wrong, and I'd be better off setting to the minimum 32MB, or just leave it at the default 128MB.

Thanks again.

854
General Computer Support / Graphics card question
« on: August 26, 2012, 04:50:28 am »
I am updating an old Dell Dimension 4600i, as cheaply as possible (for free basically!). So far I have upped the RAM to 2GB added a Sony DVD writer and have been given an ATI Radeon 9250 128MB AGP graphics card. OK here's my Question....

The FSB on the Dell is 533Mhz and so my pc3200 DDR400 RAM underclocks to 333Mhz, the ATI card is DDR400 so will this underclock automatically to 333Mhz too, or should I use something like the ATITool to do this?

Also I'm unsure as to what would be the best AGP aperture to set in the BIOS, I have plenty of RAM so would the max of 256MB be better than the deafault 128MB.

Thanks.

855
Feedback & Suggestions / Re: Simple System Tweaker add-on?
« on: August 17, 2012, 03:40:07 pm »
I guess it works for me because I'm just using Windows Wireless Zero Configuration for my WLAN, not the Belkin software that came with my USB Wireless adapter?

856
Feedback & Suggestions / Re: Simple System Tweaker add-on?
« on: August 17, 2012, 03:09:59 pm »
I use wireless mostly too and Shane's Simple System Tweaker shows any "errors" in the WLAN status window too, thankfully mine are "0", so no problems. I guess Shane will come along soon and explain this better than me  :wink:

857
General Computer Support / Re: task manager
« on: August 08, 2012, 10:59:23 am »
Double left click on the white space just outside the main box should do the trick  :wink:

858
Everything Else / Re: windows time service
« on: August 02, 2012, 04:05:03 am »
I have found that changing the server from time.windows.com to time.nist.gov has been more reliable, perhaps try using a different time server?

Hope that helps?

859
Thanks for that quick response Shane, I'll keep an eye out for when it's included in Simple System Tweaker, enjoy your weekend  :smiley:

860
Tweaking.com Support & Help / ERUNT vs Tweaking.com Registry Backup
« on: July 21, 2012, 12:44:04 pm »
Hi Shane,

Sorry for bothering you on the weekend  :shy:

I use the Simple System Tweaker, and have a backup of my registry using ERUNT, is this OK do you think? Or should I have used Tweaking.com Registry Backup? I am unsure...At least I have a backup  :wink: But in the Q & As for the Tweaking.com Registry Backup it seems to suggest that ERUNT is not the way to go, although it is the default method in Simple System Tweaker.

I hope this makes sense, am I worrying unnecessarily? Thanks again for all your good work.

861
Feedback & Suggestions / Simple System Tweaker
« on: May 16, 2012, 12:32:31 pm »
Hi Shane,

Just another quick thanks. I recently got given an old desktop that was destined for a skip (AKA dumpster)...so I recycled it, added a bit more RAM (which was kindly donated to me), did a fresh OS install (XP Home) and of course installed and ran Simple System Tweaker, along with CleanMem  :wink:

Now I've got, what to me, is a fast "new " machine....Intel P4 2.8GHz with 1.5GB RAM, not much by modern standards, but an upgrade from my signature machine (see below), which still runs great considering its specs  :cheesy:

Thanks again, maybe when I'm feeling braver I'll try the Advanced System Tweaker.

862
Everything Else / Re: avast
« on: February 28, 2012, 11:59:02 am »
I use the free version of Avast (V7), updated from V6 no problems. So far I'm impressed, especially by the cloud streaming updates. I like to keep things lightweight, so do not use the WebRep or Autosandbox. In conjunction with my other security, and of course Shane's tweaks  :wink: , my system is snappy and safe.

I use Avast 7 (free), MBAM (free) on demand, MVPS Hosts file, Sandboxie, SpywareBlaster and Windows firewall (also behind my Netgear router firewall). My browser is Firefox 3.6.27 with Adblock plus (EasyList & Malware Domains), and Norton DNS....It may look like a lot, but uses very little RAM and all "play nicely" together with no conflicts.

I hope that offers some help.

863
Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Simple Performance Boost
« on: November 25, 2011, 10:19:19 am »
That's enabled/controlled by ""Smooth edges of screen fonts"" ??

In XP, right click on the Desktop>Properties>Appearance>Effects>Use the following method to smooth the edges of screen fonts>select ClearType is how I set it up, and to adjust ClearType I have the tuning option in control panel http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartypepowertoy.mspx. So, yes I think ClearType is enabled/ controlled by enabling "Smooth edges of screen fonts".

I suffer from a mild visual impairment, and have found that making the contrast darker within ClearType helps to overcome this. Thanks to my Optician for the tip on this one  :wink:

864
Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Simple Performance Boost
« on: November 25, 2011, 05:22:51 am »
I use ClearType and can confirm with the default settings on Simple Performance Boost, ie leaving smooth edges of screen fonts unchecked, that ClearType works fine,  :smiley: hope that helps?

865
Feedback & Suggestions / THANKS!
« on: November 18, 2011, 12:17:44 pm »
Hi Shane,

A quick note to say thanks for Simple Performance Boost. I have a very old HP Brio with XP Pro, a 1.2GHz Celeron and only 512MB RAM. I have installed and run Simple Performance Boost and immediately noticed the difference, it is now a pleasure to use the machine. OK it's a dinosaur by modern standards, but  now it's "snappy" and runs great, thanks again.  :smiley:

Forgot to add, I also use Cleanmem too  :smiley:

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