Monday, January 7, 2002		Article

Clear VCache to boost performance
Vipul Verma

SPEED is the most sought after thing in the world of computers. First of all it is the speed of the processor, which matters most to the computer users. Then it is the speed of the Internet connection, which is most critical. For the speed of processor, you cannot do much as it is pre-built and for increasing the speed of processor, you can use the techniques of over clocking. However it is not recommended at the user level. But for increasing the speed of the Internet connection, there are many techniques, tips and tricks that can be employed to boost the performance of the Internet. First of all you must ensure that the quality of telephone line is good and free from all errors. Then make sure that you have enough RAM and free hard disk space in your computer so that there's no problem as far as the resources are concerned.

After taking into consideration the above factors, it is the turn of modem and other computer settings that can boost the performance of the Internet. First of all you must uncheck and disable all unnecessary settings that are not required for the normal dial up Internet connection. Some of the common example of these settings include IPX/SPX setting, NetBEUI settings, log on to network etc. To disable the settings, simply double click on 'My Computer' then double-click 'Dial-Up Networking'. Now right click the connection icon you are using under the dial up networking and then click on 'Properties'. Click on 'Server Types' tab now and then from the subsequent window, de select Log on to Network, NetBEUI and 'IPX/SPX . Click OK, then. These settings are not required for the normal dial up connection, as the computer uses only the TCP/IP protocol, but under the default setting all these settings are selected. After changing these settings, you'll find substantial improvement in the Internet performance.

There is another setting that is also good for faster and stable Internet connection. Under this setting the objective is to optimise the connection. For effecting this setting simply click on 'My computer' and then click on 'Control Panel'. Now locate the modem icon in the Control Panel window and open it by double clicking. This will open modem properties window on your computer screen. Now click on properties Tab and then click on connection Tab. Now click on port settings and then activate 'Use FIFO Box and move both the sliders to the extreme right. Now click OK and close all open Windows and then restart your computer. Now when you reconnect to the Internet, you'll find further improvement in your Internet connection.

Another setting, which needs some modification in the default setting, is regarding the speed of the modem. By default the speed of the modem is not being set to the maximum i.e. 1,15,200 and you need to set it to the maximum under the modem properties window. The procedure for changing the maximum speed is same as mentioned in the previous tip. That is click on My Computer>Control Panel>Modem>Modem Properties. Here you'll find the option for maximum speed. Change this speed to the maximum and click OK. Changing this setting may not necessarily increase your Internet speed, but it surely removes the limits of the modem in terms of speed as your modem can now go for higher speed if other settings and condition of the telephone line permit so.

This was something about boosting the performance of your Internet connection. Now for boosting the performance of your computer, some tips and tricks can really prove helpful. One such tip is about managing the VCache or virtual device driver setting. VCache is basically the Windows disk caching virtual device driver and plays a major role in operating systems like Windows 98/Windows 95/Windows Me etc. It replaces all your other disk-caching drivers such as SmartDrive. Windows reserves memory for Vcache. For all we know, sometimes Windows reserves too much memory for Vcache that consumes too much system resources and sometimes to little to be sufficient and limits vcache from its total potential. Open Run and type sysedit. Edit System.ini and find a line with the text

[vcache]

Maximum=xxx

Minimum=xxx

Put maximum and minimum into one quarter of your actual RAM (in bytes). Thus if you have 64 MB RAM, set both to 16,384. This will boost the performance of your PC. However, for higher RAM i.e. 128 MB or higher this setting may not prove useful.

One of the most common problem of the Windows users is related to the shutdown and restarting the Windows. Though there could be many reasons for the Windows shutdown and restarting problems yet some of these problems can be handled by using shutdown and restarting tips and tricks. For example, if you just want to reload the registry, then probably you do not need to reboot your system as it can be done easily by using a simpler tip. Thus for resetting the registry only all you need to do is press Alt + Ctrl + Del together and select Explorer from the list of Windows task manager. Now click on end task and wait for the couple of seconds for Windows to compete its operation. This operation will close the registry.

However Windows need registry to work properly and cannot run without it. Thus it will reload Windows registry again and this is how the registry will get reloaded without rebooting your system. If you are coming across any problem while running any program, which requires Windows to restart, then you can use the option of Log off User to run the application again. However, if it fails to start the program, then you may need to reboot your system.

In the case of rebooting your system also you can use a tip to speed up the Windows restarting. The modus operandi of rebooting your system fast is simple and is also similar to the normal procedure. The only difference for booting your system faster is to press and hold down the Shift key while pressing enter at the restart option. You have to press and hold down the Shift key until you get the message showing that Windows is the starting. This is a fast way of restarting Windows without resetting the whole system.