Computer Tricks You Know
<div class="IPBDescription">Inspired by SA</div> As mentioned in the thread title, there's a <a href='http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1545589' target='_blank'>huge thread</a> (warning, do not click if you are easily offended or hate SA) right now in the Something Awful forums for people to post their various computer tricks. Stuff from keyboard shortcuts to more esoteric customization things, anything is acceptable. Heck, even throw in some Firefox extensions if you found one that you think is awesome. I know we have some computer professionals in here, hopefully one of you has a few things to share.
Comments
You know how you can put a command in the "Run" box in the start menu to look into your registry? Well if you use "services.msc" and put that in the run box, you get the registry, but with a detailed explanation of what each startup program does. And you can pause it instead of deleteing it entirely if you want.
I'm pretty sure there was one online when I googled services.msc. But I don't remember the URL anymore.
<a href='http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=review&dId=324' target='_blank'>From Reformat to Relax</a>
<a href='http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=review&dId=434' target='_blank'>From Relax to Righteous</a>
Also, here is another great tweak: <a href='http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/PageDefrag.html' target='_blank'>The SysInternals Pagefile defrag tool.</a> Just set it to run at every startup with a 0 second delay - if you blink you'll often miss it, and it helps keep your computer nice and organized.
Also, here is another great tweak: <a href='http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/PageDefrag.html' target='_blank'>The SysInternals Pagefile defrag tool.</a> Just set it to run at every startup with a 0 second delay - if you blink you'll often miss it, and it helps keep your computer nice and organized. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I use this pagefile defrag tool already. It shows the SAME 12 fragmented files everytime I use it. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
1) Stop the pagedefrag from running.
2) Right click my computer > hit properties > advanced tab > Performance > settings > advanced tab > Virtual Memory > Change. Write down what your current pagefile is, then select "no paging file" and hit 'set.'
3) Reboot.
4) Repeat set 2, except this time re-apply your previous pagefile size. Hit set again.
5) Reboot.
6) Turn PageDefrag back on, and reboot one last time.
Hopefully, that will fix the problem.
<a href='http://themes.belchfire.net/index.php?showtopic=9001' target='_blank'>http://themes.belchfire.net/index.php?showtopic=9001</a>
Various windows shell replacements, because Explorer sucks.
<a href='http://www.geoshell.com/' target='_blank'>GeoShell</a>
<a href='http://www.sharpe-shell.org/news.php' target='_blank'>SharpE</a>
<a href='http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/bblean/' target='_blank'>bblean (Blackbox for Windows)</a>
<a href='http://beyondconvention.net/ohussain/lsinstaller/' target='_blank'>Litestep</a>
<a href='http://www.courtah.net/' target='_blank'>Serenade</a>
1) Stop the pagedefrag from running.
2) Right click my computer > hit properties > advanced tab > Performance > settings > advanced tab > Virtual Memory > Change. Write down what your current pagefile is, then select "no paging file" and hit 'set.'
3) Reboot.
4) Repeat set 2, except this time re-apply your previous pagefile size. Hit set again.
5) Reboot.
6) Turn PageDefrag back on, and reboot one last time.
Hopefully, that will fix the problem.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Followed your instructions to the "T" D.M., and when I rebooted the final time and it got to the pagefile defrag screen it hung there. A restart from that point forced me to revert to "last used settings" to bypass the pagefile defrag.
This happened 3 times before I finally gave up. I cant use it at all now. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page, perhaps because you do not have a registered Something Awful Forums account.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page, perhaps because you do not have a registered Something Awful Forums account.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
^^ what he said.
<b>CPU Z</b>
CPU Z is a sweet little program that will tell you all you need to know about your processor - things like its core speeds, L1 L2 and L3 cache sizes and such. A very handy utility. The CPUID website also has other computer utilities you can try.
Download it at <a href='http://www.cpuid.org/index.php' target='_blank'>http://www.cpuid.org/index.php</a>
<b>CPU Burn-In</b>
Think your overclocking is causing your system to crash? This tiny (7 Kb) file will run some very CPU intensive calculations and check for errors. If you can run it overnight without Burn-In detecting errors, your OC is stable.
<a href='http://users.bigpond.net.au/cpuburn/' target='_blank'>http://users.bigpond.net.au/cpuburn/</a>
<b>Radlinker</b>
Radlinker is a sweet little program built for ATI cards that allows you to assign different GPU settings to individual programs. It's really easy to use - just right click the program's .exe file and select "create custom settings." Then, right click it again and select properties to assign it various levels of AA, AF, AI etc.
<a href='http://www28.brinkster.com/chrisww1942/' target='_blank'>http://www28.brinkster.com/chrisww1942/</a>
That works now, but it sure as hell didn't work before.
Just because it happens to work for you, don't assume it will work for everyone else.
I'm sure everyone who complained that they couldn't see the thread at least tried scrolling down first.
Windows key + L will lock a computer, or it will go to the switch user screen if you have fast user switching enabled.
If your shell has gone all wacky, or it's gone completely, hit CTRL + ALT + DLT and kill explorer if neccessary. Then go to File > New Task (Run...) and type "explorer" to restart your shell.
Hit the little red up arrow in the upper right corner of Firefox to get the update dialogue for Firefox and your plugins.
And now I ask: Does anyone know how to change the Windows clock in the taskbar (bottom right) to 24-hour time?
That works now, but it sure as hell didn't work before.
Just because it happens to work for you, don't assume it will work for everyone else.
I
'm sure everyone who complained that they couldn't see the thread at least tried scrolling down first. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, General **** has been viewable by guests for as long as I can remember (and I've been lurking at the SA forums for years).
edit: Err, General Bullexcrement then. Stupid filter.
For you maybe...
For you maybe...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Come on. I would never pay to share forums with those loathsome jerks <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
WindowsKey + M: Minimize all windows
WindowsKey + E: Open a windows explorer window
F11: Show/Hide the menu/icon bar across the top of most windows apps.
Also, if your keyboard doesn't have a windows key, Ctrl + Esc to bring up the start menu.
And you can move the start bar to the top or sides of the screen by left AND right clicking on it at the same time and dragging it to the side of the screen you want. You may have to unlock the bar in it's properties page to do this.
<!--QuoteBegin-TychoCelchuuu+Jul 12 2005, 10:05 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TychoCelchuuu @ Jul 12 2005, 10:05 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->In Firefox, hold down middle click. Then right click to go one tab to the right, or left click to go one tab to the left.
Windows key + L will lock a computer, or it will go to the switch user screen if you have fast user switching enabled.
If your shell has gone all wacky, or it's gone completely, hit CTRL + ALT + DLT and kill explorer if neccessary. Then go to File > New Task (Run...) and type "explorer" to restart your shell.
Hit the little red up arrow in the upper right corner of Firefox to get the update dialogue for Firefox and your plugins.
And now I ask: Does anyone know how to change the Windows clock in the taskbar (bottom right) to 24-hour time?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For the clock, Control Panel -> Regional Settings -> Customize ->Time -> then change the "h" to an "H".
Diazo
edit: gg typos
For some reason, WindowsKey + M doesn't minimize Mozilla Thunderbird.
Alt + Esc: Works kind of like Alt + Tab. It can put the focus on a program without unminimizing it. It's kind of difficult to explain exactly how it works, but it is simple enough to see if you play with it for a minute.