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System Tips

7 Extra Meg

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Look in your c:\Windows\Help folder for .AVI files. You could have as much as 7MB of .AVI tutorials left over. Unless you are using Windows 95 for the first time, you don't need them.

Add-a-Port

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

The application will show up as a small icon on the taskbar. When you need to input special character, just click that icon - the KeyMap will display a character table. Double-click character(s) you need then use command "Copy" to copy the text to the clipboard then you can paste that text to your favorite application.

Add/Remove Entries

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Eric Kearney

This explains how to remove those annoying entries in the Add/Remove programs list. I commonly delete the folder from the directory and I am left with a non-removable entry in the Add/Remove programs list. 1. From the Start button, run Regedit 2. select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE 3. select Software 4. select Microsoft 5. select Windows 6. select Current Version 7. select UninstallThis will give you a list of all the programs in your Add/Remove programs list. Highlight the file and select delete. This will remove the entry from the list.

Added Security

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Looking for added security? Secure-iT, which is available for download at www.windows95.com, offers easy file encryption for files and folders.

Adding Icons to the Start Button

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Click and drag any object from the desktop and drop it on the Start button to add it to the Start Menu.

Alt+Tab

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To flip from one application to another using only the keyboard, the old Window 3.1 trick of using Alt+Tab still works, in fact it works better than before. Now, instead of seeing one application’s icon at a time, you see them all, along with an outline box highlighting the one you are about to select. Keep your thumb on the Alt key while tabbing. To select an application, release the Alt key.

Annoying (UN) Installed Items

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Satyam Vashi

Have you ever installed a program or game and after you uninstall it later ( for whatever reason ) with the program, it still remains in the Install / Uninstall Tab of the Add / Remove Programs in Control Panel. Well this is how you remove it. First you open up the registry, and after making a backup of it, follow through in this way: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SOFTWARE, Microsoft, Windows, CurrentVersion, Uninstall. After getting there, delete the key that contains the name of the program you want to delete from the Install / Uninstall Tab. Be careful.

Applications that refuse to go away

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Michael

Have you got a list of applications in yuour add/remove applications lists that are no longer on your system but refuse to go away?yes,well the easiest way to get rid of these items is to manually delete them through regedit.this is how you do it.start regedit and click on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key and drill through the following keys SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWS?Current version/Uninstall.Now locate the offending applications and just delete them.The offending applications should no longer appear in the add/remove programs list.

Avoiding the Startup Programs

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

Hold down the CTRL key while entering Windows. This will keep items in the Startup folder from launching.

Backing Up

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

You can use Backup, in the System Tools folder, to make backup copies of important files.

Better Caching Performance

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Jeff T.

Goto Control Panel - System Tab - File system - change the Typical Role of the Machine to Network server, then apply changes. Instead of rebooting your PC, run Regedit and goto to this key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\FS Templates\Server\. Edit the Namecache and pathcache to these binary values: NameCache - a9 0a 00 00 PathCache - 40 00 00 00. These values are actually reversed before you edit the changes. Exit Regedit and reboot.

Bitmaps Bite The Dust

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

In our last tip, we pointed out that ZIP files and video files (such as *.AVI files) take up loads of hard disk space, so they're a good place to start when trying to recover space. We should mention another culprit--bitmaps (*.BMP). If you do a lot of Paint-ing--for example, you draw your own wallpaper--you need to be especially careful. It's easy to save four or five different versions of the same picture, then forget about them. Search your system for extraneous bitmaps and delete them, or at least save them in a more efficient format, such as *.GIF or *.PCX.

But how could it get zapped?

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Steven Lewis

You have this great surge protector on your system but it still got fried by lightning. HOW? Bet your modem was plugged right into the wall! Lightning doesn't care which copper wire it has to travel down to fry your system and your modem is as good a way to get in as any other. Be safe and get yourself a surge protector that has an input/output for a phone line and USE it. In truth, the only way to be really safe is to disconnect EVERYTHING from the wall, but that's inconvenient.

CD-ROM After a Win95 Break Down

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Rodrigo Morteo Ortiz

For non PnP CD-ROM drives. After Installing Windows95 copy in the StartUp disk the MSCDEX.EXE file and any *.sys files supplied in you CD-ROM Installation disk, then Copy the Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files and delete REM words in this two files related to CD-ROM. This Will keep you safe from loosing you CD-ROM connection if your computer Breaks and be able to reinstall Windows95 form its CD-ROM.

Change OEM info

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Emiel

Change the information + logo displayed by right clicking my computer, properties. With preinstalled Windows systems. There are 2 files located in the Windows system directory called OEMLOGO.BMP and OEMINFO.INI The text in OEMINFO.INI can be changed with any text editor. The Bitmap file OEMLOGO.BMP can be created with paint. If you make it an 16 bit bitmap then a white background color will be made transparent. If you don't have these files you can create your own here is an example for the OEMINFO.INI [general] Manufacturer=MY-BRAND Model=FAST ; [OEMSpecific] ; SubModel= ; SerialNo= ; OEM1= ; OEM2= [Support Information] Line1=If you have problems : Line2=Don't call me The OEMLOGO.BMP must be created with an image program.

Change Registered User/Org

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Lincoln J. King-Cliby

But, did you mis-enter your name/org. or do you want to change them? You can (easily) by 1) Click Start -> "RUN" -> Regedit.exe 2) Expand the "HKEY_LOCAL_MECHINE" branch 3) Expand the "SOFTWARE" branch 4) Expand the "Microsoft" branch 5) Expand the "Windows" branch 6) Expand the "CurrentVersiob" branch 7) Locate RegisteredOwner"/"RegisteredOrgi..." double click the one you wish to change, and type in the new value. 8) Done - goto "my computer" -> PROPERTIES to see the result of your changes.

Changing File Associations

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To change the default application of a file type, simply select the file, hold down SHIFT, and click the right mouse button. Select Open With, and choose the program you want to use for this file type. Select "Always use this program to open this type of file" at the bottom of the dialog box.

Changing the Registered Username and Company

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Jesse Mohrland

Click start then run. Type in REGEDIT and press enter double click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE then SOFTWARE then MICROSOFT then WINDOWS. Double-click the REGISTERED OWNER or REGISTERED ORGINIZATION key and type in a new name. Click OK and check by double-clicking system in the control panel.

Changing Time and Date

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To change your system's time and date, simply double-click the clock in your task bar.

Changing Win95 to Win3.x

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Adam Lipps

In your Windows directory there is a file called system.ini, which is system file. The first line in Win95 reads as shell=explorer.exe, which tells the computer to use a Win95 interface. If you are a person who prefers Win3.x interface over the new one, simply change the line until it reads as follows, under you system.ini file, the first line should read shell=progman.exe, and the next time you start Windows you will have the familiar Win3.x interface.

Checking Printer Status

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

When you print a document, a printer icon appears on the Taskbar. Double-click it to see a list of documents waiting to print.

Conflicting Hardware

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Michael Polce

Do you get into one of those situations when you sound card, modem, gamepads, or any other hardware stops functioning no matter how hard you try to make it work for you? Well, here's one of those tips that will help you get out of those jams. Just go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Systems, and then remove any of those devices that are not functioning correctly. Now restart your computer. After a few moments, Windows 95's plug and play capabilities will identify your non-functioning device and reactivate it again, making it function again like normal.

Control Numlock via config.sys

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Gerard Beekmans

Normally you can control if your Numlock key is on or off when the computer boots by editing you BIOS setting. You can control it also via config.sys (without editing your BIOS settings). Add to your config.sys the following line: NumLock=xx Replace xx with one of the next two options: On: Numlock on after processing this line. Off: Numlock off after processing this line.

Control the Size of Your VCache

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: J. Mike Ferrara

Windows 95 does not use Smartdrive to cache the hard drives in your system. Instead, it uses 32bitVCache that dynamically grows and shrinks as the need arises (not to be confused with Swapfile, which operates in a similar manner). If you have more than 32MB of physical memory, VCache may be using more memory than it can efficiently manage. You can limit the maximum amount of physical memory VCache uses by adding the following lines to the System.ini file (instead of the Registry - go figure!):[vcache] MinFileCache=512 MaxFileCache=2048. The above values are in Kbytes. Feel free to experiment, but you must have a value greater than 0 for the MinFileCache value. By limiting the VCache in this manner, you will experience improved system performance.

Crash Avoidance

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To help avoid crashes, make sure that you have twice as much hard drive space available as you have RAM. For example, a system with 16MB of RAM should have 32MB of hard drive space available.

Crash Avoidance, Part 2

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Your computer is constantly creating new temporary files (.TMP) to help with productivity. To help avoid crashes, delete all the .TMP files that are not current. Using your find feature, search for *.TMP files, sort the files by date, and delete all the .TMP files without today's date.

Crash Avoidance, Part 3

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

If your system does crash, make sure to reboot your system after the crash.

Create a Startup Disk

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To help you solve problems with your computer, make sure you always have at least one Windows 95 Startup Disk handy. Go to the Control Panel, then click Add/Remove Programs and select the Startup Disk tab.

Custom System Editor

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Barry Logan

Did you ever want to edit msdos.sys with sysedit? The DOS editor can do it. Create a batch file to remove the attributes from msdos.sys, open several files at once, then re-apply the attributes to msdos.sys like this: attrib -h -s -r c:\msdos.sys EDIT c:\config.sys c:\autoexec.bat c:\msdos.sys c:\windows\win.ini c:\windows\system.ini attrib +h +s +r c:\msdos.sys

Dead Mouse

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Marsha Blackmon

If your mouse goes out, its very hard to maneuver around Windows 95. You can only get to a certain point when trying to select things without the mouse. You have always heard that if your mouse goes out, you can change the accessibility option from the control panel to use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to move the mouse around. Well, you can only do this if you have thought about it beforehand. You need to go to control panel, click accessibility options, choose the mouse tab (this is where you lose control if you have no mouse, no way to choose the mouse tab without the mouse. Click on settings, then click the box that says "use shortcut". Now, if your mouse goes out, you can press the left ALT+Shift keys with the number lock key, and then you can use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to move the mouse. (the 5 in the center of the pad is the same as a click)

Disabling Recent Documents

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Robert Eeles

To disable the recent documents, create the following batch file : c:\cleanup.bat. This file should contain the following lines : C:\ CD/ CD WINDOWS CD RECENT DEL *.LNK Now modify the autoexec.bat and add the following line onto the end of the file : CALL C:\CLEANUP.BAT. Now every time you bootup and go into Windows the documents should be empty.

Dropping to DOS 7 After ShutDown

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Tropal Nai

Okay, didn't see this one on the list so here goes. Edit your MSDOS.SYS to show BOOTGUI=0. From here on you will not go automatically to Windows on bootup. You may modify your autoexec.bat to contain a line saying "WIN" to take you to Windows on bootup. Now, when you shutdown from Windows95 and it is SAFE TO SHUTDOWN YOUR COMPUTER type "mode co80". Your screen will then show you the DOS prompt. Just as if you booted to the command prompt.

Dual Boot Options

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Raymond Hicks

You too can make your computer boot Window95, Windows98, windows 3.x, winodwsNT, unix, os2, etc. Get a large hard drive (or several) You MUST BE ABLE TO SPECIFY WHERE TO INSTALL THE OPERATING SYSTEM DURING THE INSTALLATION or this will not work. Programs like QuarterDeck's Select it allow you to boot multiple os's from the same computer. The trick to getting it to works is you must install these programs under the operating system that is NOT installed in it's default directory. For example, Select-It looks for Operating systems on only the first disk. If you install windows onto D:\windows, that specific version of windows will assign that drive as the default drive and the "first" drive. It also must store boot information on drive C:, thereby also making it the "first drive". Install (for example)Select-It under the OS running off of D: \windows. And follow it's instructions. Viola, dual boot win95/95 (Which Microsoft Press explicitly state CANNOT be done). This trick is usefull is you have several pieces of hardware which cannot run under the same system at the same time. So just give them their own operating system!

Emergency Recovery Utility

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: nga

The Microsoft Windows 95 Emergency Recovery Utility (ERU) is designed to provide a backup of your system configuration in case a problem should occur. Microsoft recommends that you use the utility to create a backup each time you make any significant system changes, such as adding new hardware or software. (Quoted from the readme file in the "Eru" folder on the Windows95 CDROM). On the Windows 95 CDROM open the folder labeled "Other", then open the "Misc" folder. Then Drag the folder "Eru" to your root DIR on your HDD, so you have a folder with the following path statement C:\eru. To run "Eru" and thus back up your system files: 1) Right click on your "Start Button". 2) Right Click on run (Or use "My Computer" etc.) 3) Type with out the quotes "C:\eru\eru. 4) Now just follow the directions as the dialogue boxes appear.

Empty the Other Trash

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Steven Lewis

Emptying the \Windows\Temp folder of all its contents then running a Scandisk and Defrag can cure a lot of intermittent and annoying problems and also speed your system response up. This folder is supposed to be emptyied whenever you shut down your computer, but if you don't shut it down or there are other than ".tmp" Files or folders in there, then they will not be removed. This can cause boot problems, system lockups and shutdown hangups. These files also take up space that could be better used for other things.

Empty Your MSIE Cache Folder

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Sachin Shah

First, make a batch file (.bat) file in your windows/folder directory. Then, type the following lines in: REM Begin Here echo y| del \windows\tempor~1\cache1\*.* echo y| del \windows\tempor~1\cache2\*.* echo y| del \windows\tempor~1\cache3\*.* echo y| del \windows\tempor~1\cache4\*.* REM End Here The path and file extensions can be customized to whatever you want. This will empty the folders specified.

Excess Baggage

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Search your system for *.zip and *.avi files (and other types of video files you might have), and delete the ones you don’t need. ZIP files are typically left over from Internet downloads. Once an application is installed, you probably don’t need the ZIP file it was packaged in (unless it’s something you know you’ll need to reinstall). Video files (*.avi) also take up quite a bit of space. For example, you can regain 7 MB of precious space by deleting the *.avi files from your c:\Windows\Help folder.

Finding the Welcome Screen

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

If you turned off the Welcome Screen and would like to see it again or make it pop up every time you start Windows, go to the Start, Run, and type WELCOME, and click OK.

Fixing Corrupted Registries

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Joshua Pittman

If Windows95 gives you the dreaded "Your registry is corrupt" message, DO NOT PACNIC! Instead, reboot the computer. When you see "Starting Windows 95", push the "F8" key. Choose "Safe mode command prompt only" from the menu. You will quickly get a "C:\>" prompt. Change to your Windows directory and type "regedit /e savebutt.reg" It will say "exporting file". eventually it will stop with an error message. After this, type "attrib system.dat -r -s -h". Then type "ren system.dat system.old". Lastly you need to type "regedit /c savebutt.reg". These commands will pull only the undamaged sections from your old registry and make a new one based on these. If it fails, reinstall Windows. If it works, some of your programs may no longer function. Reinstall them.

Fixing Win95 OSR-2 System Problems

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Don McCarty

Win95, Service Release 2 (OSR-2) on all new computers has a known problem of loading duplicate device drivers in Win95. If you're getting strange GPFs, etc. and Scandisk, deleting .tmp (temp) files, and Defrag do not solve the problem, go into Windows Safe Mode (hit F5 at Startup). Go into Device Manager (in System-Control Panel) and go through each device listed. If any duplicates are found, delete both devices. Win95 will redetect at startup. This will clear up a lot of problems. If you're having strange problems with a older release of Win95, checking for duplicates will sometimes solve the problem.

Free Up More Memory

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Ron

Right click on 'Recycle Bin', go to properties and decrease the size of the recycle bin. 10% of a 2GB hard drive is a 200MB recycle bin!

Funky Picture

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Steven Lewis

Small electrical appliances (ie. Personal Fans, Florescent desk lamps, unshielded speakers, ect.) can cause havoc with your monitor. A Monitor's electron beams are directed at the screen by magnets, and any magnetic fields near the monitor can throw off these beams. In fact, most monitor manufacturers tune their monitors for specific areas of the earth and facing specific directions because of the magnetic field of the earth. Take a monitor from here to Australia and see how the colors go funky. This is due to the different pull of the earth's magnetic field. Usually, the degausse button will fix the problem, but if it is too bad you may have to take the monitor to have it professionally degaussed. Anyway, Also check what's on the circuit that your computer is on, as large appliances can cause problems also. (When my air, heat or Microwave kicks in, my screen shimmers... You learn to live with it!)

Get Rid of the Inbox Icon

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Monkey

If you don't use inbox, there is a way to delete it. Run the Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE). Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\ Desktop\NameSpace\ Look for the key 00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046, that has a default value of Inbox. Delete the entire key (not just the default value), and close the Registry Editor. Click on the desktop, and press F5 to refresh the desktop so that this change will take effect.

Get Yourself Connected

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To conserve battery life plug your unit in while using the modem or PC card.

Getting around the Save password in Dial-Up Networking

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Yen Sheng

In the no-Password mode, the dial-up networking is unable to save the password and remember it. You can get around this by going to settings, control panel and then to passwords. Then, set it so that you can personalise the desktop. Now, when you shut down windows, there will be another option, Log on as another user. In this mode, you will be able to remember Passwords, so the Dial-up networking will be rememberd. Enter your password in and save password. Once it's been saved, go back to Passwords and change the configuration to anyone can use the same settings of the desktop, and don't use any password at all. Windows will now switch back to the normal mode, but somehow, the Dial-up networking save password is unchanged. So, your password is now saved and you won't have to type it in again.

Hardware Installation Hint

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Mark A D

When installing Windows 95 either fresh or over an existing version of Windows it is likely that some hardware will not be detected right the first time. Before going to the Add New Hardware Wizard check the Other Devices listing in System Properties. To do this, right click on My Computer then left click on Properties. Next left click on the Device Manger Tab and then left click again on the + next to Other Devices. If your unfound device is listed here then simply pull up the properties by highlighting the device and clicking on the Properties button then on the Drivers tab and then on Change Driver. Just choose the correct drivers from the list that is presented or click on Have Disk to use drivers provided by the hardware manufacturer.

Hidden Startup Programs

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Ben Boulanger

Having problems trying to find those programs that load but are not in your startup folder? Try looking in the registry. Run Regedit and look in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version, Run or Run service. This is where things like system agent, NetMeeting, the active movie check and other such things hang out.

Hiding Special Startup Commands

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Advanced Submitted by: ???

How many of you may want to run special commands in your system´s boot sequence, and you are afraid to put them in the Autoexec.bat, because your end users might alter them. Any end user with a good working knowledge of Windows Explorer can alter your startup files (Autoexec.bat, config.sys) even if you mark them read only, or hiden. Fortunately, there is an undocumented secret tha you can take advantage of ot protect your startup sequence. The last task Io.sys performs, after running Config.sys and Autoexec.bat, during boot-up is to load Windows 95 by executing Win.com command. Here is the catch! You can create a Win.bat file in the root directory and store special commands you would normaly include in Autoexec.bat. Since batch files take precedence over command files, windows will load Win.bat instead of Win.com. Once you add your special commands, at the end add the Win.com command to load Windows 95 upon completion. IMPORTAND, do not forget to include the .COM extension or the batch file will enter an infinite loop. Then simple mark it read only and hiden.

Hiding the Taskbar

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To hide the Taskbar, choose Taskbar properties (from the Start button or by right-clicking the Taskbar), and enable the Auto Hide feature from the Taskbar Options property page.

Icon Fixer!

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Chuck

If your Icons look odd/diffrent/wrong delete a file called ShellIconCache, which is in the Windows directory. When you restart the computer, the icons will be back to normal.

Increasing Your Com Port Speed

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: James Darkazally

Windows 95 default setting is 9600 baud for the com port your modem is tied to. To optimize your throughput do the following : Right click "my computer", click on properties. Click on "Device Manager" Find the com port your modem is hooked up to. Click on "properties" Click on "port settings", Increase the port setting to its maximum value. Then make sure the flow control is set to hardware. Then click on "advanced", maximize the receive buffer and transmit buffer. Make sure FIFO buffers is turned on. Click "ok" all the way out.Then reboot your system. This should speed up your bandwidth while surfing the net.

Internet and Networking

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Mike Atkinsons

When using the internet with a computer on a network you should follow these basic guide lines for error free connections. Start by going into control panel and then to network, look for the following information: Dial up adapter and TCP/IP --> Dial up adapter. If there are other items make sure that none of them mention dialup adapter and or tpc/ip. Those items must exist alone and together.

IRQ List

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Lavi Bar-Lev

On the desktop - right click the "My Computer" and choose "Properties". Then go to the "Device Manager" tab and double click the "Computer" icon. That will show you a list of all IRQ's that are in use by the computer.

Keeping Windows95 Running Fast

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Andy Hutton

Add the following lines to your AUTOEXEC.BAT. rem rem Check for TMP files and Remove them rem if not exist %TEMP%\*.TMP goto EndTMP attrib %TEMP%\*.TMP -r -a -s -h del %TEMP%\*.TMP :EndTMP Each time you PC boots, the above lines will remove any files with TMP extension in your TEMP directory set by the TEMP environment variable. Windows 95 assigns C:\WINDOWS\TEMP to the TEMP directory on boot up, however, some machines have Windows on another drive, therefor instead of using C:\WINDOWS\TEMP, I use the %TEMP% to get all possible configurations. According to my evaluation of different PCs at my clients, I have seen PCs drop as much as 25% in performance with these files in the TEMP directory. Plus they take up needed disk space.

Killing a Dying Application

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

If your system "hangs", press CTRL + ALT + DEL. The Close Program dialog box appears allowing you to close the hung application without rebooting the system.

Let DOS use more memory in Windows 95

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Brandon Carpenter

Go to Start and click on Run. Type "sysedit" in the box and click on OK. Under [386Enh] in the file System.ini add the following line: LocalLoadHigh=1 Exit sysedit, saving your work, and restart Windows.

Making the Modem Dial Faster

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

If you would like your modem to dial your ISP Faster Do the Following: Double-Click on the Modems item in the Control Panel and then click on the properties button. Open the Connections tab and click on the advanced button. Enter s11=50 in the extra settings feild. 50 (milliseconds) is the new speed, the lower the faster, some modems may not go that fast, but if you enter a number too low it will use the default fastest setting.

Manually Set Your Monitor Refresh Rate

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Dan Scherck

1. To manually set the monitor refresh rate, you must use the utilitiy Regedit. Click on the + to expand each folder in this order: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Services -> Class -> Display -> 0000 -> DEFAULT 2. Right Click on the right pane of the Registry Editor, and click on "String Value". 3. Enter the name "RefreshRate" 4. Double-click on RefreshRate and enter the value -1 for automatic rate settings, or a number specific to the refresh rate. (i.e. 75 or so, refer to your video card or monitor documentation for information on refresh rates.) Click OK and then restart Windows.

More Free Space

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To save memory, turn off the Recycle Bin. Alt+Tap the Recycle Bin then check "Do not move files..." Files will no longer be sent to the Recycle Bin when you delete them. Instead they will be permanantly deleted. You can then free up space that would otherwise have been taken up by trash.

Optimize CD-ROM Access

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Russel Ingram

To optimize the access time for your CD-ROM drive open the control panel and double click the System icon. Choose the Performance tab and click on the File System button. Choose the CD-ROM tab. Where it says "optimize access pattern for" No Read-ahead will probably be chosen. Choose the speed of your CD-ROM drive instead and click the OK button.

OSR2 Cluster sizes

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Gary White

Fdisk /fprmt will allow you to put FAT32 on a partition smaller than 512MB. Format {Partitionletter]:/z:n where n is a number 1, 2, 3, 4 will give you 512byte, 1k, or 2k clusters depending on the value of n and the size of the partition. On a 540MB partition n=1 will give you 512byte clusters.

Password Deletion

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To delete your password information, find the .PWL file in the Windows directory with your username in it (such as STEVEJ.PWL). Delete it and restart Windows.

Program Remove

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To remove a program from your HPC without using the Remove Program control panel, tap Run on the Start menu, or press Winkey+R, and then type the command unload filename.

Quick Defrag

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Jesse MacDonough

Have Multiple drives or multiple partitions? Create a Quick Defrag Menu on your right mouse click context menu. Here's how: Goto Explorer, View (on Menu) / Options. Click on File Types Tab and scroll down to Drives. Click Edit, Then New. In the Menu Line Print Quick Defrag! In the Command Line Print "c:\windows (or win95)\defrag.exe "%1" /noprompt. This will immediately invoke the Disk Defragmenter with no prompts and will exit as soon as it is done. Then goto My Computer and right mouse select a drive and select the Quick Defrag! and it will begin automatically! It's great if you have several real or DriveSpace Drives on your computer.

Quick Start-Up

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

If you want your computer to start up a little faster, simply hold down the Shift key as Windows loads. This will prevent the applications in the StartUp folder from loading.

Restart Windows95 at your Shutdown Screen

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Socrates Maura

If you have selected the shutdown command and are already viewing the "You may shut down your computer" screen, type "win" then press ENTER to restart your PC.

Restarting the Taskbar

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To restart the Taskbar, press Ctrl+Alt+Del and Shutdown the Explorer task. When the Shutdown dialog pops up, choose No. When the End Task confirmation pops up, click End Task. The Taskbar will shut down and then automatically restart.

Right Click Testing

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Raymond Scanlon [[email protected]]

Some files can be right clicked on and a test item will be on the menu. You click on this to test the file (it works with screen savers and some other files). If you do not have the other files needed to run it, you will be told which DLL, VXD, etc., that you need. It will only tell you one at a time, so you may have to do this more than once to see every thing needed to run it. Better than guess work though.

ROM Shadowing

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

In some situations, you may get increased performance out of Windows 95 by turning off ROM shadowing. Note that this is usually effective only for systems with no 16-bit drivers. Experiment with settings to see which ones give you the best results.

Sample Folders

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

Delete the Samples folder under My Documents. All the files are contained in Rom and stored in the \windows directory so getting them back later won't be a problem.

Save Your Power

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To conserve battery life don't leave the led light display on for long periods of time, turn off the use of sounds, and plug your unit into the wall outlet as much as possible.

Secure Folders

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Kenneth Noland

To secure a folder you don't make it read only or hidden. Those might slow down the normal user but not the power user. If you really want the folder to be secure just set an extended character in the name. To do this, go to the command prompt and chage to the directory where you want a new subdirectory. type "ALT + 2 ALT + 1 ALT + 1211". The directory created should look like this in dos mode "+211" or maybe something different. But now go out to windows and try to access this through explorer and you get an error that the folder _211 does not exist, but you still can see it. The reason why I name my folder "211" is so that I can remeber the extended character used in the folder. This is more of a bug than a tip or trick.

Set Disk Cache Size

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Ryan Lavell

In the your Windows directory, edit the system.ini file and create a header that says "[VCache]" (no quotes) and under it put MinFileCache=0 and MaxFileCache=X. X being what you want the Maximum disk cache to be, in the form 2000 for 2 megs etc.. I recommend 2 megs memory if you have 8-16 megs. and 4 megs if you have over 16 megs. This prevents unneeded disk swapping, because when your using most of your memory for your disk cache (default with Windows95), your using your swap file almost right away.

Setting the Clock

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To set your computer's clock, you can double-click the clock on the Taskbar.

Setting the Date and Time

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Double click the Taskbar clock to set the system time, date, and time zone.

Shutting Down

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To operate at top speed, Windows 95 keeps a lot of information in memory instead of on your hard drive. When shutting down your computer, it’s always best to use the Shut Down command on the Start menu so your PC gets a chance to save all that information.

Speed Gain

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Stephen Christie

Click the Start button, then Settings, then, Control Panel. In the Control Panel, click on the System Icon. Once in System, select the Performance tab. Click on the File System button. Change the machine role to Network Server. This will drastically enhances the use of upper memory especially in machines with more than 32MB of RAM.

Speed up Windows 95

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Brandon Carpenter

Speed up Windows by reducing the amount of time it fools around with virtual memory. Go to Start, Settings, and click on Control Panel. Double click on System. Note the amount of RAM in your computer. This can be found on the General tab. Click on the Performance tab and then on the Virtual Memory button. Windows 95 runs optimally with 16 megs of RAM. If you have 16 megs or more click on "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings:". Put a zero in the minimum box. Put the amount of RAM you have in the Maximum box. For instance, if I have 32MB of RAM, I would put "32" in the Maximum box. For those with less than 16MB, you can speed up your machine by specifying 2 1/2 times your RAM in the Maximum box (8MB would be 20MB). Click on OK. When the warning is displayed click on YES. Click on OK and then OK again to restart your machine.

Speed up Windows Launch

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Peter Vidacovich

To speed up the launch of win95, you have to edit your msDOS.sys in c:\. change the attributes ( attrib -s -h -r) then make a copy of the file, calling it ie msdos.syd. open notepad, display all files then add the following under the [options] Logo=0 Bootdelay=0 this makes windows booting without the screen and boot without delay.

Speeding Up Virtual Memory

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Advanced Submitted by: Robert Lloyd

You can speed up the performance of you machine by specifying a minimum swap file size. Go to Control Panel/System (or Alt-double click on the "My Computer" icon), then go to the Performance tab and click the "Virtual Memory..." button. Click the "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings." radio button. Set the "Minimum" field to 1 1/2 times the physical RAM in your system (if you have 16MB, set it to 24). Click "Ok" and ok all the warnings (this is not as dangerous as Microsoft would have you believe). This will prevent the virtual memory system from having to allocate pages as soon as you start up; it already has as many pages allocated as it is likely to use. If you want to ensure that your swap file is always defragmented, defragment your drive before changing the settings above; then, after setting the minimum size to 2 times physical RAM (or more if you have the disk space to spare), set the "Maximum" to the same figure. This is equivalent to using the "Permanent Swap File" option in Windows 3.X. Note that the sizes recommended here are minimums. If you have plenty of disk space, you are unlikely to hurt anything by allocating more to virtual memory. This tip will also prevent you from running out of disk space unexpectedly when your virtual memory "swap file" grows while you are working.

Spring Cleaning

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

Time for a little hard drive Spring cleaning. First, close down all your running applications. Then, do a search (using Find) for these kinds of files: GID FTS BAK ~MP TMP Once you've found them, you can delete them. If you're feeling saucy, you can remove CNT files, too (they're the Table of Contents data for some HLP files). While you're cleaning house, you should open up your Temp folder and get rid of the schtuff that's piled up in there.

Start Up Disk

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

In your haste to install Windows 95, you may not have created a start-up disk. To do so, open the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel item and click on the Startup Disk tab. Just follow the instructions. Make sure to label the disk when done.

Stay Up-To-Date

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Make sure you keep up to date with any Service Packs or patches for Windows. Stop by the Windows95.com Web site frequently at http://www.windows95.com/ for updates.

SysEdit

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

From the Start button, choose the Run command. In the command line type SYSEDIT. This will launch the System Configuration Editor which will allow you to edit the following files: PROTOCOL.INI, SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI, CONFIG.SYS, and AUTOEXEC.BAT.

System Info

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

It is a good idea to get your system information on paper incase you ever have a computer problem where you need to refer to this. Right click on the My Computer icon and select Properties from the context menu. Click on the Device Manager tab, then the Print button. Select the "All devices and system summary" button, then click on OK. This will give you a print out of information about your hardware, IRQ's, ports, memory usage, devices and drivers.

Toasted Dust?

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Steven Lewis

Dusty house? Pets that shed? Your computer needs love too. With the system OFF, run a vacuum over the fan on the back of the system. This helps the system breath, and allows the system to cool itself. (If you've ever seen the Waffle Irons they have for heatsinks nowadays you know how hot things can get). If you are feeling a little more brave, crack the case and run a small nozzle inside the system. There is nothing in there that will bite. Just don't beat around in there and just get the major gunk out. Also look for a second, internal fan and clean that too. (Check with your Manufacturer to see that you don't void your warranty by opening the system first).

Total Shut Down

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Make sure to exit out of Windows 95 all the way before shutting off your machine. To do so, choose the Start button, Shut Down, select Shut down the computer, and then hit the Yes button.

Troubleshooting Memory

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

You can solve memory problems on your computer by using the Memory Troubleshooter in Help.

Turn Out That Light

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

Don't use the backlight unless absolutely necessary. The backlight takes considerably more power and will drain your batteries faster.

Ultimate 95 Security

Platform: Windows 95/98/NT User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Kenneth Noland

Before you try this at home make sure you have a boot disk ready in case it fails. To secure a win95 machine all you have to do is specify the GUI that it points to in the startup files. Edit your system.ini and look for a command called "shell=explorer.exe". now depending on what the user wants to do you have several options here. If the user does word processing then you set it to the word processor that they use by "shell=c:\program files\office\word(results may vary)". But be careful and make sure the user does not know about this secret because they could set it back. And if you want the user(s) to just be able to browse the internet, set the option to Iexplore or Netscape.

Unnecessary Loading

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

Windows 95 could be loading your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files unnecessarily. This could just be slowing your startup. To see if they are needed, make backup copies of each file, and rename the file CONFIG.SYS to CONFIG.OLD. You can rename the file by right clicking on the file and selecting the Rename option. Now, shut down your system and restart. If everything works as it should, do the same with the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Make sure to have a emergency boot disk handy, just in case.

Variable Storage Space

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: ???

Adjust the memory slider in the System icon in Control Panel according to your usage. You can minimize storage space in favor of memory if you need more memory to run programs.

While You Were Docking

Platform: Windows CE User Level: Beginner Submitted by: ???

To conserve battery life don't leave your unit docked with the desktop while on battery power.

Who needs SETVER.EXE?

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Intermed. Submitted by: Marc C. Tuma

Do you remember your old DOS/WIN31x configuration? I bet that you spent hours with changing your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC:BAT files. Everyone of us tried to get more conventional memory. Now do you remember which "tool" was erased first? Right! SETVER.EXE! No one needed this program. Now, why do you load SETVER.EXE every time you start Windows95? To save precious memory you have to prevent WIndows95 from loading SETVER.EXE. The SETVER.EXE file is located in the \WINDOWS directory. Just rename the file to something like SETVER.W95 and Windows won't load the program again. If there comes the day that you need this program just rename it again.

Win95 Re-Install De-Hassler

Platform: Windows 95 User Level: Beginner Submitted by: Mocha Nelson

If a format is part of your installation scenario why not make C drive for Windows Only. IE make C drive a relatively small partition - 200 MEGS and install only Win95 and perhaps a back-up directory on it and then have all your programs install to another partition/drive. This way if things go awry and a complete erasure of C (Win95) would be advantageous you can DELTREE C without a lot of hassle. Assuming you have a usable back up of your Registry, you would simply reinstall Win95, replace the USER.DAT & SYSTEM.DAT files, re-boot and your in business. Wow - no messy transferring of files you want to save & a minimum hassle with your software and it's settings!