tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post114270462306481172..comments2024-03-29T06:05:04.162+01:00Comments on Robert's Stochastic thoughts: Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14455788499385673507noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post-1143053227602929732006-03-22T19:47:00.000+01:002006-03-22T19:47:00.000+01:00Thanks computer Bruce. You are a hero. Can I rem...Thanks computer Bruce. You are a hero. Can I remove internet explorer and it's cache completely ? I use firefox.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14455788499385673507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post-1142719593672340972006-03-18T23:06:00.000+01:002006-03-18T23:06:00.000+01:00link to doc<A HREF="http://www.pjls16812.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/knowing-knoppix/pdf/knowing-knoppix_2005-06-08.pdf" REL="nofollow">link to doc</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post-1142719518694932502006-03-18T23:05:00.000+01:002006-03-18T23:05:00.000+01:00Robert -- I posted in Brad DeLong's comment thread...Robert -- I posted in Brad DeLong's comment thread re Knoppix. If you decide to try Knoppix, you might also like to read this free pdf book someone wrote for beginners:<BR/><BR/>http://www.pjls16812.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/knowing-knoppix/pdf/knowing-knoppix_2005-06-08.pdf<BR/><BR/>It answers a lot of questions, and explains what hardware may not work and why.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post-1142711285772652762006-03-18T20:48:00.000+01:002006-03-18T20:48:00.000+01:00Start > Run: msconfigwill get you to the System Co...Start > Run: msconfig<BR/>will get you to the System Configuration Utility.<BR/><BR/>Alternatively, Start > Help and Support, then click on the link, "Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems. The System Configuration Utility is listed among the Tools.<BR/><BR/>http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=906569<BR/>points to a downloadable, which will add a tab to the System Configuration Utility, which gives you convenient access to a number of the more obscure tools, which benefit expert professionals and befuddle those in need of professional help.<BR/><BR/>On a new computer, useless crap installed by the manufacturer in the hope of inducing the user to buy more crap is a major handicap. Worst among these is the ubiquitous Norton Internet Security trial. Go to Control Panel and remove Norton and all its ilk. Remove AOL and Earthlink and every other "advertisement" you are not using, including unused music jukeboxes and picture albums, etc.<BR/><BR/>A decent antivirus program, like Grisoft AVG, should not unduly burden your computer; AVG is free for personal use, at free.grisoft.com, and half the cost of Norton at www.grisoft.com. An anti-spyware program is also necessary; Microsoft's Windows Defender (Beta 2) is pretty good and free; Ewido is excellent, but costs money.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes, the Windows swapfile is set to too low a value. Right-click on the My Computer icon, choose properties, and go to the Advanced tab, then click the Settings button under Performance, to access the Performance Options dialog. Go the Advanced tab, and click the Change button under Virtual Memory. Set the swapfile to be, say, a fixed 1537 MB (an arbitrary large number).<BR/><BR/>The Internet Explorer cache is typically set to be way too large. Start > Control Panel > Networking and Internet > Internet Options: General tab and click the Settings button under Temporary Internet Files, and reduce the size of the cache to 250 MB or less.<BR/><BR/>Add additional RAM to your new laptop. 1 GB of RAM is the new standard.<BR/><BR/>Remember: It is better to curse Microsoft AND make your computer run decently, than to only curse Microsoft.<BR/><BR/>Oh, yeah. And, Norton is truly awful. It was once the gold standard, now . . . not so much. Super slow startup and unresponsiveness is very often a consequence of a malfunctioning antivirus/firewall program, or having multiple antivirus/firewalls programs.Bruce Wilderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09631065564839959376noreply@blogger.com