Perform computer management tasks and run tools such as the Task Scheduler.

Computer management tasks and run tools such as the Task Scheduler.

To open

Run as a plug-in for the Microsoft Management Console.

Command Prompt -> compmgmt


Description

This plug-in to the Microsoft Management Console lets you perform a variety of computer management tasks, including monitoring performance and reliability. It also provides a way to run tools such as the Task Scheduler.

Back up your computer

Back up (copy) files from your hard drive to a CD drive, DVD drive, removable storage device, or another PC or drive on a network for the purpose of safeguarding or archiving your data, or for saving your computer configuration so that you can restore it in the event of a crash.


To open

Control Panel -> Back up your computer

Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> Backup and Restore Center


Description

The Backup and Restore Center, new in Windows Vista, offers tools for backing up data as well as creating a restore "image" of your computer, which can be used to re-create the state of your PCincluding the operating system, applications, and settingsin the event of a hardware failure. It fixes a variety of shortcomings in the backup program built into Windows XP, such as not being able to back up across a network. On the other hand, it's less flexible than the XP backup program because it doesn't allow you to customize it to a great extent. You can't, for example, choose specific folders, or files from specific folders, to be backed up. Instead, you have to back up all files of a particular file type, such as documents.

Vista Hacks explained to a extent one by one

Hi friend's Vista has always been in the talk when i say that what i meant was right that you guessed all about the issues concerned with vista are so much and still counting that you can not miss the talk all about it from the day it has been manufactured on our desktop's and replaced Windows XP. But then we can not keep on murmuring or whispering's on that.. Lets rather have a look on some of the performance hacks we can go along and explore it to a pleasure extent

Back up your computer

Perform computer management tasks and run tools such as the Task Scheduler.

Reclaim disk space by removing unwanted files from your hard drive.

Reorganize the files on a disk to optimize disk performance and reliability.

Prepare and partition a hard disk.

Read system logs and view other system events.

Rate your computer's capability to run Windows Vista.

Controls the balance between using advanced Windows Vista visual features and performance.

Automatically solve problems with your computer and Windows Vista.

Speeds up computer performance by storing commonly used files in a flash device.

Track and review system performance.

Collect and display information about your computer.

Manage system services.

Were to Get Vista Drivers

I see this question posted a lot on forums. I have older hardware, were can I get vista drivers for my device. Before even plugging in the new device into Vista you should go and check out the manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers, for vista support.

The manufacturer of the product is always the best place to search for the latest drivers. There you will also find information on whether the device is capable of working on Windows Vista. Read any and all instructions first before trying to install the drivers. You may find that you need to do a firmware update first.

Some computer components need the software installed before you connect the device. Hp for example is famous for this. If you install the device first and then the software you may run into issues.

Sometimes the manufactures site is not easy to navigate. When this happens do a search for just the model number and the keyword “driver”. Do not click on the first link you see. Look for a link that has the manufactures website in it. Many sites say they have free drivers but you find out later the program you downloaded was just trial software or a virus. Always try the manufacture first and if you cannot find it there then go to one of the third party sites. Be sure you have virus and spyware removal protection before you download any program from a third party site.

Some older devices will not work with Vista. Even if the manufacturer states it does work with vista do a little more digging and see if have a 64 bit processor. Some programs work with Vista but not 64 bit processors. I have run into a few cameras that had a hard time handling the 64 bit architecture.

Vista Hardware Compatibility Issues

Early up-graders to Windows Vista are reporting annoyance by the loads of software and hardware incompatibilities coming to the fore as they use Windows Vista. For the record the Redmond, Wash., software giant launched Vista and a companion update called Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update to the market on Jan 30. Seems like they expected a lot of issues with the system because they made sure that Vista patches were available on the net even before the Compact disks of the operating system left the factory.

That update, KB929427, makes good some of the more challenging application incompatibilities, but the nightmare is far from over, for the early bird upgraders. There is nothing new about compatibility issues when a new operating system is launched, however, Vista is not only has a number of incompatibilities with existing applications but also lacks many drivers for critical hardware components and hardware peripherals. Support for Vista hardware is compounded by the fact that most vendors have not created drivers of their hardware that is compatible for Windows Vista support making more of a headache. This is understood when it comes to peripherals such as printers and scanners but so far as critical hardware components such as hard drives, chipset controllers and video cards are concerned the lack of compatibility will crash the system. The manufacturers of primary components of the computer hardware system are just not ready with their wares to support Vista.

Early adopters of Microsoft Windows Vista have the following problems to contend with:

• They will face a drastic lack of available drivers vendors leading to conflicts in applications.
• New peripheral hardware components will lack compatible Vista drivers and the old components drivers will simply refuse to work in most cases.
• New security feature often flags existing applications as suspicious and interrupts service
• The OS automatically recommends which Vista versions is best for each PC's configuration. This will cause small businesses to download different Windows Vista Edition.

So in the ultimate analysis, Vista may seem attractive in it’s packaging but it still has far to go.

Microsoft Window Vista Startup and Repair

Startup Repair is a great Windows tool that can fix many issues like missing or damaged startup files they may be preventing Windows Vista from starting. The Startup Repair option scans your computer for problems and then tries to fix it. If you experience problems while trying to run Startup Repair, or if your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

Using startup RepairStartup Repair is on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows installation disc. Startup Repair might also be installed on your hard disk if your computer has preinstalled recovery options. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.If you have a Windows installation disc:

1. Insert the installation disc.

2. Restart your computer

3. boot to the installation CD or DVD.

4. Select your language the next

5. Click Repair your computer.

6. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next..

If your computer has preinstalled recovery options:

1. Restart Computer

2. Press and hold F8 as your computer boots up. You will need to reboot again if you see the Windows logo. That just means it did not work the first time.

3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER

4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.

5. Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair cannot fix hardware failures or certain types viruses. Startup repair do not repair lost files like documents or pictures. If you need that see our backup articles or view the forum.

For all your computer repair needs please go to computer support. You will get the expert advise you need to repair any computer issue you have for Vista, XP, ME, and 2000.

Lets Customize our Notification Area

The Notification area is a new name for what used to be called the System tray, the area where the clock and various other (active program) icons are displayed.

Like Windows XP, Vista's Notification area also has a mechanism that reduces clutter. Icons that are inactive become hidden. You are informed periodically that icons are inactive, and you can modify this behavior with customization settings, or disable this altogether.

To customize the Notification area, right-click the Taskbar and select Properties. Next select the Notification Area tab where you can select to show or hide the Clock, Volume, Network and Power icons, and show or hide inactive icons (Figure). The Customize button gives you control over the behavior of individual icons.

Hide Notification Area

In some cases it might be useful to hide the icons from the Notification Area, especially if the computer is in a place where users are not supposed to have access to the programs/settings the icons represent. Many programs (settings) can be accessed by double- or right clicking their system tray icon.

To hide the notification area:

1. Start the Registry Editor
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
3. From the menu, select Edit > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
4. Name the new value NoTrayItemsDisplay
5. Double-click the value NoTrayItemsDisplay and change the Value data to 1
6. Close the registry editor
7. Log off, or restart Windows for the changes to take effect

Only the time & date will still be displayed. To reverse, change the value of NoTrayItemsDisplay to 0, or delete it.