Maintaining, Optimizing, and Troubleshooting Windows 9x and Windows Me - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 87
About This Presentation
Title:

Maintaining, Optimizing, and Troubleshooting Windows 9x and Windows Me

Description:

... programs, including hidden ones. Useful for closing ... Free standing program that represents itself as something else and then may cause severe damage ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:130
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 88
Provided by: hutc
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Maintaining, Optimizing, and Troubleshooting Windows 9x and Windows Me


1
Maintaining, Optimizing, and Troubleshooting
Windows 9x and Windows Me
  • Chapter 7

2
Overview
  • In this chapter, you will learn to
  • Maintain and optimize a healthy Windows 9x/Me
    system
  • Install and configure devices on Windows 9x/Me
    systems
  • Troubleshoot Windows 9x/Me problems using key
    tools and procedures

3
Maintaining and Optimizing Windows 9x/Me
4
Maintaining and Optimizing Windows 9x/Me
  • There is little you can do to make a Windows
    system run faster or better by tweaking the
    system!

5
Service Packs/Patches/Windows Update
  • Patches are EXE files provided by Microsoft for
    fixing specific problems
  • A service pack is a group of patches
  • Microsoft later sold Win95 with Service Pack 1 as
    OEM service release 1 (OSR 1)
  • A year later OSR 2 combined newer patches
  • Win98 had one major update called the Customer
    Service Pack (Win98 SE includes it)

6
What do I need?
  • Windows Update (on the Start menu) will determine
    what updates you require and will list them,
    allowing you to decide which ones you want
  • For Win95, download QFECHECK from Microsofts web
    site

7
Drive Maintenance
  • Disk scanning, defragmentation, and disk cleaning
    are the critical parts of drive maintenance
  • Start ? Programs ?
    Accessories ? System Tools

8
Disk Defragmenter at Work
9
Disk Cleanup
  • Disk Cleanup will delete files that are no longer
    needed such as
  • Application temporary files that failed to
    delete
  • Installation temporary files that failed to
    delete
  • Internet browser cache files
  • Files in the Recycle Bin
  • Internet cookie files
  • Identical files in separate locations

10
Drive Maintenance
  • The Windows Me hard drive Properties Tools tab
    includes Error-Checking (ScanDisk), and
    defragmentation

11
Task Scheduling
  • The Windows Task Scheduler can be used to
    automate the processes involved in
    drive maintenance

12
Virtual Memory
  • All versions of Windows use virtual memory
  • Windows swap files are used to implement virtual
    memory
  • WIN386.SWP in Windows 9x/Me
  • PAGEFILE.SYS in Windows NT/2000/XP

13
Virtual Memory
  • Windows sets the initial size of the swap file
    automatically according to the free space
    available on the C drive
  • The swap file size can be altered and it can also
    be moved onto another drive according to memory
    needs

14
Virtual Memory Windows 9x/Me
  • Alt-Click My Computer and choose Properties

15
Virtual Memory Windows 2000
  • Alt-click My Computer, and choose Properties ?
    Advanced tab ? Performance Options button ?
    Change button

16
Virtual Memory Recommendations
  • Default settings for swap files are usually far
    larger than needed
  • The recommendation is to set the size of the swap
    file to two to three times the amount of RAM
  • If you have 256MB of RAM, then set the swap file
    to 512 MB to 768 MB
  • Set the minimum and maximum sizes to the same
    value
  • If you get the error Not Enough Memory, then
    increase the swap file larger

17
Disk Cache
  • Every version of Windows sets aside a small
    amount of RAM for a disk cache
  • Vcache, Windows disk-caching program, keeps track
    of the files requested by the CPU it then tries
    to guess what the CPU will be needing and keeps
    in in RAM this makes access much faster
  • Disk caching that comes with Windows installs
    automatically and is virtually maintenance free
  • The size of the disk cache is roughly one-fourth
    the total size of RAM
  • Windows automatically sets the size of the
    disk-cache holding pen based on the settings
    given at setup

18
Disk Cache Settings
  • Alt-click My Computer, and choose Properties ?
    Performance tab ? File System button

How much RAM to set aside for the disk
cache. Setting to Network server may help
performance.
How many clusters to read ahead when the system
goes to the hard drive. Best to set at Full.
19
Resource Tracking Tools
  • One of the most common problems in performance
    relates to too many programs trying to run at the
    same time
  • Many programs and processes run in the background
  • There are tools that help to track resource usage
  • System Resources
  • System Monitor
  • System Resource Meter
  • Task Manager

20
System Resources Percentage
  • Alt-click My Computer, and choose Properties ?
    Performance tab

Many systems can run down into the low 20s
without a problem.
21
System Monitor
  • Start ? Programs ? Accessories ? System Tools ?
    System Monitor

Not installed by default!
22
System Resource Meter
  • Start ? Programs ? Accessories ? System Tools ?
    System Resource Meter

Substantial system slowdown results from
overfilled heaps. Low Resources is your
indication. Once installed, the Resource Meter
will let you keep an eye on heaps.
23
Task Manager
  • Access Task Manager by pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL
  • Shows all running programs, including hidden ones
  • Useful for closing unresponsive programs
  • Do not close Explorer or Systray (Windows needs
    them!)

24
Auto-Starting Programs
  • Some auto-starting programs such as antivirus
    softwares are essential
  • Most auto-starting programs consume valuable
    physical memory and can be done without
  • Unnecessary programs should be removed
  • Go to the System Tray Alt-click on the various
    icons and decide whether to disable each one

25
Auto-Starting Programs
  • Additional auto-starting programs may be turned
    off using the System Configuration Utility
  • Start ? Programs ? Accessories ? System Tools ?
    System Information, then open the System
    Configuration Utility under the Tools menu
  • Check the Startup tab (dont turn off the System
    Tray)
  • Check the Win.ini file for Run and Load under
    the Windows folder
  • Check autoexec.bat and config.sys

26
System Configuration Utility
27
Installing Software
  • One poorly written software program installed on
    your computer can trash your system
  • Some versions of Windows now allow you to return
    your system to its previous state
  • A recommended third-party program is Q-Recovery
    from Hyper-Q

28
Device Installation
29
Before You Buy
  • Know what you need
  • What do I expect this device to do?
  • What are the expectations of the device?
  • Can I or the customer afford it?
  • How much do we care about this device?
  • Never trust techs with all the answers!
  • Physical compatibility with the system
  • Do I have an open PCI slot, a needed serial port,
    etc.

30
Before You Buy
  • System compatibility
  • Check the makers web site, FAQs, email tech
    support
  • Check on restocking charges, return shipping
    costs
  • Insist on at least a seven-day return policy
  • Availability of drivers
  • For your OS the latest drivers

31
Installing PnP Devices
  • Create a startup disk
  • Backup the Registry
  • Use proper anti-ESD procedures, and retain the
    packaging
  • Read the Read Me file
  • You may need to delete the old device if you are
    replacing it with another
  • You may need to hold off connecting the unit to
    the USB port

32
Installing PnP Devices
  • CMOS Issues
  • Generally, you wont have to worry about CMOS
    settings
  • Activate the serial or parallel port if needed
  • Use Assign IRQ to USB for USB devices
  • Driver Install
  • Windows will look for an INF file
  • Once the device is physically installed, check
    the device

33
Creating a Startup Diskette
  • Always have a Start Up Disk in case of an
    emergency
  • Start?Settings? Control Panel? Add/Remove Programs

These directions apply to Windows 98. Support for
most CD-ROMs is included.
34
CD-ROM Support
  • If you create a Startup disk using Windows 95 or
    with DOS, you will need to add CD-ROM support as
    follows
  • Add the following line to config.sys
  • DEVICEHIGHa\SBIDE.SYS /DMSCD001 /P170,15 /V
  • Or DEVICEa\oakcdrom.sys /DCDROM
  • Add the following line to autoexec.bat
  • a\MSCDEX.EXE /DMSCD001 /V /M15 /LD
  • Or a\MSCDEX.EXE /DCDROM

Oakcdrom.sys is the Generic driver found at
www.computerhope.com/drivers/cdrom.htm.
MSCDEX.EXE may be found in the \Windows\Command
folder.
35
Backing Up the Registry
  • The Registry is critical to your OS functioning
    properly
  • When you install a new device, Windows changes
    the Registry, so always make a backup right
    before installation
  • There are many ways to backup the registry
  • Using REGEDIT, select Export Registry File on the
    Registry menu

36
The Device Manager
  • Device Manager is a primary tool for dealing with
    devices and device drivers in Windows
  • If Windows detects a problem, a red x or a
    yellow exclamation point is displayed
  • Devices are organized in special groups

37
Applications
  • Hardware is useless without an application that
    uses it. Applications can be broken down into
    five groups
  • Built-in apps come with Windows
  • Enhanced apps add more functionality or features
    over those provided by Windows
  • Supplied critical apps must be installed for the
    hardware to work
  • Supplied helpful apps are not required but may be
    useful to you
  • Supplied optional apps are things like an AOL CD

38
Plug and Play Problems
  • Failure to find the correct device driver is a
    common PnP installation issue
  • A bad or an incorrect INF file can cause
    problems. Hardware makers may hide the INF file
    in a Setup program
  • Device Manager can be used to locate the
    installed device to verify installation or to
    troubleshoot issues
  • Legacy devices may require additional
    configuration

39
PnP Cant Find a Driver
  • If Windows cannot find a driver, the Add/Remove
    Hardware Wizard will pop up this screen
  • Just point Windows to the right location for the
    driver based on your operating system
  • It should be somewhere on the CD or diskette that
    came with the new device

40
Plug and Play Problems
  • Removing and reinstalling the device may be
    required if Windows is not able to detect the PnP
    device
  • Windows may fail to see a PnP device if other
    devices are using all available resources
  • Upgrade the system BIOS if necessary
  • Ensure that the system has installed the required
    chipsets for new motherboards

41
Device Manager Errors
  • If a device has a problem, it shows up with an
    exclamation point surrounded by a small yellow
    dot
  • A small red x on a device indicates that the
    device has been disabled by Windows

42
Device Manager Errors
  • A majority of problems can be grouped into one of
    the following areas
  • Failure to follow installation procedures
  • Corruption/incompatibility with drivers or the
    INF file
  • Outdated support drivers
  • Outdated BIOS
  • Resource conflict
  • Corrupted registry
  • Bad device

43
Verifying the Driver Version
  • Alt-click My Computer ? Properties ? Device
    Manager tab ? Select device and choose Properties
    button ? Driver tab

44
Error Codes
  • Error codes may give you a clue on how to fix the
    issue
  • Alt-click My Computer ? Properties ? Device
    Manager tab ? Select device and choose Properties
    button ? General tab
  • Microsofts Knowledge Base lists these in article
    Q125174

45
Corruption Incompatibility
  • Corruption
  • Errors related to the driver
  • Delete the driver, reboot, and try again
  • Download the latest driver from the manufacturer
  • Check the hard drive
  • Incompatibility
  • Unknown device error
  • Unsupported device error

The attitude gotta have the newest invariably
puts you on the bleeding edge of
technology. Good techs know when to try to fix
something and when to call tech
support. Newsgroups may help. Try
news//alt.certification.a-plus.
46
Outdated Support Drivers BIOS
  • Outdated Support Drivers
  • Theres always a chipset, controller, or some
    other device between the CPU and the device you
    install
  • Well-supported devices always have detailed name
    under System devices compare the left and right
    screens on the next slide
  • Outdated BIOS
  • If you have all the latest drivers and still get
    errors in Device Manager, see if your motherboard
    maker has an updated BIOS

47
Default vs. Proper Drivers
48
Device Manager Errors Concluded
  • Resource conflicts
  • These are clearly reported by Windows
  • Well talk about resolving them in a few slides
  • Corrupted Registry
  • This is clearly reported just reinstall
  • Bad device
  • If you can try the device in another PC, do that
  • If not and you are 75 sure it is a bad device,
    replace it your time is worth more!

49
IRQ Steering
  • With IRQ steering, PCI devices share one or more
    IRQs, depending on the chipset, and on the
    function of the PCI device
  • Systems must have IRQ9 or IRQ11 available for IRQ
    steering
  • See the next few slides for further explanation

50
IRQ Steering
51
IRQ Steering
52
IRQ Steering
53
Memory Concepts
  • An address space is the total amount of memory
    the CPU can address
  • Memory is simply all of the permutations of 0s
    and 1s that the CPU address bus can generate
  • Its not really RAM or ROM its a system
    resource defined by a list of 0s and 1s, usually
    represented in hexadecimal
  • Any permutation on a modern 32-bit address bus
    can be represented using eight hexadecimal
    characters

54
Memory Resources Used
55
Installing a Legacy Device
  • Critical questions that must be answered before
    installing a legacy device are
  • What resources are available on the system?
  • What resources can the legacy device use?
  • Is there driver support for the device?

56
Determining Available Resources
  • Device Manager shows all available resources

57
Reserving Resources
  • Reserve resources in two possible places
  • CMOS
  • Device Manager

58
Reserving Resources in CMOS
  • Turn off unused serial, parallel, or USB ports in
    the Integrated Peripherals menu in CMOS

Set this to Yes
Many CMOSs have dropped this option leaving
Device Manager as the place to go. If you have
this option, set it to Manual youll see the
next slide of information
Set to Enabled when installing an ISA device. It
will reset itself back to Disabled at the next
reboot.
59
Resources Controlled by Manual
60
Turning Off Unused Resources
61
Reserving Resources in Device Manager
  • After reserving resources in CMOS (or making sure
    PNP OS Installed is set to Yes and Resources
    Controlled By is set to Auto), reserve the
    resources in Device Manager

62
Installing the Legacy Device
  • Once resources are reserved, install the device
  • Either set the proper jumpers based on the
    device, or run the software utility that came
    with the device to set it to the proper
    resource configura- tion

63
Installing the Legacy Device
  • Windows does not look for legacy devices when it
    boots up
  • After rebooting into Windows, run the Add New
    Hardware Wizard in Control Panel
  • Windows will find the legacy device usually and
    help you install the driver
  • After installation check Device Manager to make
    sure the device is working properly

64
Resource Conflicts
  • If a newly installed device shows a black
    exclamation point or a red x in its properties,
    it indicates a resource conflict
  • The error shows both the conflict text warning
    and the device with which the legacy device
    conflicts
  • The Resources tab, in the properties dialog box
    of the device, enables manual configuration of
    the device

65
Resource Conflict Shown
66
Resolving Resource Conflicts
67
Troubleshooting Windows 9x/Me
68
Backup
  • Backup means to copy a file and place it
    somewhere else in case a problem arises.
  • Always backup important data before installing a
    new device
  • You should also schedule regular backups of
    important and critical information
  • Every version of Windows comes with a Backup
    program

69
Backup
  • Windows uses the archive bit to determine if a
    file has changed since the last backup
  • Backup types are
  • Full
  • Backs up every file and folder
  • Turns the archive bit off
  • Incremental
  • Backs up only files and folders with archive bit
    on
  • Turns off the archive bit
  • Differential
  • Backs up only files and folders with the archive
    bit on
  • Does not turn off the archive bit
  • Copy

70
System Restore
  • Windows Mes System Restore utility allows you to
    return your system to a recent working
    configuration when something goes wrong
  • Me creates restore points each day automatically
  • Me also creates restore points anytime you
    install an application, update a driver, or add
    hardware
  • Start ?Programs ?Accesories ?System Restore
    ?Create a Restore Point

71
System Restore Screen
72
Antivirus Protection
  • A virus is a program with two main functions -
    proliferation and activation
  • Some of the common types of viruses are detailed
    on the following slides
  • You should always run virus protection software
    and keep it up to date

73
The Computer Virus
  • Boot sector
  • Changes the code in the master boot record
  • FDISK /MBR will fix if you dont have a disk
    overlay program
  • Executable
  • Resides in executable files and copies itself
    into other executable files
  • Macro
  • Auto-starts when an application is run

74
The Computer Virus
  • Trojan
  • Free standing program that represents itself as
    something else and then may cause severe damage
  • Worm
  • Makes copies of itself on to the other systems on
    a network
  • Bimodal/Bipartite
  • Uses both boot-sector and executable functions

75
Antivirus Programs
  • Antivirus programs use different techniques to
    combat different types of viruses
  • A library of signatures (code pattern of viruses)
    is used for detecting executable viruses
  • Antivirus programs create a checksum on every
    file in the drive to combat unknown polymorphs
  • A polymorph attempts to change its signature to
    prevent detection
  • Stealth viruses use various methods to try to
    hide from antivirus software

76
Virus Prevention Tips
  • Antivirus programs can be installed to
    automatically scan floppies and downloads
  • Bootable antivirus floppy disks can be used to
    eliminate susceptible viruses

77
Sluggish Systems
  • Usually caused by many autostarting programs
  • Run the System Configuration Utility (msconfig)
  • Scan for viruses
  • Shut down unwanted programs

78
Windows Boot Problems
  • No OS found
  • Use Sys to restore IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, COMMAND.COM
  • Bad or missing COMMAND.COM
  • Copy command.com back to the hard drive
  • Error in CONFIG.SYS (line XX)
  • Device referenced in SYSTEM.INI not found

79
Windows Boot Problems
  • HIMEM.SYS not loaded or missing or corrupt
    HIMEM.SYS
  • Results from a hard drive needing ScanDisk badly
  • Copy himem.sys back to hard drive and add to
    config.sys using devicec\himem.sys
  • Boot normally and then use ScanDisk

80
Windows Boot Problems-Wont Boot GUI
  • Corrupted swap file
  • Boot to safe mode, disable virtual memory
  • Reboot, turn swap file back on, reboot again
  • Step-by-step configuration from boot menu
  • Restore registry from a backup
  • If not available, replace system.dat and user.dat
    with system.da0 and user.da0
  • With Win98, boot to startup disk and Windows
    Registry Checker tool
  • C\Windows\Command\Scanreg /fix
  • Resolve resource conflicts

81
Windows Boot Problems-Wont Boot GUI
  • Bad driver
  • Run Automatic Skip Driver (ASD) tool in Safe Mode
  • Under the Tools menu in System Information tool
  • Or use Start ?Run ?ASD
  • Corrupted core Windows files
  • Run System File Checker to restore any corrupted
    core files automatically
  • SFC /scanboot /quiet and then reboot

82
Lockups/Reboots
  • All system lockups fit into one of the following
    two groups
  • Lockups that takes place immediately after a new
    program or device is added
  • Check for resource conflicts or incompatibilities
  • Lockups from nowhere
  • Point to virus attacks or to hardware problems
  • Power Supply, CPU, fan

83
Errors
  • General protection faults (GPFs) occur when a
    program tries to use another programs memory
  • Windows protection errors take place when a
    special driver file, called a virtual device
    driver (VxD) fails to load or unload
  • Device may be getting the same device driver from
    multiple places (config.sys, system.ini,
    Registry)
  • Fatal exception errors are caused by hardware or
    software that sends an error not recognized by
    Windows

84
Dr. Watson Utility
  • Dr. Watson Utility
  • It generates a detailed and highly technical
    report on the status of the system and the time
    the error occurred
  • Provides a critical insight to a high technical
    level.
  • Start ? Run ? drwatson

85
Shutdown Problems
  • Bad drivers, a corrupted registry, and faulty
    page files, all cause shutdown problems
  • Try disabling Fast Shutdown (Win98 only)
  • Start ? Programs ? Accessories ? System Tools ?
    System Information, then open the System
    Configuration Utility under the Tools menu. Click
    the Advanced button on the General tab. Check
    Disable Fast Save
  • Application not closing
  • Use Task Manager to shut it down
  • Sound file
  • Use Sound applet in Control Panel to turn off the
    shutdown sound

86
Tweak UI
  • Tweak User Interface (Tweak UI)
  • One of the PowerToys written by Microsoft
  • Provides access to system settings that are not
    exposed in the default user interface, including
    mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar
    settings, and more

87
(No Transcript)
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com