Wow-Now your Vista performance

I tried some of these steps yesterday on my lappy as I wanted Vista on it to perform better. It did work. Here are the tips that you can also try on you vista computers in order to increase performance.

• Once you boot Vista to the desktop, the sidebar appears, now that really hogs on memory. Right Click on the side bar > got to Properties > Uncheck the forst option there, Load side bar when system boots. If you are really in a fancy of the sidebar you can always bring ot back by typing sidebar in the Run window.
• Aero Interface- I would recommend not to disable it, because then Vista is no more Vista, it looks crappy. So right click on My Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings> In system properties, clcik on Advanced tab > Here you can choose let windows decide the best performace, but I chose customize and there you can uncheck the followings- Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing, Fade or Slide menu into views, Fade or Slide Tooltips into View, Fade out menu Items after dicking, Show peview and filters in folders, Show thumbnails insted of icons. Others if you think you don't need them, uncheck. Many sites claim to disable glass(Aero), I dont recommend it, thats what Vista is all about.
• Update to Service pack 1 (SP1) if you still have not done it (450 MB). If you have a laptop, Microsoft warns you to leaver you lappy plugged to the power jack as it might take longer and requires three reboots.
• Are you working on 1GB, kindly upgrade it to 2GB for a smooth performance.
• If you are using SATA disk, click Start > in the search write Device manager and hit enter> in the Device manager window expand Disk Drives > right click on your Hard Drive and select properties > on the policies tab, check Enable Advance Performance > hit Ok and Exit Device manager.
• Eliminate Unecessary startups> Start > msconfig > startup> uncheck unecessery startup.
• Defragment your HDD in regular intervals.
• Install an adequate video card.

These steps will definitely help your Vista perform much better and stabler. If you want detailed informtions please go to this link http://techrepublic.com.com/2415-10877_11-91600.html

Vista’s Flip-3D Effect on Windows XP- Get it

I won’t go against anyone if he has decided to stand firm with Windows XP. Nearly 2 months into Windows Vista and I don't have a good reason to convince someone to shift. Well, may be because Home Basic might not have much to offer.

Vista's Aero interface and the amazing Flip-3D effect. Windows XP’s look definitely looks lame compared to Aero. But who says that you have to shell out big bucks just to get that smooth
window effects that the Mac has been sporting a long time ago (for Vista its WinKey+Tab key).

Shock Aero, a Flip-3D effect simulator that you can use in Windows XP. Installing Shock Aero assigns the Alt+Tab command (plz check, this is unfortunately non-customizable), to initiate the Flip-3D effect mimicking the same effect that you have in Windows Vista. While doesn’t offer anything more than just that, a portable version makes it a worthwhile download.

Download Shock Aero here . for more on Microsft Vista flip features got to this link

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/flip3D.mspx

Microsoft Evolving: Windows Vista Service Pack 1

This has been discussed long on many websites, but still for those who missed it out, Microsoft has publised the much awaited Windows Vista Service pack 1.

First, a note on service packs. As you are aware, service packs are part of our traditional software lifecycle; they’re something we do for most major products as a commitment to continuous improvement. But, the servicing situation has changed with the advent of Windows Vista, as we no longer rely solely on service packs as the main vehicle used to deploy system fixes and improvements. The Windows Update online service is one new way to deliver many OS improvements.

The Noteable Changes as per Microsoft are Reliability Improvements, Performance and Power Consumption Improvements, Security Improvements, Support for New Technologies and Standards, Setup and Deployment Improvements. The detailed Article can be found here

I have already downloaded it, lets see how far the promises of Microsoft works.

What? Vista on XP, but How?

Here's a little something for the 'Cool Uths on UthTrends'!

If you don't want to risk getting Vista so soon after its release but still want to have a taste of what it will look like, look no further. I found a cool installer that changes the Shell in XP to look and act like Vista or Longhorn (take your pick).

CrystalXP.net has created a few themes to give you a glimpse into the future of Windows. These are stand-alone installers and do not interfere the system at all. I have it installed myself, and it really does look sexy!

To get this look, you need to download two items:

Download the Desktop Sidebar from FileForums, and install.
Download your preferred BricoPack from CrystalXP.net, and install (reboot required).

Once all is said and done, you can customize the 'Desktop Sidebar' and the 'Dock Object' as you see fit. Dosent that look Kool 'n' Sexy

Pirated Vista May be Useless

Pre-release ver. without proper activation and Apps will expire, says Microsoft..

Microsoft says supposedly pirated copies of its new Vista computer operating system "will be of limited value" to those who use them.
Microsoft responded to reports that some Web sites have been circulating pirated copies of Vista and the Microsoft Office 2007 applications suite.

The pirated Vista comes with a product key that users can enter to activate a version of the products on their computers without paying for them, according to a report on the Web site of The Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald newspaper. A product key is a unique serial number tied to each package of a software product.

>>Read More

Hello ! My name is Vista

For you DCoTers who are still trying to get a handle on what exactly Vista is all about (count me in that group), Blogcritics has a good article called Vista - What You Need To Know.
With four versions (or five, depending on where you live… or six, depending on where you work), it can be pretty difficult to know exactly what to purchase and how to even go about making that decision. Ashleigh Charlesworth helps with a very high level overview of what Vista is and some of the different versions available.
Microsoft also has a basic comparison of the four main versions of Vista.
Here are some direct links to each of the versions on Microsoft’s website:
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Starter
Now, what about upgrading? It appears that depending on where you are coming from and what you are going to, you may need to reinstall completely but there are some options that do have an upgrade path (only about 1/3).
There is a lot of good information out there about Vista. Now is the time to start researching.
Source : Dialycuoftech