Woz buys a Netbook !

[NamelessPlayer]

While I can't set PhraseExpress to trigger with Alt+Space or Win+Space like I was expecting, I found a more suitable alternative: Right Shift.

Unfortunately, I ran into an unexpected problem-whenever the Tablet Input Panel is active, PhraseExpress never kicks in. Guess I'll still have to tap away on the virtual keyboard. (But I'll still keep it installed for when I'm using my TC1100 in laptop mode.)

Oh well, maybe a newer version will fix it. That, or maybe an upgrade to Windows 7.

[Mi An]

Version 3.3 ? Jarte Auto Save

Sure enough, there it is. I guess I should have RTFM.

Thanks Now set to save every minute.

[wozofoz]

Yon PiP has a lean and hungry look

Sorry William

The search for a better search
I was very frustrated with the Windows Search tool (the first one not assist), it would do a good search and find the results but quite often when I clicked on a result to get the info Windows would try to launch the file (yes I was carefull).
This would result in "Windows can't open this file" then "Explorer has had a breakdown and needs to close" then "Dr Watson is ill and needs to lie down" or something like that, then a weird screen, then a ReStart was in order.
So I searched around and found the amazing Everything Search (a tiny 1MB)
Simplicity is the key here, launch Everything Search and it makes a list of everything on your computer (but filtered if you like) and as you type the search query the list gets shorter. Very handy for when software uses a different but similar name for various folders etc.
Is it fast ? you bet it is.
I have all the 'options' of Everything Search turned Off.
It does not create and store an index list, but creates the list only when I launch it, this is done in the blink of an eye.
It does not hang around, when I close Everything Search it is removed from RAM and the HardDrive but loads again in the blink of an eye.
It would probably still be light on resources if I turned all Options On but then, why bother ?
Installing Everything Search means I can switch 'Windows Search' in Services to Manual so it doesn't hang around in the background using on average 33,700 k (Task Manager: SearchIndexer.exe)
Also, after installing Everything Search I could delve deeper inside PiP with more confidence. I found bits and pieces of old software that even Revo UnInstaller hadn't deleted. Of course I always checked the web before deleting anything I wasn't sure of in case it was 'shared' by other software.

WinDVD Gold 5 is fools gold
I have been using Secunia for a while and it is very handy for checking for vulnerable software, it's secret to success is it checks your software version with a database. Unfortunately it seems to have slowed a lot in it's updating and so now I only use it once a week to check instead of having it run at startup.
Secunia informed me of an 'End of Life' which was WinDVD Gold 5 (Intel Video WinDVD in Add or Remove Programs)
I thought I had read somewhere that WinDVD was essential for other software but on checking again I found it is no more than some 'free' rubbish that will never be updated.
I uninstalled it with Revo, cleaned up with Everything Search and all has been good.

Adobe Acrobat PDF reader does a backflip
I had also uninstalled Adobe Acrobat PDF reader long ago and installed FoxIt PDF Reader instead but using Everything Search I found scraps of Adobe Acrobat hanging around and deleted these. All except some that are used by Adobe Flash but a message told me they couldn't be deleted so no problem there.

The party is over for iTunes and company !
I finally deleted:
• iTunes
• Apple Application Support
• Apple Mobile Device Support
• Apple Software Update
• Bonjour

VLC does everything I need

Plus I uninstalled QuickTime and put in QT Lite instead. Some of the sites I visit use QuickTime so it is necessary I guess.

The Rocket is unDocked
I love the look and in some ways the convenience of RocketDock but decided that one less thing running was better.
I have made an extra ToolBar on my TaskBar with access to my folders and changed the names slightly so that any one can be launched by pressing a key.
I have put my most used apps in StartMenu and again I changed the names slightly so that any one can be launched by pressing a key.
This setup handles my everyday use fine but I may go back to RocketDock, it was pretty

All the best, woz of oz

[wozofoz]

Sorta techy stuff I did

StartUp Manager: StartUp Files
I used Advanced System Care to Manage the StartUp plus it has a lot of other great features. Free version is available and it's all I need at the moment.

Heres how and what I did

1) Install Advanced System Care
2) Select Utilities
3) Select Admin Tools
4) Select StartUp Manager
5) Select (but not Tick or UnTick, just hi-light) the File you want to check
6) Select OnLine Search in the Select an Action box on the left
7) You will be automatically taken to SysInfo.org
The search for the file has already been done and the answer, if any, will be there.
Update: See the image below for more details and what my StartUp Manager looks like now

There is also The Bleeping Computer StartUp Files List but here you must write the name of the File or browse.
NOTE: When searching for these StartUp items you must be sure the spelling is correct. Nasties will try to hide by calling themselves eg: apname.exe when the 'real' name is appname.exe
Also you must abide by 'case sensitive'. Nasties will try to hide by calling themselves eg: APpNamE when the 'real' name is appname

The following is the results of my searches at SysInfo.org and which apps I took out of StartUp (UnTicked) and which I left in StartUp (Ticked)

Note: (N) = Not Needed (U) = User Decision

UnTicked in StartUp

ctfmon (U) ctfmon.exe (UnTicked in StartUp)
Supports multiple languages and alternative method inputs in Windows and MS Office. The language bar is displayed alongside the System Tray if more than one keyboard layout is enabled (for switching input languages) or, for example, if speech is selected as an alternative input for MS Office or Notepad. Required to support advanced text services (such as right to left text) for East Asian users.
Can be disabled via:
Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Languages > Details > Advanced > System Configuration > Turn Off advanced text services (which also turns off the language bar).
See also HERE and HERE
Can also cause problems with some other programs if left enabled - see HERE for such an example

IgfxTray (U) igfxtray.exe (UnTicked in StartUp)
System Tray access to display settings for Intel desktop and mobile motherboard chipsets with integrated graphics. With this enabled, you can access settings like graphics properties and hot key settings via the icon on the System Tray. Different chipset versions may have different options available. These options are normally also available via the system Control Panel - under Display (XP) or Personalization and Appearance (Vista)

HotKeysCmds (U) hkcmd.exe (UnTicked in StartUp)
Hot Key handler for Intel desktop and mobile motherboard chipsets with integrated graphics. With this enabled, you can access settings like graphics properties and screen rotation via pre-programmed key combinations - such as CTRL+ALT+F12 which displays the graphics properties (otherwise available via a right-click on the desktop or the Control Panel). Different chipset versions may have different pre-programmed settings and in some cases these may be programmable

IMJPMIG8.1 (Update: UnTicked In StartUp)
IMJPMIG.EXE belongs to the Microsoft Input Method Editor. It is used to simplify the input of Asian characters in the Microsoft Office suite.Recommendation: imjpmig8.1 should not be disabled, required for essential applications to work properly.
Update: I found more info on this and it seems to only be essential if you are writing Asian characters in Microsoft Office.

M3000Mnt (Update: UnTicked In StartUp)
SunYi Crystal Eye Webcam.
Update: It has been removed from startup for a while now and I can't see that it is needed by Windows default Webcam which is what I use.

Persistence (U) igfxpers.exe (UnTicked in StartUp)
Installed with the graphics drivers for Intel desktop and mobile motherboard chipsets with integrated graphics. It's purpose or function isn't known at present but testing with it disabled would appear to indicate it isn't required - hence the recommended "U" status

PHIME2002ASync (N) TINTSETP.EXE (UnTicked in StartUp)
Part of Microsoft's Input Message Editor (IME) for translating Japanese/Chinese text in IE, Outlook and Word

Phime2002a (N) TINTSETP.EXE (UnTicked in StartUp)
Part of Microsoft's Input Message Editor (IME) for translating Japanese/Chinese text in IE, Outlook and Word

Realtek HD Audio Sound Effect Manager (N) RTHDCPL.EXE (UnTicked in StartUp)
Realtek HD Audio Control Panel, installed with the XP/2K drivers for on-board Realtek HD audio codecs. Unless you have the default (but optional) System Tray icon enabled, the only purpose this entry serves is to detect and allow you to configure any devices plugged into the jacks - such as headphones and a microphone. With the System Tray icon enabled it will also inform you when devices are removed and give you access to the Sound Manager and other multimedia functions. The Sound Manager is also available via the Control Panel and this entry is therefore only required if you regularly change sound schemes

Alcmtr (U) ALCMTR.EXE (UnTicked in StartUp)
Realtek Azalia Audio - Event Monitor, installed with the XP/2K drivers for on-board Realtek HD audio codecs. Some users believe that Realtek uses this file in order to gather data about the customer but it's exact purpose is unknown and it doesn't run on an ALC885 based test system or try to access the internet. Some users report problems with their on-board sound if this is disabled - hence the "U" recommendation

AzMixerSel (U) AzMixerSel.exe (UnTicked in StartUp)
Related to Realtek_Azalia Mixer Selector @ http://www.realtek.com.tw/

I left these Ticked in StartUp

LaunchApp (U) Alaunch.exe (Ticked In StartUp)
Acer Launch tool utility on laptops

eRecoveryService (U) eRAgent.exe (Ticked In StartUp)
Acer's eRecovery Management program. This program allows you to create and restore backups of your computer

LManager (U) QtZgAcer.EXE (Ticked In StartUp)
Acer Launch Manager - on Acer laptops it allows users to configure shortcut keys and to set the operating state of the WLAN module and the (optional) Bluetooth radio

SynTPEnh (U) SynTPEnh.exe (Ticked In StartUp)
Synaptics TouchPad Enhancements - included with drivers for Synaptics based TouchPads, which are common on many laptops. Required to display the System Tray icon and support enhanced features such as Tap Zones, Virtual Scrolling and EdgeMotion. If you don't use these features this can safely be disabled. Required on IBM Thinkpads with UnltraNav (pointstick and touchpad combo) if you don't want to loose the advanced pointstick features such as scroll

wkcalrem (U) wkcalrem.exe (Ticked In StartUp)
Produces a pop-up reminder of events scheduled using the MS Works Calendar
My comment: This can't be removed by a simple untick, it will come back at Boot. Probably possible to edit the Registry or something to get rid of it but it uses very little resources anyway.


Services: Change settings
Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services

After checking the BlackViper list and then double checking that, I made the following changes:

Distributed Link Tracking Client - Automatic (Started) > Manual

Error Reporting Service - Automatic (Started) > Disabled

Help and Support - Automatic (Started) > Manual

Indexing Service - Automatic (Started) > Disabled (also via: Control Panel > Add or Remove > Windows Components)

Net Logon - Manual > Disabled

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing - Manual > Disabled

Network Provisioning Service - Manual > Disabled

Portable Media Serial # Service - Manual > Disabled

QoS RSVP - Manual > Disabled

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manual > Disabled

Secondary Logon - Automatic (Started) > Disabled

Smart Card - Manual > Disabled

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service - Automatic (Started) > Disabled

WebClient - Automatic (Started) > Disabled

WMI Performance Adapter - Manual > Disabled


These two were suggested but I did not change them:

Uninterruptible Power Supply - Manual > Disabled *(Laptops may need it)

Windows Time - Automatic (Started) > Disabled *(I like it)


These I changed because I really wanted to but most will be necessary for the average user:

Computer Browsing - Automatic > Disable

Fax - Automatic > Disable

Print Spool - Automatic > Disable

Windows Search - Automatic > Manual

WorkStation - Automatic > Disable


So what has all this plus a strict and through 'Clean & TuneUp' regimen got us ?
25 seconds less to StartUp (Boot) from 1 minute 45 seconds to 1 minute 20 seconds
This is total, everything loaded and running or ready.
Update 29 Oct: Startup (Boot) time is now 55 > 60 seconds


All the best, woz of oz

[wozofoz]

Updated list of software

Driver updates can be found by going through NetBook > Aspire One > AOA150 @
http://gd.panam.acer.com/home/
or checking @
ftp://ftp.acer-euro.com/netbook/aspire_one_150/

PiP Software

7Zip
WinZip type software but free and can unpack almost everything
http://www.7-zip.org/

A-Squared New: 21 Jan 10
Anti-virus and anti-malware scanner. Good reputation but can give a few False Positives (they say)
I use the Free version and have it's Services set to Disabled, this stops it running in the background and I just launch it manually, update and do a scan
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

Advanced System Care
Clean and tuneup tool, has some great features
www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html

Avast Anti-Virus Un-installed Now using Comodo CIS
Popular and lite anti-virus. I still recommend this for most people.
www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

CCleaner
Harddrive cleanup tool. In options you can select to have CCleaner appear in the Recycle Bin context menu, so I use it as my daily clean up tool. I have selected it to clean temp files, empty the Recycle Bin and a few other things and usually run it every night before bed.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Comodo CIS New: 29 Oct
Firewall with Host Intrusion Prevention (HIPS) and Anti-Virus.
This is not 'set and forget' so I don't recommend it to most people. Avast or Avira are good Anti-Virus and ZoneAlarm is a good Firewall.
http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-...t-security.php

Erunt & NTRegOpt
Auto backup the registry once a day and manually whenever you like
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

Everything Search
Fast, lite and easy to use Search tool. I find it to be much better than Windows Search.
http://www.voidtools.com/

FastStone Capture New: 29 Oct
Portable screen capture with editor. Download the freeware version from this site.
http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=775

FileHippo Un-installed Now using Update Notifier
Checks for updates for your software
http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/

Foxit PDF Reader
Lite and fast PDF reader
www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

HWMonitor New: 29 Oct
Shows the temperature of the HardDrive and Core.
If you use your NetBook under hot conditions it can be handy. No install (aka: Portable) just launch from the folder
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

Jarte
NotePad (txt) and WordPad (rtf) replacement
http://www.jarte.com/

JavaRA
Gets rid of the extra Java files that are left behind after an update
http://raproducts.org/

Karen's Replicator Un-installed Now using SyncToy (thanks jig )
Copies and updates files to and from Card, FlashDrive, External HardDrive etc.
It can be set to do it automatically at a certain time but I just use the wonderful 'Shortcut' feature.
Set up a task like: 'Copy (update) SomeWordDocument to SD Card' then create a Shortcut to that task. When I finish editing SomeWordDocument I double click the Shortcut icon and zap, it's updated on the SD Card
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/powertools.asp

KMPlayer New: 29 Oct
I like the look of this one, seems ok with all types of video, pictures, music etc Smaller than VLC
Although the url implies it, this is not a direct download
http://download.pandora.tv/?mode=kmp&tab=1

MoveMe
Moves any widow on the screen. It will also move any window as well.
(The typo widow was noticed by jig and reported in post # 116 I left for the fun of it )
http://www.damnsoft.org/cgi-bin/ghos...section=moveme

NoteBook Hardware Control (NHC) Un-installed Now using HWMonitor
System info and control. Popular and handy but all I need is a temperature monitor, NHC offered this and a lot more. I still have it on standby.
http://www.pbus-167.com/

PCDeCrapifier
Gets rid of the trialware etc. Use it once
http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

PhraseExpress
Text shortcuts, launch apps, fill out forms and more
www.phraseexpress.com/freeware.htm

Revo UnInstaller
Uninstalls and then cleans up the mess apps leave behind
www.revouninstaller.com/

RocketDock Un-installed
Mac like dock launcher, handy and pretty. Very nice but I don't need it.
http://rocketdock.com

Run and Hide
Raise/Lower the Taskbar
http://www.technixupdate.com/hide-an...ps-and-tricks/

Secunia
Checks for 'security holes' in software and provides links to an update when possible.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

Security360
Ant-Malware, Trojans etc. Fast and efficient
http://www.iobit.com/security360.html

Skype
Speak to the sky and friends
www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/

Smart DeFrag
Auto defrag or manual. Optimize the disk space
http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html

Smart Ram New: 29 Oct
I like this one and I have it run at StartUp. It does not just move stuff to the PageFile like many other RAM tools
I did some tests with it and using TaskManager the following are just one set of figures but there was always more available RAM under all conditions.
Start PiP and let her idle on the DeskTop for 3 minutes:
No SmartRam = 670000 Available SmartRam = 750000 Available
It is included in Advanced System Care
www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html

SpyBot Search and Destroy Un-installed Now using A-Squared and others
Anti-Malware, Trojans etc
www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

SuperAntiSpyware
Anti-Malware, Trojans etc
http://www.superantispyware.com/

SyncToy New: 21 Jan 10
Synchronize, overwrite or copy files, directories etc from/to your computer and a Card, Flashdrive or external HardDrive.
I had tried this before but had decided on Karen's Replicator instead but after jig mentioned it I went and had another look and saw it was updated. Version 2.1 is a big improvement.
I will miss the 'job shortcut' feature of Replicator but it also somehow deleted my personal folder icons when it synced, not a major catastrophe but quite ugly, so I am happy with SyncToy.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

System Information for Windows (SIW)
All the info you need
http://www.gtopala.com/

Update Notifier New: 29 Oct
Checks for updates for your software
http://cleansofts.org/view/update-notifier.html

VLC (VideoLan) Media Player Un-installed Now using KMPlayer
Plays almost all video and music formats. Very popular and I can't fault it but KMPlayer is smaller and I prefer the look
www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

Windows Defender Un-installed
Checks for various nasties. Quite useless compared to other software and it slowed my StartUp and PiP in general.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...r/default.mspx

WordWeb Dictionary
Onhand dictionary
http://wordweb.info/free/

XnView Picture Viewer
View and edit many types of images
www.xnview.com/en/index.html

XP_PastItems
Deletes the PastItems list in TaskBar > Customize
Download: Remove Past Items From Notification Area (Line# 53)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

ZoneAlarm Un-installed Now using Comodo CIS
Easy to use firewall. I still think this one is ok
http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en...e-firewall.htm

Updated: 21 January 2010

All the best, woz of oz

[lelisa13p]

Aye, carumba.

[holvoetn]

Impressive work, woz
Virtual reps for that

One comment on replacing Adobe Acrobat reader:
when trying to open protected PDF files, Foxit might not open.
For the ones I have, I need Adobe Acrobat. And yes, I searched for alternative sources of those documents, could not find them.

[jigwashere]

Reading through this thread never gets old!

[z22 2006 User]

Reading through this thread never gets old!

Yep! I'm reading through right now, looking for "Gems" of info.

[Mi An]

I just discovered that the AA1's screen off switch (Fn + F6) doesn't really turn the screen off, it only shuts down the LED backlight. I caught a good angle on it yesterday inbetween classes, and I had shut off the screen to save power, and I realized I could still see MS OneNote and the taskbar. At first, I panicked thinking "OMG, Burn-in!". Then I realized it wasn't the early 90s anymore, and played with a little until I realized I was seeing it with 0 backlight. Which gave me the realization that the backlight minimum was probably set in the motherboard or drivers, not in the screen tech. I want more control over brightness levels.

Now I just need for the sun to come out so I can see what 0 backlight looks like in direct sunlight, even though the glossy screen will probably dash my hopes a lot. Then I have to convince someone to provide unofficial access to the backlight dimmer. I only get 5hrs and 30 minutes per charge now. I want 6hrs.