Checking your internet connection speed is not really on the list of the most important things to do on your computer, however it won’t kill you to check it out.

When somebody asks me how big the engine is in my car, I usually hold my arms about shoulder width apart and say “roughly this.” It’s usually not what they meant and you might have had one of these embarrassing moments yourself when somebody inquired how fast your Internet connection was. At the next wine tasting when somebody asks “What’s your download speed?” you should have a better answer than “Well, movies like 5 minutes but pictures only a few seconds.”

I’m not really sure why somebody would pry into these intimate details that should only be shared with your service provider but what they’re asking about is the rate at which data is sent from the Internet to your computer. The faster that the information comes from the ‘net, the faster it’ll appear on your screen. A number of factors go into determining your speed including your modem, service provider, and other users trying to access a particular file.

Checking Your Internet Connection Speed

When checking your Internet connection speed you can go to a number of sites like:

• speedtest.pk
• pingtest.net
• speedtest.net

And many more. These sites perform a ‘ping’ to your computer, which sends a file to be downloaded, and the results are then tested and displayed for you. It’s a good idea to check your Internet connection speed not only to fit in with the crowd at your next hors d’oeuvres sampling party but also to ensure you’re receiving the proper service as promised from your Internet provider.

What do the results mean when checking your Internet connection speed?

Lets not get technical here, but when I was testing my Internet connection my ISP and connection rated poorly. My connection received a 2.5 start rating and fell well under the ISP average. This means that I have a good provider but I am not getting a great connection like most other customers.

There are a few factors that might effect my Internet connection, one being that I live in a rural area, and the other being recent heavy rains. However there is no harm in performing a few more tests throughout the day and then ringing your ISP with the results. they can than test it from their end and see if there is a problem.

In the screen shot below I received an average of 3.35 Mb per second and my ISP average is 6.98 Mb/s.

Why is checking your Internet connection speed a good idea?

I think that checking on anything that you are paying for is a good idea. If you pay for a certain Internet connection speed then you should be getting it. By checking your Internet connection speed you can keep an eye on your service and make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

Disable Windows XP Boot Time Logo

There is a simple trick to disable Windows XP boot time logo. But we can only disable it, not change the Logo. For this just take Run Command Prompt as Start -> Run, and type "c:/boot.ini". Then a window is opened like below

And here you will see a message like "multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect"

after fastdetect insert "/noguiboot"(without quotes). Then the code become "multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect/noguiboot"

and now save it and restart your system. Now you will not see your boot logo.

5 ways to speed up your PC [Windows 7, Vista, and XP]

By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain your computer and keep it running smoothly. This article discusses how to use the tools available in Windows 7, Vista, and XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to more efficiently maintain your computer and safeguard your privacy when you're online.
1. Free up disk space

The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete, and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.
Use Disk Cleanup to:

• Remove temporary Internet files.
• Remove downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets).
• Empty the Recycle Bin.
• Remove Windows temporary files such as error reports.
• Remove optional Windows components that you don't use.
• Remove installed programs that you no longer use.
• Remove unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.

Tip: Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.


To use Disk Cleanup
Window 7 users

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, then click Disk Cleanup. If several drives are available, you might be prompted to specify which drive you want to clean.
2. When Disk Cleanup has calculated how much space you can free, in the Disk Cleanup fordialog box, scroll through the content of the Files to delete list.

Disk Cleanup dialog box

1. Clear the check boxes for files that you don't want to delete, and then click OK.
   • For more options, such as cleaning up System Restore and Shadow copy files, under Description, click Clean up system files, then click the More Options tab.
2. When prompted to confirm that you want to delete the specified files, click Yes.

After a few minutes, the process completes and the Disk Cleanup dialog box closes, leaving your computer cleaner and performing better.
For Windows XP users


1.Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup. If several drives are available, you might be prompted to specify which drive you want to clean.




2. In the Disk Cleanup for dialog box, scroll through the content of the Files to delete list.


Choose the files that you want to delete.
3. Clear the check boxes for files that you don't want to delete, and then click OK.

4. When prompted to confirm that you want to delete the specified files, click Yes.

After a few minutes, the process completes and the Disk Cleanup dialog box closes, leaving your computer cleaner and performing better. 
2. Speed up access to data

Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk when the file is opened to piece it back together. The response time can be significantly longer.
Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. With your files stored neatly end-to-end, without fragmentation, reading and writing to the disk speeds up.
When to run Disk Defragmenter
In addition to running Disk Defragmenter at regular intervals—monthly is optimal—there are other times you should run it too, such as when:

• You add a large number of files.
• Your free disk space totals 15 percent or less.
• You install new programs or a new version of Windows.

To use Disk Defragmenter:
Windows 7 users
Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.





Click Analyze disk to start the Disk Defragmenter.

1. In the Disk Defragmenter dialog box, click the drives that you want to defragment, and then click the Analyze button. After the disk is analyzed, a dialog box appears, letting you know whether you should defragment the analyzed drives.
   Tip: You should analyze a volume before defragmenting it to get an estimate of how long the defragmentation process will take.
2. To defragment the selected drive or drives, click the Defragment disk button. In the Current status area, under the Progress column, you can monitor the process as it happens. After the defragmentation is complete, Disk Defragmenter displays the results.
3. To display detailed information about the defragmented disk or partition, click View Report.
4. To close the View Report dialog box, click Close.
5. You can also schedule the Disk Defragmenter to run automatically, and your computer might be set up this way by default. Under Schedule, it reads Scheduled defragmentation is turned on, then displays the time of day and frequency of defragmentation. If you want to turn off automatic defragmentation or change the time or frequency, click theConfigure schedule (or Turn on Schedule, if it is not currently configured to run automatically). Then change the settings, then click OK.
6. To close the Disk Defragmenter utility, click the Close button on the title bar of the window.

To use Disk Defragmenter:
1.Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.


Click Analyze disk to start the Disk Defragmenter.

1. In the Disk Defragmenter dialog box, click the drives that you want to defragment, and then click the Analyze button. After the disk is analyzed, a dialog box appears, letting you know whether you should defragment the analyzed drives.
   Tip: You should analyze a volume before defragmenting it to get an estimate of how long the defragmentation process will take.
2. To defragment the selected drive or drives, click the Defragment button. Note: In Windows Vista, there is no graphical user interface to demonstrate the progress—but your hard drive is still being defragmented.
   After the defragmentation is complete, Disk Defragmenter displays the results.
3. To display detailed information about the defragmented disk or partition, click View Report.
4. To close the View Report dialog box, click Close.
5. To close the Disk Defragmenter utility, click the Close button on the title bar of the window.

3. Detect and repair disk errors

In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.
As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult, or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors, and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.
If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.

4. Protect your computer against spyware

Spyware collects personal information without letting you know and without asking for permission. From the Web sites you visit to usernames and passwords, spyware can put you and your confidential information at risk. In addition to privacy concerns, spyware can hamper your computer's performance. To combat spyware, you might want to consider using the PC safety scan from Windows Live OneCare. This scan is a free service and will help check for and remove viruses

5. Learn all about ReadyBoost

If you're using Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you can use ReadyBoost to speed up your system. A new concept in adding memory to a system, it allows you to use non-volatile flash memory—like a USB flash drive or a memory card—to improve performance without having to add additional memory.

How to Access Hidden Themes in Windows 7

Windows 7 offers a good assortment of themes to customize the feel as well as the look of your computer. Windows 7 features particular themes which are based on the location and the language you select while you install the Windows 7. You can look for the location-specific theme in the Personalize menu. You just have to right-click at any place upon your computer desktop. You will be able to get the couple of themes according to your location.



Other than the location specific themes which you get by default, you can access hidden themes in Windows 7 which are offered to other regions. So the default themes which you get according to your region are not the only themes you can use. It is possible to access hidden themes in Windows 7 very easily in your system. This is what you have to do:

Click Start.

In the search box of the Start menu, type C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT.




You have the option to select the wallpaper only or you can install the whole theme if you want.


You will be able to install the entire brand-new theme by double clicking on the required file




The new theme you add will show under ***8220;My Themes***8221; within the ***8220;Personalization***8221; pane.




You can also download many themes for Windows 7 from different website including the Microsoft official website. But you should first try to customize and access hidden themes in Windows 7 as you might not feel the need to download additional themes from elsewhere after that..

Collection Of 14 Password Recovery Softwares In Your PC or in LAN Network.[Tested]

Collection Of 14 Password Recovery Softwares In Your PC or in LAN Network.[Tested]
--------------------------------------------

1/. FireFox Password Recovery.
2/. Asterick Password Recovery.
3/. Chrome Password Recovery.
4/. DialUp Password Recovery.
5/. E-Mail Password Recovery.
6/. Internet Explorer Password Recovery.
7/. Messenger Password Recovery.
8/. Network Password Recovery.
9/. PowerPoint Password Recovery.
10/. ProTected Password Recovery.
11/. Remote Desktop Password Recovery.
12/. Sniffer Password Recovery.
13/. VNC Password Recovery.
14/. WireLess Password Recovery.
Download Link:
Rapidshare:
http://rapidshare.com/files/43506005...sted_-100_.rar

Make Vista Geniune(Vista Rtm Cracker)

Instructions:

1. Install Windows Vista WITHOUT a product key.

2. Once Vista is installed run this program and click the 'Crack' button, selecting 'Allow' when Vista asks.

3. Wait until a dialog box appears then click 'OK' and REBOOT.

4. After Reboot, run this program and click the'Validate' button to make Vista Genuine

5. Click the 'Check' button and a dialog box should popup after a short while showing the number of minutes left for activation (43200).

6. Close the dialog box and wait a few minutes, then click the 'Check' button again to verify the number of minutes is the same as before.



Download: 

http://rapidshare.com/files/25979593...TM_Cracker.rar

Vista Visual Encyclopedia

Authors: Kate Shoup, Kate J. Chase
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Language: English
Number of Pages: 418
PDF: 44 MB
ISBN: 047004635X

If you prefer to see what things look like and how to perform a task, instead of just being told, this is your ideal A to Z reference. Part I shows every Win*ows Vista tool and how to use it. Part II provides step-by-step instructions for more than 140 key tasks and techniques. Both are arranged alphabetically and illustrated in full color. It's the ultimate Visual resource--you'll see!
* Each tool and technique illustrated in full color
* Alphabetical listings for easy reference
* Step-by-step instructions for performing dozens of tasks
* A comprehensive guide for visual learners

A Visual guide to
* Identifying and using Vista tools
* Creating appointments and sharing calendars
* Backing up your PC and encrypting files
* Setting spam and scam filters
* Playing DVDs and creating movies
* Configuring a remote desktop connection

DownLoad
DownLoad

http://rapidshare.com/files/142314825/WinVisVE.rar

Windows Tool For Detailed Multimedia Information And Running Diagnostics To Troubleshoot Multimedia Issues

Hi,

Most of the normal PC users normally don’t know the detailed hardware information of their PC’s on which they work everyday.

The Windows Device Manager in Control panel gives information about the hardware but it’s not very detailed in terms of multimedia and has no diagnostic tool to perform full troubleshooting of multimedia hardware.

So, in this post, I am going to explain about a tool in Microsoft Windows that can help you as well as the multimedia programmer in performing the basic and advanced multimedia troubleshooting respectively.

The tool is DxDiag – DirectX Diagnostics, an external command available in most of the Microsoft Windows versions.

DxDiag shows the vital system information – Operating System (OS) name, PC model, BIOS version, RAM amount and DirectX version etc. in the main system tab of its diagnostic tool window. To run dxdiag, you need to type dxdiag in the Run window.

As shown above, in the front screen of DirectX Diagnostics, there is a term WHQL. It is short form for Windows Hardware Quality Labs, a Microsoft testing lab that provide test suites for hardware. The lab tests the product hardware and if it meets Microsoft testing standards, it given the product the certification that can be used by the hardware manufacturer to show that the product is designed to work on the tested Microsoft OS.

Also, dxdiag command runs the diagnostic tests to troubleshoot the gaming and multimedia problems and reports the status at the Notes sub window as shown next.

I also feel that I should give some brief explanation of DirectX, though most of my friends playing computer games must have installed DirectX and understood its function also. DirectX is collection of Windows API (Application Programming Interface – applications) that allows direct access to the low-level functions of computer and its peripherals to the games and multimedia programmer. Some of the main components that make DirectX are:

- 2D graphics, 3D graphics, 2D sound, 3D sound, music and input devices.

Dxdiag also provides the facility of saving the hardware information by clicking on the “Save All Information…”, which stores the comprehensive system information to a text file. This is not available otherwise in Windows. So, if you have to send someone, say your remote network administrator, detailed information about your PC having advanced multimedia problem, you can use dxdiag to generate the system report. The “Save All Information” screen of dxdiag tool in Windows Vista is shown:

I checked the DxDiag.txt file generated by Clicking on “Save All Information” and found that it gives exhaustive details of everything related to multimedia of your PC, the DxDiag information has:

- System Information (Processor, memory, BIOS version etc.)
- Notes about Display, Sound and Input problems (No problems/problems)
- DirectX debug levels
- Display devices
- Sound devices
- Sound capture devices
- USB devices
- Gameport devices
- PS/2 devices
- Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
- System devices (Name, Device ID, Drivers of all the controllers on the motherboard or connected to it)
- DirectShow Filters (Filters are building blocks provided by MS windows for reading data, separating audio and video and decoding video frames etc.)

The titles of the list itself are quite technical, Aren’t they? I only wrote the titles of the detailed information generated by DxDdiag tool as the report runs into several pages and pasting here would have made the post very lengthy. If you generate the DxDiag.txt file and go through it, then don’t worry if you can’t understand the full report as it’s meant for multimedia and game programmers. Even I couldn’t understand the full report in DxDiag.txt file as it requires coding knowledge for multimedia devices.

I am sure that you will use dxdiag to know more about your computer’s multimedia hardware and software components and for troubleshooting multimedia problems.

How do you troubleshoot your computer multimedia issues and did dxdiag tool helped you in any way (for basic troubleshooting), let me know!

Happy dxdiag’ing!

Muhammad Numan

Free up PC disk space with Disk Space Fan

Disk Space Fan is a freeware and it is a nice disk space analysis tool for Windows. It helps you to free up disk space by quickly finding and deleting big, useless files. It displays disk space usage with a nice chart. You can navigate the folders easily with the chart. It is also intergrated with Windows Explorer to open, delete and browse files or folders.

Once download and install the utility, users will be brought to a simple interface. On high level, it will display the full capacity, usage as well as the free capacity of the particular drive. In order to figure out the details, just select the desired directory such as C:\ or specific folder by browsing directly followed with a single click on ‘Scan’ button to activate the scanning.

Features:-

Scans directories and drives to find out the useless and larger files.

Diagram of a flower show in the form of free disk space

Browse/open/delete files on ringschart

Preview a picture on ringschart

Support for Unicode

Save scan history

Network path support

Full compatibility with 32 and 64 bit Windows

Download Disk Space Fan here