Windows VistaWindows VistaInside OutInside Out

Chapter 20 - Performing Routine Chapter 20 - Performing Routine MaintenanceMaintenance

Last modified 10-17-07 11 am

Maintenance Maintenance

Check your disks for errors. Check your disks for errors. Defragment your hard disks. Defragment your hard disks. Make sure that you have enough space Make sure that you have enough space

on your hard disk on your hard disk Perform regular backups Perform regular backups

EditionsEditions

Backup Utility in Vista Home Basic and Backup Utility in Vista Home Basic and Home Premium lacks these features:Home Premium lacks these features: Cannot create a Complete PC BackupCannot create a Complete PC Backup Cannot back up to a network driveCannot back up to a network drive Cannot automatically schedule backupsCannot automatically schedule backups

The other things in the chapter are the The other things in the chapter are the same for all editionssame for all editions

Checking Disks for Errors Checking Disks for Errors

Disk errors can prevent files from opening, or Disk errors can prevent files from opening, or cause blue-screen errorscause blue-screen errors

Windows can recover automatically from many Windows can recover automatically from many disk errors, especially on drives formatted with disk errors, especially on drives formatted with NTFSNTFS

Windows Check Disk utility, chkdsk.exe, does a Windows Check Disk utility, chkdsk.exe, does a more thorough testmore thorough test Two versions of this utilityTwo versions of this utility

• Graphical version that performs basic disk-checking Graphical version that performs basic disk-checking functionsfunctions

• Command-line version that provides more optionsCommand-line version that provides more options

To Check for Errors To Check for Errors

Open Open ComputerComputer Right-click the Right-click the

drivedrive PropertiesProperties Tools tabTools tab Check Now Check Now

To Check for Errors To Check for Errors

Automatically Fix File System Automatically Fix File System ErrorsErrors Equivalent to Chkdsk /FEquivalent to Chkdsk /F

Scan For And Attempt Recovery Of Bad SectorsScan For And Attempt Recovery Of Bad Sectors Automatically repairs file system errors too, Automatically repairs file system errors too,

even if other box is not checkedeven if other box is not checked Equivalent to Chkdsk /REquivalent to Chkdsk /R

If you simply want a report of file system errors If you simply want a report of file system errors without making changes, leave both boxes without making changes, leave both boxes uncheckedunchecked

Checking System VolumesChecking System Volumes

If you selected the Automatically Fix If you selected the Automatically Fix File System ErrorsFile System Errors On a drive with open filesOn a drive with open files

The disk check occurs the next time you The disk check occurs the next time you start Windowsstart Windows

It Can Take a Long TimeIt Can Take a Long Time

Once started, the Check Disk operation Once started, the Check Disk operation cannot be stopped except by pressing cannot be stopped except by pressing your computer’s power switchyour computer’s power switch

On very large drives (60 GB and larger), On very large drives (60 GB and larger), the full disk check can takes hours or the full disk check can takes hours or even days to complete. even days to complete.

Windows 9xWindows 9x

Check Disk runs automatically if the file Check Disk runs automatically if the file system is "dirty"— data was not system is "dirty"— data was not properly read or writtenproperly read or written NTFS disks don’t get dirty as much as NTFS disks don’t get dirty as much as

FAT32 onesFAT32 ones To see if your disk is dirty, use this To see if your disk is dirty, use this

commandcommand• chkntfs chkntfs d:d:

See link Ch 20aSee link Ch 20a

Command-line Check DiskCommand-line Check Disk

At an Administrator Command PromptAt an Administrator Command Prompt Chkdsk Chkdsk d:d: Scans disk Scans disk d:d: in read-only mode, displaying drive in read-only mode, displaying drive

status but not making any changesstatus but not making any changes

SwitchesSwitches /F/F fix any errors fix any errors /V/V verbose verbose /R/R Identifies bad sectors and recovers information Identifies bad sectors and recovers information

from those sectors if possible from those sectors if possible

Chkdsk Chkdsk in the Windows Recovery Environment

Only two switches are available for Only two switches are available for Chkdsk Chkdsk in the Windows Recovery Environment /P/P Performs an exhaustive check of the Performs an exhaustive check of the

current disk. current disk. /R/R Repairs damage on the current disk. Repairs damage on the current disk.

Defragmenting Disks for Better Defragmenting Disks for Better Performance Performance

On a freshly On a freshly formatted hard disk, formatted hard disk, Windows writes a file Windows writes a file in contiguous in contiguous clusters (in order)clusters (in order) Reading and Reading and

writing go faster writing go faster with contiguous with contiguous clustersclusters

Defragmenting Disks for Better Defragmenting Disks for Better Performance Performance

As you delete files As you delete files and save new ones, and save new ones, the files get the files get fragmentedfragmented Scattered them over Scattered them over

the hard disk into the hard disk into many many noncontiguous noncontiguous piecespieces

Disk Defragmenter Disk Defragmenter rearranges files so rearranges files so that they’re stored that they’re stored in contiguous in contiguous clustersclusters

Automatic Defragmentaion Automatic Defragmentaion

On the Tools tab in a drive's Properties On the Tools tab in a drive's Properties sheetsheet Click "Defragment Now"Click "Defragment Now"

Runs once a week automatically in VistaRuns once a week automatically in Vista

Third-Party Defragmenters Third-Party Defragmenters

See link Ch 20b for a free third-party See link Ch 20b for a free third-party defragmenter that is claimed to be 10 defragmenter that is claimed to be 10 times faster than Vista's built-in onetimes faster than Vista's built-in one contig.exe and PowerDefragmentercontig.exe and PowerDefragmenter

Command-Line Version DefragCommand-Line Version Defrag

defrag defrag dd:: where where dd is the drive letter is the drive letter

switches: switches: -a-a Analyzes Analyzes -r-r Only consolidates file fragments below Only consolidates file fragments below

64 MB in size (default) 64 MB in size (default) -w-w consolidates all file fragments, consolidates all file fragments,

regardless of size regardless of size

Disk Defragmenter LimitationsDisk Defragmenter Limitations

Must have at least 15 percent free for Must have at least 15 percent free for complete defragmentationcomplete defragmentation

You cannot defragment a volume that You cannot defragment a volume that has errorshas errors First run First run

• chkdsk chkdsk dd: /f: /f

The Disk Defragmenter does not The Disk Defragmenter does not defragment files in the Recycle Bindefragment files in the Recycle Bin Empty the Recycle Bin before defragmentingEmpty the Recycle Bin before defragmenting

Managing Disk Space Managing Disk Space

Clear out temporary files that you no Clear out temporary files that you no longer need longer need

Uninstall programs you don’t need Uninstall programs you don’t need Uninstall Windows components you Uninstall Windows components you

don’t need don’t need Delete documents you don’t need Delete documents you don’t need On NTFS volumes, use real-time file On NTFS volumes, use real-time file

compression compression

Disk Cleanup Disk Cleanup

If you click a "low disk If you click a "low disk space" warning, this space" warning, this tool opens automaticallytool opens automatically

To start it manuallyTo start it manually Right-click drive icon in Right-click drive icon in

the Computer window, the Computer window, Properties, on General Properties, on General tab, "Disk Cleanup"tab, "Disk Cleanup"

Cleanmgr.exe at a Cleanmgr.exe at a command promptcommand prompt

More Disk Cleanup OptionsMore Disk Cleanup Options

Deleting System Deleting System Restore points and Restore points and backups can save backups can save space, but it's space, but it's dangerousdangerous

NTFS File Compression NTFS File Compression

Compression and ZIP files can be used Compression and ZIP files can be used to save space, as we already covered in to save space, as we already covered in an earlier chapteran earlier chapter

BackupBackup

The Windows Vista Backup utility

In Control In Control PanelPanel

Home Editions Home Editions don't offer don't offer "Complete PC "Complete PC Backup" optionBackup" option

Two Kinds of BackupsTwo Kinds of Backups

Back Up Files wizardBack Up Files wizard Backs up personal files, not programs or Backs up personal files, not programs or

system filessystem files Windows Complete PC BackupWindows Complete PC Backup

Creates an image of your entire Creates an image of your entire system drive and other drives you specify

Not available in Home Basic or Home Premium editions

Backup Status and Configuration

Another way to manage backups

Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools

Backup DestinationsBackup Destinations An internal hard drive

It's recommended not to use another partition on the same hard drive Vista is installed on, because a disk failure will destroy the backups

An external hard drive USB 2.0 or IEEE 1394 (FireWire)

A shared network location This option is not available for Complete PC backups Not available for Vista Home Basic

Removable media, such as writable CDs or DVDs

The Backup program will prompt you to swap media as needed

Windows VistaWindows VistaInside OutInside Out

Chapter 21 - Tuning Up and Monitoring Chapter 21 - Tuning Up and Monitoring Performance Performance

Last modified 10-15-07

EditionsEditions

All of the tools described in this All of the tools described in this chapter are available in all editions of chapter are available in all editions of VistaVista

Performance Monitoring ToolsPerformance Monitoring Tools

Static snapshotsStatic snapshots System Health Report Windows Experience Index Reliability Monitor

Real-time data Windows Task Manager Resource Overview Performance Monitor

Performance-enhancing Performance-enhancing TechnologiesTechnologies

SuperFetch Adjust caching to match the way you use your

computer ReadyBoost

Uses a USB 2.0 flash memory stick or other external memory to cache

ReadyDrive Supports hybrid hard disk drives

• Containing nonvolatile flash memory (NVRAM) as well as conventional rotating disk media

Basic Strategies for Improving Performance

Ensuring that you have adequate RAM Ensuring that you have an adequate virtual-

memory configuration Using ReadyBoost Managing startup programs Keeping your disks defragmented Maintaining adequate free space on your disks Avoiding tweaks of dubious value

Adequate RAM

“Windows Vista Capable” is 512 MB, intended for Vista Home Basic

“Windows Vista Premium Ready” is 1 GB, intended for the other editions of Vista

Double that RAM for better performance

Resource OverviewResource Overview In "Reliability and Performance Monitor"In "Reliability and Performance Monitor"

If Memory is often above 60%, get more RAMIf Memory is often above 60%, get more RAM A lot of A lot of hard faults hard faults also indicate a lack of RAMalso indicate a lack of RAM

• Off the top of the graph frequentlyOff the top of the graph frequently

Hard FaultsHard Faults

A A block of memory needed by the operating system has to be fetched from the page file on the hard disk A high number of hard faults means that

virtual memory is being used a lot, which slows performance drastically

Solution: get more RAM

Virtual Memory

A file on disk that is used to store data when RAM is full

Also called the "page file" or "swap file" Starts at 1.5x the size of physical RAM On the root of the system volume

Virtual Memory SettingsVirtual Memory Settings

Start, right-click Start, right-click Computer, PropertiesComputer, Properties

Advanced System Advanced System SettingsSettings

In System Properties, on In System Properties, on the Advanced tab, in the the Advanced tab, in the Performance section, Performance section, click Settingsclick Settings

In Performance Options, In Performance Options, click the Advanced tabclick the Advanced tab

Click "Change"

Page File ManagementPage File Management

If you have a second disk drive, you may If you have a second disk drive, you may get better performance by putting some get better performance by putting some page file space therepage file space there Don't bother if you have two partitions on the Don't bother if you have two partitions on the

same physical hard drivesame physical hard drive Leave some page file on the system drive Leave some page file on the system drive

for crash dumpsfor crash dumps

ReadyBoostReadyBoost

Flash memory offers lower seek times than hard disks

A USB flash memory stick can cache small files faster than a hard disk Performance

improvement seems small if you have 1 GB or more of RAM

• See links Ch 21a-21d

Managing Startup Programs

Too many Too many startup startup programs slow programs slow a machinea machine

Keeping Your Disks Defragmented

By default, Vista defragments your disk automatically each week

You shouldn't need to do anything further

Maintaining Adequate Free Space on Your Disks

Disk Cleanup can help

Page File MythsPage File Myths

With 1 GB or more RAM, you should With 1 GB or more RAM, you should eliminate the swap fileeliminate the swap file Windows wasn't designed to run without a Windows wasn't designed to run without a

swap fileswap file Creating a swap file of a fixed size Creating a swap file of a fixed size

improves performanceimproves performance This was true on 1990s-vintage hardware, This was true on 1990s-vintage hardware,

but not any morebut not any more

Prefetch FolderPrefetch Folder

The Prefetch folder contains an index The Prefetch folder contains an index to segments of frequently used filesto segments of frequently used files This speeds up performanceThis speeds up performance Don't turn it offDon't turn it off It doesn't need to be manually cleared—it It doesn't need to be manually cleared—it

does that automaticallydoes that automatically

Taking Performance Snapshots

The Windows Experience IndexThe System Diagnostics ReportThe Reliability Monitor

Windows Experience Index

Start, right-click Computer, PropertiesStart, right-click Computer, Properties Windows Experience IndexWindows Experience Index

System Diagnostics Report Logo, PERF, Performance Information and

Tools, Advanced Tools, Generate a System Health Report

Monitoring Performance in Real Time

Task Manager Resource Overview

A component of the Reliability and Performance Monitor

Performance Monitor A component of the Reliability and

Performance Monitor

Windows Task ManagerWindows Task Manager

Ctrl+Shift+EscCtrl+Shift+Esc Performance tab Performance tab

shows CPU and shows CPU and memory usagememory usage

Options, Always Options, Always on Top to control on Top to control window's window's placementplacement

Page File FractionPage File Fraction

Fraction is Fraction is (Page file currently (Page file currently

used) /used) / (Physical Memory (Physical Memory

+ Page File)+ Page File)

Processes TabProcesses Tab

By default, only By default, only the processes the processes directly directly controlled by the controlled by the user are shownuser are shown

"Show "Show processes from processes from all users" to see all users" to see them allthem all

Process InformationProcess Information

For each process, Windows Task Manager shows: Image Name (the name of the process) PID (Process ID) User Name (which user started the process)

CPU (% currently using) Memory (Private Working Set)

• The amount of memory the process requires to perform its regular functions

Select ColumnsSelect Columns

View, Select View, Select Columns to Columns to customize Task customize Task ManagerManager

Resource Overview

Logo, REL, Logo, REL, "Reliability "Reliability and and Performance Performance Monitor"Monitor"

Four graphsFour graphs Details by Details by

process process belowbelow

Performance Monitor

For Advanced System Analysis