Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Tools for Optimizing Performance and Fixing Problems
Several software tools are available that make a PC run better and faster by fi ne-tuning settings,
eliminating bottleneck-causing errors, or providing information about trouble spots that
may be creating problems behind the scenes. Table 5.9 summarizes some of these tools
that come with Windows 7. (Utilities that improve disk performance specifi cally were
covered in Table 5.10 and so aren't included here.)
TABLE 5.10
Troubleshooting and performance-monitoring/enhancing tools
Utility
Description
Accessed From
Windows
Experience
Index
Evaluates the performance of
key components, and tells you
which one is the bottleneck in
performance
Start
System
And Security and, under the
System heading, click Check The
Windows Experience Index.
Control Panel
Resource
Monitor
Provides moment-by-moment
information about CPU, disk,
network, and memory usage
Start
All Programs
Accessories
System Tools
Resource Monitor.
Windows
Update
Finds and downloads the latest
updates for Windows and for some
applications and hardware devices
to add new features and/or correct
problems or security holes
Start
Control Panel
System
And Security
Windows Update.
Action Center
Provides information about
any problems the system has
encountered, and suggests fixes
Start
Control Panel
System
And Security
Action Center.
Event Viewer
Lists information and error
messages generated by the OS for
advanced troubleshooting use
Start
Control Panel
System
And Security
Administrative
Tools
Event Viewer.
Task Manager
Lists the currently running
applications and processes, and
enables you to shut down any that
have stopped responding
Right-click the taskbar or press
Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and then click
Start Task Manager.
Troubleshooting
Walks you step by step through
troubleshooting procedures with
yes/no questions
Start
Control Panel
System
And Security
Action Center,
and then scroll down to the
bottom of the page and click
Troubleshooting.
System Restore
Enables you to return your system
files to an earlier backed-up copy to
correct recently developed system
errors
Start
Control Panel
System
And Security
Action Center, and
then scroll down to the bottom of
the page and click Recovery.
 
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