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Fine-Tuning the Computer

There are many tips and stuff you can use with a Windows 95 system to make it run a little more efficiently.  Most can be done without buying a third-party program, but all require a little bit of care.  This page isn't meant to be an 'end-all, be-all" page, but something for my own use that links to those who know much more about this stuff than I.

WINNT and WINDOWS 2000 (W2K or WIN2K)

Networking Registry Tweaks

Vcache

AllocPageFixed=Off
MinFileCache=X
MaxFileCache=X

Make the minimum and maximum the same, where X is a number about 1/4 the size of the RAM you have.

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DHCP

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Making the Swap File Permanent

There are lots of good web pages on this topic.

The swap file is a file on the hard disk that is used for virtual memory paging. When a multitasking system such as
Windows has too much information for it all to be held in memory at once, some of it is stored in the swap file until it
is needed.

The default swap file settings for the Windows 95 operating system are generally poor; by default the swap file is
always placed on the C: drive, and it is set to start out small in size and then be dynamically resized. You can
increase performance by customizing the swap file, using the Windows settings controls. Before you do this, you will
need to determine what settings to use. The best way to do this is to read these three optimization sections, which
discuss swap file location, size and resizing respectively.

Once you know what you want to do, set up the swap file by following these steps:

1. Enter System Properties, Performance Area: Right-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop and
2. 
   select "Properties", or double-click the "System" icon in the Control Panel. Then select the "Performance"
   tab.
3. Edit Virtual Memory Settings: Select the button labeled "Virtual Memory..." under "Advanced Settings".
4. 
   Then select "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings".
5. Select the Location for the Swap File: Select which hard disk volume is to contain the swap file from the
6. 
   list box labeled "Hard disk". (You are actually choosing a logical disk volume here, not a physical hard disk,
   despite the label.)
7. Set the Minimum and Maximum Swap File Sizes: Using an appropriate size for the swap file, set the
8. 
   minimum and maximum file sizes. If you make the minimum and maximum size the same, you will disable
   swap file resizing. If you make them different you will allow resizing between the maximum and minimum
   sizes.
9. Select "OK": Depending on what your settings were before, you may get a message at this point warning
10. 
    you about managing your own virtual memory settings. That's fine. You will also be asked if you wish to
    reboot your PC. Do so, after of course saving any open files.

    Warning: Do not make the swap file too small or you risk running out of memory and experiencing system
    crashes and other problems. Do not disable virtual memory or you may experience system problems.

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Setting the Hard Drive Read-Ahead

 
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Setting Computer up as Server

Your system will access the hard drive faster if it is set up as a server. This is true even if you have a
stand-alone computer. To make the change, you must first go to my computer, control panel, system, Performance,
File System and re-set your computer as a network server. Also, set read-ahead optimization to Full.

Exit and re-enter windows. Now, UNLESS you are using the latest version of win95 (4.00.95b) open the registry
(Start, Run, Regedit) and go to:

MyComputer_Hkey_Local_Machine_Software_Microsoft_Windows_Current Version_FSTemplate_Server

and change Namecache and pathcache values to the values under "Data" shown above.

 
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Adjusting TCP/IP Properties

Here's where you can make your internet connection fly!  According to Windows Annoyances,

• Run the Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE).
• Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ Class\
• 
  NetTrans\.
• Under that branch, find a key (numbered, such as 0005) that contains has TCP/IP assigned to the
• 
  DriverDesc value.
• Select New from the Edit menu, then String Value, and type MaxMTU for the name of the new
• 
  value.
• Double-click on the new value, and type in the desired number - 1500 is the default.
• 
  Then, open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ VxD\
  MSTCP\.
• Again, select New from the Edit menu, then String Value, and type DefaultRcvWindow for the
• 
  name of the new value.
• Double-click on the new value, and type in the desired number - 2144 is the default.

Note: This will only work if you are using PPP (and not SLIP) with Dial-Up Networking.
Using this method with SLIP will set the MTU to 58, regardless of your MaxMTU setting.
- note submitted by John Foderaro

Note: If you are experiencing problems such as your browser stopping in the middle of a
page, an MTU value of 576 might fix the problem.
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Compressing the Registry

The registry can keep a whole bunch of entries and stuff around, particularly if you've done tons of installing and removing programs.  Here's what you can do to make it smaller, and hence, your whole system function better.  There are detailed directions that can help you shrink your registry, but the basics, once you clean your registry, are:

• BACK UP YOUR REGISTRY
• Shut down your computer to a DOS prompt.
• SMARTDRV
• REGEDIT /E BACKUP.REG
• REGEDIT /C BACKUP.REG
• Reboot your computer.

When you're done with all that, you'll probably want to use a program called FixReg that cleans up some of the CRs that don't get perfectly taken care of by this procedure.

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