Windows Vista is Microsoft’s first new operating system in more than five years and the successor to Windows XP. However, it is not worth rushing out to purchase. If you desperately need to buy a new PC (if your old one died or you’ve been waiting and waiting for Vista to be released), then by all means do so; there’s nothing wrong with Windows Vista. But there’s no one compelling feature within Windows Vista that cries out to switch over, neither the enhanced graphic capabilities (Aero) nor the improved system performance features (truthfully, our Windows XP doesn’t crash). As for security, Microsoft’s biggest improvements in Windows Vista are within the Enterprise or 64-bit editions, editions most home users will not be running. Windows Vista is not the Apple Mac OS X 10.4 killer one hoped for (or feared). Nor are there specific big-name software packages written exclusively for Windows Vista–most software available today is compatible with both Windows XP and Windows Vista. But the extensive tie-ins to Microsoft.com and Live.com, and the many, many interdependences upon Internet Explorer 7 left us desperately wanting more (and often best-of-breed) alternatives. Hard core Microsofties who live and breathe within the MSN, Live.com, and Microsoft desktop software ecosystem will rejoice with the release of Windows Vista, but for the rest of us who are product agnostic, who use Firefox, Google Desktop, ZoneAlarm, GMail, and Corel WordPerfect, Windows XP SP2 will suffice nicely until some killer program necessitates that we all upgrade to Windows Vista.
There are six major editions of Windows Vista; we’re reviewing four. We chose not to review Windows Vista Enterprise (available only to volume license customers) and Windows Vista Starter (available only outside the United States). Windows Vista Ultimate includes everything, and this is the edition getting the most promotion from Microsoft. It is not the edition most people will find packaged on their shiny new PCs or will end up with after an upgrade of existing hardware. See our feature comparison chart to know which edition is right for your specific needs, and check the following individual reviews for more details: Read the rest of this entry »
smss.exe is one of the many processes that runs behind the scenes on Microsoft Windows operating systems such as XP and Vista. SMSS stands for Session Manager SubSystem, the program that is in control of handling all of the sessions that are active on a user’s computer. Unlike many of the behind the scenes processes found on Windows, smss.exe is a required process and should not be quit.
What does the Session Manager Subsystem actually do?
The smss.exe application is responsible for the control of many Windows related activities as they pertain to the end user. smss.exe starts up when Windows does, as it is immediately required for starting each user’s session. Furthermore, the smss.exe application also sets the operating system’s variables as well as launches Winlogon, the program that handles many startup procedures for the Windows operating system.
What happens if smss.exe quits or fails to load?
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If you think your computer might be infected with spyware software or you are just looking to purchase some spyware removal software then this article is definitely for you. As you will already know spyware software is highly dangerous and can report back on even your most private details including passwords and even bank details. In order to prevent this from happening to you, you need to invest in a spyware blocker and to help you do this we have reviewed the most popular spyware removal software available.
Spy Sweeper 4.5 – The Best Choice For Cleaning Your Computer. It is the best on the market when it comes to removing spyware and Spy Sweeper 4.5 really does do what it says it does. Using 16 advanced smart shields this spyware removal software blocks spyware as soon as it tries to install on your computer.
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Over 92% of computers are infected with Adware and spyware. Such software is rarely accompanied by uninstall utility and even when it is it almost always leaves broken Windows Registry keys behind it. Even if you have an anti-spyware tool your Windows Registry might be broken – developers of those tools are focused on removing Adware and spyware functionality, not every trace of software itself.
Another category of software that is known to leave bits and pieces behind on uninstallation is games. There are a lot of special installation systems that creates strange files, unique entries in your registry file as well as changes system dll’s to other versions. Once you uninstall the game a lot of the special installation changes it made will be left behind, causing you problems.
You should run an advanced registry cleaner for Windows that allows you to safely scan, clean, and repair registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks on a regular basis.
Problems with the Windows Registry are a common cause of Windows crashes (blue screens) and error messages (memory as well as disk errors). By using a PC tune-up utility, your system will be more stable, your software will run quicker, and your operating system will boot faster.
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After deciding to shift to a Windows Vista OS, you need to decide on which Windows Vista version you should pick. Before you consider shelling out $400 for a Windows Vista Ultimate license, you really should ask yourself exactly what features you need and want so you can decide whether the price is right.
Windows Vista Home Basic
This is the most rudimentary version of Vista available. It has the more secure IE 7, the firewall, the quick search functionality, and easier connectivity. When it comes to the features that distinguish Vista from previous versions of the Windows OS, though, Home Basic is somewhat lacking, though it does offer parental control.
Windows Vista Home Basic is a good choice only if you use your computer solely for web surfing and basic document processing, or if your computer is just barely powerful enough to run Windows Vista.
Windows Vista Home Premium
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Windows Vista – Clean Install Tips
Perform a clean installation of Windows Vista
A couple of weeks ago I released an article entitled ,”9 Tips To Keep Windows XP Running Smooth”.
After that I published a lengthy (by necessity) article covering, “Upgrading To Microsoft Windows Vista Tips”. I have since received several e-mail requests for pointers on clean Vista installs so I have compiled those conversations and am disseminating them for wider use. This will be much shorter and easier.
There are no secrets here. Everything I cover is published in the windows help files or scattered across the Microsoft website. Perhaps it is compiled in a somewhat more usable form here. At least it will keep you from having to do the searches, from sifting out the chaff, and from sorting the usable data.
Do you remember the PC and MAC ads? You might want to watch this one again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci2D1ig4df4&mode=related&search=
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The System32 is a Microsoft Windows system directory, which is required on any Microsoft Windows system. If you are a widow user, you got to have System32 working in order, if you want your computer to run properly.
The Windows System32 directory is located in the C: drive under C:WindowsSystem32 or C:Winntsystem32. The most of your Windows system files that you use to run computer are stored in the System32 directory. Often, many of your Microsoft Windows errors are led by System32, because many of the system files Windows use to run are stored in this directory, but the System32 directory does not cause any errors unless it is missing.
If you get an error with a file in the System32 directory, often you could get message in case of error. You can go turn off and then to restart to find the error message that’ll say Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt C:windowssystem32configsystem missing or corrupt.
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The Windows registry is a database which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows 32-bit versions, 64-bit versions and Windows Mobile.
It contains information and settings for all the hardware, software, users, and preferences of the PC. Whenever a user makes changes to “Control Panel” settings, or file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the registry.
The registry is actually a big file where a lot of setting can be stored.
This file has been around quite a while and has had different names.
The first windows version that used the windows registry to store settings was windows 3.11 and the registry in that version of windows was called Reg.dat.
In Windows 95 & 98 the registry files are named User.dat and System.dat and are stored in the Windows directory.
Windows ME called the registry files, Classes.dat, User.dat, and System.dat and stored them in the Windows directory.
Finally the newest versions of windows like, Windows NT, 2000, 2003, & XP stores the registry files like this, Read the rest of this entry »
Want to know more about your computer? Many software download websites offer all kinds of tools, many of them are freeware or shareware that will help you learn more about how your computer functions or that help you change your settings.
However, most of these tools are already built into windows and you don’t need to download extra software to do these things. In this article I will be discussing one of those tools called MSINFO32.
Go to “start” on your taskbar, then to “run”. Type in or copy MSINFO32 into the run box. Click okay. A tool will popup. I’ll go over it with you as you read this article.
Click the plus sign next to “Hardware Resources” Now select Conflicts/Sharing. This shows you the IRQ addresses your computer’s hardware is using. If there are any conflicts, it will tell you here.
Next is “DMA” which according to http://www.x-emi.com/tech_terms.html , DMA is defined as “Direct Memory Access. A technique for transferring data from main memory to a device without passing it through the CPU. Computers that have DMA channels can transfer data to and from devices much more quickly than computers without a DMA channel. This is useful for making quick backups and for real-time applications. Some expansion boards, such as CD-ROM cards, are capable of accessing the computer’s DMA channel.” That explains it better than I could have done.
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For anyone concerned about what is left on their PC after using the Internet, Webroot Window Washer can set the mind at ease.
Window Washer wipes away all traces of past PC use. It not only removes Internet history, but also previously deleted files that may still have a presence on the hard disk. A quick cycle of Window Washer can:
• clear Internet history, address bar and cache
• delete selected cookies
• overwrite deleted files
• shred folders with one-click
• provide protection against deleting important files
• schedule washes
• clear unused disk space to ensure faster, smoother PC operation
• clean applications such as iTunes, Adobe Acrobat, Google Toolbar and Macromedia Flash Player
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