Step 5 - Utilities
Autoruns - Download - Home Page
Utility to display and control startup applications. Disabling unnecessary startup applications improves boot up time and overall system performance.
Instructions - Unzip and launch Autoruns.exe, wait until it says "Ready" in the bottom left corner, then select the "Logon" tab. Next select "Options", check "Hide Microsoft Entries" and press the refresh button or press the "F5" key. The remaining items are third party applications. Uncheck all that are not needed, this will disable them from loading at Windows startup. AntiVirus and Firewall applications are necessary applications that should be running on startup. If you are unsure of what something is, highlight it, select "Entry" then "Google" to launch a search for more information regarding the highlighted application. You can permanently remove items by deleting them. Do not "Delete" anything unless you are 100% positive you do not need it. Disabled (Unchecked) items can be activated again by rerunning Autoruns, checking the item and restarting Windows.
Notes - You can control the startup applications for separate user accounts by selecting "User" and the account you want to edit. This is a much more powerful tool then the built-in System Configuration Utility (msconfig).
Chkdsk - Home Page
Built-in Windows file system repair utility.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "My Computer", right-click on the "C:" drive, left-click "Properties", select the "Tools" tab, click "Check Now...", check "Automatically Fix File System Errors", then click "Start", "Yes" and Reboot. Repeat this for any other hard drive partitions in your system. Only the drive partition with Windows installed will require a reboot.
Disk Defragmenter - Home Page - (Unnecessary if Diskeeper is installed)
Built-in Windows defragmenter, a lite version of Diskeeper. File system performance is maximized when files are contiguous on the disk. This means that all of the data in each file would be located consecutively on the Hard Drive. Instead of fragmented into separate parts all over the disk surface, causing the Hard Drive to work harder (slower) to read and write your files. While "Disk Defragmenter" is better then nothing it does not fully optimize your hard drive performance, runs 300-500% slower, cannot be scheduled without a third party application and includes no advanced features. Since the built-in "Disk Defragmenter" is very I/O intensive your system is not usable while it is running. There are no Free Defragmenters that do a better job, in which case you have to purchase a Commercial Defragmenter such as Diskeeper.
Instructions - Double-click "My Computer", right-click the local disk volume that you want to defragment, Example: Local Disk (C:), and then left-click "Properties". On the "Tools" tab, select "Defragment Now", then "Defragment". The following service needs to be enabled:
- DCOM Server Process Launcher - Automatic
Alternate - Go to "Start", "Run", type "Dfrg.msc". Select the volume that you want to defragment, then select "Defragment".
+ StartDefrag - Download - Home Page - (Unnecessary if Diskeeper is installed)
Automates the scheduling of the built-in Disk Defragmenter to run at a set time everyday or once a week.
Instructions - Install and run. Select the "Configuration" tab, under "Scheduled Day" either select a specific day during the week or "Everyday". Then under "Scheduled Hour" select a time when you will not be on the computer but the computer will be on. This is important since the built-in Disk Defragmenter will consume most of the system's resources while running and will not be usable until it is finished. Finally select "Save Changes" and "Exit".
Notes - Do not use this with Diskeeper, which includes a much more advanced and efficient real-time scheduling option. If you install Diskeeper delete the StartDefrag scheduled task and uninstall StartDefrag. To delete the scheduled task, go to "Start", "Programs", "Accessories", "System Tools", "Scheduled Tasks" and delete the task. If it is the only scheduled task listed it will be called "AT1".
+ PageDefrag - Download - Home Page - (Unnecessary if Diskeeper is installed)
Defragment the paging file and the Registry. "One of the limitations of the Windows 2000/XP defragmentation interface is that it is not possible to defragment files that are open for exclusive access. Thus, standard defragmentation programs can neither show you how fragmented your paging files or Registry hives are, nor defragment them. Paging and Registry file fragmentation can be one of the leading causes of performance degradation related to file fragmentation in a system."
Instructions - Download, Run, Look at the "Fragments" column if any of the items is in more then one fragment select "Defrag at next Reboot", than "Ok" and Reboot.
Notes - If you readjust the paging file size, rerun PageDefrag, otherwise this only needs to be run once. On badly fragmented hard drives with a lot of files, PageDefrag may take a long time to run, be patient and let it finish.
Diskeeper - USD $29.95 Home / $49.95 Pro / $99.95 Premier / - Comparison Chart (PDF)
Diskeeper is the full, automatic version of the limited built-in "disk defragmenter". Now over six generations newer, it includes enhanced features that Defragment your computer automatically, faster and more thoroughly. The High Speed Defragmentation Engine runs 300-500% faster than the built-in "disk defragmenter". Real-Time Defragmentation automatically handles fragmentation as it occurs with no drain on system resources. InvisiTasking technology allows Diskeeper to run invisibly, keeping your PC defragmented while you are using it - you will never even know Diskeeper is running. Power Management for laptops prolongs battery life by suspending background defragmentation while on battery power. Hard Drives are the slowest component in your PC, do not let Disk Fragmentation slow it down even more. - Purchase
"If you want increased disk performance and speed, install Diskeeper on all your systems."
- John Iasiuolo (Computer Outlook Radio Show) - Diskeeper Testimonials
This graph shows how fragmented your Harddrive can get after just two weeks of using only Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word.
IZArc - Download - Home Page
A 100% Free archive utility that supports many archive formats like: 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, B64, BH, BIN, BZ2, BZA, C2D, CAB, CDI, CPIO, DEB, ENC, GCA, GZ, GZA, HA, IMG, ISO, JAR, LHA, LIB, LZH, MDF, MBF, MIM, NRG, PAK, PDI, PK3, RAR, RPM, TAR, TAZ, TBZ, TGZ, TZ, UUE, WAR, XXE, YZ1, Z, ZIP, ZOO. With a modern easy-to-use interface, IZArc provides support for most compressed and encoded files, as well as access to many powerful features and tools. It allows you to drag and drop files from and to Windows Explorer, create and extract archives directly in Windows Explorer, create multiple archives spanning disks, creating self-extracting archives, repair damaged zip archives, converting from one archive type to another, view and write comments and many more.
TweakUI - Download + Control Panel - Home Page
This Windows XP PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.
Instructions - Download, install, add to the Control Panel and run. Under "Mouse" slide "Menu Speed" to "Fast", under "Explorer" check "Use Classic Search in Explorer" (Gets rid of the Dog).
XP-AntiSpy - Download - Home Page
Disables all the known 'Suspicious' Functions in Windows XP.
Instructions v3.96-4 - Install and run. Go to "Profiles", select "Neutral", then check most of the boxes and select "Apply". Leave the following unchecked:
[MediaPlayer Functions]
_ Do not acquire licenses automatically - This prevents Windows Media Player from downloading any necessary licenses.
_ No automatic updates - This prevents Windows Media Player from automatically updating.
_ Disable automatic codec downloads - This prevents Windows Media Player from downloading required codecs.
_ Don't get meta data from the internet - This prevents Windows Media Player from getting CD/DVD information.
[Miscellaneous Settings]
_ Don't synchronize with internet time - This prevents Windows from automatically keeping your clock accurate.
_ Clear pagefile at shutdown - This will cause Windows XP to take much longer to shutdown but increases security for the paranoid.
_ Deny starting regedit.exe - This prevents future use of the very useful regedit tool.
_ Deactivate Scripting Host - This will cause features to stop working in web browsers and e-mail.
_ Always show *.lnk suffixes - This adds .lnk to desktop shortcuts.
_ Always show *.url suffixes - This adds .url to web browser bookmarks.
_ Don't autostart CD's - This prevents CD's from running automatically when put in the CD/DVD drive.
[Network]
_ Disable integrated Firewall - This will disable the Windows XP firewall.
_ Hide Computer in Network - This prevents your Computer from showing up in Network Neighborhood.
_ Disable Network crawling - This prevents Windows from searching your network for network resources.
[Internet Explorer 6] (This will not show up if IE7 is installed)
_ Disable automatic updates - This prevents Windows Update from checking for and downloading updates.
_ Disable scheduled updates - This prevents Windows Update from installing updates.
_ Disable Javascript - This will cause some web pages to lose their menus or functionality completely.
_ Disable ActiveX Controls - This will cause some web pages to lose their menus or functionality completely.
_ Clean website cache on shutdown - This will cause Windows XP to take longer to shutdown but is a good idea for security.
[Services]
_ Disable auto-updates service - This prevents Windows Update from running Automatically.
_ Disable time server service - This prevents Windows from automatically keeping your clock accurate.
_ Disable task-scheduler service - The Windows Prefetcher, BootVis and Norton AV require this service to be running.
_ Disable firewall/connection sharing service - This will disable the Windows XP firewall.
_ Disable Security Center - This prevents necessary security warnings.
[Microsoft Messenger]
_ Uninstall completely - If you use or plan on using Microsoft's Instant Messenger leave this unchecked.
[Regsrv32 dll's]
_ licdll.dll - Only select this if Windows is already activated.
_ Disable ZIP Functionality - Only select if you have another .Zip program installed such as IZArc or WinZip.
- It is highly recommended to leave the profile on "Neutral" and adjust the values manually. The presets included such as the "Suggested" profile will disable important Windows features such as Windows Updates, the Security Center and Internet Explorer settings like Javascript and ActiveX. This will break common web page features such as menus and forms and prevent critical security patches from being applied. The color coding of check boxes can be further explained in the Help file under "Signs and Symbols".
Step 6 - Services
Windows XP has some extra services running by default that most people will never use. By disabling these services you will improve Windows boot time and security. Other performance related claims to disabling services are Myths.
Shoot The Messenger - Download - Home Page
Disables Windows Messaging service. This will prevent online spammers from abusing this and causing non browser related message Pop-ups during normal system operation. Installing SP2 will disable the messenger service for you.
Unplug n' Pray - Download - Home Page - Details
Disables Windows potentially dangerous and exploitable Universal Plug and Play networking capability. UPNP allows software applications to automatically open ports on a UPNP router without your permission.
Windows XP Services Guide - Home Page
Run XP-AntiSpy, Shoot The Messenger and Unplug n' Pray first since those utilities will disable some of these services for you. If you are not 100% sure about a service leave it on its default state. The goal is not to turn off as many services as possible but rather to disable only unneeded services.
Instruction - Go to Start, Run, type "services.msc" and press enter. Left-click on the status bar twice to filter all the started service to the top. Double left-click on the Service Name you wish to change. Change the "Startup Type" to either Automatic, Manual or Disabled then select "Apply" and "OK", repeat for all of the following:
Disabled - The following is a list of Services that you can disable on most systems:
Alerter
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Help and Support - (If you use Windows Help and Support leave this enabled)
Indexing Service
IPSEC Services
Messenger - (Shoot the Messenger and installing SP2 will disable this)
Portable Media Serial Number - (Leave enabled for use with security dongles)
Remote Registry Service
Secondary Logon
SSDP Discovery Service - (Unplug n' Pray will disable this)
Telnet
Upload Manager
Wireless Zero Configuration - (If you are on a wireless network leave this enabled)
Automatic - The following is a list of Services that should always be set to automatic:
Application Layer Gateway Service - (Required by the Windows XP Firewall)
Automatic Updates - (Required by Windows Updates)
Background Intelligent Transfer Service - (Required by Windows Updates)
COM+ Event System - (Required by BootVis and other applications)
Cryptographic Services - (Required to confirm the signature of Windows system files, protected root services and key services)
DCOM Server Process Launcher - (Required by the Disk Defragmenter)
DHCP Client - (Required for Cable/DSL connections and routers)
DNS Client - (Improves internet performance)
Event Log - (Required by Windows and cannot be stopped)
Logical Disk Manager - (Required to manage and update your harddrives)
Network Connections - (Required by network connections)
Plug and Play - (Required by your system hardware, Never Disable This!)
Print Spooler - (Required by printers)
Protected Storage - (Required to protected sensitive data and to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.)
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) - (Required by Windows, Never Disable This!)
Security Accounts Manager - (Required to store security information for local user accounts)
Security Center - (Notifies you of you Firewall and AntiVirus status)
Shell Hardware Detection - (Required by the AutoPlay feature)
System Event Notification - (Required by various applications)
System Restore Service - (Required by the System Restore feature)
Task Scheduler - (Required by the Windows Prefetcher, BootVis and Norton AV, Never Disable This!)
Themes - (Required by the new look of Windows XP)
Windows Audio - (Required for sound)
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) - (Required by the Windows XP Firewall)
Windows Management Instrumentation - (Required by Windows, Never Disable This!)
Network Services - The following is a list of Services that are required on home networks and LANs:
Computer Browser - (Locates local computers and resources on a LAN)
DHCP Client - (Required for Cable/DSL connections and routers)
Network Connections - (Required by network connections)
Server - (Required for network shares and managing local user accounts)
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - (Required for NetBIOS name resolution)
Wireless Zero Configuration - (Required if you are on a wireless network)
Workstation - (Required for access to LAN shares and servers)
Notes - Windows Updates can enable services that you have previously disabled. Check which services are running after a future Windows Update is completed. If applications stop working after this it is usually due to being to aggressive with disabling services. Enable the services you disabled one at a time until the application works. In the future leave this service on automatic. If you run into any problems set all services back to their Defaults and start over.
Step 7 - Internet
TCP/IP Optimizer - Download - Home Page - Speakeasy Speed Test
Application to optimize your Internet connection.
Instructions - Download and run. Under the "General Settings" tab select your Connection Speed (Kbps), which is your Maximum Download Speed. If you do not know what it is, contact your ISP and ask them. Make sure the value you get is in Kbps. (Exact capitalization is important, uppercase K, lowercase b ect...) Otherwise use the Speed Test and select the Closest City to get a rough idea of what it should be, then round this value (Download Speed) up to the closest size in TCP/IP Optimizer. Under "Network Adapter" choose the Network interface you use to connect to the Internet, select "Optimal settings", then "Apply changes" and "Yes" to Reboot.
Notes - Setting the Connection Speed higher then your Maximum ISP Download Speed will NOT improve performance and may actually hurt performance. Whatever your ISP claims is your Maximum Download Speed should always be used regardless of what the Speed Test shows. Maximum Download Speeds are theoretical and not always attainable for various reasons. It is normal for them to fluctuate. However, drastic differences in what your ISP claims you should get and what you are actually getting should be brought up with your ISP. It is your money after all and I would want to get what I paid for.
SP2 TCP/IP Slowdown Fix (Event ID 4226 Patcher) -
Windows XP SP2 limits the number of simultaneous incomplete outbound TCP connection attempts per second to 10 from an "unlimited" number (16777214) in SP1. With the new implementation, if a P2P or some other network program attempts to connect to 100 sites at once, it would only be able to connect to 10 per second, so it would take it 10 seconds to reach all 100. In addition, even though the setting was registry editable in SP1, it is now only possible to edit by changing it directly in the system file tcpip.sys. Keep in mind this is a cap only on simultaneous incomplete outbound connect attempts per second, not total connections. Servers and P2P programs can definitely be affected by this new limitation. The purpose of this is an attempt to limit the speed at which Viruses and Worms spread. However this does absolutely nothing to improve YOUR security. It merely attempts to slow the spread of a Viruses and Worms from your computer to others AFTER you have been infected. Remember it is a limit on OUTBOUND not Inbound connections. I recommend installing this patch for optimal network and Internet performance.
Instructions
- Download, unzip and run. Press "Y" and then Enter. A "Windows File Protection" window will come up, ignore this by selecting "Cancel" then "Yes" and Reboot. This warning is normal since you are editing a protected system file.
Notes - Various Windows updates resets the simultaneous incomplete outbound TCP connection attempt limit to 10.
Notes - AntiVirus programs may incorrectly detect the EvID4226Patch.exe file as a virus. This is a False positive. The file is perfectly safe but being incorrectly identified by your AntiVirus program as malicious. First make sure you are using the very latest version of your AntiVirus program and pattern file, if it does not go away contact the makers of your AntiVirus programs so they can resolve the error.
WEB BROWSERS
Despite all the online hype, the far majority of users are best served using Internet Explorer 7 for maximum webpage compatibility. Advanced users may want to try out Opera for maximum performance.
Internet Explorer 7 -
Contains browser and adds Tabs, Integrated Search and a much needed Anti-Phishing feature. Pop-up Blocking support was added in Windows XP SP2 and is used by Internet Explorer 7. Since the single most important feature of a browser is webpage compatibility, this is an excellent choice for most users.
Opera 9 -
Opera invented Tabs and was the first web browser to include an Integrated Search feature and Pop-up Blocking. Other unique features include an integrated BitTorrent Client and Voice control. Opera is the Fastest, most Secure and most Compliant (Acid2) Graphical Web Browser for Windows. An excellent choice for advanced users.
Notes - Opera is not compatible with all webpages.
Firefox Myths - Firefox Myths
Firefox is not being recommended here for many reasons. Some of those reasons are that it is slower than Internet Explorer, insecure and not completely compatible with 10-15% of all web sites. Get the facts.
Step 8 - Boot
Everything needs to be installed and updated before you proceed for optimal results. Many previous steps also improve boot times, such as the Prefetcher Fix, disabling Services except Task Scheduler, using Autoruns and Defragmenting.
BootVis - Download
BootVis is a boot performance trace visualization and optimization tool. This tool invokes the built-in Windows XP boot time optimization process when you run it, instead of waiting for it to be scheduled by Windows (roughly every three days and after the system has been idle 10 minutes). You will notice immediate improvement in boot performance for this reason. It is not necessary to run BootVis again unless something has been added or removed from the boot sequence (Drivers, Startup Applications ect...)
Instructions - Download and Run. In the menu go to "Trace", select "Next Boot and Driver Delays". A "Trace Repetitions" screen will appear, select "Ok" and Reboot. Upon reboot, BootVis will automatically start, analyze and log your system's boot process. When it's done, in the menu go to "Trace" and select "Optimize System" and Reboot. This time when your system comes up, wait until you see the "Optimizing System" box appear, continue to wait until the process is complete.
Notes - BootVis requires the following services be enabled and the system rebooted before using the "Optimize System" function:
- Task Scheduler - Automatic
- COM+ Event System - Automatic
If you are running a performance trace on a Pentium 4 system with Hyper-Threading enabled you need to have SP2 installed (821581). Unfortunately BootVis is not publicly supported by Microsoft anymore.
Errors - Since BootVis is not publicly supported anymore, the last public release version has various compatibility issues with certain IDE/SATA/RAID devices and drivers with no official documentation on how to resolve them. One of the most common errors is "Number of physical drives in the trace file is 0". In which case you will be unable to use BootVis and should uninstall it. To manually perform the same optimization follow these instructions:
Manual Instructions
- Reboot Windows XP two times, each time wait one full minute after the desktop appears to allow Windows time to fully write to the NTOSBOOT-B00DFAAD.PF file before proceeding, then go to "Start", "Run", Type Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks. This can take 10-15 minutes to run but no notification will be given when it is finished. You will notice increased Harddrive activity while it is running wait until this stops. When this is finished in the "Run" box Type defrag c: -b and wait until the command prompt window disappears. It is not necessary to do again unless something has been added or removed from the boot sequence (Drivers, Startup Applications ect...) and you do not feel like waiting 3 days for it to be automatically optimized by Windows.
Step 9 - Shutdown
User Profile Hive Cleanup Service - Download
A service to help with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems.
These optimizations will improve performance but may cause other problems.
Disable NTFS 8.3 Filenames - Home Page
The creation of 8.3 filenames and directories for all long filenames and directories on NTFS partitions may decrease directory enumeration performance.
[HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem] "NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation"
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Run", and Type: fsutil behavior set disable8dot3 1
- Some 16-bit applications may not be able to find files and directories with long filenames.
Disable NTFS Last Access Time - Home Page
Disabling the Last Access Time improves the speed of folder and file access.
[HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem] "NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Run", and Type: fsutil behavior set disablelastaccess 1
- This can affect programs such as backup and Remote Storage that rely on this feature.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Lesson1- Tips To Optimize XP
Step 1 - Malware Removal
Malware Infection which includes Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Spyware, Adware and Rootkits are
the #1 cause of system slowdowns. These must be cleaned for optimal system performance.
FACT: 89% of consumer PCs are infected with spyware
Malware Removal 1-2-3 Guide - Malware is short for "Malicious Software". It is a general term that refers to any software or program code designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. This includes Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Spyware, Adware and Rootkits. This 3 step guide will show you how to remove these infections and protect yourself from future infections for free using free software.
Step 2 - Windows Update
SP2 Installation Advisory - Home Page
KB811113 lists all the fixes included in SP2. Before installing SP2 make sure all of your Data is backed up and you have consulted with your PC manufacturer for any potential problems. Viruses and Spyware can cause the SP2 installation to fail, make sure you have run through steps 1 and 2 completely before proceeding. The changes included in SP2 can cause Windows XP and your Applications to stop working, crash or behave differently - KB884130. If the SP2 installation fails you can use these instructions to restore your system: How to recover your computer if the Windows XP Service Pack 2 setup program is not completed successfully (print these out).
Notes - After following the above advisory, it is recommended that you install SP2. The updated security features are well worth it.
- Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker (I still recommend installing the Google Toolbar if you use
IE)
- Internet Explorer Download Monitoring (Warns you about potentially harmful downloads i.e.. Spyware and Viruses)
- Windows Firewall Update (Much better application management and enhanced boot time security)
- Windows Security Center (Notifies you of your AntiVirus, Firewall and Windows Update Status)
- Improved Wireless Support (Improves and simplifies the process of discovering and connecting to wireless networks)
- Data Execution Prevention (Help prevents code execution from data pages)
Windows Update - Home Page
Install All of the updates. Not just the critical ones. This may have to be run multiple times. Run it over again until it says 0 updates available. Non-critical updates are essential for improved performance, compatibility and enhanced features. They are all very safe to install.
Notes - Windows Update requires the following services be enabled in Windows XP:
- Automatic Updates - Automatic
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Manual or Automatic
Driver Notes - If a Driver issue arises that Windows Update insists upon installing a Driver version older then one you have updated, do not install the one from Windows Update. Use the manufacturers latest version instead and just ignore that Windows Driver Update. With Drivers, the Hardware manufacturer is the one who is correct not Microsoft. Windows Update will sometimes show a Driver is outdated if it is not "Microsoft Certified". It is quite ok to use non-certified drivers. Official non-certified driver versions will have been thoroughly tested by the component manufacturer.
Update - Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer can sometimes conflict with Adobe Acrobat Reader when you open .PDF files, Error: "An installation package for the product Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer cannot be found." If this is happening uninstall The Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer, go to "Start", "Settings", "Add or Remove Programs". The Journal Viewer is only needed to read Journal files created on a Windows XP Tablet Edition PC. It is highly unlikely you will ever need to read these.
DirectX - Download
Windows Update will install the latest version of DirectX. It is still a good idea to check what version you are running and make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed prior to installing any Drivers. Got to "Start", "Run", type in "Dxdiag" and select "OK". Under the "System" tab, "DirectX Version" check that you have the latest version that is available for Windows XP. - Source
Step 3 - Drivers
Installing the latest Drivers improves system performance and application compatibility. Updated drivers include numerous bug fixes as well as system optimizations. It is recommended for optimal system stability to only use Official drivers and not Beta or Prerelease versions. Performance differences between driver versions including Beta or Prereleased drivers is negligible. The only time Beta or Prerelease drivers should be considered is when a serious application bug is fixed in the Beta or Prerelease version and the component manufacturer has not yet released the Official driver version that includes the bug fix.
Driver XP - Home Page
A Windows Driver Guide that includes component links and instructions.
Notes - Windows Update will install very common driver updates, however these will not always be the latest versions and sometimes can even be an older version of one you have already updated, example: nVidia forceware drivers. It is perfectly safe to install the Windows Driver Updates but if you want the very best system performance you have to check for and install the latest drivers manually. If you are having trouble identifying your hardware use:
PC Wizard - Download - Home Page
An advanced system information utility designed for detection of hardware, analysis and benchmarking. Quickly identify components based on their model and manufacturer, allowing you to download and install the correct drivers.
Step 4 - Tweaks
1. Visual Effects
Default Windows XP visual settings may look nice but they slow down system responsiveness. Here is how to keep the "look" of Windows XP while losing the sluggish feel.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "System", "Advanced" tab, in the "Performance" section select "Settings". Leave only the following checked:
√ Show shadows under menus
√ Show shadows under mouse pointer
√ Show translucent selection rectangle
√ Smooth edges of screen fonts
√ Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
√ Use visual styles on windows and buttons
Then select "Apply" and "OK". - Source
ClearType - If you have a Flat Panel Display (Notebook, LCD, Plasma) you will notice improved font display quality enabling ClearType over traditional forms of font smoothing or anti-aliasing. ClearType improves readability on color LCD displays with a digital interface, such as those in laptops and high-quality flat panel displays.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Display", "Appearance" Tab, "Effects" button, check "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts", select "ClearType".
2. The Paging File
Windows XP by default uses a System managed paging file that works well and it is highly recommended to leave it alone.
"In modern operating systems, including Windows, application programs and many system processes always reference memory using virtual memory addresses which are automatically translated to real (RAM) addresses by the hardware. Only core parts of the operating system kernel bypass this address translation and use real memory addresses directly. Virtual Memory is always in use, even when the memory required by all running processes does not exceed the amount of RAM installed on the system. All processes (e.g. application executables) running under 32 bit Windows gets virtual memory addresses (a Virtual Address Space) going from 0 to 4,294,967,295 (2*32-1 = 4 GB), no matter how much RAM is actually installed on the computer. In the default Windows OS configuration, 2 GB of this virtual address space are designated for each process' private use and the other 2 GB are shared between all processes and the operating system. Normally, applications (e.g. Notepad, Word, Excel, Acrobat Reader) use only a small fraction of the 2GB of private address space. The operating system only assigns RAM page frames to virtual memory pages that are in use. RAM is a limited resource, whereas virtual memory is, for most practical purposes, unlimited. There can be a large number of processes each with its own 2 GB of private virtual address space. When the memory in use by all the existing processes exceeds the amount of RAM available, the operating system will move pages (4 KB pieces) of one or more virtual address spaces to the computer's hard disk, thus freeing that RAM frame for other uses. In Windows systems, these "paged out" pages are stored in one or more files called pagefile.sys in the root of a partition." - Source
Default - Windows XP will automatically set the paging file to the following size based on how much RAM is in your system:
- Initial size (MB): 1.5 x the amount of RAM in your system
- Maximum size (MB): 3.0 x the amount of RAM in your system (PF Size Limit = 4095 MB)
Notes - A properly configured paging file will not resize (increase) so long as the Initial size is set large enough and you have not run out of available RAM. Allowing the paging file to resize is recommended for unforeseen memory intensive situations and will prevent "Out of Memory" error messages from occurring. Any resizing will reset to the default Initial size upon reboot and will not cause any permanent fragmentation of the paging file. Setting the Initial size too large has no negative impact on system performance except to waste disk space if it is not used. Since disk space is usually plentiful it is safer then setting it too small. All arguments about setting the paging file smaller are to conserve disk space and have nothing to do with performance. A permanent solution to this is to add more RAM to your system. It is a good idea to have at least 1 GB to 2 GB of RAM in a PC today. A simple test to determine if you need more RAM is to use you PC for a whole day without rebooting, then look at the Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Delete), Performance tab. If the "Commit Charge - Peak" is ever higher then the "Physical Memory - Total" your system could benefit from adding more RAM. When you change the amount of RAM in your system with a System managed paging file, Windows XP will automatically adjust the paging file size for you.
Optimization - "Moving the paging file to a separate physical Harddrive (not partition) from the boot partition will increase paging file performance. However, if you remove the paging file from the boot partition, Windows cannot create a dump file (Memory.dmp) in which to write debugging information in the event that a kernel mode Stop Error message occurs. The optimal solution is to create one paging file that is stored on the boot partition, and then create a second paging file on a separate physical Harddrive (not partition) Windows will use the paging file on the less frequently used partition over the paging file on the heavily used boot partition. Windows uses an internal algorithm to determine which paging file to use for virtual memory management." - Source
3. Disable Indexing Service
The Indexing Service in Windows XP indexes your files presumably to shorten the time needed to search your hard drive if you are looking for a specific file or part of a phrase inside a file. However, the constant indexing of files actually slows down system performance by using a lot of pagefile space and CPU time. - Source
Instructions - To disable the Indexing Service go into "My Computer", right-click on all your hard drive partitions one at a time, left-click "Properties". Uncheck "Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching". Select "Apply changes to subfolders and files". If any files cannot be updated select "Ignore All".
4. Disable Windows XP Sounds
Having sound effects set for common Windows XP tasks slows your system down. This affects startup and shutdown speeds the most.
Instructions - To disable all Windows XP task sounds go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Sounds and Audio Devices", select the "Sounds" tab, under "Sound Scheme" select "No Sounds".
5. Uninstall Useless Windows Components
Windows XP installs some components by default that are not needed.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Add or Remove Programs", select "Add/Remove Windows Components", uncheck:
_ Indexing Service
_ MSN Explorer (If you use MSN as your ISP leave "MSN Explorer" checked)
Then select "Next" and "Finished".
6. Reduce Recycling Bin Drive Space Usage
In Windows XP the Maximum size of the Recycle Bin is set by default to 10% of your hard drive, when full, this can be a big waste of drive space. Reducing the Maximum size prevents excess space from being wasted. It is quite common to have hundreds of MBs of deleted files in the Recycling Bin and it is never emptied.
Instructions - To change the Recycling Bin Size, right-click on the "Recycle Bin", left-click on "Properties", select the "Global" tab, then "Use one setting for all drives". Move the slider to "3%".
7. Reduce System Restore Drive Space Usage
System Restore creates periodic snapshots of your critical system files (like the registry files, COM+ database, user profiles, and such) and stores them as a "restore point." In case something goes wrong with your system you can revert back to a previous working state. The default size that System Restore can take up can be quite large.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "System", "System Restore" tab, for each drive partition highlight it then select "Settings", under "Drive Space Usage" adjust the slider so System Restore is only using roughly 5% or a minimum of 1000 MB of disk space per partition and select "OK".
8. Increase the Mouse Pointer Speed
By default Windows sets the Mouse Pointer Speed to an average speed, which can slow down the time it takes to move the cursor around the screen. Increasing this will allow you use your computer quicker and more efficient with less mouse movement.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Mouse", "Pointer Options" tab, under "Motion" adjust the slider 1 to 5 steps closer to "Fast". Only 1 to 3 steps is recommended. Then check "Enhance pointer precision" and select "OK".
Notes - This is a personal preference and should be decided by the user. The tab that the Motion setting will be under can change with third party mouse drivers. Novice Windows users or users with Motion Disabilities will not want to adjust this much, if at all. Cheap and worn out mice can give poor responsiveness, it is recommended to be using a precision optical mouse. Microsoft Optical Mice are highly recommended.
9. Prefetcher Fix - Download
Prefetching is a new feature in Windows XP that dramatically improves initial application load times and Windows boot times automatically. The slower your system and the larger an application, the more Prefetching helps. Even high end systems benefit from prefetching with large, slow loading applications, such as large games. By default Prefetching is enabled in Windows XP and already configured optimally. However there is a lot of misinformation regarding this feature and bad "tweak" programs on the internet that can disable prefetching and cripple your application load times. Find out more in XP Myths. Windows Prefetching requires that the Task Scheduler service be running and set to Automatic. The other Prefetcher settings have to be set in the Registry, this file will do this all for you. - Source
Instructions - Download, unzip and run the "Prefetcher Fix.reg" file and reboot. This will restore the Windows Prefetcher to it's default and optimal state. It will also set the Task Scheduler Service to Automatic.
- Task Scheduler - Automatic
Then use Windows Explorer and look in the C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch folder. You should see a file name for any application you have started since Prefetching was enabled. Never clean this folder or disable Windows Prefetching with any "tweaks" as you will cripple your application load times and Windows boot times by as much as 100%. The Prefetch folder and layout.ini files are self-cleaning when it reaches 128 entries. No user intervention is ever necessary. Once you have confirmed it is running leave it alone. Anyone who claims otherwise does not understand how Windows XP Prefetching works.
10. Disable AVI Previewing - Download
Opening a folder containing a large number of AVI files can open quite slowly because Windows has to open each AVI file and extract information from them. If you have a large collection, you can speedup XP's folder access by disabling it from automatically extracting this info. This can also fix problems when trying to rename or move AVI files and you get an error message: "it is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."
Instructions - Download, unzip and run the "Disable AVI Previewing.reg" file and reboot.
Notes - You will no longer have the second page of properties in windows explorer displaying the AVI file information such as width, height and bitrate. Other software such as GSpot can provide you with this information.
Malware Infection which includes Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Spyware, Adware and Rootkits are
the #1 cause of system slowdowns. These must be cleaned for optimal system performance.
FACT: 89% of consumer PCs are infected with spyware
Malware Removal 1-2-3 Guide - Malware is short for "Malicious Software". It is a general term that refers to any software or program code designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. This includes Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Spyware, Adware and Rootkits. This 3 step guide will show you how to remove these infections and protect yourself from future infections for free using free software.
Step 2 - Windows Update
SP2 Installation Advisory - Home Page
KB811113 lists all the fixes included in SP2. Before installing SP2 make sure all of your Data is backed up and you have consulted with your PC manufacturer for any potential problems. Viruses and Spyware can cause the SP2 installation to fail, make sure you have run through steps 1 and 2 completely before proceeding. The changes included in SP2 can cause Windows XP and your Applications to stop working, crash or behave differently - KB884130. If the SP2 installation fails you can use these instructions to restore your system: How to recover your computer if the Windows XP Service Pack 2 setup program is not completed successfully (print these out).
Notes - After following the above advisory, it is recommended that you install SP2. The updated security features are well worth it.
- Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker (I still recommend installing the Google Toolbar if you use
IE)
- Internet Explorer Download Monitoring (Warns you about potentially harmful downloads i.e.. Spyware and Viruses)
- Windows Firewall Update (Much better application management and enhanced boot time security)
- Windows Security Center (Notifies you of your AntiVirus, Firewall and Windows Update Status)
- Improved Wireless Support (Improves and simplifies the process of discovering and connecting to wireless networks)
- Data Execution Prevention (Help prevents code execution from data pages)
Windows Update - Home Page
Install All of the updates. Not just the critical ones. This may have to be run multiple times. Run it over again until it says 0 updates available. Non-critical updates are essential for improved performance, compatibility and enhanced features. They are all very safe to install.
Notes - Windows Update requires the following services be enabled in Windows XP:
- Automatic Updates - Automatic
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Manual or Automatic
Driver Notes - If a Driver issue arises that Windows Update insists upon installing a Driver version older then one you have updated, do not install the one from Windows Update. Use the manufacturers latest version instead and just ignore that Windows Driver Update. With Drivers, the Hardware manufacturer is the one who is correct not Microsoft. Windows Update will sometimes show a Driver is outdated if it is not "Microsoft Certified". It is quite ok to use non-certified drivers. Official non-certified driver versions will have been thoroughly tested by the component manufacturer.
Update - Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer can sometimes conflict with Adobe Acrobat Reader when you open .PDF files, Error: "An installation package for the product Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer cannot be found." If this is happening uninstall The Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer, go to "Start", "Settings", "Add or Remove Programs". The Journal Viewer is only needed to read Journal files created on a Windows XP Tablet Edition PC. It is highly unlikely you will ever need to read these.
DirectX - Download
Windows Update will install the latest version of DirectX. It is still a good idea to check what version you are running and make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed prior to installing any Drivers. Got to "Start", "Run", type in "Dxdiag" and select "OK". Under the "System" tab, "DirectX Version" check that you have the latest version that is available for Windows XP. - Source
Step 3 - Drivers
Installing the latest Drivers improves system performance and application compatibility. Updated drivers include numerous bug fixes as well as system optimizations. It is recommended for optimal system stability to only use Official drivers and not Beta or Prerelease versions. Performance differences between driver versions including Beta or Prereleased drivers is negligible. The only time Beta or Prerelease drivers should be considered is when a serious application bug is fixed in the Beta or Prerelease version and the component manufacturer has not yet released the Official driver version that includes the bug fix.
Driver XP - Home Page
A Windows Driver Guide that includes component links and instructions.
Notes - Windows Update will install very common driver updates, however these will not always be the latest versions and sometimes can even be an older version of one you have already updated, example: nVidia forceware drivers. It is perfectly safe to install the Windows Driver Updates but if you want the very best system performance you have to check for and install the latest drivers manually. If you are having trouble identifying your hardware use:
PC Wizard - Download - Home Page
An advanced system information utility designed for detection of hardware, analysis and benchmarking. Quickly identify components based on their model and manufacturer, allowing you to download and install the correct drivers.
Step 4 - Tweaks
1. Visual Effects
Default Windows XP visual settings may look nice but they slow down system responsiveness. Here is how to keep the "look" of Windows XP while losing the sluggish feel.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "System", "Advanced" tab, in the "Performance" section select "Settings". Leave only the following checked:
√ Show shadows under menus
√ Show shadows under mouse pointer
√ Show translucent selection rectangle
√ Smooth edges of screen fonts
√ Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
√ Use visual styles on windows and buttons
Then select "Apply" and "OK". - Source
ClearType - If you have a Flat Panel Display (Notebook, LCD, Plasma) you will notice improved font display quality enabling ClearType over traditional forms of font smoothing or anti-aliasing. ClearType improves readability on color LCD displays with a digital interface, such as those in laptops and high-quality flat panel displays.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Display", "Appearance" Tab, "Effects" button, check "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts", select "ClearType".
2. The Paging File
Windows XP by default uses a System managed paging file that works well and it is highly recommended to leave it alone.
"In modern operating systems, including Windows, application programs and many system processes always reference memory using virtual memory addresses which are automatically translated to real (RAM) addresses by the hardware. Only core parts of the operating system kernel bypass this address translation and use real memory addresses directly. Virtual Memory is always in use, even when the memory required by all running processes does not exceed the amount of RAM installed on the system. All processes (e.g. application executables) running under 32 bit Windows gets virtual memory addresses (a Virtual Address Space) going from 0 to 4,294,967,295 (2*32-1 = 4 GB), no matter how much RAM is actually installed on the computer. In the default Windows OS configuration, 2 GB of this virtual address space are designated for each process' private use and the other 2 GB are shared between all processes and the operating system. Normally, applications (e.g. Notepad, Word, Excel, Acrobat Reader) use only a small fraction of the 2GB of private address space. The operating system only assigns RAM page frames to virtual memory pages that are in use. RAM is a limited resource, whereas virtual memory is, for most practical purposes, unlimited. There can be a large number of processes each with its own 2 GB of private virtual address space. When the memory in use by all the existing processes exceeds the amount of RAM available, the operating system will move pages (4 KB pieces) of one or more virtual address spaces to the computer's hard disk, thus freeing that RAM frame for other uses. In Windows systems, these "paged out" pages are stored in one or more files called pagefile.sys in the root of a partition." - Source
Default - Windows XP will automatically set the paging file to the following size based on how much RAM is in your system:
- Initial size (MB): 1.5 x the amount of RAM in your system
- Maximum size (MB): 3.0 x the amount of RAM in your system (PF Size Limit = 4095 MB)
Notes - A properly configured paging file will not resize (increase) so long as the Initial size is set large enough and you have not run out of available RAM. Allowing the paging file to resize is recommended for unforeseen memory intensive situations and will prevent "Out of Memory" error messages from occurring. Any resizing will reset to the default Initial size upon reboot and will not cause any permanent fragmentation of the paging file. Setting the Initial size too large has no negative impact on system performance except to waste disk space if it is not used. Since disk space is usually plentiful it is safer then setting it too small. All arguments about setting the paging file smaller are to conserve disk space and have nothing to do with performance. A permanent solution to this is to add more RAM to your system. It is a good idea to have at least 1 GB to 2 GB of RAM in a PC today. A simple test to determine if you need more RAM is to use you PC for a whole day without rebooting, then look at the Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Delete), Performance tab. If the "Commit Charge - Peak" is ever higher then the "Physical Memory - Total" your system could benefit from adding more RAM. When you change the amount of RAM in your system with a System managed paging file, Windows XP will automatically adjust the paging file size for you.
Optimization - "Moving the paging file to a separate physical Harddrive (not partition) from the boot partition will increase paging file performance. However, if you remove the paging file from the boot partition, Windows cannot create a dump file (Memory.dmp) in which to write debugging information in the event that a kernel mode Stop Error message occurs. The optimal solution is to create one paging file that is stored on the boot partition, and then create a second paging file on a separate physical Harddrive (not partition) Windows will use the paging file on the less frequently used partition over the paging file on the heavily used boot partition. Windows uses an internal algorithm to determine which paging file to use for virtual memory management." - Source
3. Disable Indexing Service
The Indexing Service in Windows XP indexes your files presumably to shorten the time needed to search your hard drive if you are looking for a specific file or part of a phrase inside a file. However, the constant indexing of files actually slows down system performance by using a lot of pagefile space and CPU time. - Source
Instructions - To disable the Indexing Service go into "My Computer", right-click on all your hard drive partitions one at a time, left-click "Properties". Uncheck "Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching". Select "Apply changes to subfolders and files". If any files cannot be updated select "Ignore All".
4. Disable Windows XP Sounds
Having sound effects set for common Windows XP tasks slows your system down. This affects startup and shutdown speeds the most.
Instructions - To disable all Windows XP task sounds go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Sounds and Audio Devices", select the "Sounds" tab, under "Sound Scheme" select "No Sounds".
5. Uninstall Useless Windows Components
Windows XP installs some components by default that are not needed.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Add or Remove Programs", select "Add/Remove Windows Components", uncheck:
_ Indexing Service
_ MSN Explorer (If you use MSN as your ISP leave "MSN Explorer" checked)
Then select "Next" and "Finished".
6. Reduce Recycling Bin Drive Space Usage
In Windows XP the Maximum size of the Recycle Bin is set by default to 10% of your hard drive, when full, this can be a big waste of drive space. Reducing the Maximum size prevents excess space from being wasted. It is quite common to have hundreds of MBs of deleted files in the Recycling Bin and it is never emptied.
Instructions - To change the Recycling Bin Size, right-click on the "Recycle Bin", left-click on "Properties", select the "Global" tab, then "Use one setting for all drives". Move the slider to "3%".
7. Reduce System Restore Drive Space Usage
System Restore creates periodic snapshots of your critical system files (like the registry files, COM+ database, user profiles, and such) and stores them as a "restore point." In case something goes wrong with your system you can revert back to a previous working state. The default size that System Restore can take up can be quite large.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "System", "System Restore" tab, for each drive partition highlight it then select "Settings", under "Drive Space Usage" adjust the slider so System Restore is only using roughly 5% or a minimum of 1000 MB of disk space per partition and select "OK".
8. Increase the Mouse Pointer Speed
By default Windows sets the Mouse Pointer Speed to an average speed, which can slow down the time it takes to move the cursor around the screen. Increasing this will allow you use your computer quicker and more efficient with less mouse movement.
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel", "Mouse", "Pointer Options" tab, under "Motion" adjust the slider 1 to 5 steps closer to "Fast". Only 1 to 3 steps is recommended. Then check "Enhance pointer precision" and select "OK".
Notes - This is a personal preference and should be decided by the user. The tab that the Motion setting will be under can change with third party mouse drivers. Novice Windows users or users with Motion Disabilities will not want to adjust this much, if at all. Cheap and worn out mice can give poor responsiveness, it is recommended to be using a precision optical mouse. Microsoft Optical Mice are highly recommended.
9. Prefetcher Fix - Download
Prefetching is a new feature in Windows XP that dramatically improves initial application load times and Windows boot times automatically. The slower your system and the larger an application, the more Prefetching helps. Even high end systems benefit from prefetching with large, slow loading applications, such as large games. By default Prefetching is enabled in Windows XP and already configured optimally. However there is a lot of misinformation regarding this feature and bad "tweak" programs on the internet that can disable prefetching and cripple your application load times. Find out more in XP Myths. Windows Prefetching requires that the Task Scheduler service be running and set to Automatic. The other Prefetcher settings have to be set in the Registry, this file will do this all for you. - Source
Instructions - Download, unzip and run the "Prefetcher Fix.reg" file and reboot. This will restore the Windows Prefetcher to it's default and optimal state. It will also set the Task Scheduler Service to Automatic.
- Task Scheduler - Automatic
Then use Windows Explorer and look in the C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch folder. You should see a file name for any application you have started since Prefetching was enabled. Never clean this folder or disable Windows Prefetching with any "tweaks" as you will cripple your application load times and Windows boot times by as much as 100%. The Prefetch folder and layout.ini files are self-cleaning when it reaches 128 entries. No user intervention is ever necessary. Once you have confirmed it is running leave it alone. Anyone who claims otherwise does not understand how Windows XP Prefetching works.
10. Disable AVI Previewing - Download
Opening a folder containing a large number of AVI files can open quite slowly because Windows has to open each AVI file and extract information from them. If you have a large collection, you can speedup XP's folder access by disabling it from automatically extracting this info. This can also fix problems when trying to rename or move AVI files and you get an error message: "it is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."
Instructions - Download, unzip and run the "Disable AVI Previewing.reg" file and reboot.
Notes - You will no longer have the second page of properties in windows explorer displaying the AVI file information such as width, height and bitrate. Other software such as GSpot can provide you with this information.
Optimize XP-1
Windows XP has a rich user interface with menus that slide into view, shadows that create three-dimensional effects, and rounded corners that soften the appearance of windows. If you have an older computer, these visual effects may noticeably slow down it's performance. For example, dialog boxes and menus might not open smoothly. To help improve the performance of your computer, you can disable some or all visual effects. When you disable visual effects, you change only the graphical elements on your desktop; you can still do everything you've always done with your computer—only faster.
How to disable specific visual effects
To control which visual effects Windows XP uses
1.Click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Properties.
2.The System Properties dialog box appears. Click the Advanced tab. In the Performance area, click Settings.
3.The Performance Options dialog box appears. On the Visual Effects tab, select the Custom option.
4.Clear the check boxes for the visual effects you want to disable.
5.Click OK.
6.You are returned to the System Properties dialog box. Click OK.
How to disable all visual effects
To disable all visual effects for the best performance
1.Click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Properties.
2.The System Properties dialog box appears. Click the Advanced tab. In the Performance area, click Settings.
3.The Performance Options dialog box appears. On the Visual Effects tab, select the Adjust for best performance option.
4.Click OK.
5.You are returned to the System Properties dialog box. Click OK.
Optimize PC-1
To optimize Pc is always a difficult job, crashes and all those stuffs and viruses, we provide all the infos for PC optimization
The following tips can help improve your computer's performance. These examples use Microsoft Windows XP. Some of the screens may differ from version to version, but overall you'll find these tips work for all versions of Windows, including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.
By the way, in no way can you blow up your computer or files with any of these procedures. These tasks use utilities provided within the Windows operating systems to aid you in achieving the best system performance. This article does not address tinkering with the registry files.
Clean up disk errors(Run once a week)
Whenever a program crashes, or you experience some power outage, your computer may create errors on your computer's hard disk. Over time, the errors can slow your computer. Luckily, the Windows operating system includes a Disk Check program to check and clean any errors on your computer and keep it running smoothly.
To run Disk Check:
1.In your Start menu, click My Computer.
2.In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.
3.In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab. In the Error-Checking section, press the Check Now… button. A Check Disk dialog box displays, as shown below.
4.In the Check Disk dialog box, check all the check boxes. Click Start.
5.You will see a message box that says you can schedule the disk check to start the next time you restart your computer. Click Yes. The next time you restart your computer, it will automatically run through a disk check before displaying your login screen. After the disk check finishes, Windows will automatically bring you to your login screen.
Note: Check Disk can take more than an hour to check and clean errors on your computer.
Remove temporary files(Run once a week)
Your computer can pick up and store temporary files when you're looking at Web pages and even when you're working on files in programs, such as Microsoft Word. Over time, these files will slow your computer's performance. You can use the Windows Disk Cleanup screen to rid your computer of these deadbeat files.
To run Disk Cleanup:
1.In your Start menu, click My Computer.
2.In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.
3.In the Properties dialog box, click Disk Cleanup.
4.Disk Cleanup will calculate how much space you can free up on your hard drive. After its scan, the Disk Cleanup dialog box reports a list of files you can remove from your computer, as pictured below. This scan can take a while depending on how many files you have lying around on your computer.
5.After the scan is complete, in the Disk Cleanup dialog box, click View Files to see what Disk Cleanup will throw out once you give it the go ahead. You can check and uncheck boxes to define what you wish to keep or discard. When you're ready, click OK.
6.You can also select the More Options tab within the Disk Cleanup screen to look for software programs you don't use much anymore. You then have the choice to remove these unused programs.
Rearrange your data (Run once a month)
Don't be shocked, but your computer can get sloppy. Your computer often breaks files side by side to increase the speed of access and retrieval. However, as files are updated, your computer saves these updates on the largest space available on the hard drive, often found far away from the other adjacent sectors of the file.
The result: a fragmented file. Fragmented files cause slower performance. This is because your computer must now search for all of the file's parts. In other words, your computer knows where all the pieces are, but putting them back together, and in the correct order when you need them, can slow your computer down.
Windows includes a Disk Defragmenter program to piece all your files back together again (if only Humpty-Dumpty had been so lucky) and make them quicker to open.
To run the Disk Defragmenter:
1.In your Start menu, click My Computer.
2.In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.
3.In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab, and then in the Defragmentation section, click Defragment Now….
4.In the Disk Defragmenter dialog box, select the Volume (most likely your Local Disk C:) at the top of the screen, and then click Analyze.
5.After analyzing your computer, the Disk Defragmenter displays a message stating whether you should defragment your computer. Press Defragment to clean up your computer if necessary. The Disk Defragmenter will reorganize files by placing together and organizing them by program and size
Make Internet Explorer run faster
The Web is a sparkling achievement of modern society. It's everywhere—from the home to the classroom. We use it to communicate, to work, to play—even to waste time when there's nothing else to do.
Yet there's nothing more frustrating than having this technical marvel at our fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only to watch our computers access the Internet at a crawling pace. Thankfully, Microsoft Internet Explorer provides some useful options for quicker Web surfing. Let's look at these options now.
Reduce the size of your Web page history
Internet Explorer stores visited Web pages to your computer, organizing them within a page history by day. While it's useful to keep a couple days of Web history within your computer, there's no need to store more than a week's worth. Any more than that and you're collecting Web pages that will slow down your computer's performance.
To reduce your Web page history:
1.In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2.In the Internet Options dialog box, in the History section, find the Days to keep pages in history: box. Type "1" in this box, as pictured in the image below. Click OK.
Don't save encrypted Web pages
Encrypted Web pages ask for usernames and passwords. These pages scramble information to prevent the reading of this sensitive information. You can define Internet Explorer to not save these types of pages. You'll free up space by saving fewer files to your computer, as well as keeping secure information off your computer.
To not save encrypted Web pages:
1.In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2.In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
3.In the Settings section, scroll down to the Security section. Check the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" option, as shown in the figure below. Click OK.
Automate Microsoft Update(Configure once)
Microsoft works constantly to release updates to Windows and other Microsoft products, including Office. At Microsoft Update, you can find and install all these updates—not just the critical ones. Often, these updates will improve your computer's performance.
You can make life easier by automating Microsoft Update so your computer downloads and installs all the updates without you having to worry about them.
To automate Microsoft Update:
1.In your Start menu, click Control Panel.
2.In the Automatic Updates dialog box, check the Automatic (Recommended) check box. You can define the time of day when your computer checks for updates. If the computer finds any updates, it will download and install them automatically for you.
3.Click OK.
Install antivirus and antispyware programs
Computer viruses and spyware (hidden software that gathers information about you without your knowledge or consent when you're using a computer) both reduce system performance. Computer viruses can not only reduce performance, but they can also destroy data. Any computer that accesses the Internet should have antivirus and antispyware programs installed.•
Antivirus programs: Two of the most reliable computer virus programs around are Norton Internet Security and McAfee Internet Security Suite.
The following tips can help improve your computer's performance. These examples use Microsoft Windows XP. Some of the screens may differ from version to version, but overall you'll find these tips work for all versions of Windows, including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.
By the way, in no way can you blow up your computer or files with any of these procedures. These tasks use utilities provided within the Windows operating systems to aid you in achieving the best system performance. This article does not address tinkering with the registry files.
Clean up disk errors(Run once a week)
Whenever a program crashes, or you experience some power outage, your computer may create errors on your computer's hard disk. Over time, the errors can slow your computer. Luckily, the Windows operating system includes a Disk Check program to check and clean any errors on your computer and keep it running smoothly.
To run Disk Check:
1.In your Start menu, click My Computer.
2.In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.
3.In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab. In the Error-Checking section, press the Check Now… button. A Check Disk dialog box displays, as shown below.
4.In the Check Disk dialog box, check all the check boxes. Click Start.
5.You will see a message box that says you can schedule the disk check to start the next time you restart your computer. Click Yes. The next time you restart your computer, it will automatically run through a disk check before displaying your login screen. After the disk check finishes, Windows will automatically bring you to your login screen.
Note: Check Disk can take more than an hour to check and clean errors on your computer.
Remove temporary files(Run once a week)
Your computer can pick up and store temporary files when you're looking at Web pages and even when you're working on files in programs, such as Microsoft Word. Over time, these files will slow your computer's performance. You can use the Windows Disk Cleanup screen to rid your computer of these deadbeat files.
To run Disk Cleanup:
1.In your Start menu, click My Computer.
2.In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.
3.In the Properties dialog box, click Disk Cleanup.
4.Disk Cleanup will calculate how much space you can free up on your hard drive. After its scan, the Disk Cleanup dialog box reports a list of files you can remove from your computer, as pictured below. This scan can take a while depending on how many files you have lying around on your computer.
5.After the scan is complete, in the Disk Cleanup dialog box, click View Files to see what Disk Cleanup will throw out once you give it the go ahead. You can check and uncheck boxes to define what you wish to keep or discard. When you're ready, click OK.
6.You can also select the More Options tab within the Disk Cleanup screen to look for software programs you don't use much anymore. You then have the choice to remove these unused programs.
Rearrange your data (Run once a month)
Don't be shocked, but your computer can get sloppy. Your computer often breaks files side by side to increase the speed of access and retrieval. However, as files are updated, your computer saves these updates on the largest space available on the hard drive, often found far away from the other adjacent sectors of the file.
The result: a fragmented file. Fragmented files cause slower performance. This is because your computer must now search for all of the file's parts. In other words, your computer knows where all the pieces are, but putting them back together, and in the correct order when you need them, can slow your computer down.
Windows includes a Disk Defragmenter program to piece all your files back together again (if only Humpty-Dumpty had been so lucky) and make them quicker to open.
To run the Disk Defragmenter:
1.In your Start menu, click My Computer.
2.In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.
3.In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab, and then in the Defragmentation section, click Defragment Now….
4.In the Disk Defragmenter dialog box, select the Volume (most likely your Local Disk C:) at the top of the screen, and then click Analyze.
5.After analyzing your computer, the Disk Defragmenter displays a message stating whether you should defragment your computer. Press Defragment to clean up your computer if necessary. The Disk Defragmenter will reorganize files by placing together and organizing them by program and size
Make Internet Explorer run faster
The Web is a sparkling achievement of modern society. It's everywhere—from the home to the classroom. We use it to communicate, to work, to play—even to waste time when there's nothing else to do.
Yet there's nothing more frustrating than having this technical marvel at our fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only to watch our computers access the Internet at a crawling pace. Thankfully, Microsoft Internet Explorer provides some useful options for quicker Web surfing. Let's look at these options now.
Reduce the size of your Web page history
Internet Explorer stores visited Web pages to your computer, organizing them within a page history by day. While it's useful to keep a couple days of Web history within your computer, there's no need to store more than a week's worth. Any more than that and you're collecting Web pages that will slow down your computer's performance.
To reduce your Web page history:
1.In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2.In the Internet Options dialog box, in the History section, find the Days to keep pages in history: box. Type "1" in this box, as pictured in the image below. Click OK.
Don't save encrypted Web pages
Encrypted Web pages ask for usernames and passwords. These pages scramble information to prevent the reading of this sensitive information. You can define Internet Explorer to not save these types of pages. You'll free up space by saving fewer files to your computer, as well as keeping secure information off your computer.
To not save encrypted Web pages:
1.In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2.In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
3.In the Settings section, scroll down to the Security section. Check the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" option, as shown in the figure below. Click OK.
Automate Microsoft Update(Configure once)
Microsoft works constantly to release updates to Windows and other Microsoft products, including Office. At Microsoft Update, you can find and install all these updates—not just the critical ones. Often, these updates will improve your computer's performance.
You can make life easier by automating Microsoft Update so your computer downloads and installs all the updates without you having to worry about them.
To automate Microsoft Update:
1.In your Start menu, click Control Panel.
2.In the Automatic Updates dialog box, check the Automatic (Recommended) check box. You can define the time of day when your computer checks for updates. If the computer finds any updates, it will download and install them automatically for you.
3.Click OK.
Install antivirus and antispyware programs
Computer viruses and spyware (hidden software that gathers information about you without your knowledge or consent when you're using a computer) both reduce system performance. Computer viruses can not only reduce performance, but they can also destroy data. Any computer that accesses the Internet should have antivirus and antispyware programs installed.•
Antivirus programs: Two of the most reliable computer virus programs around are Norton Internet Security and McAfee Internet Security Suite.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Leonardo DiCaprio
Profile
Name: Leonardo DiCaprio
Birth Name: Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio
Height: 6'
Sex: M
Nationality: American
Birth Date: November 11, 1974
Birth Place: Hollywood, California, USA
Profession: Actor
Education: Corinne A. Seeds University Elementary School in Los Angeles, California
Center for Enriched Studies in Los Angeles, California
John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, California
Relationship: Bar Rafael (Israeli model; dating in 2006), Gisele Bundchen (Brazilian model; born on July 20, 1980; broke up in 2005), Vanessa Hayden (model; dated in 1998), Kristen Zang (model; born on June 22, 1974; 1996-1997)
Father: George DiCaprio (comic-book distributor)
Mother: Irmeline DiCaprio (former legal secretary)
Grand Mother: Helena Idenbirken
Claim to fame: This Boy's Life (1993)
Movies Played: Titanic, Aviator,The Departed,Blood Diamond,"What's Eating Gilbert Grape?",
The Man in the Iron Mask.,Gangs of New York
Upcoming movies: 2008- Body of Lies,Conspiracy of Fools, Confessions of Pain, Revolutionary Road
2007-The 11th Hour,The Gardener of Eden
Leonardo DiCaprio, one of the most popular men, he is not only good looking but his acting skills are parexcellence that is why he is the winner of many hearts and he has been able to grab several awards.
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born November 11, 1974, in Los Angeles. Although his parents separated shortly after his birth, his mother Irmelin and father George remain an important part of his life and career. Irmelin handles DiCaprio's finances, while George screens his son's scripts upon receiving them.
DiCaprio's acting career began on the small screen at an early age, with roles in several commercials and an appearance on Romper Room. He felt discouraged early on in his career when an agent rejected him for having a name that sounded too foreign. Leonardo DiCaprio could very well have become Lenny Williams, as the agent suggested he change his name, but DiCaprio refused.
He chose to stick to the origin of his name: While his mother was standing before a Leonardo DaVinci painting, she felt her unborn son kicking, and his mother named him after this moment. Not allowing rejections to prevent him from following his passion, DiCaprio found another agent, and he was on his way to becoming an actor.
Leonardo on tv shows
By the time he landed his short-lived role on the sitcom Growing Pains, DiCaprio already had more than 20 commercials, and roles on the soap opera Santa Barbara, the TV series Parenthood and The New Lassie, as well as the feature film Critters 3 on his resume.
While on Growing Pains, DiCaprio beat out 400 other budding actors for his role in This Boy's Life in 1992. Costarring legendary actor Robert De Niro, DiCaprio's portrayal of Tobias Wolff caught the eye and attention of movie critics. His next film outing was in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, as the autistic brother of Johnny Depp's character.
Leonardo gets an academy award nomination
In order to prepare for the role, DiCaprio studied the mannerisms and thought processes of autistic children while visiting homes for the autistic. Despite the fact that he was almost refused the role because he was deemed too handsome for the part, the role garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Not bad for a guy who never even studied acting.
After DiCaprio's next film roles, The Quick and the Dead, The Basketball Diaries and Total Eclipse, were box office disappointments, he decided to take the more commercial, mainstream route. And that he did with the MTV-ish adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, costarring Claire Danes. DiCaprio was now the leading man, and the love of every female teenybopper's life.
leonardo the superstar
When DiCaprio starred in the 1996 tearjerker Marvin's Room, no one could have predicted the colossal success that was coming the actor's way. In 1997, he costarred with Kate Winslet in the huge hit, Titanic, which was the most successful movie its time. After his lead role in the mega-blockbuster, DiCaprio stepped down from the handsome lead, to appear in Woody Allen's Celebrity, and in a dual role in the disappointing The Man in the Iron Mask. Water being no unchartered territory for DiCaprio, he was next seen in the film The Beach costarring French actress Virginie Ledoyen.
Leonardo next starred in epic films like Gangs Of New York (2002), Catch Me If You Can (2002) and The Aviator (2004), which weren't box office hits. He won not one but two Golden Globe nominations for his work in 2006's Blood Diamond and The Departed.
Linked with:
Leonardo DiCaprio has been romantically linked to models Bridget Hall and Amber Valetta, and is currently tight with model Gisele Bundchen. If that isn't reason enough to envy him, we don't know what is.
TVS Flame-125 VS Bajaj XCD-125
Engine
Engine (CC): 124.8 CC, 4 Stroke with CCV-Ti
Max Power: 10.5 bhp @ 8250 rpm
Max Torque: 10 Nm @ 6250 rpm
Gear Box: 4 Speed
Bore X Stroke: 54.5 X 53.5
Carburettor Type: VM Type- Ucal
Wheels/Tyres
Wheels Type: Mag alloys
Front Tyre: 90 X 90 X 17
Rear Tyre: 90 X 90 X 18
Brake - Front: 230 mm disc
Brake - Rear: 130 mm drum
Supension:
Front: Telescopic
Rear: 5 Step Adjustable, Gas Filled
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 1320 mm
Overall Height: 1070 mm
Overall Length: 2030 mm
Overall Width: 760 mm
Ground Clearance: 165 mm
Kerb Weight: 121 Kg
Fuel Tank: 8.0 litre
Fuel Reserve: 2.0 litre
Electricals
Headlamp: 12V 35/35 W Halogen
Tail Lamp: 12V 21W/5W
Turn Indicators: 12V 16 W
Battery: 12V- 5 Ah
Ignition System: IDI System
Additional Feature
Digital Speedometer
Flame VS XCD
TVS and Flame are the two new competitors on the run for 125ccs and both of these have pros and cons so it is upto u to decide the right bike for u. They are surely much more reliable than any other 125ccs but these two might find themselves to be the toughest contender to beat.
TVs is likely launch Flame after Diwali. The TVS Flame claims 10.5 bhp, peaking at 8,250 rpm
and 0.98 kgm at 6,250 rpm. The TVS Flame weighs 121 kg (kerb). The Flame will
directly compete with the Shine, Zeus, Gladiator, Super Splendor, Glamour, Discover
pantheon. But not with the XCD. On the other hand, the XCD may draw some sales from this lot also.
The XCD makes 1 bhp less, and the power peaks one thousand rpm earlier. On the other hand,
the Bajaj makes 0.2 kg more, 1250 rpm earlier. In riding terms, this should mean that the
Bajaj will have the advantage in acceleration for a short while before the Flame kicks in properly and takes off. On the other hand, the XCD also happens to be 9 kg lighter, which isn't a difference you can laugh off. That kind of a weight difference should mean that the XCD will keep up longer with the Flame than the curves would suggest. Of course, this is all pure speculation, since I've only actually ridden the XCD. In practice, on the open road, the XCD will feel out of breath at higher speed cruising, while the Flame will feel fine. In the depths of traffic, this could be reversed. Again, the gearing will play its part, and this is purely speculative guesswork.
Be that as it may, in this light, the price difference between the XCD and the Flame might actually work to the Bajaj's advantage. The XCD is priced at Rs 41,000 ex-showroom and the Flame should come at about Rs 45,000 ex-showroom, if it is to remain in the segment ballpark. On the other hand, while the XCD merely looks fresh, sharp-ish and all right, but the Flame does look very, very neat... Yes, this is going to be a close-run thing.
TVs is likely launch Flame after Diwali. The TVS Flame claims 10.5 bhp, peaking at 8,250 rpm
and 0.98 kgm at 6,250 rpm. The TVS Flame weighs 121 kg (kerb). The Flame will
directly compete with the Shine, Zeus, Gladiator, Super Splendor, Glamour, Discover
pantheon. But not with the XCD. On the other hand, the XCD may draw some sales from this lot also.
The XCD makes 1 bhp less, and the power peaks one thousand rpm earlier. On the other hand,
the Bajaj makes 0.2 kg more, 1250 rpm earlier. In riding terms, this should mean that the
Bajaj will have the advantage in acceleration for a short while before the Flame kicks in properly and takes off. On the other hand, the XCD also happens to be 9 kg lighter, which isn't a difference you can laugh off. That kind of a weight difference should mean that the XCD will keep up longer with the Flame than the curves would suggest. Of course, this is all pure speculation, since I've only actually ridden the XCD. In practice, on the open road, the XCD will feel out of breath at higher speed cruising, while the Flame will feel fine. In the depths of traffic, this could be reversed. Again, the gearing will play its part, and this is purely speculative guesswork.
Be that as it may, in this light, the price difference between the XCD and the Flame might actually work to the Bajaj's advantage. The XCD is priced at Rs 41,000 ex-showroom and the Flame should come at about Rs 45,000 ex-showroom, if it is to remain in the segment ballpark. On the other hand, while the XCD merely looks fresh, sharp-ish and all right, but the Flame does look very, very neat... Yes, this is going to be a close-run thing.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The new Bajaj XCD-125 Arrives
New 125 C.C Bajaj "Exceed" with "DTS-Si" Engine launched
The new 125cc engine with DTS-Si technology will give a mileage of 109 kilometers per liter under ideal test conditions, says the Pune-based company
Great looks, a 100cc and with a digital speedometer and much more Bajaj XCD is gonna raise the level for other 100cc bikes.
Performance Check
Engine: 125 cc, 4 Stroke, DTS-Si
MaxPower: 9.53 Ps @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque: 10.85 Nm @ 5000 rmp
Front/Rear Wheels: Alloys
Front Tyre: 2.75 X 17
Rear Tyre: 3.00 x 17
>> There is a buzz around that this is the particular bike with which Bajaj Auto will try to break the monopoly of Hero Honda on the 100 cc market
>> So far Bajaj has left no stone unturned and has tried every trick in the book to take away the crown from Hero Honda
>> One thing which might already be in favor of the “Exceed” is the current trend of decline in sales of the 100 cc bikes
That's what Bajaj has to say about its new 125 C.C motorcycle at the launch its "Engine". “Exceed”, that’s the name of the next 125 CC offering from Bajaj on which the new 125 cc engine will sit on. On 9'th August 2007, Bajaj Auto launched an all new 125 cc engine, which it has christened with the "DTS-Si" technology. The acronym stands for “Digital Twin Spark – Swirl Induction”. This in very simple terms means that along with having Two Spark Plugs for the single cylinder engine (similar to the Discover, the Pulsar and the Avenger engines), the new engine will incorporate a new feature called “Swirl Induction”.
The new engine has been developed completely by the Bajaj R&D. By “Swirl Induction”, the combustion inside the cylinder is further improved by generating high turbulence for the fuel-air mixture. According to Bajaj this very technology would revolutionize the Indian Two wheeler industry with the most fuel efficient bike in India.
In order to outsell Hero Honda 100 cc bikes, the new 125 cc "Exceed" also will have to match the Reliability of Hero Honda 100 cc bikes
Here is a buzz around that this is the particular bike with which Bajaj Auto will try to break the stranglehold which Hero Honda has on the Indian two wheeler market thanks to its 100 cc bikes.
80 percent of bike sales of Hero Honda come from its 100 cc bikes. Hero Honda enjoys around 47 percent of the Indian Two Wheeler market. So if Bajaj wants to regain its number one crown, it has to find a way to outsell the 100 bikes from Hero Honda. This is exactly what the new 125 cc platform from Bajaj has been designed to achieve.
Just recall how Bajaj has tried to attack the Splendor and its 100 cc cousins with its own 100 cc models namely the Boxer, Caliber, CT100, Platina, Discover (not to mention the iterations among these various Bajaj models). In spite of all the aggressive moves by Bajaj, the 100 cc bikes from Hero Honda still manages to outsell the competition by quite a comfortable margin.
Only time will tell if Bajaj will be able to pull this off. But in order to become number one again the “Exceed” has to achieve three things for Bajaj
Deliver consistent mileage which should at least equal to what Hero Honda 100 cc bikes deliver
Bajaj has already made claims of 109 Km/l for the new “Exceed” under “Ideal Conditions”. In real life conditions this figure certainly won’t be possible to achieve. Bajaj had also claimed 77 Km/l under ideal conditions for the Pulsar 150 once. We all know that the Pulsar 150 delivers around 50 Km/l in real life conditions. Accordingly if we subtract 30 km/l for the real life mileage for the “Exceed”, then it should give around 75-79 Km/l..!!
Even if the 125 cc Exceed is able to deliver around 75 Km/l in real life situations and is priced close to the Hero Honda Splendor, Bajaj would have just have to match the reliability of the 100 cc engine from Honda. One of the reasons why the Hero Honda 100 cc bikes have sold more than any other bike in India is because of the bullet proof reliability of the Honda engine along with the consistent high mileage.
The new 125 cc DTS-Si engine is rumoured to develop 9.5 bhp along with 10.85 Nm of torque. These figures are well above any India 100 cc motorcycle available right now.
One thing which might already be in favor of the “Exceed” is the current trend of decline in sales of the 100 cc bikes. Recently the 100 cc segment saw a decline by 16 percent while the 125 cc and higher capacity segment saw an increase in 21 percent in its sales. Although auto analysts have attributed the recent decline in 100 sales due to rising interest sales according to me it’s just s matter of time before Indians graduate towards 125 cc bikes.
Maybe a new 125 cc bike might kick start this new trend but for that to happen, that particular bike has to “EXCEED” the expectations of the normal customer looking for a 100 cc bike.
Initial Impression:
The XCD looks like a welcome addition to the promising 125 motorcycle segment. Bajaj has timed the launch of the XCD just before the festive season begins. Bajaj is expected to follow the launch of the XCD with a massive promotional blitz. TV Commercials already proclaim that the 125 cc DTS-Si engine will soon have a bike for it on 10’th September 2007.
Only time will tell how good the125 cc DTS-Si engine is in terms of power, fuel efficiency and reliability. If Bajaj really wants to take splendors place then it really has to ”Exceed” in all these parameters.
Before Going to Australia
Before your move
The better prepared you are the more likely you are to enjoy your study experience in Australia. There are many things to considered before you begin your studies in Australia and it is important that you read this section.
Trip preparations
You will need to do many things to prepare for your trip to Australia. We recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your trip. Below is a checklist of some of the things you will need to do after your have accepted your offer and applied for your student visa .
Pre-departure checklist
1 Check that your student visa is valid for the duration of your studies in Australia.
2 Check your passport expiry date. It should not expire during your stay in Australia and we recommend that it is valid for an extra 6 months just in case you need extra time in Australia or you want to go travelling after studying.
3 Book a flight to Australia. There are hundreds of airlines that fly to Australia, check for the best ticket price on the website.
4 Arrange your accommodation either on-campus with your institution or book some temporary accommodation again through your institution or directly with an accommodation provider.
5 Book your airport pick up service with you institution.
6 Get medical, dental and optical check ups before you leave.
7 Get all your important documents translated into English (if necessary)
8 Put together a list of your friends and families contact details!
9 Get an international drivers license if you want to drive in Australia.
10 Make arrangements for someone to look after your mail or affairs while you are Australia.
11 Research information about Customs and Quarantine regulations in Australia.
12 Research information about the city you are going to.
13 Pack and lock all your luggage!
14 Say goodbye to friends and family and tell them you will talk to them soon.
15 Start dreaming about your great experience of Study in Australia!
What to pack
Clothing
As you will see from the Australian Climate section, the temperature in Australia is quite temperate. It can get quite hot in summer but it doesn’t get as cold as a lot of countries in the northern hemisphere.
We recommend you pack sensibly and bring with you what you think you will really need clothes wise.
Jeans, t-shirts and comfy shoes are a must! We don’t want to list each item of clothing you should bring as we think that it is a bit personal!
Bring the essentials with you and whatever you didn’t bring and need, you can always go shopping! Remember, shopping in Australia is great and affordable, so if you need to buy any clothes you can easily buy them within your budget.
Adaptor plugs
Australia has a different voltage and plug design than other countries The Australian three-pin outlet is different from most countries, so you may need to purchase an adaptor plug for the electrical appliances you bought from home e.g. laptop, hair dryer, etc. Adaptor plugs are readily available at travel or electrical stores around Australia. The international adapter plugs you purchase overseas should be fine also, as long as they say they will work in Australia!
It is important to consider that Australia uses 240/250 volts, AC 50 Hz cycle.
Official Documents
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you bring to Australia all of your official documents for study and personal documents which you may need during your time in Australia.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Passport (check that your passport is valid for the total duration of your study program in Australia)
Student visa (This will usually be in your passport, but bring with you any other document relating to your visa and ensure your visa is valid for your entire study program.)
Offer letter, Acceptance letter, Confirmation of Enrolment Letter (eCoE) and any other formal documentation sent to you from your institution (eg. Scholarship letter etc.)
Documents outlining your academic history which may include your transcripts, educational and work qualifications, reference letters and course outlines if you hope to gain credit for your previous study.
Formal identification papers (eg. Birth Certificate, Proof of Citizenship, valid drivers license and credit cards)
Medical and immunisation records (in English if possible)
Receipts of valuable new goods
Legal documents which you may need in Australia.
Certified copies of your passport (put a copy in your luggage)
A valid Drivers License and/or an International Drivers License if you think you will be driving in Australia.
Cash
It is generally recommended that you carry with you AU$1,000 – AU$2,000 in cash which you can use for essentials and or emergencies when you first arrive in Australia. Remember to keep your money in a safe place.
Please note – There is no limit to the amount of cash you can bring into Australia however, amounts of $10,000 must be declared to Australian customs when you arrive in Australia.
Electrical Goods
If you want to bring your laptop, digital camera, Ipod, hairdryer, etc. to Australia we recommend checking first if they use the same voltage as Australia. Most of these goods are capable to work in different countries but it is better to check before bring them to Australia.
You should check also if you mobile or cell phone will work in Australia. Some companies or mobile phone devices have limitations or specific parameters. We recommend you to contact your local phone provider and ask about this. If you phone is GSM you can visit the website and see if your phone will work in Australia.
Sometimes international students ask us if it is a better idea to buy electrical goods in Australia rather than carry them from their countries. This is a good option if you are staying in Australia for a long period, also it is a good option to ensure that these devices will work in Australia and you will get technical assistance if it is required. We just recommend you to check products and prices before you make your decision.
You may like to have a look on the following websites to find out how much electrical items cost in Australia.
Other items to bring:
Bring a positive attitude with you to start this amazing new journey!
Personal items that will remind you of home (eg. Photos, music, recipes).
Medication and prescription details. Please check the Australian Customs website to check what medications you can bring to Australia.
Optical spares.
Other personal items what will help you in Australia such as a dictionary, alarm clock, umbrella, sports equipment and other accessories.
Basic household items if you are really attached to them as some of these items may not be provided in your accommodation.
Some of your favorite foods, but check what you can bring through Australian customs first!
Contact details of all your friends and family. We recommend you keep all of these details online as this is the easiest way to access them and that way you can’t loose them!
Accommodation Options
Before you travel it is important to plan where you want to live when you get to Australia. It is also important to either book permanent/long-term or temporary accommodation before leaving for Australia to ensure you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive to Australia .
Permanent / Long Term Accommodation
Permanent or Long term accommodation is usually offered by your institution. This is usually based on campus or close to campus you will generally live with other new international students.
Before you get to Australia we recommend you to collect information about the accommodation options offered by your institution and see which one is better for you. This is also a good time to get information on the suburbs close to the institution.
Detailed information about permanent accommodation is available in Arriving to Australia Section.
Temporary Accommodation
Temporary accommodation is available in hostels, backpackers, hotels and motels. International students usually book temporary accommodation if they don’t want to pre-book more permanent accommodation before they arrive in Australia. It is best to book temporary accommodation for at least 1-2 weeks as this would give you the opportunity to get to know the city and surroundings, and see with your own eyes where you want to live.
Your institution can usually help you book temporary accommodation or you can book it directly with your chosen accommodation provider.
Health Insurance
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students and it is generally known as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
All international students except students from Sweden and Norway are required to have OSHC.
Having OSHC is a condition of your student visa for the total duration of your study time in Australia. This is important as international students are not be covered by Australia’s national health program, which is called ‘Medicare’.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provides affordable health cover designed to cover the medical and hospital services you may need while in Australia.
There are many OSHC providers in Australia and your university or institution will recommend a provider to you when you apply as most universities have chosen a preferred provider.
OSHC is available for singles or for families who may be traveling with you to Australia. Please note, that it is important that you indicate to your institution, what level of cover you require.
The issuing of OSHC is regulated by the Australian Government. Only Australian health funds that have signed a Deed with the Australian Government can provide OSHC.
The four providers of OSHC in Australia are:
1) Medibank Private
2) Lysaght sub-contracting to OSHC Worldcare
3) BUPA Australia
4) OSHC, sub-contracting to Australian Health Management Group -
How to get OSHC
To enable you to obtain your student visa, you will need to obtain OSHC cover before applying for your visa. Your university or institution will lodge your OSHC application and your payment to the specific OSHC provider at the time of processing your enrolment. You will then obtain all your membership details during your orientation and enrolment program or when you first arrive in Australia.
How much does it cost
The cost of OSHC depends on how long you will be studying in Australia. Your university or each provider will be able to provide more information to you regarding costs. Alternatively, you can visit the individual OSHC website to obtain more information.
You institution may require you to pay the total cost of OSHC which will cover your entire duration in Australia. This can be of benefit to you as you then don’t need to worry about your cover expiring and renewing your cover.
Extending your cover
If your OSHC is close to expiring or has expired you much renew your membership if you will continue to stay and study in Australia.
Usually the provider or your institution will send you reminders to extend your cover however, it will be your responsibility to ensure you are fully covered by OSHC.
Health Benefits are not paid if your OSHC has expired.
What is covered?
OSHC covers most medical expenses and the cost of hospital care which you may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay for most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport. Please carefully check what is covered via your providers website.
What is not covered?
Dental and optometry costs are usually not included but students may also take out additional cover. Students are reminded that OSHC does not cover any pre-existing conditions (such as pregnancy or prior illness) and such expenses must be met by the student.
The better prepared you are the more likely you are to enjoy your study experience in Australia. There are many things to considered before you begin your studies in Australia and it is important that you read this section.
Trip preparations
You will need to do many things to prepare for your trip to Australia. We recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your trip. Below is a checklist of some of the things you will need to do after your have accepted your offer and applied for your student visa .
Pre-departure checklist
1 Check that your student visa is valid for the duration of your studies in Australia.
2 Check your passport expiry date. It should not expire during your stay in Australia and we recommend that it is valid for an extra 6 months just in case you need extra time in Australia or you want to go travelling after studying.
3 Book a flight to Australia. There are hundreds of airlines that fly to Australia, check for the best ticket price on the website.
4 Arrange your accommodation either on-campus with your institution or book some temporary accommodation again through your institution or directly with an accommodation provider.
5 Book your airport pick up service with you institution.
6 Get medical, dental and optical check ups before you leave.
7 Get all your important documents translated into English (if necessary)
8 Put together a list of your friends and families contact details!
9 Get an international drivers license if you want to drive in Australia.
10 Make arrangements for someone to look after your mail or affairs while you are Australia.
11 Research information about Customs and Quarantine regulations in Australia.
12 Research information about the city you are going to.
13 Pack and lock all your luggage!
14 Say goodbye to friends and family and tell them you will talk to them soon.
15 Start dreaming about your great experience of Study in Australia!
What to pack
Clothing
As you will see from the Australian Climate section, the temperature in Australia is quite temperate. It can get quite hot in summer but it doesn’t get as cold as a lot of countries in the northern hemisphere.
We recommend you pack sensibly and bring with you what you think you will really need clothes wise.
Jeans, t-shirts and comfy shoes are a must! We don’t want to list each item of clothing you should bring as we think that it is a bit personal!
Bring the essentials with you and whatever you didn’t bring and need, you can always go shopping! Remember, shopping in Australia is great and affordable, so if you need to buy any clothes you can easily buy them within your budget.
Adaptor plugs
Australia has a different voltage and plug design than other countries The Australian three-pin outlet is different from most countries, so you may need to purchase an adaptor plug for the electrical appliances you bought from home e.g. laptop, hair dryer, etc. Adaptor plugs are readily available at travel or electrical stores around Australia. The international adapter plugs you purchase overseas should be fine also, as long as they say they will work in Australia!
It is important to consider that Australia uses 240/250 volts, AC 50 Hz cycle.
Official Documents
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you bring to Australia all of your official documents for study and personal documents which you may need during your time in Australia.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Passport (check that your passport is valid for the total duration of your study program in Australia)
Student visa (This will usually be in your passport, but bring with you any other document relating to your visa and ensure your visa is valid for your entire study program.)
Offer letter, Acceptance letter, Confirmation of Enrolment Letter (eCoE) and any other formal documentation sent to you from your institution (eg. Scholarship letter etc.)
Documents outlining your academic history which may include your transcripts, educational and work qualifications, reference letters and course outlines if you hope to gain credit for your previous study.
Formal identification papers (eg. Birth Certificate, Proof of Citizenship, valid drivers license and credit cards)
Medical and immunisation records (in English if possible)
Receipts of valuable new goods
Legal documents which you may need in Australia.
Certified copies of your passport (put a copy in your luggage)
A valid Drivers License and/or an International Drivers License if you think you will be driving in Australia.
Cash
It is generally recommended that you carry with you AU$1,000 – AU$2,000 in cash which you can use for essentials and or emergencies when you first arrive in Australia. Remember to keep your money in a safe place.
Please note – There is no limit to the amount of cash you can bring into Australia however, amounts of $10,000 must be declared to Australian customs when you arrive in Australia.
Electrical Goods
If you want to bring your laptop, digital camera, Ipod, hairdryer, etc. to Australia we recommend checking first if they use the same voltage as Australia. Most of these goods are capable to work in different countries but it is better to check before bring them to Australia.
You should check also if you mobile or cell phone will work in Australia. Some companies or mobile phone devices have limitations or specific parameters. We recommend you to contact your local phone provider and ask about this. If you phone is GSM you can visit the website and see if your phone will work in Australia.
Sometimes international students ask us if it is a better idea to buy electrical goods in Australia rather than carry them from their countries. This is a good option if you are staying in Australia for a long period, also it is a good option to ensure that these devices will work in Australia and you will get technical assistance if it is required. We just recommend you to check products and prices before you make your decision.
You may like to have a look on the following websites to find out how much electrical items cost in Australia.
Other items to bring:
Bring a positive attitude with you to start this amazing new journey!
Personal items that will remind you of home (eg. Photos, music, recipes).
Medication and prescription details. Please check the Australian Customs website to check what medications you can bring to Australia.
Optical spares.
Other personal items what will help you in Australia such as a dictionary, alarm clock, umbrella, sports equipment and other accessories.
Basic household items if you are really attached to them as some of these items may not be provided in your accommodation.
Some of your favorite foods, but check what you can bring through Australian customs first!
Contact details of all your friends and family. We recommend you keep all of these details online as this is the easiest way to access them and that way you can’t loose them!
Accommodation Options
Before you travel it is important to plan where you want to live when you get to Australia. It is also important to either book permanent/long-term or temporary accommodation before leaving for Australia to ensure you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive to Australia .
Permanent / Long Term Accommodation
Permanent or Long term accommodation is usually offered by your institution. This is usually based on campus or close to campus you will generally live with other new international students.
Before you get to Australia we recommend you to collect information about the accommodation options offered by your institution and see which one is better for you. This is also a good time to get information on the suburbs close to the institution.
Detailed information about permanent accommodation is available in Arriving to Australia Section.
Temporary Accommodation
Temporary accommodation is available in hostels, backpackers, hotels and motels. International students usually book temporary accommodation if they don’t want to pre-book more permanent accommodation before they arrive in Australia. It is best to book temporary accommodation for at least 1-2 weeks as this would give you the opportunity to get to know the city and surroundings, and see with your own eyes where you want to live.
Your institution can usually help you book temporary accommodation or you can book it directly with your chosen accommodation provider.
Health Insurance
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students and it is generally known as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
All international students except students from Sweden and Norway are required to have OSHC.
Having OSHC is a condition of your student visa for the total duration of your study time in Australia. This is important as international students are not be covered by Australia’s national health program, which is called ‘Medicare’.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provides affordable health cover designed to cover the medical and hospital services you may need while in Australia.
There are many OSHC providers in Australia and your university or institution will recommend a provider to you when you apply as most universities have chosen a preferred provider.
OSHC is available for singles or for families who may be traveling with you to Australia. Please note, that it is important that you indicate to your institution, what level of cover you require.
The issuing of OSHC is regulated by the Australian Government. Only Australian health funds that have signed a Deed with the Australian Government can provide OSHC.
The four providers of OSHC in Australia are:
1) Medibank Private
2) Lysaght sub-contracting to OSHC Worldcare
3) BUPA Australia
4) OSHC, sub-contracting to Australian Health Management Group -
How to get OSHC
To enable you to obtain your student visa, you will need to obtain OSHC cover before applying for your visa. Your university or institution will lodge your OSHC application and your payment to the specific OSHC provider at the time of processing your enrolment. You will then obtain all your membership details during your orientation and enrolment program or when you first arrive in Australia.
How much does it cost
The cost of OSHC depends on how long you will be studying in Australia. Your university or each provider will be able to provide more information to you regarding costs. Alternatively, you can visit the individual OSHC website to obtain more information.
You institution may require you to pay the total cost of OSHC which will cover your entire duration in Australia. This can be of benefit to you as you then don’t need to worry about your cover expiring and renewing your cover.
Extending your cover
If your OSHC is close to expiring or has expired you much renew your membership if you will continue to stay and study in Australia.
Usually the provider or your institution will send you reminders to extend your cover however, it will be your responsibility to ensure you are fully covered by OSHC.
Health Benefits are not paid if your OSHC has expired.
What is covered?
OSHC covers most medical expenses and the cost of hospital care which you may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay for most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport. Please carefully check what is covered via your providers website.
What is not covered?
Dental and optometry costs are usually not included but students may also take out additional cover. Students are reminded that OSHC does not cover any pre-existing conditions (such as pregnancy or prior illness) and such expenses must be met by the student.
Going To Australia
Thanks to one of our surfer we have got a lot of infos about Australia and we are soon add more for education in Australia.
Australia is a unique and diverse country in every way - in culture, population, climate, geography, and history. It is a place surrounded by extraordinary natural beauties like beaches, national parks, flora, fauna and much more!
Study in Australia
Everyone is talking about Australia as a very cool place to live or visit but what about studying there? Australia is one of the worlds leading education and training providers. There are over 400,000 students from 200 countries studying in Australia each year! There are several reasons why you should study in Australia. Education in Australia is both challenging and flexible. Australia is a safe, modern and dynamic country that is a leader in the Asia-Pacific region and plays a significant role world wide. Australian education is also recognised all over the world.
Quality
Australian institutions have an international reputation for excellence in all areas of education and training. In fact, Australia offers the world's best practice in quality assurance of education and training. The education system is subject to continuous checks and controls by government, industry and professional bodies to maintain and improve its already high standards. Several institutions in Australia also have ISO 9001 certification that guarantees the quality of service they provide.
Australian universities are broadly recognised in many areas. In fact, the Times Higher Education rankings placed seven Australian universities in the World’s Top 100 Universities in 2006.
Australia has a reputation of creating and adopting new and innovative technologies. Australian Universities have placed a high importance in developing world class research facilities and centres of excellence. This reputation has been confirmed with eight Australian Researchers receiving Nobel Prizes in different areas.
Finally, you will find that graduates from Australia are very successful in getting jobs soon after graduating and developing successful careers worldwide. When you study in Australia, you study programs which have often been developed in consultation with various industries. This ensures that the studies you undertake are relevant and meet the needs and requirements of companies and industries themselves who seek highly qualified individuals with an internationally recognised qualification.
Affordability
Living expenses and tuition costs in Australia are considerably less expensive than other countries like the United Kingdom and Unites States of America. The structure of the Australian Education system is both affordable and of a high quality.
In addition, international students have the opportunity to work up to 20 hours a week on a casual basis during their studies and full-time during vacation periods providing they hold a relevant working visa . This provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and/or earn extra money to support themselves while in Australia.
A Complete Educational Experience
Studying in Australia is a complete life experience!
International students in Australia, while undertaking their chosen study program, have the opportunity to enhance their studies by taking part in the many extra curricular activities offered by all Australian Institutions.
Most Australian Institutions incorporate internships, exchange programs and volunteer programs into normal study programs to enable students to add value to their international study experience. In Australia, institutions know that companies seek graduates with a complete profile, with an international experience and an understanding of the world around them. In addition, the multicultural perspective of Australia allows students to meet people from hundreds of countries all over the world. Remember, there are students from over 200 countries studying in Australian institutions! Where in the world can you walk into a classroom and have the opportunity to network and make lifelong friends with people from all corners of the globe? The geographical location of Australia also allows you the possibility of travelling to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This is if you consider yourself a global citizen!
Reputation
Australia is a popular study destination for thousands of international students and has been for many years now. During 2006, almost 400,000 international students from all over the world studied in Australia. Australian institutions are sensitive to cultural and religious needs and provide well resourced, safe, welcoming and quality assured services to international students studying in Australia. Australian institutions have years of experience and knowledge in welcoming and supporting international students and this is provided through extensive support services. They place a great importance on ensuring your experience in Australia is as easy as possible and that you quickly adapt to your new environment. They will assist you as best they can to make sure you enjoy your time in Australia and get the most out of your study experience. In fact, all Australian institutions must provide extensive student support services to their international students by Australian law.
We recommend that you visit each institutional website to discover more about the services they provide to their students.
Safety
The Australian Government has established legislation to protect international students while they are studying in Australia. In Australia, you get the world’s most rigorous protection for international students through the ‘Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000’.
The ESOS Act is an Australian legislation that regulates institutions who provide education to international students. The ESOS Acts ensures that they meet nationally consistent standards in education delivery, facilities and services. It also orders a nationally consistent approach to registering education providers so that the quality of programs and associated support services offered to students, remains high.
How to apply?
Each institution has a specific application process, however the following steps are generally how the process works for most institutions. Each institution will clearly outline their application process on their websites. Please use the following information as a guide only.
1 Select a program and institution.
You need to select which institution you would like to apply to and for which program. Visit the institution website and check the entry requirements for the program and ensure you meet those entry requirements before applying. You may like to get assistance directly from the Institution at this point or talk to one of their representatives or agents who are located in your country.
2 Get a copy of the institutions application form.
The application forms are usually available on each institutions website, from them directly (via email) or through one of their representatives or agents in each country (click here to get more information about the role of an education representative).
3 Fill in the appropriate application form and put together all the documentation required to apply.
Usually institutions require your academic transcripts, English exam results (IELTS or TOEFL) and copies of a personal ID and passport. Please note, that some institutions require you to pay an application fee when applying for your program. If this is the case, you need to attach your payment to the application form before submitting it.
4 Submit your application form through your representative or agent in country or to the Institution directly.
5 Contact the institution to confirm that they received your documents.
6 Assesment
The institution will then take 1 – 3 weeks to assess your application and notify you of the result usually via email or through your representative or agent.
7 Notification
You will get a formal notification from the institution with one of the following options:
a) Notifying that the application has been accepted and they offer you a place!
b) Notifying that they require additional documents to establish your qualifications and which will allow them to give you an offer (this is call a conditional offer).
c) Notifying that the application has been unsuccessful.
8 Payment
If you have received a full offer, you are then given time to accept your offer and make the necessary payments as outlined in your offer letter.
9 Visa
When you accept your offer and send your institution all the necessary payments, they will then send you a (usually via e-mail or fax) which you then use to apply for your student visa. You can then apply for your student visa directly with an Australian Embassy in your country or through your representative or agent. Your student visa may take 2 weeks to 3 months (or more) to obtain depending on what country you are from. ‘Confirmation of Enrolment Letter’
10. When you receive your visa, you are then ready to study in Australia!
Tips on how to apply
It is recommend to apply at least 3 - 4 months (or earlier if you can) before your course is set to begin to ensure you complete the process of applying, gain a place in your chosen course and give yourself enough time to get a student visa. APPLY IN ADVANCE!
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Vocational Education and Training provides training which is closely linked to Industry. Students take a VET program as a pathway to a University, to gain technical skills or to continue their learning and advance their career.
VET programs in Australia are designed by industry and professional bodies. Courses are very practical and are focused on skill-based and competency-based learning. VET Institutions include publicly funded institutions such as national TAFE Institutes or through private institutions.
Completion of relevant VET qualifications may enable students to gain advanced standing or receive credits to reduce the time they need to complete a bachelor’s degree in an Australian University. Many Universities have agreements with specific VET Institutions and we recommend you contact your chosen VET Institution to obtain more information about University pathways.
Recognised qualifications in the VET sector include:
VET Qualifications
Certificate I
Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Vocational Graduate Certificate
Vocational Graduate Diploma
English Language (ELICOS)
Australia is a very popular place to study English as English is Australia’s national language and there are a large range of quality English Language Institutions to choose from. Students come to study English during their holidays, before they begin their study programs or to improve their language skills and advance their careers.
Australia has an excellent reputation for the English language programs they offer and the quality of these programs is monitored and accredited by national bodies.
Various institutions from public Universities to private universities and institutions offer English language programs. Each English Language institution usually offers flexible programs which vary in length and which can be tailored to individual students needs. Some institutions also have agreements with Australian Universities which allow students to gain direct entry to their chosen university program if they have successfully completed recognised English language programs.
Programs that are offered through English Language Institutions may include:English programs
*NOTE: The names of each type of program vary between each institution.
General English
Academic English
Business English
English for specific purposes
Summer Programs
English Test preparation programs (eg IELTS preparation)
English with internship programs
Schools (Primary and Secondary)
Children in Australia must attend school from age 6 (Primary) to 15 (Secondary). Australian students who wish to gain entry to an Australian University must complete their 12 years of Seconday School Education (around the age of 17 or 18 ) and complete a qualification (via an exam) known as the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (however it is named differently in each state and territory in Australia).
International students do not need to sit the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education to gain entry to an Australian University however, they must be able to demonstrate they have an equivalent Year 12 qualification to gain entry to Bachelor programs in Australian Universities.
There are both Government Public Schools and Independent (Private) schools in Australia .
Australia is a unique and diverse country in every way - in culture, population, climate, geography, and history. It is a place surrounded by extraordinary natural beauties like beaches, national parks, flora, fauna and much more!
Study in Australia
Everyone is talking about Australia as a very cool place to live or visit but what about studying there? Australia is one of the worlds leading education and training providers. There are over 400,000 students from 200 countries studying in Australia each year! There are several reasons why you should study in Australia. Education in Australia is both challenging and flexible. Australia is a safe, modern and dynamic country that is a leader in the Asia-Pacific region and plays a significant role world wide. Australian education is also recognised all over the world.
Quality
Australian institutions have an international reputation for excellence in all areas of education and training. In fact, Australia offers the world's best practice in quality assurance of education and training. The education system is subject to continuous checks and controls by government, industry and professional bodies to maintain and improve its already high standards. Several institutions in Australia also have ISO 9001 certification that guarantees the quality of service they provide.
Australian universities are broadly recognised in many areas. In fact, the Times Higher Education rankings placed seven Australian universities in the World’s Top 100 Universities in 2006.
Australia has a reputation of creating and adopting new and innovative technologies. Australian Universities have placed a high importance in developing world class research facilities and centres of excellence. This reputation has been confirmed with eight Australian Researchers receiving Nobel Prizes in different areas.
Finally, you will find that graduates from Australia are very successful in getting jobs soon after graduating and developing successful careers worldwide. When you study in Australia, you study programs which have often been developed in consultation with various industries. This ensures that the studies you undertake are relevant and meet the needs and requirements of companies and industries themselves who seek highly qualified individuals with an internationally recognised qualification.
Affordability
Living expenses and tuition costs in Australia are considerably less expensive than other countries like the United Kingdom and Unites States of America. The structure of the Australian Education system is both affordable and of a high quality.
In addition, international students have the opportunity to work up to 20 hours a week on a casual basis during their studies and full-time during vacation periods providing they hold a relevant working visa . This provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and/or earn extra money to support themselves while in Australia.
A Complete Educational Experience
Studying in Australia is a complete life experience!
International students in Australia, while undertaking their chosen study program, have the opportunity to enhance their studies by taking part in the many extra curricular activities offered by all Australian Institutions.
Most Australian Institutions incorporate internships, exchange programs and volunteer programs into normal study programs to enable students to add value to their international study experience. In Australia, institutions know that companies seek graduates with a complete profile, with an international experience and an understanding of the world around them. In addition, the multicultural perspective of Australia allows students to meet people from hundreds of countries all over the world. Remember, there are students from over 200 countries studying in Australian institutions! Where in the world can you walk into a classroom and have the opportunity to network and make lifelong friends with people from all corners of the globe? The geographical location of Australia also allows you the possibility of travelling to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This is if you consider yourself a global citizen!
Reputation
Australia is a popular study destination for thousands of international students and has been for many years now. During 2006, almost 400,000 international students from all over the world studied in Australia. Australian institutions are sensitive to cultural and religious needs and provide well resourced, safe, welcoming and quality assured services to international students studying in Australia. Australian institutions have years of experience and knowledge in welcoming and supporting international students and this is provided through extensive support services. They place a great importance on ensuring your experience in Australia is as easy as possible and that you quickly adapt to your new environment. They will assist you as best they can to make sure you enjoy your time in Australia and get the most out of your study experience. In fact, all Australian institutions must provide extensive student support services to their international students by Australian law.
We recommend that you visit each institutional website to discover more about the services they provide to their students.
Safety
The Australian Government has established legislation to protect international students while they are studying in Australia. In Australia, you get the world’s most rigorous protection for international students through the ‘Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000’.
The ESOS Act is an Australian legislation that regulates institutions who provide education to international students. The ESOS Acts ensures that they meet nationally consistent standards in education delivery, facilities and services. It also orders a nationally consistent approach to registering education providers so that the quality of programs and associated support services offered to students, remains high.
How to apply?
Each institution has a specific application process, however the following steps are generally how the process works for most institutions. Each institution will clearly outline their application process on their websites. Please use the following information as a guide only.
1 Select a program and institution.
You need to select which institution you would like to apply to and for which program. Visit the institution website and check the entry requirements for the program and ensure you meet those entry requirements before applying. You may like to get assistance directly from the Institution at this point or talk to one of their representatives or agents who are located in your country.
2 Get a copy of the institutions application form.
The application forms are usually available on each institutions website, from them directly (via email) or through one of their representatives or agents in each country (click here to get more information about the role of an education representative).
3 Fill in the appropriate application form and put together all the documentation required to apply.
Usually institutions require your academic transcripts, English exam results (IELTS or TOEFL) and copies of a personal ID and passport. Please note, that some institutions require you to pay an application fee when applying for your program. If this is the case, you need to attach your payment to the application form before submitting it.
4 Submit your application form through your representative or agent in country or to the Institution directly.
5 Contact the institution to confirm that they received your documents.
6 Assesment
The institution will then take 1 – 3 weeks to assess your application and notify you of the result usually via email or through your representative or agent.
7 Notification
You will get a formal notification from the institution with one of the following options:
a) Notifying that the application has been accepted and they offer you a place!
b) Notifying that they require additional documents to establish your qualifications and which will allow them to give you an offer (this is call a conditional offer).
c) Notifying that the application has been unsuccessful.
8 Payment
If you have received a full offer, you are then given time to accept your offer and make the necessary payments as outlined in your offer letter.
9 Visa
When you accept your offer and send your institution all the necessary payments, they will then send you a (usually via e-mail or fax) which you then use to apply for your student visa. You can then apply for your student visa directly with an Australian Embassy in your country or through your representative or agent. Your student visa may take 2 weeks to 3 months (or more) to obtain depending on what country you are from. ‘Confirmation of Enrolment Letter’
10. When you receive your visa, you are then ready to study in Australia!
Tips on how to apply
It is recommend to apply at least 3 - 4 months (or earlier if you can) before your course is set to begin to ensure you complete the process of applying, gain a place in your chosen course and give yourself enough time to get a student visa. APPLY IN ADVANCE!
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Vocational Education and Training provides training which is closely linked to Industry. Students take a VET program as a pathway to a University, to gain technical skills or to continue their learning and advance their career.
VET programs in Australia are designed by industry and professional bodies. Courses are very practical and are focused on skill-based and competency-based learning. VET Institutions include publicly funded institutions such as national TAFE Institutes or through private institutions.
Completion of relevant VET qualifications may enable students to gain advanced standing or receive credits to reduce the time they need to complete a bachelor’s degree in an Australian University. Many Universities have agreements with specific VET Institutions and we recommend you contact your chosen VET Institution to obtain more information about University pathways.
Recognised qualifications in the VET sector include:
VET Qualifications
Certificate I
Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Vocational Graduate Certificate
Vocational Graduate Diploma
English Language (ELICOS)
Australia is a very popular place to study English as English is Australia’s national language and there are a large range of quality English Language Institutions to choose from. Students come to study English during their holidays, before they begin their study programs or to improve their language skills and advance their careers.
Australia has an excellent reputation for the English language programs they offer and the quality of these programs is monitored and accredited by national bodies.
Various institutions from public Universities to private universities and institutions offer English language programs. Each English Language institution usually offers flexible programs which vary in length and which can be tailored to individual students needs. Some institutions also have agreements with Australian Universities which allow students to gain direct entry to their chosen university program if they have successfully completed recognised English language programs.
Programs that are offered through English Language Institutions may include:English programs
*NOTE: The names of each type of program vary between each institution.
General English
Academic English
Business English
English for specific purposes
Summer Programs
English Test preparation programs (eg IELTS preparation)
English with internship programs
Schools (Primary and Secondary)
Children in Australia must attend school from age 6 (Primary) to 15 (Secondary). Australian students who wish to gain entry to an Australian University must complete their 12 years of Seconday School Education (around the age of 17 or 18 ) and complete a qualification (via an exam) known as the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (however it is named differently in each state and territory in Australia).
International students do not need to sit the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education to gain entry to an Australian University however, they must be able to demonstrate they have an equivalent Year 12 qualification to gain entry to Bachelor programs in Australian Universities.
There are both Government Public Schools and Independent (Private) schools in Australia .
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
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Your love will keep this site alive and we hope for the best.
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