1. Chapter 11: Maintaining and Optimizing Windows Vista

2. Using System Monitoring Tools
Before optimizing Windows Vista’s performance, monitor critical subsystems to determine how your system is currently performing.
What system bottlenecks are present in your system?

3. Determining System Performance
Need to do 5 things to monitor the system effectively
Create Baselines
Identify System Bottlenecks
Determine Trends
Test Configuration Changes and Tuning Efforts
Create Alert Thresholds

4. Creating Baselines Baseline: snapshot of current system performance
Gives a point of comparison against a system that is not running optimally
Create baselines at the following times
When system is first configured: no system load
Regular intervals of typical usage
Whenever changes are made to the software or hardware configuration

5. Identifying System Bottlenecks
Bottleneck: a system resource that is inefficient compared to the system as a whole
Reliability and Performance Monitor will allow us to measure various system components in order to spot and correct bottlenecks.

6. Determining Trends
Proactive Management: solve the problem before the problem happens
Watch system baselines for increasing demands for RAM or Processor Time, and decreases in drive space

7. Testing Configuration Changes and Tuning Efforts
When you make configuration changes or tune your computer, you should measure the effects of those changes.
Follow these recommendations:
Make one change at a time
Repeat monitoring with each change you make
As you make changes, check the Event Logs.
If you suspect network performance issues, compare the performance of a networked version with a local version.

8. Using Alerts for Problem Notification
Reliability and Performance Monitor can alert you when certain system thresholds have been reached.
Example: Alert the Administrator when disk 2 has less than 10% free space available

9. Selecting the Appropriate View
Line View
Report View
Histogram View

10. Adding Counters

11. Performance Monitor Properties
General Properties
Source Properties
Data Properties
Graph Properties
Appearance Properties

12. Reliability Monitor

13. Data Collector Sets
Used to collect data into a log so that it can be reviewed

14. Monitoring and Optimizing Memory
Two areas of memory to monitor:
Physical RAM
Page File
Important counters to monitor:
Memory > Available MBytes
Memory > Pages/Sec
Paging File > % Usage
If memory seems to be a bottleneck:
Add RAM
Optimize page file settings
Run less memory-intensive applications

15. Monitoring and Optimizing the Processor
Important counters to monitor:
Processor > %Processor Time
Processor > Interrupts/Sec
System > Processor Queue Length
If the processor seems to be a bottleneck:
Run applications that are less CPU-intensive
Upgrade the CPU
Add a CPU if your computer supports multiple processors

16. Monitoring and Optimizing the Disk Subsystem
Important counters to monitor:
PhysicalDisk > %Disk Time
LogicalDisk > % Disk Time
PhysicalDisk > Current Disk Queue Length
LogicalDisk > Current Disk Queue Length
LogicalDisk > % Free Space
If the disk subsystem seems to be a bottleneck:
Use faster disks or hardware controllers
Confirm that you are using the latest drivers
Take advantage of disk striping if possible
Add another disk controller for load balancing
Use Disk Defragmenter
Use DFS to balance workload over a network

17. Monitoring and Optimizing the Network Subsystem
Important counters to monitor:
Network Interface > Bytes Total/Sec
TCPv4 > Segments/Sec
If the network subsystem seems to be a bottleneck:
Use only the network protocols you need
Use network cards that use your computer’s full bus width
Use faster network cards: 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps

18. Memory Diagnostics Tool
Used to test your computer’s memory

19. Problem Reports and Solutions
Replaces Dr. Watson
Enables you to track system problems and check for solutions to those problems.

20. Tools to Discover System Information
Task Manager
Performance Information and Tools

21. System Information

22. Task Manager

23. Performance Information and Tools

24. System Tool in Control Panel

25. System Configuration

26. Task Scheduler Completely overhauled for Vista
Used to schedule actions to occur at specified intervals

27. Scheduling Tasks with Task Scheduler
Triggers, Actions, and Conditions

28. Event Viewer Completely overhauled for Vista
Tracks events that occur in the system
Old, familiar logs:
Application
Security
System
And some brand new logs:
Setup
Forwarded Events

29. Indexing Options

30. Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop is a service that allows you to remotely take control of your computer from another location. For example, you could access your work computer from home or while traveling on business.

31. Remote Assistance Used to request assistance from another user
Compatible with:
Windows XP
Windows Server 2003
Windows Vista

32. Differences between Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop only allows one user to see the desktop at a time. Remote Assistance allows both local and remote users to see the desktop.
Remote Desktop does not require an invitation to connect. Remote Assistance requires the remote user to invite assistance.

33. Safeguarding Your Computer and Recovering from Disaster
Prepare for disaster: it’s not fun, but it’s better than being unprepared when disaster strikes.
Windows Vista Recovery Techniques:
Event Viewer
Safe Mode
Last Known Good Configuration
Startup Repair Tool
Backup and Restore Center
System Restore

34. Advanced Boot Options Accessed by pressing F8 at startup Options:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable Low-Resolution Video (640x480)
Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)
Directory Services Restore Mode
Debugging Mode
Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
Start Windows Normally

35. Startup Repair Tool
Used to correct problems related to missing or corrupted system files
Cannot repair hardware failures
Cannot recover personal files that have been corrupted, damaged by viruses, or deleted

36. Backup and Restore Center

37. Backup and Restore Center
Used to perform the following tasks:
Back up files
Restore files
Change automatic backup settings
Create an image of your entire computer
Restore an image of your computer
Restore a previous version of files on your computer using System Restore
Create a restore point using System Protection

38. Backing Up Files with Backup and Restore Center
Backup and Restore Center can back up the following:
Pictures
Music
Videos
Documents
TV shows recorded with Windows Media Center
Compressed files (.zip, .cab, .iso)
Additional files that do not correspond to any of the other categories

39. Backup and Restore Center Limitations
Backup and Restore Center will NEVER back up the following:
System files
Program files
User Profile Settings
Files encrypted by EFS
Files on FAT partitions
Files in the Recycle Bin
Temporary Files
Web-based

40. Creating an Image with Windows Complete PC Backup
Used to create a snapshot image of your entire computer, including:
Programs
System Settings
Files
Everything!

41. System Restore
Creates restore points that can be used to restore system files and settings to an earlier point in time
Will not affect personal files
Restore points are created:
Every day
Before installing applications or drivers
Before significant system events
Before restoring files with System Restore
Manually upon request