Saturday, December 26, 2009

Tired of the different Action Center popups in Windows 7?

If you are indeed tired of it, then this would be helpful for you... In the action center, there are different options that we do not need depending on your preference. So to disable some of which, here's how:

  • First, go to the start menu, when you are there, type in Action Center on the search field
  • Then, a dialog box will pop up
  • On the left hand side corner, select Change Action Center settings
  • You will see there, different options with checks, now, here's the catch
  • You now uncheck the options wherein you feel you do not need to be reminded of,
  • As for me, I did unchecked User Account Control from the Security messages
  • Windows Backup and Windows troubleshooting from the Maintenance messages. 
Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Hidden user accounts in Windows 7... (tweak)

Here's a little tweak about enabling a hidden user accounts in Windows 7. There are links that I will be posting leading you to download the tweaks that I will be sharing with you this second. These links are concerned in turning it ON or OFF.
This tweak actually adds up this neat little Advanced User Accounts in your control panel (User Accounts) so you can manipulate whatever advanced settings or options you want, like changing the password or creating a password and others.
Without further ado, I will now post you the links for you to download (care of pcwizkid):

http://pcwizkidstechtalk.com/downloads/AddAdvAccounOption.zip (This link is to add the tweak or ON. This automatically installs it to your registry hassle free)

http://pcwizkidstechtalk.com/downloads/RemoveAdvAccountOption.zip (This link on the other hand removes the tweak or OFF.)

How to use:
  • After you have downloaded the file, just unzip it using your favorite utility (winrar, winzip, and etc.)
  • Once you've unzipped it, just double click on the file and press Yes then OK.
Enjoy!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Want a desktop clock? (Windows ME, NT, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista)

Here's "ClocX"!

This is a freeware so no need to worry about expenses plus it is light and has neat features in it like the mouse over transparency function.

It works on the different Operating systems listed above so you do not have to problem with compatibility. I haven't tried it in windows 7 so I do not have a clue yet whether itwould and it did worked. So I might as well share you this tool to you. Enjoy and hope you will like it!

http://www.clocx.net/download.php

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A graphics editor for you... (GIMP)

If you want a graphics editor that's free and works like adobe photoshop, well, here's one for you (GIMP). Now one of the features I like about this application is that, it is lightweight meaning it does not eat too much of your RAM (Random Access Memory) plus, it does not need much work from your CPU.

There is nothing more to say about this neat little utility because it has all the basic stuffs you need to have to do editing or create your own original work.

Try this and go check it out, hope you will like it...

Here's the link:
http://www.gimp.org/

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Tweak your Windows XP using TweakUI...

Here's a neat little utility that will enable you to tweak your Windows XP, the TweakUI. This application has lots of neat tweaks in it. Just install it and go through it SLOWLY.

Yes, i'll mention it again SLOWLY, because I don't want you to miss the tweaks that you can do with this utility. I've been using it personally and there's no problem with it ever since. It is from Microsoft and I want to share it with you guys.

Before i'll give the link, I just want to orient you with what's in it.  In there, you will see different subheading on the left side corner and each subheadings has their corresponding tweaks. Like the mouse. In there you can increase the sensitivity of your mouse and the Hover sensitivity and time. Another neat features available are that you can remove the arrows on your desktop icons or enable or disable autoplays.

These are just bits of it. So for the third time go through it SLOWLY. Enjoy!

So here's the link guys:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/a/fca6767b-9ed9-45a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tired of your old cursors?

Here's a link for you to get brand new cursors that would suit your style and personality.
Link:
http://www.customise.org/browse/cursor

To download it, just click on the cursors you want, then it will preview what you have selected.
If you want it, just click the Download file below the previewed cursors then select the Click here to download: (whatever choice you have).
It will now download the file in a Zip. Now here's what you're going to do:
  • If you have saved the file from your hard drive, just right click on it and extract it to c:\windows\Cursors then click OK.
  • Now go to the Control Panel and open the Mouse option to change the settings.
  • In there you can now select on the Pointers tab and change the pointer by clicking on Browse... at the bottom part of the dialog box.
  • Once you have selected (Browse...), just select the folder or the mouse pointer you want.
  • After you're done selecting the pointer, just click open and it will revert back to the dialog box where you have your options on what to customize.
  • If you want to change the Help Select, or Working In Background or whatever, you can do so by following the same procedure as to the 4th bullet.
  • Now if you're done changing everything, just select Apply then OK.
You're done! Enjoy your new mouse cursors!



Monday, November 16, 2009

Free antivirus for you...

There are a lot of free antivirus that are available right now, yet what I personally recommend is Avast Home Edition and the AVG 9.0 which is the current version as of now (from the date of publishing). Although they are free yet they give you the basic virus protection you must have, like malware protection and basic internet protection.

So if you want to download them, here are the links:

Avast
http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Home-Edition-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?part=dl-85737&subj=dl&tag=button

AVG
http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?part=dl-10044820&subj=dl&tag=button&cdlPid=11014801

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Want to hide a folder in the desktop?

This is for Windows XP users, I haven't tried it to other operating systems but it works on Win XP. So here's how you do it:


  • Right click on your desktop and create a new folder
  • Once you've done that, delete the name new folder
  • Then once you've deleted the name, hold down the Alt key
  • Don't release the Alt key yet, from your Number Pad (numpad), key in 0160 and release the Alt key
  • Now, you're folder has already a hidden name, to hide the icon of the folder, right click on the folder
  • Then go to properties
  • Then select the Customize tab which is the tab on the far right

  • Then you will see at the bottom part, Change Icon tab
  • Select it, and it will open the default icons
  • Now, scroll on the different icons and once you see a blank space (it's just like a space between the icons and you can see there three blank spaces that are in a column) click the top area
  • Once you've clicked it, it will select a blank icon
  • Then press Ok
  • Then Apply
  • Then Ok
Select the area where you've placed your folder and you will notice there the icon that you've created. You can double click on it and then save files on that folder.

If you want to delete it, just simply click the folder and then press delete.

I hope you will enjoy it and Happy Hiding!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Introduction to Windows 7...

Hi guys! Before I would like to present some tips, tweaks, or other reviews about Windows 7, it would be appropriate to introduce it to you,  for us to have the basic knowledge, since the Operating System (OS) is still new in terms of it's release from the public.

To begin with,

Saturday, October 31, 2009

EasyBCD 1.7.2 (bootloader and a bootloader management tool)...


Hello guys! If you are fan of having dual boot or tripple boots, then here's a tool for you to manage your boot-up. This is the EasyBCD version 1.7.2, it is the latest as of the posting date. This will allow you to change the name or title , sequence, or find the OS (Operating System) that you installed in your boot up. Take for example, you have Linux installed and you can't find it in your boot-up. Then, you can use this tool to help you locate it. It will scan the hard drive for any Operating System installed (e.g. Linux).

Mind you, this is a powerful tool that is not limited only to the above mentioned. So if you're not sure of what you're doing, then you might as well stay away with it to prevent any disaster.

I hope you will enjoy it, and here's the link for you:

http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Patriot Extreme Performance Gamer Series- DDR3 memory...

Today we're going to look at the Black edition ready Patriot Extreme Gaming series DDR3 memory which is made especially for AMD. When we say black edition, it means it has the capacity to be overclocked and can handle such stress. This high performance DDR3 memory has neat features:

  • Extreme performance PC3-12800 (1600MHz)
  • Low Latency (7-7-7-20) and low voltage at 1.7 volts
  • It has lightweight aluminum heat spreaders
  • 100% Tested and Verified
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • RoHS Compliant
Now, the lower the latency, the faster these memory works. For comparison purposes, you can change the latency to 9-9-9-24 and increase the voltage to 1.8 volts. So as not to confuse you guys, 7-7-7-20 is faster than 9-9-9-24, the purpose of doing this to allow you to compare it with other RAMs from Corsair, OCZ or Kingston.

To jump the gun, as for the DD3 Latency comparison results(which is at 9-9-9-24 and at 1.8 volts) this memory (Patriot G-series) has a result of 51.3 nano seconds, while Corsair XMS3-DHX is at 51.5 ns, OCZ AMD Platinum Edition 51.5 ns, and the fastest Kingston HyperX which is at 49.6 ns(all memory modules are at 9-9-9-24 except for Kingston which is at 9-9-9-27 and all are the same with 1.8 volts). In here, the lower the nano seconds, the faster.

For the Overall 3dMark Vantage ScoresPatriot G-series scored highest P11713, Corsair XMS3-DHX-P11699, OCZ AMD Platinum Edition-P11716, and Kingston HyperX-P11684.

For the Write Results at (Megabytes/seconds): Patriot G-series - 6804 MB/sCorsair XMS3-DHX - 6806 MB/sOCZ AMD Platinum Edition - 6780 MB/s, and Kingston HyperX - 6804 MB/s.


The totality of this RAM is not bad. Considering the latest pricing as of the date of this article is at $109.99 at Newegg. Here's the link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220440&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Memory+(Desktop+Memory)-_-Patriot+Memory-_-20220440


Saturday, October 24, 2009

Tweak your windows Vista using TweakVI

Hi everyone, TweakVI is a third party application allows you to tweak your windows vista in many ways you want it to be. Like disabling the UAC, getting the shortcut arrows on your desktop icons and many more. Although there are limitations on this basic application, but for sure, you get the very decent tweaks you need for your Windows Vista. It's easy to use and straight forward. I'm posting the link for you guys. Hope you'll enjoy it.

http://www.totalidea.com/product.php?Product=TweakVI&a_aid=a81fc5ee&a_bid=648708a7

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Are you tired of the UAC popups in Windows Vista?

If you are tired of the User Account Control popups in Windows vista, then it is time for you to disable it. You can do so by running the system configuration utility or the MSCONFIG. So here's how you do it.

First, go to the start menu, from the start menu, key in msconfig the search box or command line. Then hit enter.
Now, when the tool runs, click the Tools tab and scroll down until you see Disable UAC.
Then, highlight it and click the Launch button, then reboot or restart your pc.

If you want to turn it on again, just follow the steps above and select Enable UAC.


I hope you enjoyed this little tweak. Cheers!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The ATI Radeon 5870 release...

Since the release of the 5800 series, there are a lot of questions regarding what CPU case will support such card. To give you a brief idea, this card's length is 11" long. That's right! And if you don't have a space that's enough for that card, well then, the ATI radeon 5850 fits you.


There are suggestions that PcWizKid gave regarding the CPU case that will support such card. Here are the cases that you can purchase for that card.



Saturday, October 3, 2009

Free up unused files in your computer!

There might be a lot of temporary files already stored in your system. To free up this unused files, I recommend CCleaner. It is a third party application that cleans temporary files in the registry that you are not going to use, it also cleans up your online history thus freeing up valuable hard disk space. Hence, your system (Windows) will run faster.

Here's the link for you to download the latest version as of today:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

Now, there are a lot of neat settings you can do with this software depending on your preference. At this point, I will teach you how to properly configure it (depends on your preference).

For my preference, as you open the application, you will see under the windows tab, advanced.
Under advanced are unchecked options (default). As for me, I checked everything except Windows Size/Location Cache and Wipe Free Space.

I only check Wipe Free Space during maintenance. And I check off, Windows Size/Location Cache since I set up my browser to my preference and this option will revert the settings back to default.

How to use it:

  • Just select Analyze. Wait for it to finish the analysis.
  • After analyzing, select Run Cleaner
  • Under Cleaner, you will see a tab that says Registry.
  • Select on it. 
  • Then, select Scan for Issues.
  • After it is done scanning, if it has issues, then select Fix selected issues...
  • Then, it will prompt you to back up changes to the registry.
  • Select No.
  • Then, select Fix issue or Fix all issues. Then select Close.
  • When it's done, go back to the 5th bullet until there are no more issues!
Enjoy! 

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Want to overclock your CPU?

Want to overclock your CPU to its optimum performance?
If your answer is yes, then this segment will probably help you...

Now, before you're going to overclock the CPU, just make sure your system is built for overclocking.
Let's say, you have the right power supply, CPU cooler (third party coolers, or water cooling system), motherboard ready for clocking, RAM with a heat spreader is recommended, and a case with good airflow. Then i'm posting this link for you to watch, this is a video made by one of the Most Valuable Professionals in the field of computers...

http://pcwizkid.blogspot.com/2009/11/cpu-overclocking-101-part-1.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+PcwizkidsTechTalk-ConfigureYourGamingRigAndTweakWindowsForPerformance+(PCWizKids+Tech+Talk+-+Configure+your+Gaming+Rig+and+Tweak+Windows+for+Performance)

or, if you're using an AMD processor you can use this third party overclocking tool, just make sure that you are quite acquainted with the proper way to overclock by reading the link above... It is for free from AMD, so no worries. Again, just  make sure your system is ready for overclocking. I'm posting this link for you guys to get the AMD overdrive.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/CPU-Tweak/AMD-Overdrive.shtml

Enjoy!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Tweaking your pc for faster shutdown...

So to tweak your pc's for faster shutdown... Here's what you have to do...

Click on start menu.
Select run. From there, key in regedit. Then, the registry editor pops-up.
Now, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Then, expand SYSTEM. Under SYSTEM, expand CurrentControlSet.
Then click on Control. At the right hand side, you will see a key that says, WaitToKillServiceTimeout.
Right click on it and select Modify.
There you will see the default value which is 5000.
Now change that to 400 and click OK.

Then your good. Reboot your pc and Happy tweaking!

If you have some comments or suggestions just feel free to express it...  Cheers!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Get more out of your ATI cards...

So long as you get the latest ATI catalyst drivers for your ATI graphics card, you will be able to tweak it using the ATI overdrive. To use it, just go to ATI overdrive.
There you will see a tab that says Auto-Tune...
Select it. Your card will automatically tweak itself to a tolerable core clock and memory clock rates that your system will allow.
Then another thing that is very important. Do not forget to change the fan settings.
Do not configure the fan settings as automatic. Rather, do change it manually  by checking the Enable Manual Fan Control and sliding it up to 90-95% so that you won't get wrong...

Happy Tweaking!

Latest and greatest single GPU...

If you're looking for a single GPU that is the latest and greatest. The new ATI HD 4890 is available on the market guys! So for those of you who wants to get it. I recommend you get the Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890. May it be overclocked version or just the stock version. So for some details I'm showing you the specifications or specs of SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100269-2GVXL Radeon HD 4890 2GB 256-bit:


Model
BrandSAPPHIRE
SeriesVapor-X
Model100269-2GVXL
Interface
InterfacePCI Express 2.0 x16
Chipset
Chipset ManufacturerATI
GPURadeon HD 4890
Core Clock870MHz
Stream Processors800 Stream Processing Units
Memory
Memory Clock1050MHz
Memory Size2GB
Memory Interface256-bit
Memory TypeGDDR5
3D API
DirectXDirectX 10.1
OpenGLOpenGL 2.0
Ports
HDMI1
DisplayPort1
D-SUB1
DVI1
General
Max Resolution2560 x 1600
CrossFire SupportedYes
CoolerWith Fan
System Requirements500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connectors recommended (600 Watt and four 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode)
Power Connector6 pin / 8 pin
Dual-Link DVI SupportedYes
HDCP ReadyYes
Features
FeaturesAward winning Vapor-X Cooler with heatpipe, silent and powerful
Sapphire patent pending Black Diamond Choke
Full solid cap design
Packaging
Package Contents100269-2GVXL
User's Manual
Driver CD
DVI to HDMI Adapter
CrossFire Bridge
Power Cable


In case you want to know the price, its around $255 in www.newegg.com


For pictures of the said card you can view it using this link:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-102-847-S03&ISList=14-102-847-S01,14-102-847-S02,14-102-847-S03,14-102-847-S04,14-102-847-S05,14-102-847-S06&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16814102847&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=SAPPHIRE%20Vapor-X%20100269-2GVXL%20Radeon%20HD%204890%202GB%20256-bit%20GDDR5%20PCI%20Express%202.0%20x16%20HDCP%20Ready%20CrossFire%20Supported%20Video%20Card

Faster boot-up...

There are three different tweaks that we are going to apply here to decrease the time it takes your computer to boot up. 


First, just make sure that on the bios configuration, your hard disk is the priority in your boot settings.


Secondly, we go to the MSconfiguration. To do that, click the start button, then click run, and key in, msconfig and hit enter.
There are lots of tabs that you will see from there, now click Boot.ini
Under that, you can see Timeout 30 sec. as the default settings. Now change that to 3 secs.
Then click the tab that says startup.
There you can see the applications that runs together with windows as you boot up.
I want you to uncheck the apps that for you does not need to be there. Take for example the ctfmon, GrooveMonitor,Wcescomm, and etc.
On the other way around, you can leave the app for sidebars if you want your sidebars to appear as soon as you start windows or any antivirus that you want active as soon as windows starts.
Then click apply and close.
After that, a dialog box will appear prompting you to restart or exit without restart.
For now just choose exit without restart to proceed to the last step.


So the last  step is going to the registry and tweak it a bit.
In so doing, just click on the start menu and click run.
Then, key in regedit and hit enter. It will take you to the registry editor.
Now, I want you to expand on HKey_Local Machine.
And under that, you can see SYSTEM. Expand it.
Under SYSTEM, you can see CurrentControlSet. Expand it.
Under CurrentControlSet, you can see control. Expand it.
Under control, you can see ContentIndex. Select it by clicking it once.
By doing so, you can see keys on the right hand side.
Now, look for the key that says StartupDelay. Right click on it and select modify.
Then a dialog box will appear. Now in there, you select Decimal which is at the lower right portion.
Then you will see a value that says 48000 which is the default value.
Change that value to 40000. And you're done!
Just click on Ok, and reboot your PC...


Here's the address of the registry that we are looking for, in case you want to refer:


MyComputer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex


Feel the difference on your boot-up speed!


Happy Tweaking!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The latest and greatest web browser...

As of today, the latest and greatest web browser available that sweeps safari, opera, firefox and other browsers off is the latest beta version of Google Chrome. So for those of you guys who want to get it, you can do so by clicking the link below. Enjoy!

http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/chrome/beta

Friday, September 18, 2009

Want to tweak your Palit graphics card? (Vtune and VDOTool)

If you are tired of the default settings of your graphics cards from palit, they provided a third party software that allows you to tweak your card hassle free. There are two of them, any of the two may do.

It's the Vtune and the VDOTool, once you've installed it, just right click on your desktop and from there, at the uppermost portion of the options, you will see either the Vtune or the VDOTool tab depending on what you've installed.

Then, just select it and from there, you choose the option performance, there you can see sliders just increase the sliders by 5-10 and then try each settings.
You will know you've reach the maximum performance of your card because it automatically hinders you to tweak it some more by displaying lines or requesting you to reboot your pc. Then most importantly, don't forget the fan settings.
Once you are in there, manually adjust the fan speed at 90-95%, then you're good.

And hey guys don't worry, the software is for free. If you guys want to get it, I posted the link below...

Tweaking the virtual memory....

First, your virtual memory is composed mainly of your paging file which is hidden on your hard drives and your physical memory installed(Hardware). Now, for us to tweak the virtual memory, we will increase the paging 1.5x the physical memory installed.

So here's how to do it.

Select my computer, right click on it, then go to properties.
Then click the tab advanced, in there you can see under performance, settings.
Select on settings, then you can see another tab advanced.
Select on it once again, and below it says virtual memory, below it, there is the tab change, select change.
Once you're in there, select custom size, then on the initial size, key in the 1.5x your physical memory(currently installed RAM), then copy the same numbers to the maximum size.

Just remember that it is based on MB or megabytes. So for example, if you have 2 gigs of RAM, that is approximately 2048 megs. multiply it by 1.5, you will have a quotient of 3072 megs. Now that is what you will key in for the initial and maximum size.

Therefore, your total virtual memory that will be used by your computer is 5 gigs. So enjoy multitasking...

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Want to increase performance of your pc?


Well, for those using microsoft windows xp, any version may do. All you have to do is right click my computer, then go to properties, then on the lower right side corner you can see there a tab that says advanced. Select it once, then under performance you have settings, as you select it, you can see those options which do have checks. This is the trick, you uncheck everything except for two: Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop and the other one is use visual styles on windows and buttons.


Another option you have is directly selecting the tab, adjust for best performance, in this case, your recent theme will be replaced by the basic theme that windows has.


You may reboot your pc and experience the difference. Enjoy! and I hope you enjoyed this tweak!