Optimizing Windows Vista Performance Lesson 10

Skills Matrix Technology SkillObjective DomainObjective # Introducing ReadyBoostTroubleshoot performance issues Implement ReadyBoost 6.1 Using ReadyBoost Configure USB device for ReadyBoost Page File vs. Solid State hard drive 6.1 Using the Reliability and Performance Monitor Console Troubleshoot performance issues 6.1

Skills Matrix Technology SkillObjective DomainObjective # Using Performance Information and Tools Use the Performance Center to troubleshoot performance issues Troubleshoot reliability issues by using built-in diagnostic tools System Performance Rating tool Using Event Viewer Event log6.2

Skills Matrix Technology SkillObjective DomainObjective # Using Reliability MonitorTroubleshoot reliability issues by using built-in diagnostic tools 6.2 Using the Windows Update Client Configure Windows Update 6.3 Applying Updates Restore hidden updates View Update history Configure Update settings 6.3

Chapter 10 Current operating systems are always a work-in-progress, constantly being updated to correct errors, enhance performance, and add features. One of the primary tasks of a desktop technician Should be familiar with:  Types of update releases  Methods for deploying updates Updating Windows Vista

Chapter 10 Understanding Update Types Hotfixes Security Updates Cumulative Updates (or rollups) Service Packs

Chapter 10 Understanding Update Types (cont.) Critical Updates Recommended Updates Optional Updates Device Drivers

Chapter 10 Applying Updates Windows Updates Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) Systems Management Server (SMS)

Chapter 10 Triggering an Update Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click System And Maintenance > Windows Update. Click Check For Updates.

Chapter 10 Triggering an Update (cont.) If the client finds and downloads any updates, click View Available Updates. Double-click each update to display information about its function and links to associated articles on the Internet. Select the checkbox for each update that you want to install and click Install.

Chapter 10 Configuring Windows Update Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click System And Maintenance > Windows Update. Click Change Settings. specify how often and at what time of day you want the client to check for new updates.

Chapter 10 For a computer to perform well, all of its components must be efficient Vista includes tools to enable you to locate poorly performing components (bottlenecks)  Event Viewer  Performance Information and Tools  Reliability and Performance Monitor Monitoring Performance

Chapter 10 Event Viewer Primary function is to record information about system activities as they occur and package that information into individual units, called events Event Viewer is the tool you use to view these events Events are stored in log files:  System Log, Security Log and Application Log  Setup and Forwarded Events (new with Vista)

Chapter 10 Event Viewer (cont.)

Chapter 10 Rates computer’s components and assigns a base score reflecting the score of the lowest rated component on your system – the bottleneck Hardware upgrades improve performance Conserve system resources to enhance performance – Learn how you can improve your computer’s performance link System Performance Rating Tool

Chapter 10 Performance Information and Tools

Chapter 10 Using Resource Overview CPU Disk Network Memory

Performance Monitor

Chapter 10 Creating an Effective Display Limit the number of counters Modify the counter display properties Choose counters with comparable values

Collects and tracks information about system stability to calculate a stability index Reliability Monitor

New Vista feature that enables you to use the storage space on a USB flash drive to free up system memory for other uses Introducing ReadyBoost

Chapter 10 You Learned Microsoft releases operating system updates on the 12th of each month, with occasional, additional releases when an issue requires an immediate response. Microsoft classifies updates using the following categories: Critical Updates, Recommended Updates, Optional Updates, and Device Drivers.

Chapter 10 You Learned (cont.) The Windows Update client included with Vista makes it possible to configure computers to automatically download and install Windows updates as needed. In addition to the control panel interface, it is possible to configure the Windows Update client using Group Policy settings.

Chapter 10 You Learned (cont.) Windows uses a graphical application called Event Viewer to display the log information gathered by the operating system.

Chapter 10 You Learned (cont.) While the Performance Information And Tools page provides a snapshot of your computer’s performance at a single moment in time, the Reliability And Performance Monitor console enables you to view much of the same information, but on a continuous, real-time basis.

Chapter 10 You Learned (cont.) The Resource Overview screen contains four real-time line graphs that display information about four of the main system hardware components. Each component also has a separate, expandable section, displaying more detailed information in text form, such as the resources being utilized by individual applications and processes.

Chapter 10 You Learned (cont.) Performance Monitor can display hundreds of different statistics (called performance counters). You can create a customized graph containing any statistics you choose. Reliability Monitor is a new Windows Vista tool that automatically tracks events that can have a negative effect on system stability and uses them to calculate a stability index.

Chapter 10 You Learned (cont.) ReadyBoost is a new Windows Vista feature that enables you to use the storage space on a USB flash drive to free up system memory for other uses.