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 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.

Chapter 10 Configuring Windows Update (cont.) If you did not activate the Windows Update client during the Windows Vista installation, do so now by selecting the Install Updates Automatically radio button. Use the Install New Updates dropdown lists to specify how often and at what time of day you want the client to check for new updates.

Chapter 10 Configuring Windows Update (cont.) Select one of the options that determine when updates are downloaded and installed. Click OK.

Chapter 10 Launching the Event Viewer Console Click Start, and then click Control Panel > System And Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer. Open a blank MMC console, and add the Event Viewer snap-in.

Chapter 10 Launching the Event Viewer Console (cont.) Open the Run dialog box or a Command Prompt window, and type Eventvwr.msc. Open the Computer Management console, and expand the Event Viewer node.

Chapter 10 Viewing Windows Logs Application Security Setup System Forwarded Events

Chapter 10 Creating a Custom View Click Start, and then click Control Panel > System And Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer. Right-click the Custom Views folder and, from the context menu, select Create Custom View. From the Logged dropdown list, select the time interval from which you want to display events.

Chapter 10 Creating a Custom View (cont.) In the Event Level area, select checkboxes for the types of events you want to display. From the By Log dropdown list, select the log(s) from which you want to display events. Alternatively, select the By Source option, and then select checkboxes for the components about which you want to display events.

Chapter 10 Creating a Custom View (cont.) Optionally, you can then specify event ID numbers, task categories, keywords, and user credentials to narrow your search. Click OK.

Chapter 10 Using Resource Overview CPU Disk Network Memory

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

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.