3 ways to boost your computer's performance

So you want to speed up your PC but you think you don't know a lot about computers? No problem. By doing just a few simple things, you can notice an immediate difference in how your PC performs.

- Run the Windows Live OneCare safety scanner

The safety scanner can help you increase your computer's performance by removing temporary files, cleaning your registry, and defragmenting your hard disk. Such optimization can help your PC run more efficiently.

· To remove obsolete temporary files and invalid registry items that can accumulate on your hard disk over time and slow down your PC, go to the Clean Up Center and click Clean Up Scan. Temporary files and leftover registry data can be safely removed without deleting any data needed by your computer.

· To fix hard disk fragmentation, which allows your PC to find all the pieces of a file faster because it only has to look in one place for them, go to the Tune Up Center and click Tune Up Scan.

If you've never defragmented your hard disk or cleaned out temporary files, or if it's been awhile since you've last done so, run the Windows Live OneCare full-service scan to do it all in one fell swoop!

- Check the hard disk for errors

If you're using Windows XP, you can use the Error-checking tool to check the integrity of your hard disk, including file system errors and bad sectors.

To run the Error-checking tool:
1. Click Start, click My Computer, and then right-click the local disk that you want to check (usually, this is drive C).
2. Click Properties, and then click Tools.
3. Under Error-checking, click Check Now…. Make sure both check boxes are selected, then click Start.

- Don't use a program? Get rid of it

Over time, you or members of your family may install software programs on your computer. Sometimes, these new programs are exactly what you're looking for and you use them all the time. Other times, these programs don't do what you hoped and you use them less and less until you forget about them altogether. Even though you aren't using a program, though, it still consumes resources and can affect your computer's performance.

To remove programs you don't need anymore:
1. Click Start, and in Category View, click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs, and then click Remove Programs.
3. Scroll through the list and examine each program. Windows XP lists how often you use a program and what day you last started it.
Note: Don't remove anything labeled "Update" or "Hotfix." These things improve the security of your computer.
4. Click each program you no longer need, click Change/Remove, then follow the prompts to uninstall it.

You may have to restart your computer after removing a program. After your computer restarts, repeat steps 1 through 4 to remove more programs.

Note: You must be logged on as an administrator to add or remove programs.

9 Fix For Firefox 3 Crashes & Hanging Problem

Firefox 3 is one of Best Open Source Browser and highly Secure Browser. With the Release of Firefox 3 on Download Day it has made the way to millions of users Computer. Majority of Users are happy with Firefox 3 which has improved Memory Management and Speed. Even i have felt that memory Consumption is reduced alot and WebPages loads way faster then older Firefox version. Read how you can Tweak Firefox 3 about:config to get more out of Firefox 3.

But some of users are not happy just because of some of random Crashes of Firefox 3. This is really frustrating for them. Many Users have reported that this Crashes never happened with them before. After Searching around whole day I got some of Fixes for Firefox 3 Crashes This might help some Users .

Firefox 3 Crash – Extensions & Add-on:

Most of the Firefox 3 crash and hang issue are because of incompatible Firefox 3 add-on and Extensions. You must check weather any of installed extensions are in Mozilla Problematic extensions List. Disable/Remove all Incompatible Extensions.

If you are not sure which Extensions Add-on creating problem then Perform the following steps to identify Extensions Issue

Go To Mozilla Firefox Profile Directory

Rename extensions folder to extensions1 for a time

Create Empty Extensions folder

Now check you Firefox is crashing or not. If it stops crashing then its your extensions and add-on creating Firefox 3 crash problem.

Ref: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Problematic_extensions

Firefox 3 Crash and RescueTime:

Their has been several report that RescueTime has been responsible to Firefox 3 crashes.

RescueTime Team is working on this and will get fixed version of RescueTime.

Ref: http://getsatisfaction.com/rescuetime/topics/rescuetime_crashes_firefox_3

Firefox 3 Crashes- Vista Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

No Solution Available (Will update as soon as I get any working solution )

Firefox 3 and Gmail Loading Crash

Users have reported Crash while loading Gmail inbox. one of culprit in this case is CustomizeGoogle (Extensions) Disable This extension or disabling the hide invite box and hide quick contact box functions in CustomizeGoogle (extension) solves the problem.

Ref: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=440969

Another Extension which also causes Firefox 3 to Crash when you open Gmail is FireBug. Incase if you use firebug then disable and check it’s still crashing.

Firefox 3 Crash Due to QuickTime plugin

Firefox 3 crashes due to QuickTime Plugin, Just Install the latest QuickTime plugin and it will resolve the problem.

Ref: http://www.zabbix.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9913

Ubuntu Firefox 3 Flash Crash

Adobe has released latest Beta Flash Player 10 beta 2 which has fix for many bugs which also addresses Linux Flash bugs. Installing Flash Player 10 beta 2 will solve Firefox 3 Crashes due to Flash on Ubuntu.

Firefox 3 crash reported on Ubuntu due to flash content has following Fix

1) Add ‘export XLIB_SKIP_ARGB_VISUALS=1’ to /usr/bin/firefox (This is the Script which starts Firefox).

2) Turning Composite off in /etc/X11/xorg.conf

3) Switch screen depth from 16 to 24 bits. Also, edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf to do same change

Ref: http://grumpymole.blogspot.com/2006/10/ubuntu-firefox-flash-crash-this-fix.html

Firefox 3 Crash When You Right Mouse Click

Problematic Extension in this case is ‘Free Download Manager Plugin 1.0’ which is not compatible with Firefox 3.Disabling Download Manager Plugin 1.0 will get you out of this problem.

Ref: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=681355&p=3510795

kaspersky 2009 Causes Firefox 3 to Crash

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 is responsible for Firefox 3 crashes for many users, this is confirmed by Kaspersky. They are testing out fixed version of Kaspersky and will soon make available for download

Mean while here is the solution to stop Firefox 3 Crash due to Kaspersky

1. Download Sysinternals AutoRuns for Windows.

2. Extract and run autoruns.exe

3. Click AppInit tab and uncheck C:\Progra~1\Kasper~1\Kasper~1\mzvkbd.dll

4. Restart your computer.

Ref:raymond.cc

Firefox 3 Crashes Whenever You download Something (Ubuntu Hardy)

This is a typical problem. Whenever you try to download from any where, Firefox 3 crashes. Culprit behind This Firefox 3 crash is Prism 0.2 Extension. Disabling This Extension will solve this issue

Ref: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=827399

Firefox 3 Crashes when You Use Yahoo Mail

Exact problem for this Firefox 3 Crash is Yahoo! Application
State plugin, You’ll need to disable this plugin.

1. From the menu at the top of the Firefox windowbar, select FileFirefox and then select the ExitQuit FirefoxQuit menu item.
2. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer.
3. Browse to the directory: C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\shared
4. Delete the file npYState.dll. Now that this plugin has been removed, Firefox may stop crashing when using Yahoo! Mail.

FireBug can also cause Firefox 3 Crash either disable FireBug for Yahoo Mail or get Latest Updated FireBug Extention.

Ref: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+crashes+when+using+Yahoo+Mail

Firefox 3 Crashes when you open MSN (www.msn.com)

Some of Firefox 3 users have reported crash of Firefox 3 while opening www.msn.com, only one solution found to be solving this problem . Silverlight is culprite for this type Firefox 3 crash.Disable silverlight and then check out.

Standard Diagnostic Steps for Firefox 3 Crash Isseue

* Exit Firefox Completely
* Clear Cache
* Close Firefox from File – Exit. Make sure its not running in background
* Start Firefox in Safe Mode
* Extension and Theme Issue Check list of Problematic Extensions
* Profile Issue
* Plugin Issue
* Clean Reinstall

Read here for Firefox Hang Issue. In case none of above Solution works for you then check out Firefox 3 Top Crash page

I will suggest to Report to Mozilla When ever you have any Firefox 3 Crash via Mozilla Crash Reporter, This helps mozilla developers to look into problem which resulted in Firefox 3 Crash.

Mozilla about:config

Here is List of about:config hacks for Firefox 3

1) Disable Extension Compatibility Checks
extensions.checkCompatibility = False
extensions.checkUpdateSecurity = False

2) Location Bar (Set number Auto Complete URL at Address Bar)
This is a good hack to trim down that huge auto-complete list on your URL bar. By default it displays maximum 12 URL
browser.urlbar.maxRichResults = #
Enter Number at # (3,10,12 etc)

3) Stop Displaying Website Icon (Favicon) in Address bar & On Tab
browser.chrome.site_icons = False

4) Disable Prefetch (Helpful for frequent Google searcher, low-speed internet connection or low RAM)
network.prefetch-next = False

5) Extend Spell check to forms
layout.spellcheckDefault = 2
Change Value from 1 to 2

6) Disable Blinking Text
browser.blink_allowed = False

7) Speed Tweaks
network.http.pipelining false to true
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests 30 to 8
network.http.max-connections 30 to 96
network.http.max-connections-per-server 15 to 32
network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server 6 to 8
network.http.pipelining.ssl false to true
network.http.proxy.pipelining false to true

8) Disable Annoying Browser Behavior
dom.disable_window_open_feature.menubar
dom.disable_window_move_resize
dom.disable_window_open_feature.titlebar
dom.disable_window_open_feature.toolbar

Set all of above to value False

9) Remove Tab Close Button from all Tab and set A single Close Button at Right
Remove Tab Close Button
Remove Tab Close Button

browser.tabs.closeButtons = 3

Single Close Button to control all Firefox Opened Tabs. (value should be 3 and not 2 Thanks Andreas )

10) Disabler Browser Toolbar Tip
browser.chrome.toolbar_tips = False

11) Show More Tabs on Single Firefox Window before Scrolling
browser.tabs.tabMinWidth = 75
Setting lesser value with reduce Tab width

12) Past Copy Content with Middlemouse Click
middlemouse.paste = True

13) Scroll webpage in One Go
mousewheel.withaltkey.action=1

14) Disable Delay Time While Installing Firefox Add-on
security.dialog_enable_delay = 0

(Zero is number of seconds Firefox should wait while installing Add-on)

15) Increase History Undo Close Tab Limit ( Recently Closed Tabs )
Increase History Undo Close Tab Limit
browser.sessionstore.max_tabs_undo=15

By default you can undo 10 recently closed tabs inorder to increase your history closed tabs. Change number 13 to as per your choice.

16) Open Firefox Default Search Bar Result in New Tab
browser.search.openintab=True

17) Right Click View Source in Your Favorite Editor
view_source.editor.external=True
view_source.editor.path= Path of Editor

(e.g. path C:\Program Files\npp.4.8.2.bin\notepad++.exe)

18) Enable/Disable Single Click to Select Whole URL in Address bar
Single Click Select URL Select
To Enable Single Click Select URL of address bar use the below about:config Tweak
browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll = True
To disable Single Click Select
browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll = False

19) Emule/ed2k link association (Linux users)
network.protocol-handler.app.ed2k= /usr/bin/ed2k
network.protocol-handler.external.ed2k = true

20) Fast Scrolling Across Tabs
Fast Scrolling Across tabs
toolkit.scrollbox.scrollIncrement =75
( 75 is number of pixels to scroll at a time when scrolling the tab strip’s scrollbox. (Default: 20)

21) Auto Complete URL while You type at address Bar
Auto Complete URL
browser.urlbar.autoFill=True

Many of above about:config hacks are available in Older Firefox Version, at the end if some thing goes wrong then feel free to restore your about:config to older setting.

Hope you guys like this Firefox 3 hacks, If you have any tips or hacks related to Firefox 3 about:config, hacks, tweaks do let me know I will include it in above list.

How to download from ShareCash?

HOW TO DOWNLOAD FROM SHARECASH?

how to download from ShareCash? Many people having problem with this site when they going to download some files from it, especially for the non-US user. But don't worry, just follow this easy steps:

1. Open your FireFox browser (Note : this method only works for a FireFox user)
2. Go to Add-ons for FireFox
3. Then search for GreaseMonkey addons and install it into you FireFox
4. After the GreaseMonkey addons has installed, go to UserScript then find this script: "ShareCash AutoDownload" and install it into your GreaseMonkey
5. And Done! ... go to try it

If you still unable to download from sharecash, consider to buy premium account.. :)

Make your computer talk without software

want to make a computer you can talk?? here it is how:

1) Open Notepad.
2) COPY CODE BELOW In Notepad

Dim message, cow
message = InputBox ( "What do you want me to say?", "Talk to Me")
Set cow = CreateObject ( "sapi.spvoice")
sapi.Speak message

3) Save any name ending in. Vbs
4) REMEMBER TO SAVE THE FILE AS. VBS
5) Double click the file.
6) Any written NOW textbox and press ok
7) YOUR COMPUTER WILL SPEAK WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN YOU IN TEXT BOX