Hi Folks,

Vista Diagnostics

Windows Vista's built in diagnostics are a quantum leap forward from anything we ever saw in XP. The Windows Diagnostic Infrastructure (WDI) uses logic to analyze the output from Vista's internal software routines, which then helps you to troubleshoot your computer problems. Once you summon Vista's diagnostics, they can often resolve a fault automatically. If that strategy fails, the troubleshooter then shows you a list of possible actions that will help you in solving the problem on your own.

Each area of Vista has its own diagnostics and depending on feedback from the built in resolver, Vista can call upon an event based diagnosis, an on-demand diagnosis or a counter based diagnosis. Here are the five main areas that are patrolled by Vista's diagnostics:

• Network Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
• Disk Diagnostics
• Memory Diagnostics
• Resource Exhaustion Prevention
• Event Logs

Network Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

When an XP machine lost its network connection, you merely got an error message. But now, if a Vista machine loses connectivity, the response is much more intelligent and pro-active. When you call for the Network Troubleshooter, the first thing it does is try to restore the connection automatically. If that fails, the Network Diagnostics then presents you with a list of repair options.

Under the covers, Vista consults the Network Diagnostics Framework (NDF). As you may guess, the new NDF technology extends to wireless diagnostics as well.

Vista Disk Diagnostics

Hard disks usually show warning signs before failure, which, in the past, were merely logged in the system event log. Windows Vista, however, has built in diagnostics that specifically listen for these messages. The troubleshooter not only alerts you of them, but it also suggests data backup and disk replacement techniques.

One reason for using an up to date kit is that new hard disks include SMART technology (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology). So, naturally, Vista listens in and acts upon these SMART messages. It is claimed that Vista can even detect applications experiencing bad block problems and it is able to silently restore the corrupted data from the backup, presumably using the Volume Shadow Copy service.

Vista Memory Diagnostics

The Vista Memory Diagnostics monitors the memory hardware. If the built in Vista diagnostics finds an error, it will alert you and ask you to run a more exhaustive analysis with the Windows Memory Diagnostic tests. If Vista can contact MOCA (Microsoft's Online Crash Analysis), it can then check if an error is due to failing memory. The software can then prompt the user to perform memory diagnostics, which will run detailed tests on your RAM modules. Even more, MOCA and Vista can do all of this without requiring an additional download or separate boot disk. That's incredible!

Resource Exhaustion Prevention

Resource Exhaustion Prevention monitors disk, memory, processor time and network bandwidth. When any of these four crucial resources approach its limit, Windows Vista warns users that their applications may experience problems. The Resource Exhaustion Prevention monitor then presents the user with a list of the top consumers, which also helps you to identify the source of the problem.

Event Logs

Being good at troubleshooting is easy. I mean, all you have to do is read the logs! Seriously, all that separates the professionals from the amateurs is the ability to read the logs. To state my case another way, Vista's built in diagnostics and troubleshooters reward those who look in the logs for clues to the root of their problem. Here is one more way you can look at the Event Logs and troubleshooting techniques. That is, if there are no logs corresponding to your problem. Otherwise, you might be in trouble! However, if there is an entry, someone out there has seen your situation before and there should be a solution waiting for you.

Now, don't be put off by previous bad experiences of Event Logs. Vista is very clear and it's the most comprehensive to date. To view them, click on the Start button and type "event viewer" in the Start Search dialogue box. Begin by scanning the Overview and Summary section and then seek out any Critical Events that may have happened in the last 24 hours. You'll then be good to go!

Hope you find this to be very informative and helpful for your Vista journey!

~ Ramachandran Kumaraswami

Timely Defrags

First of all, if you're not sure what defragmentation means, please read here before you continue on with this tip. Then once you have the basics down, please read on! Alright, so it seems like I've had a lot of people ask me lately how often they should defrag their computer. That's a legit question and since so many of you want to know, I'm not going to waste any more time before I tell you. This is some very important information, so please keep reading if you care about your computer even in the least bit. Here we go!

Basically, how often you should defrag your computer depends on what you use your PC for. If you only use it for a few simple tasks, you probably won't need to run the defrag as often. On the other hand, if you use your computer for some major duties, you'll need to run it more. For example, maybe you only use your computer to send and receive e-mails, play a few games here and there, create a few Word documents or to just simply surf the Web. If that's the case, you can probably get by with defragging once a month or so. But, if you use your computer to play games all day long, download all kinds of music, videos and movies or if you create high-end graphics, you should defrag at least once a week.

Again, it all just depends on what you do with your PC. If you run it really hard most of the time, there will be a lot more data stored in your system that will need to be defragged. That way, everything will be neatly organized and ready for your next endeavor. All in all, the more you defrag, the longer your hard drive will function in top speed for you. Otherwise, it could run ragged and really start to bog you down too. One last thing: Just in case you're not sure how to get to the defrag window, go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. Now you have no excuses left for not running your defrag. Get it done!

~ Erin

Note from Chuck - In the past 6 months I have worked on at least 8 computers that had to be either restored to factory condition or, when that wasn't an available option, I have to format the drives and reload the operating system and all applications.  In EVERY case,  the owner lost all data - all their pictures, all their email addresses, all their documents, everything of personal value that was on their computer was lost in the repair process.  On each of these computers, there was nothing physically wrong with the computer.  The failure was the result of critical file fragmentation - to the point where the file system was lo longer readable and the Windows XP repair function would not work.  I also had 3 computers with similar failures that I was able to repair because I have a special software tool that sometimes works on this type of situation.  Fragmentation is a REAL problem that can be avoided.

As most of you know, I am a strong believer in free software.  There is a lot of good, proven software out there that can save you money and make your life easier.  However, I have often talked about the abilities of Diskeeper software.  It will automatically keep your hard drive defragmented and you do not have to worry about remembering to do it.  I just finished beta testing Diskeeper 2008 and I highly recommend this product.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone that you think might be interested in it.  If they wish to subscribe, they can click on the link below.

If this was forwarded to you and you wish to subscribe, please click here: Subscribe
If you wish to be deleted from the mailing list, please click here: Unsubscribe