Links to Resources

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Here are some links to resources submitted by some of our members.

StartUp Cop - An invaluable utility that allows you to change startup configurations. Use a bare bones config for updating, defragging, installing new programs etc. More robust configurations for other usages. It creates Icons on the Desktop for whatever configuration you might want to use. Just click on the Icon and it will either reboot or log off allowing you to come up in the new configuration. This program is not free. For legal reasons, we can't include it on this disc. You have to be PCMag.com member and download it from their web site.

File Hippo - download free software. http://www.filehippo.com/

Free Microsoft Accessibility CD - http://www.microsoft.com/enable/cd/ - This free CD set shows you how to make your computer more comfortable and easier to use with accessibility settings and programs.

Broadband Tuning Guide - (Submitted by Steve Carter) - John Navas' Tuning Guide: http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/

It's one of the more authoritative sources with a lot of good information. I recently moved my old W98SE machine to cable modem from DSL, but got only about 40% of the increased speed expected. After a little research, I learned that Windows default uses a fixed TCP Recieve Window setting which is way too small for high-bandwidth connections.

The easy solution is to increase the size of the TCP Receive Window with a simple one-line, safe Registry Patch. Although a lot of fine tuning and tweaking could be done, the variability of TCP/IP connections in the Internet requires a more flexible solution than the fixed default size in W98 & ME.

Window XP and Linux have dynamic TCP Receive Windows which may be more effective than fixed ones, and a patch may not be necessary. For this reason, I've not included a Windows 2K/XP patch -- there is one on the Navas site. For most users, the 32K Receive Window patch is probably adequate. Testing showed that a larger TCP Receive Window provides no speed increase for me. I expect most TOPCC users would have a similar result.

Some tips from the Broadband Tuning Guide web site:

Latency:

Check latency with 'ping' (or 'traceroute') to a number of distant hosts and use the highest _TYPICAL_ value. (See note below under "Latency") Reasonable rough rules-of-thumb are that low latency is below 100 ms, and high latency is above 200 ms (with normal latency in the middle).

• If you are running Windows 98 or Windows 2000/XP ONLY and have very high latency, you may need to increase the value above 65535 to get maximum speed (e.g., to 128000 or even 256000). This does NOT work with Windows 95 or Windows NT.
• Changing the size of the Receive Window will not have any effect on latency, which is what matters most for on-line gaming. There is no setting in your computer that will help on-line game play. However, if you are on Interleaved Mode DSL, you may be able to decrease latency with a switch to Fast Mode -- see "What is "Interleaved Mode?". at http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/#Interleaved
• Latency and packet loss can be measured with the 'ping' command. Open a Command window and type "ping remotesite" where remotesite is the domain name or IP address of the remote server (e.g., "ping www.pair.com", the TOPCC website host). See also "How to find out what's slowing you down" at http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/#Slowdown.

  Removal:

  INF files will automatically remove these Registry entries, restoring default behavior. From windows Explorer, Right-click on the .INF file and then choose Install to run it. Reboot your system for the change to take effect.

The Elder Geek on Windows XP (submitted by Bart Koslow) - http://www.theeldergeek.com/ - Windows XP Home and Profession Information and Forum.

Some web sites discussed at meetings:

• http://www.hyperdrive.com - Hyperdrive HD80 - Memory Card Backup Device
• http://www.eastgear.com - PDX70 - storage devices and accessories