Chapter 11: Maintaining and Optimizing Windows Vista

Using System Monitoring Tools

• Before optimizing Windows Vista’s performance, monitor critical subsystems to determine how your system is currently performing.

• What system bottlenecks are present in your system?

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Determining System Performance

• Need to do 5 things to monitor the system effectively– Create Baselines– Identify System Bottlenecks– Determine Trends– Test Configuration Changes and

Tuning Efforts– Create Alert Thresholds

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Creating Baselines

• Baseline: snapshot of current system performance

• Gives a point of comparison against a system that is not running optimally

• Create baselines at the following times– When system is first configured: no

system load– Regular intervals of typical usage– Whenever changes are made to the

software or hardware configuration

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Identifying System Bottlenecks

• Bottleneck: a system resource that is inefficient compared to the system as a whole

• Reliability and Performance Monitor will allow us to measure various system components in order to spot and correct bottlenecks.

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Determining Trends

• Proactive Management: solve the problem before the problem happens

• Watch system baselines for increasing demands for RAM or Processor Time, and decreases in drive space

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Testing Configuration Changes and Tuning Efforts

• When you make configuration changes or tune your computer, you should measure the effects of those changes.

• Follow these recommendations:– Make one change at a time– Repeat monitoring with each change you make– As you make changes, check the Event Logs.– If you suspect network performance issues,

compare the performance of a networked version with a local version.

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Using Alerts for Problem Notification

• Reliability and Performance Monitor can alert you when certain system thresholds have been reached.– Example: Alert the Administrator

when disk 2 has less than 10% free space available

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Selecting the Appropriate View

←Report View

→ Histogram View

← Line View

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Adding Counters

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Performance Monitor Properties

• General Properties

• Source Properties

• Data Properties

• Graph Properties

• Appearance Properties

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Reliability Monitor

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Data Collector Sets

• Used to collect data into a log so that it can be reviewed

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Monitoring and Optimizing Memory

• Two areas of memory to monitor:– Physical RAM– Page File

• Important counters to monitor:– Memory > Available MBytes– Memory > Pages/Sec– Paging File > % Usage

• If memory seems to be a bottleneck:– Add RAM – Optimize page file settings– Run less memory-intensive applications

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Monitoring and Optimizing the Processor

• Important counters to monitor:– Processor > %Processor Time– Processor > Interrupts/Sec– System > Processor Queue Length

• If the processor seems to be a bottleneck:– Run applications that are less CPU-

intensive– Upgrade the CPU – Add a CPU if your computer supports

multiple processors

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Monitoring and Optimizing the Disk Subsystem

• Important counters to monitor:– PhysicalDisk > %Disk Time– LogicalDisk > % Disk Time– PhysicalDisk > Current Disk Queue Length– LogicalDisk > Current Disk Queue Length– LogicalDisk > % Free Space

• If the disk subsystem seems to be a bottleneck:– Use faster disks or hardware controllers– Confirm that you are using the latest drivers– Take advantage of disk striping if possible– Add another disk controller for load balancing– Use Disk Defragmenter– Use DFS to balance workload over a network

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Monitoring and Optimizing the Network Subsystem

• Important counters to monitor:– Network Interface > Bytes Total/Sec– TCPv4 > Segments/Sec

• If the network subsystem seems to be a bottleneck:– Use only the network protocols you

need– Use network cards that use your

computer’s full bus width– Use faster network cards: 100 Mbps, 1

Gbps

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Memory Diagnostics Tool

• Used to test your computer’s memory

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Problem Reports and Solutions

• Replaces Dr. Watson

• Enables you to track system problems and check for solutions to those problems.

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Tools to Discover System Information

• System Information

• Task Manager

• Performance Information and Tools

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System Information

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Task Manager

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Performance Information and Tools

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System Tool in Control Panel

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System Configuration

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Task Scheduler

• Completely overhauled for Vista

• Used to schedule actions to occur at specified intervals

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Scheduling Tasks with Task Scheduler

• Triggers, Actions, and Conditions

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Event Viewer• Completely

overhauled for Vista• Tracks events that

occur in the system• Old, familiar logs:

– Application– Security– System

• And some brand new logs:– Setup– Forwarded Events

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Indexing Options

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Remote Desktop

• Remote Desktop is a service that allows you to remotely take control of your computer from another location. For example, you could access your work computer from home or while traveling on business.

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Remote Assistance

• Compatible with: – Windows XP – Windows

Server 2003– Windows Vista

• Used to request assistance from another user

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Differences between Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop

• Remote Desktop only allows one user to see the desktop at a time. Remote Assistance allows both local and remote users to see the desktop.

• Remote Desktop does not require an invitation to connect. Remote Assistance requires the remote user to invite assistance.

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Safeguarding Your Computer and Recovering from Disaster

• Prepare for disaster: it’s not fun, but it’s better than being unprepared when disaster strikes.

• Windows Vista Recovery Techniques:– Event Viewer– Safe Mode– Last Known Good Configuration– Startup Repair Tool– Backup and Restore Center– System Restore

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Advanced Boot Options

• Accessed by pressing F8 at startup• Options:

– Safe Mode– Safe Mode with Networking– Safe Mode with Command Prompt– Enable Boot Logging– Enable Low-Resolution Video (640x480)– Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)– Directory Services Restore Mode– Debugging Mode– Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure– Disable Driver Signature Enforcement– Start Windows Normally

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Startup Repair Tool

• Used to correct problems related to missing or corrupted system files

• Cannot repair hardware failures

• Cannot recover personal files that have been corrupted, damaged by viruses, or deleted

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Backup and Restore Center

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Backup and Restore Center

• Used to perform the following tasks:– Back up files– Restore files– Change automatic backup settings– Create an image of your entire

computer– Restore an image of your computer– Restore a previous version of files on

your computer using System Restore– Create a restore point using System

Protection

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Backing Up Files withBackup and Restore Center

• Backup and Restore Center can back up the following:– Pictures– Music– Videos– E-mail– Documents– TV shows recorded with Windows Media

Center– Compressed files (.zip, .cab, .iso)– Additional files that do not correspond to any of

the other categories

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Backup and Restore Center Limitations

• Backup and Restore Center will NEVER back up the following:– System files– Program files– User Profile Settings– Files encrypted by EFS– Files on FAT partitions– Files in the Recycle Bin– Temporary Files– Web-based e-mail

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Creating an Image with Windows Complete PC Backup

• Used to create a snapshot image of your entire computer, including:– Programs– System Settings– Files– Everything!

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System Restore

• Creates restore points that can be used to restore system files and settings to an earlier point in time

• Will not affect personal files• Restore points are created:

– Every day– Before installing applications or drivers– Before significant system events– Before restoring files with System

Restore– Manually upon request

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