Maestro Computing Services we make your system sing

Maestro Computing Services

we make your system sing

Windows XP/2000 Pro Networking and computer setup

Recommended Settings

Power Management

Desktop Systems

Turn off Power Mgmt from Control Panel
Turn off Power Mgmt from Network Adapter Properties

Notebook Computers

Manage Power Mgmt on Notebook Computers with the understanding that battery performance will diminish over the life of the battery

All computers

Turn off hibernation feature from Power Mgmt Applet in Control Panel. Its a good feature but consumes a large amount of hard disk space and can be troublesome.

Screen Saver

Do not enable logoff when the screen saver is activated (XP)

Do not Password Protect Screen Savers

Task Bar

Turn off Personalized Menus

Desktop, Start Menu and Control Panel

Show My Computer on desktop
Classic view of Start menu
Classic view of Control Panel
Install msconfig for Windows 2000 (use XP version)

Backup Routines, System Protection and Disaster Recovery

Install Recovery Console from CD ROM (winnt32/cmdcons)

Reset Boot up option to 10 seconds or less on boot up tab
Performance Tab
Control Panel
System Applet
Startup and Recovery

Show list of Operating Systems for x seconds

Create Emergency Repair Disk

Also backup the registry to the repair directory

Copy Winnt\repair folder to alternate location

Use Windows Backup routine

Backup System State to Network Drive or removable media

Create Password Reset disk (XP only)

Enable Internet Connection Firewall (XP Home and Pro only)

Regular Backup Routines

Backup system
Backup Data
Update Emergency Repair Disk and Backup registry to repair directory
Copy repair directory to alternate (removable) media
Backup System State to alternate (removable) media

Before Backing up

Restart the Computer
Disconnect from the internet
Save all work
Close all programs
Empty Recycle Bin
Delete Temporary Internet Files for all users
Delete Temp files in

Winnt/temp

Specific Users (all users)

Documents and settings

Local settings

Temp

Temporary Internet Files

Windows XP Pro only:

Do not backup system restore points located in System Volume Information

Automated System Recovery routines (XP Pro only)

Folder Options

Control Panel
Folder Options
View
Show Hidden Files
Turn off

Hide File Extensions for known file types

Hide Protected Operating system files

Show My Documents on the Desktop

Disk Management

Use NTFS file system if using Windows built in backup routines

Built in backup will not create backup file larger than 4 GB on FAT 32 Partition

User names

Do not create user administrator in Windows XP

Do not use administrator as a normal user in Windows 2000 Pro. Create a standard user instead

Computer Names/Network Names

Tuneup Suggestions

These are in addition to normal tuneup routines such as defrag, scandisk, antivirus updates, etc.

System Restore (XP Pro only)

Clean all but the most recent System Restore Points

Start
Programs
Accessories
System Tools
Disk Cleanup

More Options
System Restore
Clean all but last system restore points

Programs and Applications Adjustments

Office 2000 and Higher

Show Full Menus

View Toolbars
Customize
Show full menu

Internet Explorer

(set these options for all users)

Tools
Options
General Tab
- Reduce Days to Keep pages in history to less than 5 days
Advanced Tab

Turn off Automatic Update

Turn on empty temporary internet files folder when browser is closed