CMOS

[Antz]

How doesone move the CMOS up in priority?
I'm trying to optimize my XP box
it's just sluggish.


regards,

antz

 

[Malke]

How doesone move the CMOS up in priority?
I'm trying to optimize my XP box
it's just sluggish.

CMOS is the very low level "brain" of your computer - it is from where
the very first instructions (stored on a chip on the motherboard) come
into play when you turn on your machine. Any sluggishness you're
experiencing is not related to the CMOS instructions. Here are generic
Windows troubleshooting which will speed up your computer: 1) scan with
current antivirus using updated definitions; 2) remove spyware with
tools such as Spybot S&D (www.security.kolla.de) and/or Ad-aware
(www.lavasoftusa.com) - note that it is a good idea to do virus and
spyware scans in Safe Mode; 3) delete temporary and Temporary Internet
Files; 4) stop unnecessary services/programs from running at startup
(see www.blackviper.com for a listing of services). Of course, you
haven't given us your computer specs so it's not possible to give more
detailed advice. Perhaps you don't have enough RAM, a fast enough
processor, etc. Post back with details, including what you've done to
troubleshoot, if you want more help.

Malke

 

[Antz]

thanks for the info

it's a DELL Precision 420 with 256 RAM.
40gb hard drive.
running XP


i hope that helps.

 

[Malke]

thanks for the info

it's a DELL Precision 420 with 256 RAM.
40gb hard drive.
running XP


i hope that helps.

OK, what about your video card? What sorts of programs do you run? Go
ahead and do the "generic troubleshooting steps" I gave you in my first
post and that should speed things up considerably.

Malke

 

[Alex Nichol]

CMOS is the very low level "brain" of your computer - it is from where
the very first instructions (stored on a chip on the motherboard) come
into play when you turn on your machine. Any sluggishness you're
experiencing is not related to the CMOS instructions. Here are generic
Windows troubleshooting which will speed up your computer:

There are a couple of CMOS settings that control the underlying hardware
and may have a very significant effect.

Get at the settings (more usually called BIOS setup) by hitting the
appropriate hot key as the initial memory check happens. Often DEL or a
Function key - see the manual.

The relevant ones will be :

in a BIOS or CMOS settings page :
Level1 and Level 2 cache must be enabled. Turning off level 2 cache
will make a Pentium 4 run like an early Celeron; turning off Level one
will make it run more like an abacus.

On probably the Main page, in settings for Hard disks/CD drives
Ultra DMA must not be disabled