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We often wonder if we are getting the most out of our computers, especially as we sit drumming our fingers waiting for some process to begin or end. Is the system configured optimally? What can you do get the system into shape and keep it that way? This chapter explores the available tools for monitoring and maintaining your computer.

Along the way, you'll learn about the following:

Performance tools and the new Windows Experience Index
Problem Reports and Health Reports
Routine maintenance, including Disk Cleanup and Defragmenter

Not surprisingly, Windows Vista has many tools for examining and maintaining your computer.

System Maintenance with Windows Vista
Windows Experience Index

Many different groups have created benchmarks for evaluating hardware performance and for comparing systems. PC Magazine uses the Winstone benchmark, for instance. Now Microsoft has entered the game with the Windows Experience Index. The first time Windows Vista starts on a machine, a performance evaluation automatically runs to rate your hardware and calculate a score.

You can see the Performance Information and Tools (the PIT) window by clicking the Windows Experience Index link in the System window, or through Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Performance and Information Tools.

Processor (CPU) The CPU is the component that executes the instructions or calculations in programs and the operating system. This number rates the CPU's speed or throughput. Low is slow(er), high is faster. The machine in Figure 8-2 has an Intel Pentium 4 1.5 GHz (about five years old).

Memory (RAM) RAM is the workspace for currently executing programs and associated data. Low RAM forces Windows Vista to swap memory more, which is the process of moving code out of RAM to disk, swapping that code back when it is needed. This often feels like hesitation as you switch from one active task to another. Even with all the RAM in the world, Windows performs this swap. It may do it less with more RAM (or fewer active tasks). The example machine has only 512 MB of RAM, the minimum for a "Vista Capable PC" system (1 GB is the minimum for a "Vista Premium Ready PC"). The Home Basic and Home Premium editions of Windows Vista cannot use more than 8 GB of RAM.

Graphics Aero is the name of the features that comprise the new look and feel of Windows Vista, including transparent windows, live preview thumbnails in the taskbar, and the "task switching" feature called Flip 3-D (Win+Tab). It is possible to run Windows

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