Faster PC

Faster PC Identity

Did you know that your computer can go faster if you tell it it's a different type of machine?

By default in Windows 95/98, memory for file access and memory of recently accessed files is defined by the "role" your computer plays. When your machine is defined as a desktop computer, it sets aside memory for the 32 most recently accessed folders, and 677 recently accessed files. This takes up about 10K of memory.

You can trick your machine into remembering more files and folders by telling your PC that it's a network server. When you're a network server, lucky you: Memory will retain 64 recently opened folders, and 2,729 recent files!

That's a pretty big difference. The only downside is that this setting eats an additional 30K of memory, but it only makes the total about 40K. In the big picture, that's not much.

To convince your desktop computer that it's a network server:

Right-click on "My Computer"
Choose "Properties"
Click the "Performance" tab
Choose the "File System" button
Choose "Network Server" in the dropdown menu under "Typical role of this computer"
Close and reboot!

If you're running Windows 95 or 95a, you won't be able to do this manually. However, thanks to our friends at Speedguide, you can download a patch to fix it. Thanks to Speedguide for this tip!

-- Kate Botello

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