Preview pane pain!

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Would someone so kind do me a favor and remind me how to get rid of the preview pane in Windows 98? Every folder I open up has the preview to the left and it sometimes slows things down while I drag and drop from my desktop to one of the several folders in My Documents folder. I realize it has to do with 'view as a web page' but when there's soo many folders to go and set up correctly, I would rather do it in some way that will take care of them all at once.

I'm not sure but it may come back after a reboot so I need to set it permanently.

Thanks to everyone on this board.
With this place, sliced bread is obsolete.

[Reid]

In Windows Explorer, select View, Folder Options, View. There is a button to set all folders to the current folder view settings. I'm not sure if this option really works http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Paleo Pete]

Yep, the button to set all folders to the current view works. That's one of the first things I set when I reinstall Windows. I change fonts, basic appearance, set it to see all files, etc then check that option. It works perfect every time.

I don't quite understand the question though, if you remove the left hand pane, how would you drag and drop a file from one folder to the other without opening two windows? (In Windows Explorer, not from the desktop) I've never had to drag anything from the desktop to a folder, occasionally the opposite though...an icon for a dial up connection usually...

If Windows Explorer itself is acting slow or sluggish, maybe you have a problem elsewhere that needs attention. I've used drag and drop on a 486 with windows 95, and didn't have any complaints about the relative speed of it...compared to this P-450 it would be a turtle swimming backwards, but relative to the overall performance of the machine, it didn't slow down no matter how many files were stored, till it got below 50MB free space on the hard drive. At that point it quickly degraded to something that resembled a 286...

Do some checking...make sure you have run defrag recently, check to be sure you have hard drive free space that totals at least twice the amount of RAM, for a swap file, and right click My Computer, click Properties then the Performance tab and make sure it's not running in MS-DOS Compatibility Mode. That will make Windows Explorer run like a dog every time.

If you have folders set to View As Web Page, that might contribute, just open Windows Explorer, click View and uncheck "As Web Page" and that should set it to normal Explorer view, non-webpage.

Another thing that can seriously affect performance is the desktop itself. Icons, wallpaper and backgrounds are all images that must be refreshed 60-72 times a second. The more images on the desktop, the more work required to refresh them. So if you have a picture of your kid's birthday party as wallpaper and 87 icons, it's going to slow the system down. I keep no more than a dozen icons at all times, and never any wallpaper or backgrounds.

Yes, I know many webpages recommend downloading to the desktop, that's just taking the easy way out...they don't want to take a few minutes to give instructions to download to a folder instead, which keeps the desktop neater. When you download, just click the drop down arrow and choose a drive, then double click a folder. You'll see three buttons to the right of the drop down arrow. The one at right, a yellow folder with an asterisk (*) on it, creates a new folder. Name it, press [Enter] twice and the download goes there. One less icon on the desktop...and you don't have to drag and drop it later, it's already in the folder you want it to be in.

I create a folder named Download on D or E drive, that's where all downloads go, each in its own folder. And the name is 8 characters, so I can find it in DOS easy if necessary.

We have no idea what your system specs are, but if this is an older system and you have performance problems, many socket 7 Pentium motherboards used the Intel i430XX chipset, which can cache only 64MB RAM. If you have that chipset with more than 64MB memory, it's going to be slow. The XX can be FX, TX, HX or VX. Only the i430HX can cache more than 64MB, and then only if more tag RAM is added.

You might also have low system resource availability. That means the first 640K of memory, which most programs that load at start up insist on using. If you have a lot of programs loading at start up you might want to stop some of them, that might help speed things up a bit, and set video to 16 bit true color rather than 32 bit, you'll never be able to distinguish even 16 million colors...much less 32 million...picture quality is usually just as good at 16 bit true color, and it should help overall performance out.

------------------
If your nose runs and your feet smell...
You're built upside down!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Thanks guys,
I went to explorer and the fix actually was to choose classic style in folder options. It did what I wanted.

Pete, I have a habit of cluttering my desktop with 1kb shortcuts and small NotePad excerpts from various articles, threads or posts and quickly store them on the desktop until I get offline. Then what I do is open My Documents in a small window and drag the shortcuts and NotePad items unopened and drop them right on top of the folder icon within My Documents that relates to what it is I'm dragging. This inserts it where it is needed but the preview pane likes to process the item I'm dragging and it 'has a look at it' so this takes a few seconds before the icon disappears from the desktop to show it as completed.

For example: 99% of the shortcuts I save from this forum are labeled 'Here'. So I right click it, copy shortcut, paste on desktop, right click it, rename it then move on. Later, usually off-line, I will drop that renamed link in My Documents on top of a folder named Computer Stuff. Later still, I will go in that folder and make sub-folders and the likes to organize it. I do this for music stuff, hunting, fishing and several other folders I keep. Yeah I know, I'm a packrat, I can't help it. " http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif"

------------------
This space for George Carlin quotes:

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

(He should broaden that to pc's.)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Now that that's said, Rereading you post I have a question and more info for you.

What do you use for fonts? A friend of mine mentioned some thin lined font to conserve ink in the cartridges for the printer but I don't know which it is he uses. And what do you mean by basic appearance?

My resources aren't low and I'm Always running Speed Disc and many of the other optimizers for my system. I did have a socket 7 P150 w/24 megs of SIMM RAM but now have another pc.

Azza socket A mainboard VIA KLE133 micro ATX
AMD Duron 850mhz currently but can go to 1.5 or so gig
256 megs of pc133 RAM currently but can go to 1 gig
20 gig HDD don't remmember brand
56x cd-rom
8x4x32 cd-rw
Old Compac printer IJ200

As I'm writing 65% of resources free and I just checked and found a few apps running that needn't be. I'm usually on top of that too but it seems windows has a habit of reopening them. What the heck is rnaap and csinject?

"click Properties then the Performance tab and make sure it's not running in MS-DOS Compatibility Mode". I'm not.

I made a folder on the desktop and labeled it desktop items. In it are shortcuts to games and a few other things. I just now cleaned out the clutter and resources are now 70% but that was solitaire and two apps. of NotePad that were open. I think some of it is lost where the Duron uses some RAM for a swap file I'm not sure but I only have 248 of 256megs available.

I use Download Accelerator Plus and it has a feature to locate where you want the download to go so those never end up on the desktop.

I'm already at 16 bit color and my background is Teal Blue, I pay attention when I'm here don't you know!!!! And boy have I learned alot but it's still less than a drop in the bucket.

I still have a socket 7 in the other room and I'll check it out as to the last 2 digits but I think I've already figured out from the IBM support that 64 megs is full throttle.

Thanks again,

------------------
This space for George Carlin quotes:

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

(He should broaden that to pc's.)

[Vic 970]

Yep, the button to set all folders to the current view works. That's one of the first things I set when I reinstall Windows. I change fonts, basic appearance, set it to see all files, etc then check that option. It works perfect every time.


Not for me it don't Pete,

Ideally I would like to view some folders in list view, others in large icons. I have reset to 'like this folder' 'remember folder settings etc' but windows forgets (or completely ignores me)

also I have a notepad doc to open on boot up, it used to be in the centre of the screen, now it's always in the left corner (however I try to get it back)

just another windows annoyance !!!!

------------------
for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.
Definition of Upgrade "A means of introducing new bugs to a program to replace the ones that you have eventually found fixes for"

Regards..,
Vic.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Originally posted by Fruss Tray Ted:

"I went to explorer and the fix actually was to choose classic style in folder options. It did what I wanted."

Correction:
I noticed that everytime I clicked on an icon within a window a new window opened up and would have several open once I'd get to where I needed so I put it back to custom setting but managed to keep the preview pane closed or disabled. My pc is noticeably faster as a result. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif Now to go do the same on the socket 7 pc with 48 megs pc66 RAM to hopefully regain some of the system resources it is seriously lacking. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Vic,

My NotePad opens in the middle but I don't have it set to open on boot. Let me know if you find a solution because depending what avenue I use to open something the window can be any of several orientations on the screen. Just part of the "load more questions" in your sig I guess...

------------------
This space for George Carlin quotes:

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

(He should broaden that to pc's.)

[Vic 970]

funny thing, I just ran spider, and of course re booted, notepad opened in the middle of screen (more or less) I re booted again and it reverted back to top left corner.

I think it may be something to do with 'folder settings' ie: if you USE the window (add or delete something & save) windows remembers, if not it forgets.

------------------
for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.
Definition of Upgrade "A means of introducing new bugs to a program to replace the ones that you have eventually found fixes for"

Regards..,
Vic.

[Paleo Pete]

Download Accelerator Plus...Spyware (http://www.tom-cat.com/cgi-bin/spybase/spybase.cgi?view_records=1&name=^D|^D&re=1&sb=4&so=ascend&nh=31&mh=1) unless you know how to turn it off.

Fonts...by that I meant that I change the fonts Windows uses for menu bars, window titles etc. It has nothing to do with printing, just makes it look the way I want it to and easier to read. I use different ones every time I install windows, used Comic Sans this time, bold for menus, plain for icons but larger so I can read it easier. (yes, the eyes are first to go...) I've used Verdana, Times New Roman, Arial and several others. I like Comic Sans and Verdana best. Both look good in bold and normal, but you have to watch sizes with Comic Sans, over 14 and it looks bold even with normal style, bold is really thick.

For printing check around, you can change fonts a few times and see which ones use thinner lines, they will use less ink. The default notepad font is just like a typewriter, probably the most ink conservative you can get. To find out what font it is. open Notepad and click Edit then Set Font. the current font should be highlighted in the n=box, with a drop down list you can pick from. The default looks like a typewriter, I always change it to either Arial or Verdana. It will then use that font till you change it again.

By basic appearance I mean the Appearance tab in Display Properties. You can make Windows look however you want it to look. General appearance I use a plain black background, black for the window borders to give it depth, two colors for the title bar, that's about it, nothing fancy..and no more than 10 icons if at all possible. Bold for menu and title bar text, as mentioned above, makes it easier to read. Once you set it you can go back in again then the dual colors for title bars should be available.

System Resources...I'm running an AMD K6-2 450 w/256MB PC 100 RAM, resources are sitting at 63% free System, 63% free User, 71% free GDI. That's with 5 browser windows, ICQ, ZA, InCD, and Resource Meter running. Open Nuts & Bolts system gauge and it drops to 60%, 60%, 70% respectively, then picks back up to the previous numbers after a few seconds. Runs fine at those percentages. CPU idles at 1-3% usually, jumps to 40-70% opening many programs, a few peg it out at 100% (can you say MS Office???). Then it drops back to normal idle usage of 1-3%. Nothing overclocked, CAS 3 memory setting. (only because one chip won't handle CAS 2) Says it's using 46% of available memory. 101 threads, no idea how many processes, no setting for that on this thing (is that the same as threads???). Win98SE.

To find out about the chipset, take a look at the motherboard. If you know how to locate the chipset it will have a chip number printed on it. The motherboard manual will have the same info. Sysopt (http://www.sysopt.com/intelchip.html) has a page with pictures of all but the FX, and you can see what exact numbers to look for. With specs for each. You'll see that these say they support up to 128MB main memory, which is true on the surface, but they can only cache 64MB of it. What's more, I found another page that said that if you add more than 64MB it also shuts off L2 cache, which degrades performance even more. (I can't verify that, it's just what the one site claimed.) I've seen a P-233MMX run like a 386 with 128MB RAM, drop it to 64MB and it ran great.

rnaapp is a program that runs when you use a modem, it's always there once you open a dial up connection. Leave it alone if you're connected to the Internet, if not connected you can shut it down. Sometimes it won't shut itself down after you close a connection, and can cause problems when it happens. Having two instances open can cause trouble too.

I don't know about csinject, Look it Up (http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm). OK I cheated and looked it up, but I'm not sharing... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif



------------------
If your nose runs and your feet smell...
You're built upside down!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Thank you Pete,
I disabled the mirror in DAP last night per your advice. I've never messed with fonts except when everyone was floating around that prophecy scare about 9/11 with the pictures of aeroplanes and towers. I didn't realize you can also change fonts in headers and toolbars and the likes. About tired eyes I sure like the hold ctrl down then draw to the front with a scroll mouse feature this and I know of only one other site's feature alot. I can see http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif not see with a cane http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif .

As far as icons I try to have ONLY 10 on but I'm at 17 right now packratting again...

Quote:

"63% free System, 63% free User, 71% free GDI. That's with 5 browser windows, ICQ, ZA, InCD, and Resource Meter running. Open Nuts & Bolts system gauge and it drops to 60%, 60%, 70% respectively, then picks back up to the previous numbers after a few seconds. Runs fine at those percentages. CPU idles at 1-3% usually, jumps to 40-70% opening many programs, a few peg it out at 100% (can you say MS Office???). Then it drops back to normal idle usage of 1-3%. Nothing overclocked, CAS 3 memory setting. (only because one chip won't handle CAS 2) Says it's using 46% of available memory. 101 threads, no idea how many processes, no setting for that on this thing (is that the same as threads???). Win98SE."

This area if you have time, will have to be explained one at a time. First where's my resource meter? I'm thinking I didn't install it with custom settings. Can I post install it if that's the case or should I even bother. Right now with NeoWatch, Norton's, AVG (thanks to here), 4 items in quick launch plus minimized open apps of Solitaire, NeoWatch, 2 NotePads, a ping I just traced and 2 browsers my free resources are 70%. But all in all my pc screams it's so fast the way I've managed to tweak it. And I'm not done yet. As some have mentioned here I will soon be removing MS Word 2000? 2001? don't remmember which plus one other Word program that one disc the other didn't and will be running them from the disk from now on.

For an example of how fast: With my old pc I would put FreeCell to 'no animation and I could still see the card movements when you get to the final move and everything flies up to the Aces pile. Now, with the animation ON mind you, it's SOO fast that I CANNOT see the movement even when 95% of the cards are still down on the playing area! When you click the last move you barely have time to say VVVVTT! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

On my older IBM mobo what's the difference between K-6 200 and K-6 300? Can I just overclock? I can either go to a P233 or K-6 300 with it. Which is better? It's at 48 megs pc66 RAM right now. I'll get to the chipset soon, I promise http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif .

And last but not least, I looked it up (http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm), OK?

Thanks maestro, as long as you can lead this place with a baton and not rule it with a gavel, it's a happynin' place! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
This space for George Carlin quotes:

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

(He should broaden that to pc's.)

[Paleo Pete]

Resource Meter: If it's installed, it will be under Start\Programs\Accessories\System Tools. If it's not installed dig out the Windows CD and install it from Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. Should be in the Windows Setup tab, System Tools section.

On the older motherboard, I'd max it out with the 300MHz CPU, not much difference in performance between that and the 233, and both are MMX compatible, just depends on which brand you like better mostly. You won't notice much difference in preformance until you triple the CPU speed, so nothing below about a 700-800MHz would be very noticable after running either one. I notice no difference between this 450 and my sister's 700, both with 256MB RAM, both at 100MHz system bus speed, very little difference between this one and the P-233MMX it replaced but it has less RAM.

The one consideration would be the system bus speed, 233MMX will only operate at 66MHz system bus (maximum) but the 300 might support 100MHz bus, you can check the AMD site and get specs to see, I'm not sure. If it will handle the 100MHz system bus, and if the board supports it, that would definitely be the way to go. If not, either would do fine, you would notice very little if any difference between 233 and 300MHz. (each with the same memory amount and bus speed) I'd go ahead with the 300, squeeze every last bit out of it. Don't bother overclocking it, can't go far enough to make a difference, unless you just want to learn how.

And last but not least, I looked it up, OK?

Great...that's how we get people to learn around here, instead of handing them every little thing on a platter... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Hmm...lead with a baton? I use a fishing rod usually... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
If your nose runs and your feet smell...
You're built upside down!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.