Photoshop CS - Slower to Faster - Performance Problem

For a web-designer Photoshop is a major tool for his designing to take a better shape, his creativity to flow/enhance. But if photoshop starts gving trouble, then what will you do?
It happened with me. Few days back Photoshop was faster on my new machine. I was very happy with the new machine and the photoshop speed. But today without generating any error messages, it started acting weird. It took ages to redraw images, slower than ever. It was a major performance problem. After several hours of investigations, I got the resolve. So you might have a question..

How to make Photoshop run faster on your windows machine?
I tried several different options. Some of them really worked out for me. I thought sharing some of them with you to save your valuable time and get resolve on any photoshop performance issues. See if these tips work for you. Please let me know…

Possible Reasons for Photosop Slower performance

Image Cache Levels:
Try reducing the amount of memory that some images use.
Goto: Edit > Preferences > Memory and Image Cache >Set Cache Levels to 3 or even 2.

Font Preview in Photoshop:
See if this is the issue by selecting Edit > Preferences > Type > Deselect Font Preview Size.
If performance does improve that means some of the fonts are damaged and you need to find out the damaged fonts.

Find Damaged fonts by Moving all system fonts to a folder on the different drive and then adding back to the Fonts Folder.
If you receive an error message that some fonts cannot be copied because they might be damaged, click OK. You may need to reinstall these fonts from the original source at a later time.

Info palette:
Goto Window Menu in Photoshop and click Info to deselect the Info palette if it is selected. Do you find any improvement?

Some elements in the PS file are corrupted:
If the image can be opened by ImageReady (you might get memory issue message, just ignore) open it in ImageReady and resave the image with a different name. This worked for me.
Fonts previously used that are no longer on the computer can cause images to open slowly or appear to freeze/hang.

Some of the Fonts missing:
Update or reinstall old fonts.

Graphics rendering problem:
Update the video card driver.

Low graphic card memory:
Upgrade a video card to greater than 64 MB of RAM.

If none of the above solution works, just paste your problem in the comment for everyone to see and have solutions for you.

DNS TCP/IP commands from command prompt

IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS and WINS addresses
What do you use to configure these things? There are various applications or utilities also available to configure TCP/IP settings and many other options.
But you can also achieve all this through command prompt! Isn't it fantastic? Many of you might be familiar with ping, tracert and ipconfig commands available in windows xp. Let us see which other commands you can use from command prompt.
With the help of these commands you can view or modify the network configuration settings of a computer that is currently running.

To get the command prompt...
Press 'WinKey + R' type CMD [ENTER]
• ping webgk.com - Test Connectivity
• tracert - Trace IP address Route
• netstat - Displays the TCP/IP protocol sessions
• route - Display Local Route
• arp - Display Resolved MAC Addresses
• hostname - Display Computer Name
• netsetup.cpl - Network Setup Wizard
• control netconnections - Network Connections
• ipconfig /all - Connection Configuration
• ipconfig /displaydns - Display DNS Cache Info
• ipconfig /flushdns - Clear DNS Cache
• ipconfig /release - Release All IP Address Connections
• ipconfig /renew - Renew All IP Address Connections
• ipconfig /registerdns - ReRegister the DNS connections
• ipconfig /showclassid - Display DHCP Class Information
• ipconfig /setclassid - Change/Modify DHCP Class ID

Knowledge of DNS, gateway and subnet mask is helpful while resolving network issues. The following questions provides you a short description of...

What is DNS?
Domain Name Service (DNS) numbers are IP addresses that a web server uses to refer to specific servers that resolve domain names to IP addresses.

What is a GateWay?
A gateway IP refers to a device on a network which sends local network traffic to other networks. In the technical language it is a hardware device or software application set up that translates between two dissimilar protocols.

What is Subnet Mask?
The subnet mask number helps to identify the relationship between the host (computers, routers, switches, etc.) and the rest of the workgroup or network. For the purpose of security and performance a subnet mask divides IP networks into two different parts.

Unable to sign in to MSN Messenger

Error 80048820: Unable to sign in to MSN Messenger
This is the most common error faced by most of the msn messenger or windows live messenger users.
I have tried to explain all of the possible reasons and provided step by step solutions to overcome this issue. Check if it is...

Your computer's date and time settings

There are several aspects involved while connecting to secure sites like MSN Hotmail relies on your clock being accurate.

▪ Press WinKey+R. (Click to know more Winkey Shortcuts)
▪ Type timedate.cpl, and press ENTER.
▪ Verify Date and Time settings on your computer are correct, and then click OK.

Your PC's firewall might be blocking MSN Messenger

If you think it's your firewall that could be the reason then check it out as explained below...

▪ Visit the MSN Web Messenger website.
▪ Click on 'Start MSN Web Messenger', to sign in online web messenger.
▪ If you succeed signing in to MSN Web Messenger, but MSN Messenger still can't access the Internet, then possible reason could be that MSN Messenger has been blocked by a firewall. Add MSNmsgr.exe to your allow list in firewall settings. These settings are different in different firewalls. Please refer to respective documentations for more information on how to add MSNmsgr.exe to your firewall allow list. Need more help on this? Feel free to post your questions in comment section. I will do my best to help you out in this regard.

The DLL registration issue

In this case you will need to reregister the SSL security libraries. You can do that by following the steps given below.

▪ Press WinKey+R
▪ Type following commands one at a time and press ENTER. After each successful execution you will see the message: 'DllRegisterServer succeeded'. Type the second command and follow this until you finish all of the commands listed below.
▪ REGSVR32 softpub.dll
▪ REGSVR32 wintrust.dll
▪ REGSVR32 initpki.dll
▪ REGSVR32 Rsaenh.dll
▪ REGSVR32 Mssip32.dll
▪ REGSVR32 Cryptdlg.dll
▪ REGSVR32 Dssenh.dll
▪ REGSVR32 Gpkcsp.dll
▪ REGSVR32 Slbcsp.dll
▪ REGSVR32 Sccbase.dll

Note: Usually these .dll files are stored in the respective folders [system32]. In case, if any of the file is missing, then you will need to download it from internet. Just type the respective 'filename.dll download' in the sidebar search box.

The .Net Messenger service is down

The .NET Messenger Service might be temporarily down. Take a stretch break. relax your mind, and body. After that give a try to sign in again.

Some other possible MSN Errors:

'Error 81000314, error 81000377 or error 81000378: Your contact list is not available'
Your MSN address book or MSN contact list is temporarily not available or is in read only mode. Wait for few minutes, take a stretch break and then try to sign in again.

Windows Key, WinKey Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows key - WinKey Keyboard Shortcuts for all windows platforms

It is always good to have more knowledge about the Operating system that we use on our computer. You might be using Windows Operating System for more than a year now. How much are you familiar with the different keyboard shortcuts that can be used as and when required? These keyboard shortcuts can save your invaluable time. Have you ever thought about this? Let me guide you through a few well known keyboard shortcuts for the same.

The shortcut keys listed below can be used on any computer with Windows OS installed on it. Opps! By the way, where is the winkey located on your keyboard?

Don't worry here is the snapshhot of the Windows Key or WINKEY if you are not familiar with it.

Lets start with the Shortcut Keys:

1. WinKey - This ‘Windows Key’ alone will open Start Menu.
2. WinKey + F1 - Takes you to the Microsoft Windows help and support center directly.
3. WinKey + F3 - It opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook for you.
4. WinKey + D - Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
5. WinKey + M - One key to Minimize all open windows on your desktop.
6. WinKey + Shift + M - To bring back the minimized windows done by WinKey + M and WinKey + D.
7. WinKey + E - This provides you a quick access to Windows Explorer.
8. WinKey + Tab - Allows you to move through the applications in your Taskbar.
9. WinKey + F - Shortcut to the Windows Search/Find feature.
10. WinKey + CTRL + F - Display the search for computers current window.
11. WinKey + R - Shortcut to access the run command.
12. WinKey + Break - Open the system properties dialogue box.
13. WinKey + U - Shortcut to open the Utility Manager.
14. WinKey + L - Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).

These keys are specifically used in Windows XP. However, almost all of the shortcuts work on Windows 2000, Windows 2003 and Windows Vista.

By using these keyboard shortcuts you tend to use the mouse very little and this protects you from being a victim of RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury). RSI is a different topic altogether and will hopefully cover it in deep in forthcoming articles for you. These are a few steps to free yourself from the clutches of the mouse and to make optimum use of your keyboard.

You are welcome to post your comments for you valuable suggestions, feedback or ideas! Thanks.

How to improve hard disk speed or performance?

Improve Hard Disk performance in just 5 easy steps!

Do you feel sometime your PC's hard disk takes too much time to deliver the desired results? If yes then this hard disk speed improvement tweak is just for you. To perform this tweak, make sure your PC has at least 256Mb of Ram.

Don’t Worry! These are very simple steps which won't do any harm to your PC and that’s for sure. If you don't find any improvements in the hard drive performance after performing this tweak, then in that case, you can always go back to original settings.

Now to improve the hard disk speed, configure a special buffer in the computer's memory. With that it will be able to deal with interrupts in a faster and better way to get the results in a timely manner. How to do that?

Here are those 5 easy steps...

1. In the Run command, type SYSEDIT.EXE and hit 'enter key'
2. Open the system.ini file [close other files]
3. Find a section called [386enh], usually at the end of file
4. Type this without quotes 'Irq14=4096' after this line as it is
5. From File menu select 'Save'

You are done with the tweak, now close SYSEDIT and reboot the PC. You will be able to see the improvement in speed as soon as your computer gets restarted.

This tweak works for any kind of IDE SCSI disk.

Master password in firefox - Remember password option?

Master password in FireFox - How secured is the password manager option?

Is it too hectic for you to remember each password for every site you visit?
Firefox's integrated password manager is far more convenient, but is it secured?

Lets have a look - Open up firefox, click on Tools > Options > Security > Passwords
If you click on "Show Passwords > Show Passwords", voilla! it shows all your secrets! Not to worry, now you are going to secure all your passwords in next few simple steps.

A Master Password option in Mozilla firefox browser protects your stored passwords. You can store all webmail, forum account information, various registered networking sites, e-mail server passwords. By using Master Password option, your profile will be asked to enter the Master Password when access is needed to your stored passwords. Now with this option no one can get access to your stored passwords without having Master Password.

Only browing history, email stored in local drive and alredy logged in sites can be accessed without using punching a Master Password. Make sure to remove those passwords, which were stored before turning on the Master Password option.

How to set a master password in Firefox?

Click on the menu - Tools > Options > Security > Passwords

Check both options - 'Remember passwords for site' and 'Use a Master password'

While chosing a Master password use a combination of random numbers, letters and some special characters like @ # $ etc. For example: "Pa$$w0rd" [don't use it, it's just an example] Make sure you remember the Master password. If you lose master password, you will not be able to recover your stored passwords by any means, so be careful while chosing the Master password.

Now you and all your stored passwords are protected and safe. No one can steal them, they belongs to their Master only. And that's you!

How to get blog indexed by search engines?

How long does it take to get your blog indexed by major search engines like - Google, Yahoo, MSN?

Almost all major search engines automatically index blogs, when they come accross a link to blog while crawling the web. Some good forums related to your blog subject would also help. Simply place a link directing to your blog in your forum signature.

The best way that followed by almost every blogger is to submit your site feed to some niche blog directories. Such as - Technorati, Bloggernity, Blogcatalog, Feedster and other blog-specific search engines. They have different indexing methods and techniques.

Also, if you are using Blogger, make sure your blog settings are setup to 'PING' the weblog update service. There are spiders always hungry for new content.

How do I submit my blog to google yahoo msn search engines?

Submit blog to Google, Yahoo, MSN

The fact is, you don't need too, they will find your blog through inboud links. However, if you want to make sure a particular search engine must index your blog then manual submission will be a good idea. Make sure you don't overdo it. If within couple of weeks your blog doesn't get indexed [that's in rare case] submit your blog once more.

Below are the free submission URLs of some major search engines:

Submit blog to Google

Submit blog to Yahoo

Submit blog to MSN

AVG Shell32.dll changed - Spyware, MalWare, Virus?

AVG Shell32.dll changed - Spyware, MalWare, Virus?

Absolutely not!

It is normal. While scanning if AVG finds that the MBR or Boot record has been changed then it AVG antivirus shows those files. This happens during normal maintenance, when you or windows updates files or have had to correct errors on the hard drive. If it dose not show infected then you shouldn't be worry about it.

How to get rid of this message - AVG Shell32.dll changed?

If you don't want AVG to show this message again, you will need to open AVG test center then press F3 function key on your keyboard for AVG to accept the changes. You will not see the message next time AVG run the test. In case for some reason the F3 key doesn't remove the changed, you can also run a search for the file AVG7QT.DAT [by default this file is stored in the root of C drive - c:/] and delete it. AVG will take care of it next time it is run, will rebuild the new one.
Note: This is not for each and every file, some files like user32.dll, shell32.dll, ntoskrnl.exe wsock32.dll are exceptions.

ATB!

MS fonts alternatives, substitutes - Arial, Times New Roman, Sans Serif windows fonts - Linux Platform

News to Linux Users - Alternatives, substitutes to MS fonts - Arial, Times New Roman, Sans Serif fonts etc - to work on linux platform?

I have read that couple of months back in may 07, the official site of Red Hat Linux, released some font sets. There are 3 types Sans, Serif and Mono - Sans (a substitute for Albany;Arial;Bitstream Vera Sans;Helvetica;Nimbus Sans), Serif (a substitute for Bitstream Vera Serif;Nimbus Roman;Thorndale,Times New Roman) and 3rd is Mono (a substitute for Bitstream Vera Sans Mono;Courier;Courier New;Cumberland;Nimbus). You can install/download these fonts from the red had linux official site.

These fonts are available for Red Had Enterprise Linux and Fedora in RPM format. You can get these fonts in TTF format too. So now no more hunting for TTF fonts.

I have already downloaded and installed the RPM and running it excellently on my PC.

Go ahead and make it work for you. ATB

How to set size for temp files in IE?

To set temp folder size in Internet Explorer.

Just follow these steps...
1. Open Internet explorer
2. Go to "Tools" menu
3. Click on "Internet options"

you will get this screen....



















you will get this screen...

With the help of the slider you can set the desired size for tmp files.