Getting More From Windows XP

Are you satisfied with what you have? Or do you want more? You might have the latest system, but can XP be even better? The answer is indisputably yes. Though you may not have realized it before, your computer is capable of faster speeds than you currently have, even with the DSL connection you're using.

Even though you plug in the capacity for lighting fast downloads, things can get clogged up. You'll have noticed this yourself. Sometimes, things just seem to crawl and when you use other computers, like the ones in Internet Cafes, you may notice that they are faster.

It's not that they necessarily have better technology, it’s that they know how to unlock its potential and now you can too, with Windows XP tweaks. What is a Windows XP tweak? Essentially, it is a way to access your system registry and 'tweak' the settings to their optimum values for your particular set up.

Like a racecar with sensitive gearing, your PC has a myriad of settings that you normally cannot touch. Though, if set correctly, they can improve your surfing experience and PC performance considerably.

A good program for Windows XP tweaks is DRTCP. This program is an interface that allows you to change settings in your registry without the need to go digging yourself with difficult code and whatnot. The simple GUI will allow you to input values and play with the settings yourself.

A word of caution - always make a note of what the original settings were and make sure all back ups are up to date. The registry can be a strange and dangerous place for the unwary and you don't want to mess things up in there.

That said, there are plenty of directions for you to follow as you tweak settings like RWIN, Selective Acks, MTU Settings and more. If those all sounded like gibberish to you, don't worry. These are all settings that control the amount of data that flows and how it is transmitted.

So are you ready for faster speeds? Ready to turn that PC into a lean, mean surfing machine? Go ahead. As long as you read the directions and, more importantly, follow them, you can't go wrong.

How to Speed Up Windows XP

Changes XP MTU to 1400

Are you on a DSL connection and are having problems viewing certain web pages and sending email? This MTU tweak can help