Xara PC Check Tuning - 2011 Owners Manual

2 Copyright

Copyright

This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right of duplication, circulation, and translation, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding manufacturers. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program modifications reserved.

MAGIX is a registered trademark of MAGIX AG.

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the respective manufacturer.

www.magix.com

Table of Contents 3

Table of Contents

Support 5

System requirements 6

Serial number 7

Tips for Program Help 8

More about MAGIX 9

MAGIX Online World - the services 9 MAGIX News Center 10

Introduction 11

What is MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011? 11 Features 11 Overview of the program screen 13

1-click quick maintenance 14

Program functions at a glance 15

PC Check 15 Increase performance 18 Free up memory 20 Secure data 23 Configure Windows 24 Info - My PC 30 Save power 35

Functions in detail 37

Customize system start 37 Defragmentation 39 MAGIX Registry Cleaner 39 Defragment registry 41 File assignment 42 Context menu 43 Manage swapfile 45 Update drivers 46 Data manager 48 Undelete in detail 50

www.magix.com

4 Table of Contents

Data shredder 52 Burn backup 54 Drive backup 61 Restore drive with boot disc 63 System restore 67

Additional features and settings 71

MAGIX PC Check Live 71 File filter 74 Recorder and media information 75 Help menu 77

Tips & tricks - Problems & solutions 80

What is a backup? 80 Safe mode 80 Problems during boot-up? 81 PC turns off on its own 83 Windows XP repair function 83 Windows Vista repair function 85 Start file rescue from CD 86

MAGIX services in detail 87

magix.info 87 MAGIX Online Album 88 MAGIX Online Print Service 89 MAGIX Website Maker 90 MAGIX Blog Service 92

Glossary 93

Index 106

www.magix.com

Support 5

Support

If you experience any problems with your software, please contact our support team:

Support website: http://support.magix.net

This website takes you to the MAGIX user service page; the following free offers are also featured there:

• FAQs (frequently asked questions) and general tricks and tips. In most cases, you’ll find the solution to your problem here. If not, use the email support form.

• Email support form: Use the special form to inform our support staff about your system. This information is used to solve your problems quickly and competently. Simply fill it out and send it with a mouse click!

• Support forum: You are not alone. Perhaps other users had a similar problem and can help you solve yours. Our support staff are also regular contributors.

• Download section: Updates, improvements, and patches are likewise offered free of charge via download. Many problems you may experience are already familiar to us, and they can often be solved by downloading the latest patch. Besides patches, there are also wizards for checking and optimizing your system.

• Links: The links list contains the contact addresses for all of the most important hardware manufacturers.

Please note: To be able to use the support, you have to register your product using the serial number provided. This number can be found on the CD case of your installation CD or on the inside of the DVD box.

Europe

Sales Department: Monday - Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT

U.K.: 0203 3189218 Denmark: 699 18149 Sweden: 0852500858 Finland: 09 31581630 Norway: 0210 30665

Support request via email: http://support.magix.net/contact/uk

Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers: http://support.magix.net/phone/uk

www.magix.com

6 System requirements

Mail: MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194 Dresden,

Germany

North America

Sales Department: 9 am to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri Phone: 1-305-722-5810 Support request via email: http://support.magix.net/contact/us

Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers: http://support.magix.net/phone/us

Mail: MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302, Reno, NV 89502, USA

Please have the following information at hand:

• Program version

• Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive, etc.),

sound card configuration (type, driver)

• Information regarding other audio software installed

System requirements

Operating system: Microsoft® Windows® XP | Vista® | 7

• Processor: min. Intel

Pentium® 400 MHz or equivalent

• RAM: min. 256 MB

• Min 300 MB free hard disk space

• Graphics card with a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 600

• CD or DVD drive for program installation

• Also suitable for netbooks (with separate CD or DVD drive)

www.magix.com

Serial number 7

Serial number

A serial number is included with each product, and although it is not required for the installation of the software, it does enable access to additional bonus services. Please store this number in a safe place.

What can a serial number do?

A serial number ensures that your copy of MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 is clearly assigned to you and only you, and it makes improved and more targeted customer service possible. Abuse of the software can be prevented with a serial number, since it ensures that the optimum price/performance ratio continues to be offered by MAGIX.

Where can the serial number be found?

The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD case. If your product, for example, is packed in a DVD box, then you'll find the serial number on the inside.

For versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet (download versions), you'll receive your serial number for activating the software directly after purchasing the product via email.

When will you need the serial number?

The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 for the first time.

Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product, since only then are you entitled to get program updates and contact MAGIX Support. Entering the serial number is also required for activating codecs.

www.magix.com

8 Tips for Program Help

Tips for Program Help

The program help contains hints on how to use the program and lots of additional information. Many important terms are indicated in the text in italics and an explanation to them is reached by clicking on them.

Context help: Press the "F1" key at any point in the opened program and help will open with the matching help topic (context help).

Search function: To find out information on specific words, use the search function. Enter either the individual word or use logical operators (OR, AND, NEAR) to refine your search if you have several search words.

• "OR" (between two words): All topics which contain both words or one of the

words will be listed.

• "AND" (between two words): Only those topics will be listed which contain

both words.

• "NEAR" (between two words): Only those topics will be listed which contain

both words. A maximum of six other words may be added between the search terms.

• "NOT“" (before a word): Topics which contain this word will not be listed.

Print: Use the help program's print function to make a printout of individual

topics or entire sections. For help cases which may take a long time, this can be more practical than switching between the help window and the program. The print button is located at the top of the help window in the toolbar.

www.magix.com

More about MAGIX 9

More about MAGIX

MAGIX Online World - the services

Discover the possibilities of MAGIX Online World.

MAGIX Online Album

MAGIX Online Album lets you publish your photos and videos directly on the Internet. You can also play your music as MP3s in the Online Album. Create your personal album website in no time with your own Internet address, and showcase everything that's fun about multimedia to the world.

For example, you can upload especially impressive photos or entire slideshows as videos straight from your MAGIX program. Pictures you put on your website can be downloaded with ease from the comfort of your own home and integrated into your slideshow.

MAGIX Website Maker

MAGIX Website Maker helps you create a personal Internet showcase with a professional design in just a few mouse clicks – without prior knowledge, including your own chosen domain and email address. Publish slideshows and videos and accessorize your site with music and various effects – anything from a simple business card to a fireworks display of effects, professional or private – show your best side!

More about this topic can be found under MAGIX Website Maker. (view page

90)

magix.info

Help and get help - Directly from within the program, you'll be able to access

magix.info http://www.magix.info/de/, the new MAGIX Knowledge Database (view page 87). You'll find answers to all the most frequently asked questions about MAGIX products and multimedia in general. Couldn't find an answer to your particular question? No problem – just ask the question yourself!

MAGIX Online Print Service

MAGIX Online Print Service is perfect for getting your pictures processed online or printed as photo gifts on mugs, t-shirts, or calendars.

www.magix.com

10 More about MAGIX

Catooh

If your project is missing pictures, videos, DVD menus, sounds, or samples, then you should have a look at the huge selection available at Catooh. There you'll be able to buy media in excellent quality for low prices: DVD menus, Slideshow Maker styles, decorative elements, 3D power effects, 3D transition series, MAGIX Soundpools, songs, ringtones... Perfectly suited to all MAGIX photo, video, and music projects.

MAGIX Blog Service

With MAGIX Blog Service, YOU make the news! Share your thoughts, experiences, and news with a worldwide audience in no time using your own interactive online multimedia journal. Invite family, friends, and acquaintances to join in and enter their comments! A free MAGIX Online Album belongs to the MAGIX Blog Service (view page 91) so that you always have full control over your contributions.

MAGIX News Center

MAGIX can supply you with all of the latest information about your software. In the MAGIX News Center, you will find all of the links to current online tutorials as well as tips & tricks on individual topics or software application examples.

You will also be informed of the availability of brand new updates and patches for your program as well as special offers, contests, and surveys.

The news is split into three color-coded sections:

• Green for practical tips & tricks for your software

• Yellow reports the availability of new patches and updates for your product

• Red for special offers, contests, and surveys

• And if there are no new messages, then the button will be grey

All available information is shown as soon as you click on MAGIX News Center. If you click on one of the news items you will be forwarded to the corresponding website.

www.magix.com

Introduction 11

Introduction

What is MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011?

MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 is an optimization, tuning and help tool for modern Windows PCs which helps you analyze and fix common system-dependent problems as well as optimize internal settings. It also offers functions for individual adjustment of the operating system that work using Windows' own settings functions by supplementing or grouping them in different ways.

Features

PC Check

The PC Check (view page 15) analyzes weaknesses and problems in the system and lists them. Short problem descriptions may be accessed directly to keep an overview and to see where problems are present. Click the solution recommendation to quickly and conveniently correct them.

Increase performance

Optimize your PC's (view page 18) startup time, performance, and stability to work faster and to keep your PC from crashing. MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 enables the system start to be customized, drives to be defragmented, drivers to be updated, and much more.

Free up drive space

Remove unnecessary garbage. You can not only empty the recycling bin, but also delete cookies or Internet history that have secretly been saved by your Internet browser, uninstall programs that are no longer needed, and much more (view page 20).

Secure data

Back up your data to your hard drives to protect against unpleasant loss of data. Besides simple file backups, you can also create partition backups to copy entire sections of the hard drive (partitions). If files have been deleted that you still need, then these may be restored via the file rescuing function. These and other useful functions are available to you in "Back up data (view page

22)".

www.magix.com

12 Introduction

Windows appearance

Adjust the appearance of your Windows operating system according to your wishes: select how your start menu should look like, which animations and effects may be used, how fonts are to be displayed, etc. (view page 24)

Info - My PC

This area (view page 30) is accessible via the task manager (familiar from Windows) with advanced functions for more influence and a better overview of facts about your PC and its activities.

Save power

Whether to save money or if you would like to work on a computer as long as possible using the battery, you can choose from the power saving schemes or make changes yourself. To do so, go to the "Power saving" (view page 34) area.

www.magix.com

Overview of the program screen

Introduction 13

Help menu: (view page 77) Important options for MAGIX PC Check &

Tuning 2011 are available in this menu. PC Check: (view page 15) Do a complete system check to locate

problems that slow your PC's performance and to protect you against data loss. Increase performance: (view page 18) Optimize your PC's start, performance, and stability.

Free up memory: (view page 20) Reclaim disk space, optimize your data storage, restore files, or delete them irrevocably.

Secure data: (view page 22) Back up your data and drives to protect against unpleasant losses.

Configure Windows: (view page 24) Adjust the appearance of Windows to your individual needs.

Info - My PC: (view page 30) This is a kind of task manager with advanced functions for monitoring your PC's components and its activity. Power saving: (view page 34) Turn on the power saving mode to enable the desired balance between power savings and PC speed.

Program window: Displays the functions of the corresponding areas. The main window, "PC Check", displays the areas that are being tested for problems and the respective status.

www.magix.com

14 1-click quick maintenance

Update program: All installed programs will be checked for newer

versions. All programs will be listed in the online overview, and if online updates exist, these will be displayed.

1-click quick maintenance

With the 1-click quick maintenance feature in MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011, which can be accessed via a desktop icon and the program folder, you can conduct basic maintenance functions without having to open the program.

Save time: Useful functions such as "Empty recycling bin", "Delete temporary Internet files" and "Delete download history" can be combined to save you time.

Custom settings: If you wish, you can put together an individual maintenance set with MAGIX PC Check & Tuning featuring the functions that are most important to you. This way you can fix mistakes, clear disk space and much more in just one step. Bring your system in top shape – with just one click.

Delete old system restore points: Check here if you would like to delete all old system restore points. A restore point of the current state will be created and saved; all other system restore points will be deleted.

www.magix.com

Program functions at a glance 15

Program functions at a glance

This chapter will provide you with an overview of the functions available in MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 and where to find them. For comprehensive functions, you will find detailed descriptions under "Functions in detail" (view page 36).

PC Check

Optimize your PC with just a few clicks - fully automatically! After the check is complete, all of the problems on the PC are displayed so that you may select which optimizations should be carried out.

Click this button to start the check process for your PC and to search for possible problems. In the intermediate dialog that appears, you can see which areas are being checked and whether any problems have been identified.

When the scan is finished, the program window will list all results. If a problem is found, a solution will be suggested next to it. Just one click is enough to solve the problem.

Even faster: Click here if you want to solve all problems in one process.

Hint: In most cases, this automatic problem solving feature is sufficient for normal PC operation. User-defined adjustments are possible in the areas "Increase performance" and "Free up memory".

Status: After the check has been completed, the status displays if any problems have been found. If the status is red, a problem has been found. If no problems have been discovered, then the status will be green. If the PC has not been tested yet or tested quite some time ago, then the status will be yellow. If you have deactivated a test area in settings, the status will appear gray. The large status icon above the check list indicates the PC's overall status.

Status report: All of the areas that are checked are listed in descending order, and their current status is shown with a short description of the problem. The

www.magix.com

16 Program functions at a glance

small "i" button shows even more information when the mouse cursor is held over it.

Click on "More" and the test results for the respective area will be explained: What has been tested, and what needs to be optimized.

Recommended solution: This displays the functions that could solve the problem. Click these buttons to start the corresponding processes. "Fix all problems" may be activated to solve all problems in a single process.

Hint: After optimizing the system start as well as all services, you can use "Restore" in order to go back to the previous state if you notice that your workflow has been negatively effected by the optimization.

The PC check or the individual areas to be checked may be adjusted in this section. For example, you can deactivate an area if you don't want it to be tested. The status of this area will then appear gray.

Test areas

Activate PC Check live:

MAGIX PC Check Live a useful little program included with the installation of MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011. It starts as soon as you log on to your computer, it runs in the background, and is intended to provide your PC with permanent protection: Is a virus scanner, a firewall, etc. installed, current, and active? Do the values of the built-in hard drive(s) comply with norms, or could they be damaged?

Optimize system start:

Here you can accelerate the system start of your computer (view page 37). You may deactivate processes, which are loaded at the start of the system, putting additional strain on RAM, and even blocking other processes.

Hint: Nothing is changed in the programs which are removed from the system start. You can start the program via the program group or the start menu as before.

If problems which may be traced to this change arise after computer reboot, simply undo all auto start entries.

www.magix.com

Remove junk files:

Many programs create temporary files on the hard drive. Normally, these are only needed by these programs for a short time and my be deleted afterwards to increase performance. This process normally only takes place to a lesser degree. With this check, you can conveniently remove temporary files and reclaim memory on your PC.

Remove Internet tracks

Visiting websites leaves hard-to-get-rid-of, hidden and undesired tracks in various system folders. This function you may delete temporary Internet files, cookies and history. Delete temporary Internet files, cookies and history with this function in a flash.

Optimize swapfile

The swapfile is required if the built-in RAM is not sufficient. The data to be processed is written to the swapfile on the hard drive. If this is not set optimally, then serious reduction in performance may result.

Optimize services:

Program functions at a glance 17

Services are activated when the computer is started up and wait in the background until they are needed. However, many are not required by the operating system. Optimize these services manually or automatically (view page 31) for clearly increased speed while the system starts.

Clean Windows registry:

Information about Windows, system services and processes, as well as other programs and settings are saved here. Any registry problems may be filtered and may be repaired using just one click letting the system run more stably and faster.

Update drivers:

Using this function, installed drivers will be checked for their update status. If there are new drivers, these will be automatically found and you can install them with just a few clicks, quickly and easily, without long searches on the Internet.

Defragment system drive:

www.magix.com

18 Program functions at a glance

With just a few clicks, you may defragment hard disks to accelerate access to data, and your PC in general. Individual parts of a file are ordered during defragmentation in such a way, so that they are located next to each other on the hard drive, and may be found by the hard disk reader in one query.

Defragment Windows registry:

Constant reading and writing processes in the registry database make the registry files larger and larger. This function cleans up the Windows registry (view page 40) and corrects empty sections. The Windows registry is made smaller and information is easier to access.

Update programs:

Updated for programs, installed on the PC will be searched for. If new versions are available, they will appear under test reports and results and updates may be manually made. The results in respect to program updates is not included in the general problem report, found in other test areas.

Increase performance

Increase your PC's performance! This increases the speed of your computer during start-up.

Configure system start

If you would like to accelerate the system start of your computer (view page

37), use this function. Here you may deactivate processes, which are loaded at the start of the system, putting additional strain on RAM, and even blocking other processes.

Hint: Nothing is changed in the programs which are removed from the system start. If you start the program later, it will simply take a little longer to be ready for use.

Configure services

Services are activated when the computer is started up and wait in the background until they are needed. However, many are not required by the operating system. Optimize these services (view page 31) manually or automatically for clearly increased speed while the system starts.

www.magix.com

Program functions at a glance 19

Defragment drives

Individual parts of a file are ordered during defragmentation in such a way, so that they are located next to each other on the hard drive, and may be found by the hard disk reader in one query. With just a few clicks, you may defragment hard disks (view page 38) to accelerate access to data, and speed up your PC in general.

Clean registry

Start MAGIX Registry Cleaner (view page 39), with which you may clean your computer's registry. Any registry problems may be filtered and repaired with just one click.

Hint: If you have questions about MAGIX Registry Cleaner - specifically about registry entries - simply open its help in the "Help" menu.

Defragment registry

Constant reading and writing processes in the registry database make the registry files larger and larger. This function cleans up the Windows registry (view page 40) and corrects empty sections. The size of the Windows registry is reduced and information is easier to access.

Check & update drivers

Using this function, installed drivers will be checked for their update status. After the check, you may install drivers for the chipset, sound and graphics card with just a few clicks - all drivers are automatically searched for and suggested for download in a list. For all other components, you may search for the latest drivers by entering the device name, or by searching on the Internet.

Internet tuning

This option optimizes automatically set parameters for your PC's Internet settings, especially for Internet Explorer and Firefox. The result: Faster Internet surfing.

Warning! Internet concerns Internet access with a bandwidth connection (e.g. DSL or cable).

www.magix.com

20 Program functions at a glance

Browser settings

Optimize Internet Explorer: This function optimizes Microsoft Internet Explorer

for Internet with a broadband connection (e.g. DSL).

Optimize Mozilla Firefox: This function will optimize Mozilla Firefox for Internet with a broadband connection (e.g. DSL).

Network settings

Activate network optimization: General settings applicable in Windows for

accessing the Internet, no matter which browser is used, are optimized to accelerate surfing.

Reset: All settings have been reset to default values.

Free up memory

Locate & delete files and programs that are no longer needed to free up memory! These functions provide a method for cleaning up the hard drive and optimizing memory.

Clean hard drive

Many programs create temporary files on the hard drive. Normally, these are only needed by these programs for a short time and may be deleted afterwards to increase performance. This process normally only takes place to a lesser degree. With one click, you can conveniently remove temporary files and reclaim memory on your PC.

Maintenance processes to be carried out:

Empty recycling bin: The contents of the Windows recycling bin are deleted.

Delete temporary files: Files, created by the operating system or by programs

for intermediate storage are deleted.

Delete list of last accessed documents: To accelerate workflow, the most recently opened documents are saved in a list, enabling their quick opening. Here, you can delete this list.

Delete list of last accessed programs: Recently opened programs are saved in a list. Here, you can delete this list.

www.magix.com

Program functions at a glance 21

Delete old system restore points: Check here if you would like to delete all old

system restore points. Simultaneously, a new restore point of the current system is created.

Click here to start the cleaning process.

Cancel: If you would like to abort the cleaning process, please click on "Cancel".

Data manager

This function (view page 47) helps identify files and folders that use the most memory. In order to reclaim as much memory as possible, you can burn these files and then delete them from the hard drive.

Data shredder

The data shredder (view page 51) allows you to delete any files you wish so that they cannot be restored, not even with data recovery programs such as the "Undelete" function in MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011.

Files are not completely removed from the hard drive by pressing delete, and they are also still around after the Recycle Bin is emptied.

Delete Internet history

Visiting websites leaves hard-to-get-rid-of, hidden and undesired tracks in various system folders. With this function you may delete temporary Internet files, cookies and the history of which websites you visited with just on click.

Maintenance processes to be carried out:

Delete temporary Internet files: Deletes files, which have been saved during

Internet surfing (for example, images).

Delete history of Internet sites visited: Deletes website addresses that were visited in the past.

Delete Internet addresses and form data: Deletes Internet addresses that were found via search engines, form data entered during filling out of online forms and saved locally, as well as locally saved passwords.

Delete cookies: Removes cookies left by Internet pages.

www.magix.com

22 Program functions at a glance

Delete download history: Deletes the list of downloaded files.

Click here to start the cleaning process.

Uninstall programs

With MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 you can list all installed programs and uninstall them if you no longer need them. You can often make your PC faster by deleting old programs that you no longer use.

Hint: It is important to uninstall a program that you want to remove from your PC. It is insufficient to delete a program folder because this does not remove hidden folders and erroneous Windows registry entries. This can cause additional problems: The program cannot be reinstalled or will appear as still installed. It might not be possible to install new program versions.

• When you open this area for the first time, MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011

will scan your PC for installed programs and lists these in corresponding categories: Audio & video, drivers, Internet, office, etc.

• When you select a program, a description will appear above.

Size: Indicates the overall size of the program folder and all hidden folders of the program.

Installed on: Program installation date.

Used on: When was this program used for the last time?

If you click here, the program will be uninstalled. At the end, MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 checks if all program folders have been removed correctly. If this is not the case, a dialog will appear and you can remove the remaining files by hand.

Hint: Some programs create folders under "My documents", where project files, etc. are saved. These folders will not be removed.

www.magix.com

Program functions at a glance 23

Secure data

Protect data from being lost or accessed by others! This function enables individual files or drives to be backed up.

Burn backup

Here you can save data (single files or folders) from your hard drive and networks as a backup. A dialog for compiling media (view page 53)opens.

Create drive backup

If you want to back up entire hard drives or individual partitions, etc. to CD/DVD, or (external)hard drives, then select this function and the Compile backup dialog will open.

Restore backup

This item allows you to restore (view page 60) a backup from CD/DVD or the hard drive created with MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011, no matter whether it's a backup of a file or a complete partition.

System restore

Before you make changes to the Windows system you can set a system restore point (view page 66), which creates an image of the current system. This enables the previous condition of the system to be restored.

Undelete

With this function, you can restore files that you deleted using the standard Windows deletion process: Delete file/folder & empty the recycling bin. You may rescue files here before they are overwritten by other new files for good.

Note: Only those files may be restored whose original file has not been overwritten, even in part.

Program password

If you have created a password for MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 it can be started only with it. This makes the program inaccessible for other users.

www.magix.com

24 Program functions at a glance

This is how you can create a password:

• In MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011, go to "Secure Data" and select "Program

password".

• Check off "Activate password protection for MAGIX PC Check and Tuning".

• Enter a desired password in "Enter password:".

• Please enter the password again under "Confirm password".

• Click on "Accept password" to set it.

Starting immediately, a dialog will appear before MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011 starts, where you will have to enter your password before being able to use MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2011.

Deactivate password: If you want to remove password protection, simply uncheck the box from step 1.

Configure Windows

Change detail settings to adjust Windows appearance and startup to your needs.

Note: In each of the subdialogs listed here, you have the option of setting a restore point to make the original settings immediately accessible.

The function "Log off as user" allows you to log off and log on again so that the changes you make via "Configure Windows" become active, without having to restart the computer.

General Windows settings

General Windows settings such as the user registrations at start, automatic Windows updates ,and power button function may be specified here.

Configure Windows

Control of automatic Windows updates: Microsoft offers new Windows

update downloads at certain time intervals. Automate the behavior of updates according to your wishes.

Prevent automatic Windows reboot after update: As a rule, you are always asked to reboot Windows after an update in order to integrate these into the system. Here you may suppress this constant query, and the changes will become activated after the next system boot.

www.magix.com

Program functions at a glance 25

Show all files: Windows hides some files and folders so that they cannot be

changed or deleted accidentally by users. If you need to see these files after all you can activate this setting to make all files visible.

Delete immediately - do not add to recycle bin (Windows XP): Normally, files are moved into the Recycle Bin when they are deleted conventionally. This makes it easy to restore a file. If you are certain that you want to delete a file and won't need it ever again, then this function will delete the file without adding it to the Recycle Bin. The files will be deleted directly to free up disk space.

Deactivate CD/DVD auto-play: Activate this setting if you no longer want CDs/DVDs to start automatically when they are inserted into the drive.

Deactivate Windows "Low storage space" warning (Windows XP): If memory sinks below 200 MB while you are working at your PC, then Windows issues a warning. These warning messages can be deactivated. PC check and tuning can also warn you about low memory.

Optimize Windows

Loading optimization: Through pre- or super-fetching in Windows XP or Vista,

programs are preloaded in the background in order to accelerate the actual start of this program. However, if you do not use these programs, memory resources are simply wasted. This "pre-loading" may, in this case, be deactivated.

Automatic network search deactivation: By default, Windows searches for connected networks and network drives. This search may take up some time. You can deactivate this function if you don't need the automatic search.

Shut down non-responsive programs faster: During PC shut-down, Windows turns off all processes and programs. If a program or process does not respond, the operating system waits a certain time, before a corresponding message appears. Here you may shorten this time, so that the message appears right away, and the program/process may be ended sooner.

Start settings

Improve your PC's startup time, and increase shutdown, too.

Automatically register the following users during Windows start: For Windows XP and Vista, user accounts may be set up in order to be able to log into the operating system with a personal profile. Enter the user that should be loaded automatically without asking here.

www.magix.com

26 Program functions at a glance

Delete swapfile on shutdown (Windows XP): To free up storage space and

ensure that no one can secretly view the file, you can delete the swapfile when shutting down windows.

Activate boot file defrag: Boot files (files required for starting up the PC) are automatically defragmented and optimized. This accelerates the boot process, i.e. startup of the operating system. If the PC takes very long to boot, this function may have been deactivated by a different program or malicious software.

Activate Num key automatically (Windows XP): This activates the Num key automatically at system start. This makes the number block immediately active whenever the PC starts.

Deactivate Caps Lock: The "Caps lock" key dates back to the era of typewriters and is mostly obsolete on modern PCs. Sometimes it is even annoying if activated accidentally. You can deactivate the key entirely here.

Automatically clear the list of recently used documents: Windows stores the last accessed files and documents automatically and shows them in the Windows start menu. This history may be deleted each time Windows is started.

Hide last user on logon screen: The Windows logon screen shows the name of the last user by default. This feature saves time, but it can also slightly reduce your system's security. Hiding the last user can increase security.

Log on as administrator (Windows XP): The user account of the administrator can be displayed on the Windows login screen to allow for convenient logging in as an administrator.

Swapfile

Optimize (view page 44) your system's virtual RAM! The swapfile is required if the built-in RAM is not sufficient. The data to be processed is written to the swapfile on the hard drive. If this is not set optimally, then serious performance problems may result.

Start menu & taskbar

Here you may configure the appearance of the start menu and the task bar.

www.magix.com

Program functions at a glance 27

Start menu

Activate classic start menu: If you prefer the classic Windows start menu, you

may restore it here. Settings that are listed below are deleted automatically and grayed out.

Show the "Log off" button: If several people use your computer, you may select to display the "log off" button; this makes it easier to switch between users.

Number of recently opened documents: Specify how many files should appear in the list of recently opened documents.

Control the behavior of the start menu submenus: Here you can set whether the start menu submenus are opened by a click or are opened automatically after a certain time.

Task bar

Activate Windows tips (speech balloons): Windows sends short messages

when an event is detected, but simply informative messages may not be required. If you don't want these messages, then deactivate them here.

Display the info area in task bar: To the extreme right of the taskbar, you can see the area with the clock, volume controller, etc. Inactive programs are hidden and may be accessed via the arrow. If you would like to show the info area all of the time, then activate this feature.

Group similar elements: Design the taskbar to be more clearly laid-out; when multiple elements are opened (windows), thee may be grouped together. For example, all text documents may be grouped in one tab.

Animations & effects

Change detail settings to adjust the appearance of Windows.

Presets for animations and effects:

• Windows default: Using this option, you can reset the settings to the Microsoft default state.

• Custom: Set animations and effects according to your wishes.

• Best performance: Activate this option and the settings will be set

automatically so that PC performance is always maximized. Most effects will be deactivated.

www.magix.com

28 Program functions at a glance

• Best appearance: To maintain an effect-filled appearance with many

animations, activate this option, and the settings will be automatically set this way.

Settings for Windows desktop

Display Windows version on desktop: Activate this option, if you would like

the installed Windows version to be displayed on the system clock on your desktop at all times.

Display info text about desktop icons: When the mouse hovers over an element on the desktop, a small info window will display information about it.

Set transparent background for icon labels: A transparent background or a color frame may be added in order to improve label readability.

Display mouse pointer shadow: To accentuate the mouse cursor against the background, a shadow may be added to the cursor.

Display color selection rectangle: If you select something with a held-down left mouse key to highlight multiple objects, the selection rectangle may be displayed in color.

Settings for application window

Display colored transitions in the title bar: If you deactivate this option, the

title bar of application windows will be displayed in one color without a gradient.

Display window content when moving: If you move a window on the desktop, the content will remain visible.

Animation when windows are minimized/maximized: When you minimize/maximize a window, it will be shrunk to the task bar or magnified to the desktop.

Settings for menus

Underline keyboard shortcuts: In Windows conforming applications, the first

letter of a menu point is underscored. This letter is part of the keyboard shortcut for this option, which is usually combined with the Alt key.

Display shadow below menus: So that the opened menu point hovers above the background of the window itself, a shadow may be added.

www.magix.com

Program functions at a glance 29

Hide/Show menus: If you deactivate this option, menus will not open or close,

but disappear and appear immediately.

Set font smoothing

Here you can set smoothing of fonts for screen display.

Nosmoothing: When font smoothing is deactivated, the outlines of text appear clear and crisp. However, especially in small font sizes, letter appear extremely pixelated.

Standard smoothing: With activated font smoothing, text outlines are smoothed, which usually results in better readability.

• Clear type: Optimize font visualization for flat screens.

Netbook tuning

Here you can optimize the look of Windows on your netbook! Netbooks sometimes have problems displaying programs and display elements due to their lower resolution. Use this item to optimize the display for netbooks.

Deactivate designs: Deactivates extensive designs to improve the performance of a netbook and tidy up the desktop.

Small icons in start menu: Reduces the size of the icons to improve the overview in the start menu.

Narrow window title bar: Makes the window frames thinner to increase the space available for the window content.

Thin scroll bars: Makes scroll bars thinner to increase the space available for the window content.

Small desktop icons: Improves the overview on the desktop by reducing the size of desktop the icons.

Reset right-click menu

Specify file endings in the context menu "New" (view page 43). The context menu features a "New" option for adding a new, empty file with this file extension. This function provides you with the option to determine which file types should be available for selection here.

www.magix.com

30 Program functions at a glance

Set file assignment

Assign particular file types (view page 41) to specific programs! This function allows any file type to be specified to open with a particular program by double clicking.

Info - My PC

This area is accessible via the task manager (familiar from Windows "Ctrl + Alt + Del") with advanced functions for more influence and a better overview of facts about your PC and its activities.

Info about this PC

If you require the name, manufacturer, and technical data of the components built into your PC, this information is available here.

General provides information about the processor, main board, and RAM.

Multimedia provides information related to the graphics card, resolution,

monitor, and audio (sound card).

Drives lists all local drives (if more than one are present), CD/DVD drive(s), removable storage drives like USB stick(s), and external hard drive(s), as well as all network connections.

Windows information

All operating systems and user data is available here.

Windows displays which Windows version (2000, XP, Vista, or 7) is installed. Just look under "Name". "Version" displays the last large service pack that was installed. The serial number from the installation, when Windows was installed, and how long the PC has been running since startup is also available.

User shows which user (user name) is currently active, what the computer has been named (the name of the PC that is displayed on networks), and which workgroup (on networks) it is assigned to, as well as the system name.

Display processes

All processes that require use of the PC's RAM are listed here. Unlike the Windows Task Manager, this display also lists processes that require little memory but are nonetheless continuously active. CPU load is low, but can always be traced.

www.magix.com

+ 81 hidden pages