Performance Monitoring and Optimization
From Proprofs
Contents |
[edit section] Performance Monitoring and Optimization
Windows XP allows you to monitor and optimize performance on your PC. In this lesson, we will look at how to detect performance issues in Windows XP and how to go about resolving those issues. We will also examine different ways of monitoring real-time performance in Windows XP.
[edit section] Performance Options
Windows XP includes a Control Panel applet called “Performance Options.” In the applet, you are able to configure a few settings related to both visual effects and memory access and used by the kernel of the Windows operating system.
[edit section] Visual Effects
Windows XP allows you to configure visual effects options through the Performance Options applet. Visual effects can make the Windows experience aesthetically pleasing but can also be a performance hog. To change visual effects, go to the Performance Options applet and then click on the Visual Effects tab. The 70-270 exam does not expect you to memorize all of the options on the tab, but it does want you to know the differences between the predefined sets of options:
- Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer: Self-explanatory, but basically allows Windows to strike a balance between performance and appearance
- Adjust for best performance: Windows chooses options, based on your computer’s hardware, that allow for the best possible performance (speed)
- Adjust for best appearance: Windows chooses options that are most visually pleasing
- Custom: Choose your own options from a long laundry list
[edit section] Advanced
The Advanced tab allows you to configure processor and memory options. Here is a rundown of some of these options:
- Processor scheduling: Windows allows you to choose between handing priority of CPU time to applications running in the background or programs that the user has opened
- Memory usage: Windows allows you to choose between using memory for open programs or for the System Cache, a memory “holding ground”
- Virtual memory: By clicking “Change,” you can configure the amount of virtual memory that each of your logical hard drives (volumes) uses. Virtual memory is memory that is interchanged between RAM and the disk drive. More virtual memory tends to increase performance but takes up hard drive space. Windows can also manage the page file (which is the default option), or you can elect not to use a page file (not recommended)
[edit section] Performance Monitoring Tools
Although the Performance Options applet provides some control over system performance, more flexibility can be found in the Performance MMC console in Administrative Tools. There are two tools included in the Performance MMC that actually allow you to monitor performance: the System Monitor, which monitors real-time performance, and the Performance Logs and Alerts, which monitor performance over longer periods of time.
[edit section] System Monitor
The System Monitor allows you to watch the performance of your PC in real-time. It includes a changing graph, in which time is the independent variable, to show how CPU pages, disk queue time, and processor utilization change over time. You can use the System Monitor to see if a system is being “bogged down” by unnecessary background processes.
[edit section] Performance Logs and Alerts
Windows XP includes the ability to monitor past performance via the Performance Logs, which actually include two different types of logs. Counter logs record data at a pre-specified time interval, so a counter log may be set to record performance every hour. A trace log, in contrast, records performance upon the completion of a certain event, such as a certain level of CPU utilization. Both logs record the following properties:
- % Processor Time: The amount of processor time (power) used by the kernel. Values greater than 85% over long periods of time indicate that the processor is being continually bogged (maybe you need a new processor)
- Pages/sec: Values in excess of 20-25 indicate that the memory is being used continually and more RAM could be needed (or fewer background applications)
- Disk Queue Length: High values indicate that the disk drive is constant use but that the memory is not enough to hold all of the requests. You may need more RAM
Performance alerts can also be set to alert the user when some of these values exceed a certain level.
[edit section] Performance Monitoring in Task Manager
Pressing Control + Alt + Delete and then heading to the Task Manager allows you to monitor running processes (individual calls or applications that utilize processing time and memory). For the sake of the exam, know that ending a process ends an application and understand that you can set priority of a process, or the rank in a CPU’s preference to complete tasks for that process (CPU time priority).
[edit section] Defragmenting Disks in XP
As in previous versions of Windows, XP includes a disk “defrag” utility that can defragment volumes. Disks must be defragmented from time to time as data on the disks is not stored continuously, but in random places. When data becomes too scattered, seek times (the amount of time that a disk spends seeking a file) increase and performance is compromised. To defragment a disk, use the Disk Defragmenter utility found in the Accessories menu or use the command-line utility called defrag.exe. Defrag.exe allows you to defragment using scripting or as a scheduled task whereas the graphical Disk Defragmenter tool (which uses the same defrag.exe but adds a GUI) is good for one-time use. Note that XP requires 15% free space to defrag a disk.
[edit section] Moving Ahead
In our next lesson, we will explore system recovery in Windows XP, a surefire exam topic and an important lesson for anybody who wishes to become a field technician. For now, let’s review a bit.
[edit section] Quick Review
1. You notice a steep increase in disk seek time over the period of a month and wish to resolve the issue. How should you go about doing so?
a. Use the Performance Options applet to configure a larger page file
b. Use the Disk Defragmenter to defragment the disk
c. Use the Visual Effects tab to reduce disk seek time
d. Use the Disk Drive Management MMC console to increase disk utilization percentile
e. Use the Disk Drive Management MMC console to decrease seek time
2. Which of the following logs could be set to monitor performance after a certain level of disk activity is achieved?
a. System log
b. Trace log
c. Counter log
d. Seek log
e. Monitor log
3. Why does Windows require the use of a page file?
a. To increase the amount of hard drive space actually available
b. To decrease the amount of CPU cache required for operation
c. To allow for more applications to be accessed and running at one time
d. To allow for multiple volumes to be installed
e. None of the above
[edit section] Answers
1. Disk seek time increases when a disk becomes fragmented. To decrease the amount of time required to seek a file, defragment the disk. The answer is B.
2. Trace logs can be set to monitor performance on the basis of a certain level of performance. The answer is B.
3. Page files increase the amount of memory available to programs by allowing Windows to switch between “real” memory (RAM) and memory stored temporarily on the page file. It is like using the disk drive as RAM. So, by using a page file, more memory (real + virtual) exists, and therefore, more applications can be accessed and running at one time. The answer is C.
Top 5 Contributors to this article
|
|||||||
