Optimization Question

[Robert J Tiess]

>The problem is "disk churning" on the workstations.
>
>Perhaps other have noticed this phenomenon: One hits the "back" button,
and
>Netscape locks up for a second or two. The dreaded hourglass appears,
the C:
>drive frantically churns, and the page in question (which should be
_right
>there_ in the cache) comes up with excruciating slowness.
>...
>It this a Windows problem?  A Netscape problem?

It could be both.  It could be any number of factors, some of which I
mention
below.  This is for you and for anyone wishing to optimize their systems.
Several things, many obvious, some not so obvious:

Clean your Cache.  Go to Options in Netscape, click on Network
Preferences,
click on the Cache tab, then click on the Clear Disk Cache Now button.

Also, based upon the average 486 PC system you described, check and try
these Netscape settings:

		Options/Network Preferences/Connections:

			Connections (should be around 4)
			Network Buffer size (try 4 - 8)

		Options/Network Preferences/Cache:
	
			Verify Documents (once per ses.)
			Memory Cache (try 256K - 512K)
			Disk Cache (up to 10000K
			- check hard drive for free space)

If using DOS 6.x / Windows 3.x / Win95, try running SCANDISK and
DEFRAG (use FULL optimization, even if program says its
unnecessary).  Run these AFTER emptying Netscape's cache.
Depending on your hard drive, this could take a while.  Opt for
a full surface scan for maximum analysis of your drive.

With respect to Windows, if using Win 3.11, go into Control
Panel and check the 386 Enhanced settings.  If you're running
SmartDrive (a DOS cache program), are you also using the
Enhanced cache?  If so, how much memory are you using?
Shouldn't be much if already runing Smartdrive.  Too much
caching can steal RAM from Windows and cause extra
swapping (thus defeating the purpose of caching).  Smartdrive
should be about 1024 kb for a 8 meg system.  Check autoexec.bat
and see if that's too high.  As Smartdrive can also be loaded
from config.sys via the install/installhigh statement, check
config.sys too.  While in there, check the BUFFERS statement
and make sure that isn't too high (more than 10).

If using Win 3.x, exit to DOS and run MEMMAKER to
maximize RAM under the 1st megabyte.  This will take several
minutes and cause the computer to reboot several times, but
the end effect is usually always more RAM.  Memmaker gives
you the option of going back to the old settings if no gains
in RAM are made.  You can have 16 or 32MB of RAM , but it's
the 1st MB that's most precious to DOS/Win 3.x/16-bit systems.

With respect to your computer, RAM is very cheap these days.
Increasing all units to 16MB will substantially improve your
circumstances.  Also, not knowing your modem speed, you
may need to upgrade your modem for remote web pages.
33.6k is the speed you should go with.  Skip 28.8.  56k (the
USR x/2 variety) would be the fastest dial-up connection you
could get, but most ISPs currently only service up to 33.6 for
public connections.  A 33.6 with a 56k software upgrade
option's also a good choice.  Also check your modem's
configuration.  If an installation wizard was used, was it
properly identified?  Is the BPS rate correct for the modem?
Check your modem's documentation for the highest rate
supported.

With respect to your own web pages, these too may be optimized.
Use a program like Paintshop Pro to reduce all graphics
(if any) to 16 or 256 colors.  For best viewing results on VGA (16 col)
systems, use DITHER in Netscape's Options/Images menu, not
Auto.  This will greatly benefit VGA systems.  For the sake of faster
video updates, you may consider upgrading your video cards.
You should consider a SVGA 2MB Video Memory card as
the minimal card to go with, although 1MB will do (640x480x256).

Also check your StartUp folder in Windows and see if any extra
programs are being loaded into memory.  On an 8MB system
you want to have only the critical programs running, not a fancy
third-party screensaver hogging limited system resourcees.

At the BIOS level, not every system may be optimized.
If you're not familiar with BIOS settings (accessible on most
PCs on bootup - i.e. Press F1 for settings), do not touch
them.  But, if you are, go over your internal cache settings,
RAM refresh rates, turbo and hard drive/burst mode settings.
Is the system configured to run at its optimal rate?  Every
system is different, so values from one system will probably
not work with systems even from the same manufacturer.
Never use the BIOS settings for one computer for another.
Always make a note of the default BIOS settings prior to any
attempt to altering them.  Have a professional computer
servician (preferrably a friend) examine your system if you're
unfamiliar with BIOS.

Also contact the original equipment manufacturers for
updates and upgrade options.  Check the web too, as
many system-specific updates, patches, drivers, and
diagnostic tools are available online.

Optimizing your system can be one of the biggest
challenges, but if done properly and if the computers are
regularly maintained (emptying the cache, scanning for
virii, defragging the hard drive), your systems will perform
near or at their optimal rates.

Good luck, everyone.

			Robert J. Tiess
			Middletown Thrall Library
			http://www.thrall.org
			thrall12 at warwick.net
			rjtiess at juno.com