Zepto Owners Favorite Apps, Tweaks and Stuff Thread

Idea came from ResonantWorks, so If you decide to rep me rep him as well.

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The point of the thread is for Zepto owners to share tweaks, apps and other interesting stuff which they find beneficial, with the goal being to make sure each Zepto owner gets the best out of their systems in terms of usability, performance, stability and enjoyment.

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Just two more rule to follow along NBR rules:

1). When suggesting something please mention your system model, specs and OS.

2). Indicate the benefits of the suggestion

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Moving a few posts from other threads, I admit these might not follow the rules but had to move them here.
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@Blackbird, I would suggest using an older bios - one that doesn't shutdown/reboot your system!

I use XP Pro-32 with SP2 builtin - haven't attempted SP3 yet...

Most of the tweaks are the usual, but my all time fav for XP are:
1. Turn off XP style (I use classic) - although not really needed - just my personal pref
2. Set the paging file to fixed and equal size to installed RAM, so 3G registered mem = 3G,3G fixed size page file.
3. Disable Error Reporting.
4. Turn off System Restore.
5. Set the following Services to Manual:

a) Fast User Switching... (Only do if and after you uncheck "Use Fast User Switching" in Ctrl Panel->User Accts->Change the way...)
b) Indexing Service (Optional)
c) NVIDIA Display Driver Service
d) Security Centre (Just Disable this bastard)
e) Task Scheduler (Optional)
f) Themes (Only do this if you use "Classic Style")
g) Windows Firewall (I use a hardware based one instead)

6. Registry:

Code:

	Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
	"NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001

	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]
	"DisablePagingExecutive"=dword:00000001

	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters]
	"EnablePrefetcher"=dword:00000002

Summary of those settings:
1. Disable the file last access stamp (needed for what exactly in XP - it's not like the built-in defrag actually uses the info does it?!)
2. Keep the whole kernel in memory instead of swapping it out (its only like 30-60Mb so WTF page it out?!).
3. Set the prefetcher to prefetch only services, instead of the default which fetch is services and apps on boot.

And then the usual for the "Folder Options"...

Also, I can't live without these babies:

ClearType Tuner (I use 120dpi so I need this to make the fonts "thicker") : http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...powertoys.mspx
ClipX : http://bluemars.org/clipx/
Gimp : http://www.gimp.org/windows/
TrueCrypt : http://www.truecrypt.org/
Pigin : http://www.pidgin.im/download/
Process Explorer : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx
ZoomIt : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb897434.aspx

It usually takes me about 2-3 hours to get all my settings right and all my usual apps installed
Cheers,
Matthew


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Nice list of software,

May I recommend the following as well;

CCleaner
Auslogics Disk Defrag
Ultra Edit
Md5Checker

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@Blackbird, I try to use apps that are the same on all three of my OSes so when I reboot into a different OS I can keep my prefs and data in sync. I keep a shared "partition" so that it doesnt matter which OS I boot into, my bookmarks, email and msg setup is always in sync at all times
For the cross OS apps I use: Firefox, Thunderbird and Pidgin.

Yeah - how could I forget - CCleaner! The best!

And ones I use instead of yours:

jkDefrag (a bit hardcore, but fantastic results)
Notepad++ (used to use Notepad2, but since I'm a developer NP++ is just fantastic!)
SlavaSoft HashCalc



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Right thanks, also have you tried launcy for XP.

Brilliant software, lightweight, well integrated and useful. Its like vista's start search and much more for XP

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@Blackbird, yeah used it for a bit and love the same Vista functionality, but I still seem to use a combo of shortcut keys and a huge Quick Launch menu I need to look at that one again though - thanks for reminding me!
Attached is my list all time fav stuff...
(not the best thread to post this, but what the hell )

NB:Open with "Notepad" or set the TAB spacing to 8 spaces.

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Might I add PicLens and Greasmonkey for Firefox addons

If you install greasemoney you can make sites appear as you want, there are tons of useful scripts available for one click install at www.userscripts.org. One of my fav is found here

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@Blackbird, wow that was quick!
Forgot to mention a VERY important app for any windows user:
Unlocker : http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Solves these really really really irritating situs:

Cannot delete file: Access is denied
There has been a sharing violation.
The source or destination file may be in use.
The file is in use by another program or user.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.
​

I can't recommend this one enough if you use windows and removable storage or mounted drives (like TrueCrypt)! A must-have

Spec: Zepto 6625WD (Z15N015), T9300, 4GB, HM320JI, 4965AGN, Intel Turbo Memory 1G, NVIDIA 169.09, Vista Ultimate-64, XP Pro-32, Ubuntu 8.04-64

 

For those who enjoy tweaking their systems then these guides are perfect (both xp and vista ones available)

They come from tweakguides so you know they are of high quality and reliable.

They offer elaborate details, instructions and outline the benefits of every thing.

Tweaks apply to every user from novice to hardcore.

End result is an overall more responsive, clean and better system.

 

Thanks Blackbird...the idea of this thread is EXCELLENT

 

Some hints and tips for those who don't like their OS to be bloated.

/ With my Zepto, be it in XP or Vista, I don't necessarily install al; the driver + software suites listed on the ftp as Windows detects them just fine and the associated devices work just fine.

Here is the list of devices for which the drivers I do not install, yet the devices work as they should with no compromise in functionality and features.

1). Bluetooth
2). Infrared
3). Touchpad

The benefit of this is that I don't need to have extra sftware and services running to use devices that already work.

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Specs mentioned in signature

 

well RMClock is for shure my tweaking software #1 on my 6625

 

Yes, RMClock is a must for anyone with a laptop and a little free time.

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Briefly, it allows your cpu to run at lower voltages than the default and thus creating less heat. Less heat means lower temperature and lower voltages mean more battery life.

In no way does it harm your cpu (if you follow the guides properly) or ruin your warranty. It also as many newbies mistake, doesn't lower the performance of your cpu.

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As for the guides ( Those with 64 bit OS, read flipfire's guide as it explains how to get RMClock running on 64 bit) :

Flipfire's Guide (Newer than mine, uses the latest version of RMClock with proper santa rosa support)


My Guide (Uses dated version of RMClock, suitable for those without santa rosa chipsets.)

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RMclock ofcourse, since my 6214W overheats and throttles. I went from 96C to 78C on maximum load using RMclock

See sig for specs. Running Vista ultimate x64