5 Ways to Keep Your Windows XP Computer Humming

Windows XP has been out since 2001, but it's still the most popular Microsoft operating system (OS) in use today. Windows 7 is gaining fast, but XP still has more than 60 percent of the market, and many folks aren't ready to give up on it yet. If that's you, here are five things you can do to keep XP going strong, putting off that new Windows 7 machine as long as possible.

1. Add More RAM. RAM is memory your computer uses to run programs, and the general rule of thumb is "More is Better." Many XP computers, having been bought many years ago, will have 1GB (gigabytes) of RAM or even less (my father's computer, for example, came with 512MB (megabytes), which is barely enough to run the OS). It's very hard to get anything done these days with that amount of RAM.

The practical limit on how much RAM a Windows XP computer can use is about 3GB. Thus, if you put 4GB or more in, you're just wasting money. Adding any more than you have now (assuming you have less than 3GB) is good; getting to at least 2GB will make your computer much snappier. More information about adding RAM is available on About.com's PC Support site.

2. Upgrade to Service Pack 3. Service Packs (SPs) are rollups of fixes, enhancements and additions to a Windows OS. Often, the most important things in them are the security updates. Windows XP is at SP 3. If you're on SP 2 or (hopefully not!) SP 1 or no SP at all, go download it right now. This minute. You can download it by turning on Automatic Updates; download and install it manually; or order it on CD and install that way. I strongly recommend turning on Automatic Updates in XP.

3. Buy a New Graphics Card. If you have an XP computer, it's likely you also have a very old graphics card. This will affect your performance in a number of ways, especially if you're a gamer. Newer cards have more RAM on board, taking much of the load off your central processing unit (you've probably heard abbreviated as CPU). You can get a mid-grade card for little money nowadays, but the effect on your Internet experience, and in other ways, could be significant. A good place to start is About.com's PC Hardware/Reviews site.

4. Upgrade Your Network. This isn't directly XP-related, but it has a big indirect role. By upgrading your network from dial-up to cable broadband, for example, will result in a huge performance increase for your XP computer. If hardwired broadband isn't available, try satellite broadband from a company like HughesNet, which is available in most remote areas.

Your home network may be ready for an upgrade as well. For instance, most homes use the wireless technology known as 802.11b/g to connect computers through a router. The latest standard is 802.11n, and I've found it to be much faster than the older standards. That will speed up file-sharing and other tasks your XP network does. And, as you may have guessed, About.com has a website for that as well -- the Wireless/Networking site.

5. Download Microsoft Security Essentials. XP computers are more susceptible than Windows Vista or Windows 7 to attack. In addition, spyware and adware -- the computer equivalent of junk mail -- can build up over the years and slow your computer to crawling-through-oatmeal speeds. Microsoft has an answer for that which wasn't available when you bought your machine: Microsoft Security Essentials.

Security Essentials is a free program that guards your computer against worms and viruses, spyware and other bad stuff. It works very well, is easy to use, and highly recommended. It's been protecting my computer for months, and I wouldn't leave home (or my computer on) without it.

Eventually, you will need to get a new computer, since Microsoft will stop offering support for Windows XP, including security updates. But taking these steps will help you get the most out of the time you have left.

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504 Gateway Timeout Error Resolution

Steps to Resolve the 504 Gateway Timeout Error

Error Message
The "504 Gateway Timeout" error message can be customized by each website. While this isn't very common, keep in mind that this error may present itself in more ways than the common ones listed below:

    * "504: Gateway Timeout"

    * "HTTP 504"

    * "HTTP Error 504 - Gateway Timeout"

The 504 Gateway Timeout error displays inside the Internet browser window, just as web pages do.
Cause of 504 Errors
The 504 Gateway Timeout error is an HTTP status code that means that one server did not receive a timely response from another server that it was accessing while attempting to load the web page or fill another request by the browser.

This usually means that the other server is down or not working properly.
Resolution
The 504 Gateway Timeout error is usually a network error between servers on the Internet or an issue with an actual server, meaning the problem is not with your PC or Internet connection.

Even though the issue is not yours to troubleshoot or resolve, there are a few things you can do:

   1. Retry the web page by clicking the refresh/reload button or trying the URL from the address bar again. Even though the 504 Gateway Timeout error is reporting an error outside of your control, the error may only be temporary.

      Trying the page again will often be successful.

   2. Come back later. Since the 504 Gateway Timeout error message is an issue with the web site's network or a server that it communicates with, everyone visiting this site is probably experiencing the same problem as you.

      Chances are an issue like that has already been brought to the attention of an administrator at the web site and someone is working to resolve it.

   3. If you can't wait any longer for the problem to be resolved or if you'd like to help out, you may want to attempt to contact the webmaster or another website contact yourself and advise them of the 504 Gateway Timeout error you are receiving.

      Note: The webmaster of most Internet sites can be reached via email at webmaster@website.com, replacing website.com with the actual website name.

Applies To
504 Gateway Timeout errors could apply to any Internet browser in any operating system. 





The 9 Most Common Browser Error Messages


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How Do I Disable Error Reporting in Windows?

The error reporting feature is what produces those alerts after certain program or operating system errors, prompting you to send the information about the problem to Microsoft.

You might want to disable error reporting to avoid sending private information about your computer to Microsoft, because you're not connected to the Internet all the time, or just to stop being prompted by the annoying alerts.

Error reporting in enabled by default in all versions of Windows but is easy to turn off.
Answer: You can disable error reporting from the Control Panel in Windows.

The specific steps involved in disabling error reporting depends significantly on which operating system you're using:

    * How To Disable Error Reporting in Windows 7

    * How To Disable Error Reporting in Windows Vista

    * How To Disable Error Reporting in Windows XP

Note: Error reporting in Windows is beneficial for Microsoft but it's also ultimately a good thing for you, the Windows owner. These error reports send vital information to Microsoft about a problem that the operating system or a program is having and helps them develop future patches and service packs, making Windows more stable.

You don't have to wait for Windows 8

It's a common human desire to maintain up with the Joneses and even to play games of oneupmanship, and it's no truer when applied to PCs. while older package and software may perhaps do the job admirably, there's no ignoring the desire for new shiny toys and the newest in cutting-edge technology.
Windows 8 isn't out yet -- the very first beta isn't due to appear for another few months yet -- but that doesn't end people from wanting it. windows 8 UX Pack 2.0 gives you the next best thing: it tends to make windows 7 look and feel just like windows 8.
You'll need to be operating windows 7 to get satisfaction from this preview -- XP and Vista users will be sadly disappointed as it's not compatible with older adaptations of the OS. when you've downloaded windows 8 UX Pack 2.0, unzip the program installer and double-click it to start the setup process. You'll be asked what windows 8 theme you want to apply, which includes the logon screen wallpaper and the desktop wallpaper.
You can also opt to enable or disable three main windows 8 features here, which includes the Taskbar user Tile (which sits in the bottom most suitable of the Taskbar, forcing the Notification place to sidle more than to the left slightly), the Metro user interface and Aero auto-colorization feature.
Once you've set the options which you want, click "Install" and watch your system transform. You'll find the Taskbar user Tile sits somewhat uncomfortably to the most suitable of the Taskbar's Notification area, forcing it throughout slightly to the left. The Metro user interface gives you an idea of how windows 8 will adopt a radically distinctive approach to using the desktop, taking particular benefit of touchscreens. on this preview a few fundamental tools, which includes Gmail, are accessible.
Once the novelty of the windows 8 UI wears off, getting back to excellent old windows 7 is fairly easy, too. Just operate the program again and instead of choosing "Install", select "Uninstall" as well as your system should be back to in which it experienced been when you started.
As with making any tweak that involves altering system files, it's a good idea to make sure you have a total backup before you apply it. you could use windows 7's own drive-imaging tool, accessible via the Backup and Restore tool, or go for a a whole lot more fully functional third-party app like Paragon's Backup and Recovery 2011 (Advanced) Free, our current preferred no-cost drive-imaging tool. That way you have anything to fall back on should disaster strike, which didn't come about on possibly of the two test products we ran windows 8 UX Pack 2.0 on.
Windows 8 UX Pack 2.0 is available as a freeware obtain now for PCs operating windows 7 (32- or 64-bit).