Tips&Tricks for speeding up Firefox

We’re not living in the “old computers” era anymore, but that doesn’t mean can’t have a quick loading browser or that we can’t reach optimal performance for what we have. I’ve seen many debates and advices last week that were explaining on how to tweak up Firefox in order to achieve maximum performance and I’m going to share with you the tips that really worked for me.

Save bandwidth. Get only the pages you desire

Firefox analyzes the page you load and anticipates the links you MIGHT click on; then it starts loading the page behind that link, using up bandwidth and resources. Basically, you’re downloading pages you’re not even seeing. If you’re using a cable modem or a DSL connection, you shouldn’t worry about this. The problem is this feature is enabled by default so here’s how you disable it.

* type “about:config” in the address bar

* filter the search for “network”

* double click “network.prefetch-next”

* change the value to “FALSE”

Define the upper RAM usage limit yourself. Take control.

I tested most of the browsers that exist on the market, ever since IE 4.0 and Firefox and Opera are by far the ones that take up less memory for 10 opened windows. That’s directly related to the tabbed-browsing concept they’re both promoting. Anyway, as I was talking about Firefox, there is a hidden setting that allows you to specify the maximum amount of RAM memory it’s allowed to use. Since you are required to modify a value, let me explain how you will find the optimal one for your system. It depends on the RAM your machine runs with. For values between 512MB-1GB of RAM, use figures above 15.000. If you have below 512MB, just try 50.000 and you’ll be fine. Here are the steps:.

* type “about:config” in the address bar

* filter the search for “browser.cache”

* double click “browser.cache.memory.capacity”

* enter the proper value

Optimize page loading settings

It was hard for me to believe it’s optimized by default for dial-up, although at least 80% of the connections worldwide are above dial-up. During a page load, Firefox loads elements from a page one by one, instead of downloading them in packages. On fast computers or with decent internet connections, this might not be as obvious as it sounds, but the simple fact that your browser is limited should raise a sign Here are the steps for tweaking that up.

* type “about:config” in the address bar


* filter the search for “network.http”

* set “network.http.pipelining” to “TRUE”

* set “network.http.proxy.pipelining” to “TRUE”

* set “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests” to the maximum number of simultaneous requests you want made (e.g 25)

* right click on a white space and click New -> Integer. Name it “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” and modify its value to “0″; it’s the amount of time your browser waits before acting on received information

Cut the ram usage when minimizing Firefox

I’ve got a good result on this one, somewhere around 12000KB (12MB). This tweak will move Firefox’s used memory to your HDD freeing up your RAM. I don’t think there’s much to be said about this as we all understand the purpose and advantages, so here are the steps:

* type “about:config” in the address bar

* right click in any blank space

* choose New -> Boolean

* name the variable “config.trim_on_minimize”

* set it to “TRUE”

Firefox usually reads the about:config information when started. That means you have to reset the browser after making a change in those settings. Careful what you do and what you change since you’re playing with important information. As always, I’m open to your feedback. Good luck

Fix Slow internet connection

A slow internet connection can be frustrating as you waste a lot of time trying to open any web page and your internet connection may get disconnected in the middle of a download. Internet connections will be slower during the day, when most people access the internet at their workplace and at night. You can get the best speed early in the morning (between 2 am and 8 am) and on Sunday morning.

How to fix it

For a cable internet connection

1.Check if the hub/cable modem through which your connection is routed is working properly. Sometimes, there is a problem with a single port.

2. Check if you installed any firewall software. Some firewall software block the ports required by cable internet connection software for connecting with the server

3. Check whether the fiber optic cables are installed underground or overhead. Though manufacturers recommend different grades of cable for underground and overhead use, the same grade of cable is used for overhead cabling also by some companies. So a crow pecking at the fiber optic cable may damage it. Your cable operator will have to get the cable spliced , which may take time.

4. There may be congestion in the cable network, server (ISP) or bandwidth may not be available. You can only try to connect to the internet after some time.

5. Check for viruses, trojans and spyware, data may be transferred away from your computer without your knowledge.

Download free antivirus software

Download free spyware and
adware removers

For a dialup internet connection (some of these solutions may also be applicable to DSL connections , since the same telephone wires are used)

1. Check if the connection between wires is proper. Sometimes, a connection is made by just removing the insulation from the wire, without crimping any connector. If the connection is loose, tighten it using a screwdriver. Remove multiple wires at a single connection and check if there is any improvement.

2. Remove all dust and any oxidation on the connecting wires. Also try interchanging the junction box at which the wires are connected.

3. Check if the wires in the junction box outside your house are fixed properly. Sometimes , pranksters either partially pull out the telephone lines or interchange them.

4. Check if your modem is working properly by using another modem or computer.

5. If it rains very heavily, due to the high level of humidity, all telephone lines in your area will be affected. You can either register a complaint with the telephone exchange (local office) or wait till the sun shines again.

6. If there is welding work being done in a nearby area, the electrical noise from the welding machine could distort the data signal. You may have to wait till the work is completed.

7. When there is a calamity or problem at the ISP's telephone exchange, you may get the message " all lines in this route are busy, please try again"

8. Sometimes, if the same internet connection is connected to 2 different machines and both the machines are switched on, you may not be able to connect to the internet. If you switch off one machine, you will be able to connect to the internet. This could be because the 2 machines have different internal modems.

9. If you get an error message "there is no dial tone", it means that either the telephone wire is not connected to your computer or the telephone line is dead. Connect the wire back to the internal modem in your computer or complain to the local telephone exchange if the phone is dead.

Show hidden files and folders not working - after virus attack (heap41a svchost.exe)

I had this problem. In Tools> Folder options > View - hidden files and folders

The

Show hidden files and folders not working - after virus attack (heap41a svchost.exe)

This is how you get the settings back to normal.

First take

Start > Run >

Type regedit in the Run box and click OK

The Registry editor opens up (See the image below)

Follow the steps in the animation below to get back the folder options to normal to see hidden files.

Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL

Change the value of CheckedValue from 0 to 1

Cleaning the pen drive right click options :

Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2

Delete all the long keys ( which look like  {DGF53-353b3gg3-353523-3g523g}  ) there.

Still having problems with this “Orkut is banned” virus ” ??

First make sure that the virus is completely removed from the computer.

How to remove “Use Internet Explorer you dope, I dnt hate Mozilla but use IE`r OR ELSE…” svchost.exe heap41a virus

http://www.fundazone.com/2007/06/how-to-remove-use-internet-explorer-you-dope-i-dnt-hate-mozilla-but-use-ier-or-else-svchostexe-heap41a-virus/

Then go to :

Start >Run >

Type regedit

Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL

Change the value of CheckedValue from 0 to 1

Take My Computer > Tools > Folder Options

Change the setting to show hidden files and folders

Apply and check again.

If it doesn’t work, there is another setting in the registry maybe in HKEY_USERS or HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG or even HKEY_CURRENT_USER which overrides this setting.

I’ll try to find out where it is (I came across such a problem earlier and I found that key by luck) The key is in a similar place like this \Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL

only that the beginning is different.

I’ll post it here when I find it. If anybody knows where it is, please do reply http://www.fundazone.com/2007/09/show-hidden-files-and-folders-not-working-after-virus-attack-heap41a-svchostexe/#comment-146

It’s a relatively new virus, so most antivirus softwares are not able to detect and delete it.

To remove the virus completely, first you have to end the process svchost.exe belonging to the current user (i think you were able to do that and it worked). But then, the virus files are still hidden in your computer in two places.

In C:\heap41a and in temporary folder.

A trick to get to these folders :

Start > Run

Type C:\heap41a . Click OK


Now, you should be able to see and delete the virus files

Second location (temporary files)

Start > Run

Type %temp% . Click OK

Here, you see the virus files it used to enter the computer.

Fundas on removing "Orkut is banned" svchost.exe and heap41a Virus

Yet another message “ORKUT IS BANNED,Orkut is banned you fool`,The administrators didnt write this program guess who did??`r`r MUHAHAHA!!”

What about www.youtube.com ? That is banned too !!!

It’s just a worm, a virus or a trojan or whatever malicious hacker or craker program or script it is. Wrtitten is VBScript programming labguage by a crazy rascal who deserves to rot in his/her grave for disabling Firefox of all softwares !

How to remove the Orkut and Firefox and Youtube banning virus ?

Simple.

* First press Control-Alt-Delete (Ctrl-Alt-Del is called the three finger exercise in Windows)

* There Click Processes , then click User Name to arrange according to users.

* Now, look for svchost.exe run by User name “user” or “admin” or “your computer name” There will be two of them. Right click and end both the svchost.exe processes where the User Name is NOT “SYSTEM” or “NETWORK SERVICE” or “LOCAL SERVICE” Only where the user name is “USER” or “ADMIN” or “ADMINISTRATOR” or “your name”
* Next Click Start > Run > Type cmd in the box and press enter (Just get the Command Prompt of DOS - C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe)
* There in the black Command Line, type “ cd \ ” and press Enter
* It has to change to C:\>
* Next, type attrib -s -r -h heap41a /s /d and press Enter
* Then Open C: on My computer and delete the folder heap41a ie C:\heap41a
* Then remove C:\heap41a\svchost.exe shortcut from C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Start Menu\Programs\Startup (Or Start > All Programs >Startup)
* That’s all
* Then clean the pen drive

Cleaning the pen drive :

* First make sure that the computer is clean (all viruses have been removed)
* Plug in the pen driv, but make sure YOU DON’T DOUBLE CLICK on the pen drive icon in My Computer
* Open My Computer . Right Click on the pen drive.
* Click Search from the menu that appears ( Auto, Autoplay, Open (O), all belong to the virus and clicking any of them will infect the computer with the virus again.
* In Search All files and folders
* Type ” *.exe ” (without the ” “) in the first box (all or part of the filename)
* Click More advanced options justabove the search button
* Tick Search hidden files and folders
* Click Search button
* In the files that come in the search results, look for files of the Type Application with the icon of a folder
* These .exe files are trying to disguise themselves as folders to fool you into clicking them, so the most probably are viruses !!!
* Delete them (make a backup copy if required) and check the pen drive again.

Increase Your Cable Modem or DSL Speed in XP

This tweak is for broad band cable connections on stand alone machines with WinXP professional version - might work on Home version also. It may also work with networked machines as well.

* In the “My Network Places” properties (right-click on the desktop icon and choose properties), highlight the connectionthen at the menu bar choose “Advanced” then “Advanced Settings”. Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for thebindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK.
* From the Windows XP CD in the support directory from the support cab, extract the file netcap.exe and place it in adirectory on your hard drive or even in the root of your C: drive.
* Next, open up a command prompt window and change directories to where you put netcap.exe. then type “netcap/?”. It will list some commands that are available for netcap and a netmon driver will be installed. At the bottom you willsee your adapters. You should see two of them if using a 3Com card. One will be for LAN and the other will be forWAN something or other.
* Next type “netcap/Remove”. This will remove the netmon driver.
* Open up Control Panel->System->Dev Man and look at your network adapters. You should now see two of them and one will have a yellow ! on it. Right-click on the one without the yellow ! and choose uninstall. YES! You are uninstalling your network adapter, continue with the uninstall. Do not restart yet.
Check your connection properties to make sure that no connection exists. If you get a wizard just cancel out of it. Now re-start the machine.
# After re-start go to your connection properties again and you should have a new connection called “Local area connection 2″. Highlight the connection, then at the menu bar choose “Advanced” then “Advanced Settings”. Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK.
# Choose connection properties and uncheck the “QOS” box.
# Re-start the machine

4 Ways to Increase Your Internet Broadband Connection Speed

There are many occasions when you will get into internet connection problems and will not be able to get online and handle your normal online business, this is the stage when you need to try out some of these tweaks for the respective connections. If you are using airtel 8mbps connection then you wont need these tweaks because its one of the best broadband service provider in India.

First of all check out your current broadband speed and note it down and then apply the following tweaks one by one :

1. Reducing your Web Cache Space : You need to reduce your web cache space to the minimum because this way your browser does not need to search much in the temporary files. For this you need to do the following :
Click Start > Click on Control Panel > Double Click on Internet Options > Click on Setting option under the Browsing History[Delete temporary files, history, cookies, saved passwords & web information].
Internet Properties Control Panel
Now reduce the cache size to the minimum recommended disk space which is normally 50Mb disk space. This way your internet connection speed will increase to some extent.
Temporary Internet Files
2. Speed Up your Web Pages by blocking multimedia & Turning off Graphics: This is a very important tweak which can help you increase your broadband speed by many times. Here are the steps :
Click on Start > Click on Control Panel > Double Click on Internet Options > Click on Settings under Advanced Menu > Deselect some of the options which you dont need generally while browsing example removing Show pictures if you normaly use internet connection for check out your emails etc.
Advanced Internet Options
Generally you need to disable Images, sounds, animations etc in order to increase your internet speed because text wont take much time to load up in a slow connection.
3. Send Bulk emails using distribution lists : If you are looking to send a email to multiple reciptants then its time for you to signup for email distributions by creating mailing lists, this way you can get your work sorted even if you are on a very slow internet connection.
4. FasterFox Firefox AddonUse Fasterfox : A firefox Add-On which can increase your browser performance and network tweak to increase your browsing speed. The Add-on automaticaly loads up silently all the links open when there is idle bandwidth and help you to save up some loading time with a inbuilt pop-up blocker to block unwanted pop-up’s

Dont forget to read these tips for increasing your internet browsing speed by 4 times which is related to your browser settings.

Hacks to Beat Rapidshare Download Limits and Waiting Time

Here are some hints to help you more efficently use rapidshare. Skipping waiting time and bypassing download limits are rapidshare hacks that everybody should know.

Rapidshare has been an excellent tool for sharing large files. Recently users have discovered ways of bypassing the download limits and skipping the waiting time. Here are a description of these methods.

Update: Two new methods of bypassing download limits have been posted. These are more advanced and may require additional software or hardware, but you should check them out when you are done with these easier methods:

RapidShare: NIC tricks and MAC cloning to bypass download limit

Rapidshare traces the users IP address to limit each user to a certain amount of downloading per day. To get around this, you need to show the rapidshare server a different IP address.

Here are some methods for doing this:

1. Short-Out the JavaScript:

1. Goto the page you want to download
2. Select FREE button
3. In the address bar put the following: javascript:alert(c=0)
4. Click OK
5. Click OK to the pop-up box
6. Enter the captcha
7. Download Your File



2. Request a new IP address from your ISP server.

Here's how to do it in windows:
1. Click Start
2. Click run
3. In the run box type cmd.exe and click OK
4. When the command prompt opens type the following. ENTER after each new line.
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
exit


5. Erase your cookies in whatever browser you are using.
6. Try the rapidshare download again.

Frequently you will be assigned a new IP address when this happens. Sometime you will, sometimes you will not. If you are on a fixed IP address, this method will not work. To be honest, I do not know how to do this in linux/unix/etc. If this works for you, you may want to save the above commands into a batch file, and just run it when you need it.



3. Use a proxy with SwitchProxy and Firefox:

1. Download and install Firefox if you have not already
2. Download and install SwitchProxy
3. Google for free proxies
4. When you hit your download limit, clean your cookies and change your proxy



4. Use an anonymous service:

Running your system through the tor network should in theory work; however, it is difficult to use and setup. Plus, you allow others to run their evil deeds through your system as well by using this system. Anonymizer 2005 is inexpensive, easy to use, but not free. Other pay services would likely work as well.



5. You can use a bookmarklet to stop your wait times:

1. Open IE
2. Right Click On This Link
3. Select Add to Favorites
4. Select Yes to the warning that the bookmark may be unsafe.
5. Name it "RapidShare No Wait"
6. Click on the Links folder (if you want to display it in your IE toolbar)
7. Click OK
8. You may need to close and reopen IE to see it
9. Goto rapidshare and click the bookmarklet when you are forced to wait