Discussion on:

Test your knowledge of Windows XP performance again

How many of the Windows XP Performance quiz questions did you get correct? Does the result surprise you?

on the max memory for XP, it did not state 32 or 64 bit.
Although it doesnt really matter since 64-bit can do more than 8GB.

aside from that, I did Worse than I thought. However after the 'incorrect' came up I knew why it was wrong.
not enough coffee yet -- not the right time for unexpected tests
Well, at least I got 7 right

Also got only 7 correct.

Sheer suckness I say ... going to have to drown my sorrows in another cup of coffee.

I will need to be more caffeinated too!

9 out of 12 isn't too bad.

you must tweak some things that I havent had to before

I had a nine of twelve score as well.
I was disappointed at first, but in retrospect, it's not bad. And I'm not in IT.

A. How many of the Windows XP Performance quiz questions did you get correct?

That's classified. I could tell you....but then I'd have to kill you.

B. Does the result surprise you?

Aren't these questions getting a little personal now?

OK, I got a 50. But in fairness to myself (read: If I have to make up a damned excuse, I will), is it REALLY that important that I know that "my network places" can't be configured as a link or a menu?

Also (not an excuse, cuz I got it right), one of the questions is not worded properly. The one about "what portion is moved into the _______" It didn't make sense. But, again, I got it right, so it's not THAT much of a problem.

...and like MGP2, I agree that the question about what portion is moved to ??? didn't make any sense. Were we looking for the "what" or the "where"? Or were both the same thing? Maybe I just didn't understand it.

I knew a few but also guessed at a few and got them right. Guess I don't do much tweaking to the systems I support.

When something comes up that I can't do, I look up the info and know it from that point on.

Keep the quizzes coming. I find I learn from them when I don't already know all the answers.

8 correct /4 incorrect.

That is one of the first steps I use in any tune-up or on any computer that I work on that has more than 256mb of memory. It's not that way by default and with MOST (still not all)XP systems, there is at least that much memory.

I missed 3, though. Not that they matter much with the systems I get to work on.

As I said, I got 9 of 12, and really after I missed them, I went 'DOH' cuz I really knew the correct answer, it just wouldn't come out when I needed it, heheh.

I only got 1 correct but I don't consider that a failure ... this is my second incarnation with TechRepublic and in all the years of reading and seeking advice on tweaking XP, I can honestly say I do not recall ever seeing advice on any if the points raised in the quiz.
I setup new computers daily and use a list of about 20 tweaks ... all gleaned from TR ... and they work a treat on desktops and laptops ... including 3 of my own workshop and office desktops.
If there are others like me who have also "failed" the quiz, don't despair, as long as the computers you have tweaked are doing what they're supposed to be doing and performing better.
A quiz regarding disabling Auto Updates, Secutity Centre, MS Time, Annoying OS PopUps, Error Messages, etc. would, I think, been more relative.

Yes, it *does* make a difference when the question makes no sense. That was 1 of the 3 that I got wrong and probably because of the same thing; I didn't understand the context of the question due to its wording.

I agree with Timbo. Why submit the question to us if it isn't complete? OTOH, there were some GOOD questions in it, so kudos for the effort!

I got an 8 as well I guess that's not all that bad? Maybe if I take it again I'll get a better score?

Answered all questions correctly.

Well done-honestly 100%?

Nice try bubba, but I don't believe you.

AWWW RIGHHHHHHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got 6 right.

OK only 8 out of 10, but that's while answering the phone and responding to e-mail (don't all IT folks work that way?).

I agree that the question about memory should have stated 32 or 64 bit. Got that one right but only after "assuming" it was a trick question. The 64bit machine I am sitting at has 8GB in it.

I got 7 right, but I was undecided on 2 others and picked the wrong answer - so really I got 9 correct, except that I only answered 7 right.

Mmm...

except those that I got wrong on the test were 5 not 2

I Got 6 and i learned a few things from those questions

I felt like I should of done better, but I did learn that you can access the System Info Util from the Help and Support page. I always use msconfig. Also, the visual effects question actually has two correct answers, although the correct one on the quiz is probably the better answer.

It DID get me to see if I could launch MSConfig from inside a cmd window.
I never tried that before.

I got 6 right as well & for a non tech, it ain't too bad. Plus the only ones I got wrong I guessed at (except System Properties - don't know how I missed that 1).

4 Correct
8 Incorrect

In all the years of administrating XP, I have not had to make configuration changes such as those in these questions. Am I really losing out or are these tweaks not effective enough to really matter?

Totally... I got 6 right, but I too have never had to use any of these "tweaks" in all my years of administering XP machines.

Oh well, u win some, u lose some...
Hey, I still have my job so I must be doing something right!

IT people do a Thankless job sometimes.

I routinely change MenuShowDelay to 100 and DisablePagingExecutive to 1, as well as killing most of the visual effects through System Properties. That's just me, though. I like a Spartan user interface

9 of 12, even got the one that ended in mid air... Good test.

I have two quibbles with the test. The first is the wording of question 4:

"Editing the registry and setting the DisablePagingExecutive value to 1 will move what portion of the operating system into..."

into what? I assumed it was RAM and guessed right, but I shouldn't have to guess.

The second quibble is question 9:

"You can launch the System Configuration Utility with the command msconfig and from within which of these tools?"

Whos cares? As long as you have one way to launch the configuration utility, why go looking for another? I use the msconfig command from 'Run...' on the start menu.

Okay, I guess I'm getting a little nit-picky

How did I do on the quiz? 8 correct; 4 incorrect: 8/12=67%; not as well as I should have.

50% isn't too bad

I feel more of that stuff is system admin related.

obscure mix of tweaks for those that really tweak their systems.

OK, some of us had to stop and think back a little again...does anyone else know how many, if any, of these also apply to a Vista OS?

I got 7 correct, which was kinda disappointing, but then I realised that the ones I got wrong I could have worked out in less than 5 minutes, if it was a hands-on type of test.

And that's more like how it works in IT: Someone asks me a question, and if I don't know on the spot, the chances are still good that I at least know what general direction to look in, and then find it out or work it out quickly from there.

So I refuse to remain discouraged by my junk score, and neither should any of you!

Time to celebrate with another cup of coffee.

I did fairly well in that I got five correct. However, two of the ones I missed I misunderstood the question and answered too quickly on. So I actually knew the answers to seven of the questions. The ones I didn't know, I *now* know. So it's been a positive learning experience for me!

is incomplete and is therefore a bit misleading.

reinstalled flash 10...still fails to load.
user error, i'm sure.
any thoughts?
t

I had several quibbles. The control panel applet in #11 is called System not System Properties though the windows that opens says System Properties as it's title, #4 seemed to be missing a RAM at the end of the question. No mention of what flavour of Windows XP (32 or 64 bit) in #7. And even there, a Windows XP 32 bit system with 4GB of physical RAM will show only 3.62GB present.

I didn't do too bad for an "off the cuff" test. Must admit that two of my correct answer were an "educated guess".

I remember these type of tests from my MS certification days. MS always wanted you to think (?).

I remember one particular 40 odd multi-choice questionnaire where the there were four possible answers. Two you knew were wrong and two were nearly worded the same. One of these was "configure ..... and reboot" the other was "configure .............and refresh". I of course chose the "reboot". BOTH answers were correct, HOWEVER the MS creed is "what ever is least intrusive to the system". Result, WRONG!

I tried not to make the same mistake again. You have to think like MS to pass regardless of what you believe is the best option.

Take the 4GB max. RAM for XP - I have configured many XP business and home machines and have yet to have one perform well with 4Gigs. 3Gigs is perfect. At some stage you will get a stacks overflow error with the usual BSOD.

Regards
Pat

Better than I thought......11 out of 12

got 10 out of 12. I guess i'm not too surprised, but it was a good mix of questions.

Though the "disablepaging exec" question did not display "RAM". Ya just had to know thats where it moved stuff to.

Blame ITT Tech! Just kidding. Well, I guess I really could stand to read that Microsoft book on XP sitting on my shelf after all. I thought it was below my level of understanding. In my defense though, I switched from networking to web development in school. Now give me a CSS quiz and I will pass it with flying colors. Switched to Kaplan University, and am still working on my skills. Not going back into networking till I get a BA in Web Development. Though I will start working on the A+ Certification soon. Heh, I am an honor student and I got only one right!!!

Heh... 15 year old high-school freshman got 1/2.

Although I suppose I was kinda lucky...