WWW.TWEAKGUIDES.COM [Version 3.00 ‐ January 2006] T HE T WEAKG UIDES T WEAKING C OMPANION TABLE OF CONTENTS Table Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 of Copyright & Credits..................................................................................................................................................... 10 Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Using this Guide .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Basic Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Different Versions of Windows ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Why is the Guide So Long? .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Recommended Software ................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Links to Other Guides, Articles & Websites ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Pictures and Diagrams....................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Problems with the Guide.................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Your Responsibilities.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Basic PC Terminology................................................................................................................................................ 14 Bits & Bytes.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 PC.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 CPU....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Motherboard......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Memory................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Hard Drive ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 CD/DVD Drive...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Floppy Drive......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Graphics Card ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Display Device..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Sound Card.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Speakers or Headphones.................................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Power Supply Unit .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Heatsinks and Fans............................................................................................................................................................................................ 17 Case ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Peripheral ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 Operating System and Software ...................................................................................................................................................................... 17 System Specifications................................................................................................................................................ 18 System Information Tools .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Windows System Information Tool .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Device Manager .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 DirectX Diagnostics ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Everest.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 SIW........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 3DMark ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Sandra................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 CPU-Z ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Nero InfoTool ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Providing System Specifications............................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Backup & Recovery..................................................................................................................................................... 21 Manual Backup ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Automatic Backup........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Windows Backup Utility.....................................................................................................................................................................................