Original ubuntu panel

…and after some weird magic…

Where is switch button and volume control?

At first, I tried to add missing components to the panel, but couldn’t find them in the list… Well, I didn’t even know their original names. So can Google help me to put me from my misery? After a few minutes on Internet I found out I’m not the only one with this problem, but offered solutions didn’t help. No matter how I tried – restarting panel, some tweak through terminal commands, restarting computer…

I told myself “but those are just components, add-ons and such can be added and removed to panel without a problem”. I tried again – and succeeded! The trick was to add “Indicator Applet” (volume control, email/chat control) and “Indicator Applet Session” (session, account control).

Here is the procedure on how did I manage to recreate the original Ubuntu panel finally:

1.

Unlock the Notification Area and Clock by right click on these items and unchecking “Lock To Panel” option. (With Notification Area you have to right click the left edge to bring up the context menu.)

Uncheck locking to panel

2.

Bring up the list of panel add-ons by right click on empty space of the panel and selecting “Add to Panel…”

Bringing up the panel add-ons list

3.

Add “Indicator Applet” and “Indicator Applet Session“.

Choose Indicator Applet and Indicator Applet Session

4.

Move the 2 newly added applets as you want them and lock the positions of all add-ons (right click on add-on and check “Lock To Panel” option).

You are done!

Right at the beginning I need to say that OpenOffice.org, the free office application pack similar to MS Office, is far from perfection. So if you need to edit and create complicated, feature rich MS Office documents, you need to buy one of its versions. But for everybody creating simple tables, charts, writing CVs, office and other letters, simply said for ordinary casual users and small companies, the OpenOffice.org is a perfect choice. The biggest advantage of this software is its (partial) compatibility with MS Office file formats.

The package of OpenOffice.org applications contains Writer – the word processor, Calc – spreadsheet similar to MS Excel, Impress for creating presentations, Base for database management, a vector graphics editor Draw and a tool to create mathematical formulas called Math.  Natively OOo works with open document formats (.odt – text file, .ods – spreadsheet file, .odp – presentations, .odb – databases, .svg – vector graphics) but as I said, it can read and edit most of the MS Office file formats – both pre-Office 2007 (like .doc or .xls) and current ones (.docx, .xlsx). So be careful when saving your document and sending it to your colleague or friend. Default saving format is surely open document format, which I would suggest to use all the time, but when resending the document, save it also in .doc, .xls or any other MS Office file type.

Very good feature of OpenOffice.org is the possibility to extend its functionality with add-ons and plug-ins and possibility to export to PDF file format. In terms of looks it stays behind the current versions of MS Office and its ribbon interface and keeps the standard toolbar one which, on the other hand, can be just advantageous for many users.

Because OOo is open-source software, it is completely free to download (from OpenOffice.org website) and use and is available in several languages for several different operating systems.

Don’t overlook! – If you want to get the newest version of MS Office (the 2010 release) for free, you can still download a beta test version from Microsoft website. Unfortunately I don’t know for how long this version is available, neither for how long you can use it, but for now I wouldn’t wait a second to download it.

Foxit Reader

As I’ve mentioned PDF file format already, every office and every computer user needs some application to open such files. Probably there is Adobe Reader preinstalled on your computer but in case you are not satisfied with its speed (not sure what is the situation with Adobe Reader’s speed these days, but previous versions were disasters…) or for any other reason, there is a great little replacement called Foxit Reader. Its current version can be downloaded for free from www.foxitsoftware.com.

PDF Creator

If you’ve ever wondered how to create a PDF files without buying Adobe Acrobat, I have a good news for you. There are many free applications that work like virtual printers outputting any file sent to print in PDF format. Yes, you will be able to “print” any document into PDF. I’ve tried many of such PDF printers, but definitely the best one in terms of document quality to output file size ratio is PDF Creator. A definite must, so download the current version from PDFForge website.

Calendar application

Every office needs some kind of organizer application. In Microsoft Office suite this position occupies MS Outlook with integrated calendar. If you want to have similar integration, use a calendar extension for Thunderbird email client called Lightning which I’ve described in previous article. In case of need of separate calendar program, I suggest to use Mozilla Sunbird which is available for different platforms and in different languages and is completely free of charge.

Scribus

Finally we’ve managed to get to DeskTop Publishing (DTP) software represented in this list by open-source application called Scribus. This tool lets you create brochures, posters, newsletters, newspapers, leaflets and books, so has similar usage as its paid counterparts like Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher or QuarkXPress. Scribus supports CMYK and ICC color management, several image formats, TrueType and OpenType fonts, PDF file format and prints using internal PostScript driver. Unfortunately, it can’t open files created in mentioned commercial competitors and saves documents in SLA format. Advantage of this program is multiplatformity and multilingual support.

Download Scribus to try it out!

Starting with e-mails, for long time I was using web-based e-mail services including great Gmail. But it became kind of difficult to maintain several different e-mail boxes so I started looking for solution more similar to Microsoft’s Outlook. After trying several e-mail client applications I found the best to be Thunderbird from Mozilla, creators of Firefox web-browser.

Browsing e-mails in Thunderbird

Thunderbird offers everything I need. Setting up multiple e-mail accounts was a breeze, working with and managing emails is flawless, searching feature was pushed to another level since version 3 release. The application really looks and feels good and if you find some functionality missing, there is most likely an add-on for it. Like, for example, a calendar add-on I can’t be without – Lightning (which is Mozilla Sunbird ported into Thunderbird) and Google Calendar integration.

Calendar add-on for Thunderbird

So everything related to e-mails and calendar under one roof – perfect. You can get Thunderbird free of charge from Mozilla’s website.

Gmail Notifier

If you, for example, still prefer accessing your e-mail account using web-browser and happen to use (the best) Gmail, a little application called Gmail Notifier can alert you about new e-mail messages without being logged into the service right at the time.

Skype

Moving from e-mails to Internet telephony, or often referred as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) applications. Probably the best one, most popular (over 21 million people were using Skype at time the screenshot was taken…) and known is Skype. Offers free Internet phone calls, video calls and chatting for registered users, even with possibility of conference and cheaper (not completely free) calls to land-line or mobile numbers. An advantage for Skype is its multilingual interface with wide range of languages to choose from. The newest version supporting HD video calls can be downloaded from www.skype.com.

Skype communicator

Google Talk

Like its name suggests, this app is suitable for owners of Google account (although I have never used it…). Google Talk is instant messaging, VOIP and video communication program that is easy to manipulate and looks pretty indeed. Download Google Talk

Pidgin

Complete instant messaging client in this article is represented with open-source program mostly known from Linux platform called Pidgin. The program supports majority of main instant messaging protocols including AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, Bonjour, MSN, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu and others. Except standard chatting feature it can transfer files, communicate with a number of different users at a time, and current version integrates even voice and video conversation possibilities. If you want to give Pidgin a try, download it from www.pidgin.im.

1. Open Opera Preferences Editor by typing “opera:config” (1) into address bar and pressing [ENTER] on your keyboard.
2. Search for “taskbar” (2) and uncheck “Use Windows 7 Taskbar Thumbnails” (3).
3. Press Save button (4) and restart Opera (5).

Turn off Windows 7 taskbar thumbnails in Opera 10.50

That’s really it! Simple, easy and working well. See you next time!

Starting with file management tools, I will introduce 2 programs to you using two-pane user interface (split horizontally or vertically), which I consider the best choice. Too many common computer users are prejudiced against two-pane file managers. They are used to Windows Explorer way too much. Maybe it will take a while to get used to double interface, but I assure you, the workflow is much faster using such system. You don’t need to open 2 windows to copy file from one location to another, like it is the case with Windows Explorer. In these 2 applications you have everything on hand.

FreeCommander

The best free file manager in my opinion is multilingual FreeCommander, which is capable of replacing both Windows Explorer and Total Commander (I was using TC before). Besides standard features like displaying the content in several ways (tree view, details, list, thumbnails), copying, moving, renaming, deleting, creating, searching, editing and viewing files and folders, it contains archives management (compression and decompression of archive files), can split large files, create MD5 file size checksum, compare and synchronize folders, batch rename files, create desktop snapshots, run command line, or connect to FTP accounts.

FreeCommander file manager

The only big disadvantage of FreeCommander (shakes the hand with Total Commander) in current 64bit operating systems world is its insufficient integration with such systems. Surely the cause is application’s 32bit architecture which can’t display complete context menus under 64bit Windows. That is really big minus for me, but I’m waiting patiently for 64bit release. Meanwhile I’m using different program…

Compressing a file in FreeCommander

Windows Double Explorer

The application with full 64bit operating system integration is Windows Double Explorer (WDE). Unfortunately, I could just wish it was as good as FreeCommander, but it performs the tasks much better then Windows Explorer. Windows Double Explorer is also two-pane file manager with one great feature: you can open several tabs of content in each pane. It basically combines two (or more) Windows Explorers in one window and add some features. This being said, it can manipulate with Libraries in Windows 7, which is great and definitely something FreeCommander can’t do.

Windows Double Explorer file manager

The Windows Double Explorer should work just with Windows 7 (haven’t tried with Vista, on XP it doesn’t work), is still in beta version these days (but I haven’t had a problem using it) and can be downloaded from its website.

Archiving tools (compression and decompression)

If you download something from internet, most probably it will be packed, compressed and compacted in one archive file. Windows can handle a basic archive file types like ZIP with no problem. But what to do when it comes to RAR, TAR, GZIP, 7Z, CAB and others? Solution is simple – install one of the applications bellow, which can be used also on USB flash drives as portable programs.

7-Zip

One of the best compression tools I’ve ever tried, but certainly not very attractive, is open-source 7-Zip. On the other hand, you won’t see him that often and not for long, so if it does the job, why not? And really, 7-Zip does its job perfectly. It even compress to its native special format 7Z which is 30-50% more efficient than ZIP that can be compressed with this tool better than with any other archiving tools. Compression/decompression times are pretty low and the program creates encrypted, password protected archives too. Creation of self-extracting files, splitting the archive into several pieces and integration in Windows Explorer context menu are standard functions I demand.

7-Zip windows and context menu integration

7-Zip handles packing and unpacking of 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR file types and decompression of RAR, ISO, ARJ, CAB, DEB, DMG files, just to mention a few.

Download 7-Zip

IZArc

IZArc is another great multilingual archiver which copes with the same functions as 7-Zip and adds archives repairing and disk image conversion. The visage is not much better though (can be improved with skins), nor the speed, but it supports a huge amount of several archive file formats, including 7Z and disk images like ISO, NRG, BIN, CDI, IMG. IZArc can really be your only archiving program, so don’t waste the time and download it.

IZArc and its integration in context menu

PeaZip

The last application I mention in this article is PeaZip (download link), the open-source archiver and file manager. It is the prettiest one from all the archivers I’ve ever seen (except maybe its icon). Natively uses its own PEA file format, but supports huge number of different archives with 7Z and RAR among them. Features includes archive conversion, splitting, comparison, encryption, creation of checksums, password file protection and integration with Explorer’s context menu. The only disadvantage is a bit longer procesing time of archive files.

PeaZip and context menu integration

I’ve ordered the operating system and we lived together happily until yesterday. Before I had no problem with playback of any media file using my beloved Windows Media Player alternatives. Curiosity tempted me to try also digital TV on my computer using free ProgDVB. But no matter how hard I tried, when I wanted to run the program, the error of “can’t find MFPLAT.DLL, please try to reinstall the application” appeared. After clicking the error off, the ProgDVB started but unfortunately with no channels in the list despite of correct devices settings. This was happening both for 32bit and 64bit ProgDVB and reinstallation surely didn’t help.

With question for help I’ve turned to trusted Google which answered “the mfplat.dll is a Media Foundation Platform DLL“. There we are! I bet everything is related to my relief of my Windows. I was unfortunately forced to download and install Windows update KB968211 – Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N and Windows 7 KN. So, everything I originally didn’t need, was added back to my Windows 7.

Positive thing: the problem with ProgDVB is gone now and I am able to watch some functioning TV programs. Is it that amazing and worth of additional Windows ballast? No…

IMPORTANT UPDATE: There is much simpler and permanent solution to this problem available already. Thanks Nanina for tip.

If you have installed Ubuntu using procedure described in “Installing Ubuntu (almost) like a Windows application” article, it’s highly probable you have already stumbled upon a problem when you were stuck just with command line instead of booting up to Ubuntu Linux. This problem occurs mostly after updating the system, when it affects also Grub. The changes to Grub are not applied directly, so it doesn’t know what to do and defaults to command line. There the most of users (like me) get stuck wondering what has happened to their Ubuntu.

Before you start crying you’ve lost all the data, customization and everything you’ve kept in this Linux distribution, try following procedure. It should help you resolving the issue and restoring Ubuntu’s functionality or at least you should be able to get into Ubuntu and save your date before its reinstallation or complete uninstallation. This major problem is connected probably just with Wubi Ubuntu as I’ve never had such problem on standard system installation. To resolve, follow these 5 steps:

STEP 1.

First you have to find out the names of partitions on your disk and determine, where you put your Wubi Ubuntu installation. So into command line “sh:grub>” type in the command “ls -l” and press [ENTER] on your keyboard.

sh:grub> ls -l

The list of disk partitions will be displayed. Partitions are named like hd(0,1), hd(0,2), hd(1,1) or similarly. I believe “hd” stands for “harddrive”, first digit determines physical harddrive number (starting from 0) and second digit stands for partition number on that specific physical drive. You need to find out the partition name where Wubi stores Ubuntu folder. Unfortunately, I can’t see into your computer and can’t offer a good advice, but if you use disk labels like me, you should be able to determine the partition pretty quickly, because labels are also being displayed in the list.

When you have the name of the partition, lets take hd(0,1), you need to convert it into Grub terminology. Grub uses “sd” (SATA drive) instead of “hd”, “a, b, c…” instead of first  “0, 1, 2…” digit and last digit remains the same and is just repeated in the name, brackets and comma are not being included. So our hd(0,1) example would become sda1. Write down this name of Wubi installation partition, you will need it in next step.

STEP 2.

Start typing in the command bellow. After typing in the “linux /boot/vmlinuz-“, press [TAB] on your keyboard to display available Linux kernel versions list. Choose the most current one (with the highest number) and type it in. (Note: if the procedure fails to run Ubuntu with current kernel version, try older one…) Continue typing the command ” root=/dev/” and input the name of Wubi installation partition you’ve got from previous step (in our case it was “sda1“). Finish the command with ” loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro” and press [ENTER].

sh:grub> linux /boot/vmlinuz-(kernel version – press [TAB]) root=/dev/(Wubi installation partition) loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro

STEP 3.

Continue with new command “initrd /boot/initrd.img-” and again use the same kernel version as in step 2. Then press [ENTER].

sh:grub> initrd /boot/initrd.img-(kernel version)

STEP 4.

If everything worked fine, after inputting the command “boot” and pressing [ENTER], the Ubuntu should start. In case that nothing is happening, try to repeat the procedure with older Linux kernel. If nothing helps even then, unfortunately I think you better try Google or reinstall Wubi Ubuntu completely…

sh:grub> boot

STEP 5.

We are not finished yet! When you get finally into Ubuntu, open the Terminal (Applications → Accessories → Terminal). In Terminal type the command “sudo update-grub” and press [ENTER] (you will also need to type in your password confirmed with [ENTER] key). Now the Grub should be updated completely and shouldn’t cause any trouble.

So, after this procedure just try to restart the computer and see on your own whether Ubuntu works how it should (at least until next major system update ;)).

Any question? Use comments…

I’ve tried so many different disk burning tools that it took me quite a long time to find the replacement for my (very very old version of) Nero, which surely wasn’t free. And just when I found this replacement, I bought Dell Studio 1737 laptop and problems started again… ;) During my search I was looking for this functionality:

1. Burning standard formats like CD, CD RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW (option to burn double layer disks, DVD-RAM, Blu-ray and HD DVD would be just a plus)
2. Possibility to create disk copies and disk images (ISO files)
3. Burned data verification and buffer underrun protection
4. Ability to create multisession disks, audio, video and DVD disks
5. Friendly and easy-to-use interface, preferably with some wizard and support for different languages
6. Has to be free software

At the end, I put together following software list.

Ashampoo Burning Studio [UPDATE 15.3.2010]

Thanks to commenters Peter and Idaho I decided to add another software to the list. It is Ashampoo Burning Studio I was using in the past but left it due to couple of reasons. First, the free-to-download was just old version 6 and also the way how program works wasn’t really for me (I prefer more 2 pane view – both with file manager and CD/DVD view). That’s why the app didn’t even make it into the list …and also because I forgot about it.

But after the guys pointed me to free current version Ashampoo Burning Studio 2010, I decided to give it another try. And what a good move it was! The software is perfect. It offers everything I need, even overcomes my expectations with integration of audio CD ripper, file backup system, it’s free and works on my Dell laptop! What more can I ask for? So my current best choice for burning program is Ashampoo Burning Studio 2010 (you need to get free serial number directly from Ashampoo website).

CDBurnerXP

Multilingual application CDBurnerXP complies all my criteria and even surprises with possibility to burn Blu-ray and HD DVD besides other standard formats. It creates also bootable disks, which I’ve never tried, though.

When creating audio CD, you can import several the most used audio file types and playlists and CDBurnerXP will take care of them. If you happen to have two disk drives, and insert audio CD into one of them, you can even add tracks from that disk to one you are creating in CDBurnerXP without previous audio ripping. Just add those CDA files to new compilation. Very cool feature.

Surely, you can create also video disk, which is basically just data disk with video file(s) ;) If you are wondering how to create DVD, here is the little tip on creating Video-DVD: There is no option to create video DVD disk directly from wizard appearing when program is started, so you have to choose to create data disk first and then go to File → DVD Video layout.

CDBurnerXP is capable of creating ISO disk image file from your CD or DVD, burning the ISO image and also converting BIN and NRG images into ISO format (again can be found in File menu).

The biggest minus for this program is that I can’t make it work with Dell Studio’s slot load DVD drive. That being said, it is possible CDBurnerXP might not work for some other drives either. Otherwise, this is almost perfect burning software. Download current version from CDBurnerXP website.

InfraRecorder

In my burning software list the open source community is represented by InfraRecorder. I can guarantee, this free program will nothing but totally impress you. Again, I was able to check my whole requirements list, so just few more words about its functions.

The program supports recording on dual (or double) layer DVD disks, burning ISO, CUE, IMG, BIN and RAW image filetypes, creating multisession disks, saving audio CD in WAV, WMA, OGG or MP3 (process called ripping), and, InfraRecorder is also available in portable version! Great, isn’t it?

By the way, when you see a smoke coming from burning progress window, don’t rush for extinguisher! I must admit I felt a bit uneasy when I first saw this nice effect. But it’s really just an effect. ;)

InfraRecorder (download it) is such a great software, equally like CDBurnerXP, or maybe a bit further because I can use it on a Dell Studio. Although I have some problems with it, mainly when burning rewritable media. But again, it can be related to my optical drive.

So, all those problems directed me to Spartan, but very functional last burning software in my list and my last chance to be able to burn something on Dell Sudio laptop – ImgBurn.

ImgBurn

Well, how to begin? Very carefully, but it needs to be brought to light …the application interface is not really suitable for normal, ordinary casual computer user. I’m not considering myself as normal computer user, despite I had a harsh time to understand what and how to do.

ImgBurn also doesn’t offer all the functionality compared to the programs I’ve mentioned before, but looking at its name, who would expect that? Indeed, what it does excellently is burning wide variety of different CD/DVD disk image types (BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG just to mention a few).

Actually, looking at the list of my requirements, ImgBurn just doesn’t have that friendly interface, doesn’t support multisession and can’t burn audio disk. Everything else works perfectly fine, though. And if you become familiar with the application you will find that it contains more advanced settings that any other burning software.

I definitely recommend this program especially when you deal with different types of CD or DVD images. But definitely as complement to some other burning software (I’m using InfraRecorder besides it currently). It’s completely free and also portable so go and get one.

Optical disk image handling programs

Special software category creates programs focused on work with disk image files. Namely virtual drives, which allows you to create illusional optical drive where you can mount a disk image and use it as it would be normal CD or DVD, and image file converters, used in case the burning software doesn’t support specific image format.

The easiest way to browse and use CD or DVD disk images without burning them on physical media is mounting them to virtual optical drives. A software providing this functionality can be MagicDisc or popular DAEMON Tools Lite.

When you find yourself stuck with DAA or UIF image files, you can try single-purpose converters DAA2ISO and UIF2ISO that convert those filetypes to standard ISO images which you can then burn or mount to virtual drive. You have to use them through command line but they both are easy to use and works great.

Last word

At the end it’s up to you which program you will choose to burn your CD and DVD disks and surely you will try other similar software and find similar software lists on internet, but believe me, you will end up with one of aforementioned burners when recording the pictures from New Year’s Eve party ;)

Unfortunately if you are browsing Opera’s menu in search of some “menu bar switch”, I have to disappoint your expectations. You need to create a new shortcut (I’ll use keyboard shortcut in this tutorial) using which you will be able to disable and again enable the menu bar.

So, go for it, it’s very simple!

1. In Opera menu bar go to Tools → Preferences.
2. On Advanced tab (A) choose “Shortcuts” from the list on the left side (B), then in section for keyboard shortcuts select “Opera Standard” (C) and press [Edit] button (D).
3. Edit Keyboard Setup window will appear. To add new shortcut select “Aplication” from the list (A) and press [New...] button (B).
4. New record will be added to shortcuts list. To set the shortcut to [ALT]+[M] you need to enter it in reversed order “m alt” to the first field (A) and after pressing [Enter] on the keyboard, write “Enable menu bar | Disable menu bar” in second field (B).
5. Press [OK] button (A) twice to confirm and finish editing of keyboard shortcuts.
6. After pressing [ALT]+[M] keys on keyboard, the Opera’s menu bar minimizes (pressing the key combination again will display full menu bar).

Changing the size of virtual memory

Simply said, Windows uses virtual memory to rise the size of your RAM. Surely the only memory device it can use for this purpose is harddrive and it creates pagefile.sys on system (or other) drive partition. By default Windows manages the size of virtual memory on its own. That, however, is not particularly effective, as Windows is actually resizing pagefile.sys as needed, resulting in slowing down of your computer. The best way of assuring good performance of your computer is managing the size and placement of virtual memory file by yourself. That said you need to set up the constant size and also place pagefile.sys, or part of it, to different physical harddrive if possible.

Note: Never place pagefile.sys just to different partition of the same harddrive. It will slow down your computer even more! So if you have just one physical harddrive, leave pagefile.sys on drive C:.

How big should pagefile.sys be? Well, I stick to rule, if you have large RAM memory – 3GB and more – you can keep the virtual memory low (some say you can disable it but I wouldn’t recommend that) – I’ve set it up to 256MB.

For other RAM sizes I’d say less physical memory, more virtual memory (and vice versa), but up to about 1.5 times of physical RAM size should be enough even for 0.5GB RAM.

Procedure on how to set up the virtual memory size (should work for Windows XP, Vista and 7):

1. Click Start button (or Windows orb).
2. Right click on Computer / My Computer, choose Properties from menu.
3. Just for Windows Vista and 7: Click Advanced system settings on the left side of the System window.
4. Click the [Settings] button in the Performance section of the Advanced tab. 
5. Select Advanced tab in the Performance Options window.
6. Click the [Change] button in the Virtual memory section. 
7. Highlight the drive letter where you want to place pagefile.sys (usually drive C:), select Custom Size and set the same amounts (in MB) for Initial size and Maximum size.
8. Press [Set] button to apply changes and then confirm pressing [OK] button 3 times. 
9. After restarting your computer, the new size (and placement) of pagefile.sys will be applied.

Turning off hibernation

What is hibernation and why would you bother turning it off? Windows operating system offers 2 ways of putting your computer into sleep:  

Standard Sleep mode
When you put your computer into standard Sleep mode, it still requires a little amount of power. This is because content of RAM memory needs to be preserved in RAM itself, and as it is volatile type of storage, it requires constant power to retain the information. Therefor I’d suggest to use Sleep mode just for relatively short amount of time (several of hours or so).

Hibernation
On the other hand if you use hibernation mode, you basically turn the computer off with no power being consumed, and when waking the system up from hibernation, it starts much faster than during normal power up (actually faster start up time applies also for Sleep mode). The difference between hibernation and sleep mode is that hibernation stores all content of RAM memory to your harddrive, thus creating file hibernate.sys of computer’s RAM size. Yes, if you have 3GB of RAM you will actually “loose” those 3GB from Windows’ system drive (usually C:)…

I have never used hibernation and don’t know anybody who uses it, that’s why I recommend to disabling it (but it’s completely up to you!). You will save some more GB of your harddrive.

To disable hibernation follow these steps (works for Windows XP, Vista and 7):

1. Click Start button (or Windows orb).
2. Go to All Programs → Accessories.
3. Right click on Command Prompt and choose to Run as administrator (for Windows XP just left click on Command Prompt).
4. Command Prompt window will appear, so type in “powercfg -h off” (without quotation marks) and press [Enter]. 
5. You are done. No status message is displayed in this case, so just close Command Prompt window and after next restart of your computer you will be surprised about more space available on your system drive.

Note: If you need to enable hibernation again, proceed as before, but type in “powercfg -h on” command instead and restart your computer.

Hope these procedures, along with tools I’ve mentioned in my previous article, helps you to squeeze more from your Windows.