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Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?



 
 
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  #16  
Old February 9th 14, 03:59 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
micky[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 926
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

On Sun, 9 Feb 2014 04:08:26 -0600, "BillW50" wrote:


"micky" wrote in message
.. .

I think PowerDesk6 is the latest version that will work with XP. It's
good too, with lots more functionality than windows explorer,
including more versatility in views, built in unzpper and zipper, and
the display includes Control Panel and other things WE doesn't have,
except for video image of the camera, which WE does have but PD6
doesn't. YOu can set up PD to replace WE, or not to, or use it half
the time, by clicking on its icon instead of WE, but letting calls to
WE continue to go to WE. I do the third choice but sometimes I think
I should do the first.

But Dialog Helper is very simple, never causes problems in 10+ years
(I got it first from another company.) You may have to check a box
during installation of PD6 to get DH.


If you like that one, you might also like AnVir Task Manager. It comes
in two flavors, free and commercial. It does many different things, but
one thing is that it adds a button in those open/save dialog boxes. And
lists the most common folders that you use. This makes it very fast
going to your most used folders.


Thanks, I'll look at it.

Did my post have anything to do with the OP?
Ads
  #17  
Old February 9th 14, 04:19 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,291
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

In message , Paul
writes:
[]
It's possible I did mis-interpreted the question,
and concentrate too much on Explorer itself (on the
title of the post).

The File Save Dialog, might have some weird
behaviors of its own. Someone at the bottom of
this thread, noticed removing a network bridge
fixed it. So just a modification to networking
itself, can break it.

http://forums.techarena.in/ms-office-support/752499.htm

Maybe there is some difference, between the things
an application remembers, and the main Explorer window ?

[]
Thanks. No, the file save dialog usually opens quickly enough; it's just
that if it opens pointing at a directory on C:, and I want to save on
one on D: (without changing the _name_ of the file I'm saving), I have
to press the Up button to climb up from wherever it is on C:, until I
get to the top level where I can see the drives - or, I press the My
Computer button on the left of the Save window. When I get to this point
(by either method), a delay sometimes happens, with the swinging torch,
before the list of drives appears in the right pane.

The same delay ensues if I open Explorer with Win+E, which opens at the
same top level. If I open explorer with the shortcut I have to

%windir%\explorer.exe /e, D:\

(i. e. the root of D, it opens fast enough.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...
  #18  
Old February 9th 14, 04:22 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,291
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

In message , Hot-Text
writes:
"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote in message
...
In message , Hot-Text
writes:
Make a folder on root name it "A1"
for your Shortcuts
Add list of needed Shortcuts
desktop
My Computer
and any Shortcuts
you need in a Two
chicks a way
and A-1 will always be on top

No, "!" will always be on top (-:

JP-Shortcuts

J. P. here at MPWG
As for given out good info
You are one of are Top 4

(-:

I just hope one of these days
I'll be able to kiss
The bottom of your Feet


I think you've perhaps consumed too much of whatever alcohol is common
in the part of the world is represented by "MPWG"!

So the Folder name will be
Look up



Well, if I want a folder (or file) to always come to the top of the
default sort order (which is by name), I start it with !, such as
!read-me.txt, or just ! or !! for folders.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...
  #19  
Old February 9th 14, 04:32 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,291
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

In message , micky
writes:
On Sat, 8 Feb 2014 08:46:02 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

When I open "My Computer" - for example with Windows-E, but I notice it
most when downloading something and my browser has "remembered"
somewhere on the wrong drive, so I have to climb the tree up and then
down again or use the My Computer button in the save window* - it takes \


I don't follow this. When do you have to start this climbiing? What
are you doing.


For example, saving a file from Firefox (which I have set to ask me
where to save, rather than always saving into the same place). When I do
this, I'm often creating a new directory to put it into. (Which I may
well subsequently delete, move, or rename.) Firefox tends to remember
the location last saved to (actually I think it remembers several - I've
never worked out the details; it might be one for each filetype?). If,
however, that location no longer exists (because I've moved renamed or
deleted it), Firefox tends to default to somewhere on the C: drive. I
usually save to the D: drive, so have to climb out of C: and then down
within D: to get to where I want to save (and make a new directory if
necessary).

It is when I get to the level above C: root - either by keeping clicking
the up button from wherever Firefox starts, or clicking the My Computer
button straight away - that the delay (which hasn't been much in
evidence since I started this thread, of course!) appears.

Not sure if this is related, but with PowerDesk6 comes a program called
Dialog Helper and it keeps a record of past used directorys and files,
under two little boxes in the blue margin at the top of the pop-up box


I think I have something similar - in fact it may be the same thing, the
name sounds familiar. But ...

when one has to Open a directory for saving, or other purposes. So it's
only one click and one step from wherever you are to where you want to
go, if you've been there before.


.... since I usually _haven't_ been there before ("there" may well not
exist), it won't help me much.

(If I'm saving the second or third file to the same place within one
session, Firefox remembers that place anyway.)
[]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...
  #20  
Old February 9th 14, 10:14 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Hot-Text
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 49
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?


"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote in message ...
In message , Hot-Text writes:
"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote in message ...
In message , Hot-Text writes:
Make a folder on root name it "A1"
for your Shortcuts
Add list of needed Shortcuts
desktop
My Computer
and any Shortcuts
you need in a Two
chicks a way
and A-1 will always be on top
No, "!" will always be on top (-:

JP-Shortcuts
J. P. here at MPWG
As for given out good info
You are one of are Top 4

(-:
I just hope one of these days
I'll be able to kiss
The bottom of your Feet


I think you've perhaps consumed too much of whatever alcohol is common in the part of the world is represented by "MPWG"!


No alcohol
Perhaps I consumed too much in the Pass

So the Folder name will be
Look up

Well, if I want a folder (or file) to always come to the top of the default sort order (which is by name), I start it with !, such
as !read-me.txt, or just ! or !! for folders.

O'you one of them that Delete the New in Folder

JP-Shortcuts we all need them at times

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...


If that is true
I haven't seen Beauty
For about 6 Years
Well that is what Cam4 is for
To view Beauty with a Beer in the nude Hmm


  #21  
Old February 9th 14, 10:21 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
micky[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 926
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

On Sun, 9 Feb 2014 15:32:10 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

In message , micky
writes:
On Sat, 8 Feb 2014 08:46:02 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

When I open "My Computer" - for example with Windows-E, but I notice it
most when downloading something and my browser has "remembered"
somewhere on the wrong drive, so I have to climb the tree up and then
down again or use the My Computer button in the save window* - it takes \


I don't follow this. When do you have to start this climbiing? What
are you doing.


For example, saving a file from Firefox (which I have set to ask me
where to save, rather than always saving into the same place). When I do
this, I'm often creating a new directory to put it into. (Which I may
well subsequently delete, move, or rename.) Firefox tends to remember
the location last saved to (actually I think it remembers several - I've
never worked out the details; it might be one for each filetype?). If,
however, that location no longer exists (because I've moved renamed or
deleted it), Firefox tends to default to somewhere on the C: drive. I
usually save to the D: drive, so have to climb out of C: and then down
within D: to get to where I want to save (and make a new directory if
necessary).


Then my post was entirely on point and what you need is Dialog Helper.
Glad to hear it.

It keeps a list of every location you've saved things to. I don't know
how it groups them, but it always gets it right afaict.

One small white square for file names and next to it another small white
square for directory names, each with an image inside it of a file or
directory.

When you've used the directory name or the file name, I don't believe
there is any need to open My Computer, even behind the scene, because it
has the fully-whatever name of directory or file when you click on it,
and there's no more need to look for it.

It is when I get to the level above C: root - either by keeping clicking
the up button from wherever Firefox starts, or clicking the My Computer
button straight away - that the delay (which hasn't been much in
evidence since I started this thread, of course!) appears.

Not sure if this is related, but with PowerDesk6 comes a program called
Dialog Helper and it keeps a record of past used directorys and files,
under two little boxes in the blue margin at the top of the pop-up box


I think I have something similar - in fact it may be the same thing,


I doubt if you have it or you'd have explored (get it?) the little boxes
in the top blue border of the Save dialog boxes. And it only comes
with PowerDesk afaict, not alone. It's barely mentioned in the
PowerDesk installation file description, maybe not at all.

the name sounds familiar. But ...

when one has to Open a directory for saving, or other purposes. So it's
only one click and one step from wherever you are to where you want to
go, if you've been there before.


... since I usually _haven't_ been there before ("there" may well not
exist), it won't help me much.


You're always saving things in new folders? Even so, won't you have
already been to the parent or grandparent folder of the prospective new
folder? DHelper will get you quickly to what is to be the parent
folder, and the Windows Save or Open box has its own little Create New
Folder button. Neither step will require any portion of My Computer.
even internally, I think. (That is, My Computer has to know ALL the
directories and files at some high level, and that's what takes time.)

(If I'm saving the second or third file to the same place within one
session, Firefox remembers that place anyway.)


It only remembers in the same session, and only so long as you use same
location over and over. Once you change the location, then it only
remembers that new location and it's totally forgotten the other one
(except the default that shows up again in the next sesssion, iiuc.)

Dialog Helper remembers all, or at least up to 15 of each kind -- I
don't think I've ever had occasion to go -- forever. Although
creating and using a second FF persona might cause one to start from the
beginning again. Also, using a new computer. :-)

It also has other choices 1) Clear folder (or document) list 2) Remove
deleted folders (or files) from list 3) Save current path to clipboard
4) Display Helper Properties

[]


BTW, did you all know that if you open the Open Dialog box and there are
hundreds of files in the folder, one doesn't have to scroll to find the
one he wants, nor does he have to type the whole name. By typing the
first few characters of the name, it gives a list of files that start
that way.

  #22  
Old February 10th 14, 02:11 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Bill in Co
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,927
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
When I open "My Computer" - for example with Windows-E, but I notice it
most when downloading something and my browser has "remembered"
somewhere on the wrong drive, so I have to climb the tree up and then
down again or use the My Computer button in the save window* - it takes
a long time, with the torch waving, before it shows me the list of
drives and a couple of things like "my documents". (If done from Win+E,
also shows the webcam.)

(*Yes, I know browsers can be set to always save in the same place. I
don't want that - I want it to ask me where. That would be sidestepping
the problem anyway.)


There's a third option, which is the one I use: I do let it prompt me as to
where to save downloads, but then I usually just save it to a folder named
"Downloads" which is pretty much reserved for this activity. THEN I can
later move the file(s) to whereever I think it/they ultimately belong(s).

Isn't that a whole lot simpler and easier? And otherwise, I've got to keep
searching for the proper place to store each file, each and every time I
download something, on each and every browser, which is a PIA. It's just
easier to save it in one location, and then later move it to wherever it
ultimately belongs.

In the final analysis, I would classify this as solving a problem that
doesn't deserve to be a problem - not sidestepping it. :-)


  #23  
Old February 10th 14, 03:07 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
micky[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 926
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

On Sun, 9 Feb 2014 04:08:26 -0600, "BillW50" wrote:


"micky" wrote in message
.. .

I think PowerDesk6 is the latest version that will work with XP. It's
good too, with lots more functionality than windows explorer,
including more versatility in views, built in unzpper and zipper, and
the display includes Control Panel and other things WE doesn't have,
except for video image of the camera, which WE does have but PD6
doesn't. YOu can set up PD to replace WE, or not to, or use it half
the time, by clicking on its icon instead of WE, but letting calls to
WE continue to go to WE. I do the third choice but sometimes I think
I should do the first.

But Dialog Helper is very simple, never causes problems in 10+ years
(I got it first from another company.) You may have to check a box
during installation of PD6 to get DH.


If you like that one, you might also like AnVir Task Manager. It comes
in two flavors, free and commercial. It does many different things, but
one thing is that it adds a button in those open/save dialog boxes. And
lists the most common folders that you use. This makes it very fast
going to your most used folders.


You're right, AnVir has a lot of features, including one very similar to
Dialog Helper. http://www.anvir.com/opensave-dialogs.htm

"When user clicks on this button, it shows a menu with list of recently
used folders. Additionally, menu contains user’s favorites folders. When
user clicks on a menu item, Open/Save dialog navigates to the
corresponding folder. This significantly SAVES TIME while opening and
saving files."

Is "navigate" the right word, two lines up? I thought navigation was
step-by-step-by-step, but this is direct.
  #24  
Old February 10th 14, 11:06 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,291
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

In message , micky
writes:
[]
It keeps a list of every location you've saved things to. I don't know
how it groups them, but it always gets it right afaict.

[]
You're always saving things in new folders? Even so, won't you have


Nearly always, yes.

already been to the parent or grandparent folder of the prospective new


Not for saving purposes, no.

folder? DHelper will get you quickly to what is to be the parent
folder, and the Windows Save or Open box has its own little Create New


I know, I use that a lot.

Folder button. Neither step will require any portion of My Computer.
even internally, I think. (That is, My Computer has to know ALL the
directories and files at some high level, and that's what takes time.)


What seems to be taking the time is the level above that, where it
eventually produces a list (right pane) of _drives_, not directories.

If I press the Windows key and the E key, for example.
[]
BTW, did you all know that if you open the Open Dialog box and there are
hundreds of files in the folder, one doesn't have to scroll to find the
one he wants, nor does he have to type the whole name. By typing the
first few characters of the name, it gives a list of files that start
that way.

Yes, typing first character can indeed save time.

Though I try very hard _never_ to have hundreds of files - or folders -
in a folder. If they get to be much more than a screenful, I subdivide.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Carl Sagan once wrote that all children are natural scientists but they have
it beaten out of them. - Robin Ince, Radio Times 19-25 November 2011
  #25  
Old February 10th 14, 11:13 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,291
Default Can opening "My Computer" be made faster?

In message , Bill in Co
writes:
J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
When I open "My Computer" - for example with Windows-E, but I notice it
most when downloading something and my browser has "remembered"
somewhere on the wrong drive, so I have to climb the tree up and then
down again or use the My Computer button in the save window* - it takes
a long time, with the torch waving, before it shows me the list of
drives and a couple of things like "my documents". (If done from Win+E,
also shows the webcam.)

(*Yes, I know browsers can be set to always save in the same place. I
don't want that - I want it to ask me where. That would be sidestepping
the problem anyway.)


There's a third option, which is the one I use: I do let it prompt me as to
where to save downloads, but then I usually just save it to a folder named
"Downloads" which is pretty much reserved for this activity. THEN I can
later move the file(s) to whereever I think it/they ultimately belong(s).


A workable approach. I'm usually fairly sure of my destination anyway,
so it would involve extra steps every time for me, but I can see it
could work for some.

Isn't that a whole lot simpler and easier? And otherwise, I've got to keep
searching for the proper place to store each file, each and every time I
download something, on each and every browser, which is a PIA. It's just
easier to save it in one location, and then later move it to wherever it
ultimately belongs.

In the final analysis, I would classify this as solving a problem that
doesn't deserve to be a problem - not sidestepping it. :-)


If you mean the delay when looking at the top level, then you are
probably right; I just liked the intellectual challenge of _why_ that
sometimes takes a while, and wondering if there's anything that would
speed it.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Carl Sagan once wrote that all children are natural scientists but they have
it beaten out of them. - Robin Ince, Radio Times 19-25 November 2011
 




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