Recent content by WinFreak

Not that it bothers me, but I have noticed that the DVD drive (UDF live file system DVD inserted) randomly started spinning after the computer was not touched for many hours. It happens repeatedly. It does not bother me, I would just like to know what Windows does when accessing the disk.

It is also possible to use the keyboard volume buttons to show the on-screen volume slider that was introduced in Windows 8, then use the scrollwheel. That works in 1% increments. Using the keyboard would be easier, but the latter option is still acceptable.

Does Balanced in the power settings mean that the system automatically uses power saving when operating on battery and maximum performance on external power? Or does Balanced mean moderate power consumption, no matter whether plugged or not?

If I press the VolumeUp/VolumeDown keys on my keyboard, the volume increases and decreases by 2% steps. But on headphones, 2% is too loud sometimes. How can I set the volume by 1% increments easily, using the shortcut keys on the keyboard?

I noticed that the screen sometimes starts to flicker after long sessions, then the computer becomes unresponsive, then I get to a black screen with a mouse pointer, then ~30 seconds later I am on the lock screen and I have been logged out. I am not sure, if a full video memory caused that, but...

In 2013, our Vista SP2 Business PC (that OS was pre-installed, and actually great. In our experience, Vista worked as great as Windows 7) with 1 TB HDD had 610 GB free. Suddenly, after a few days, 627 GB were free, then 598 GB, without doing much. Then back to 618 GB free. Not that I mind it...

I also recovered a mis-sent form using this method.

I never had the high Kernel & System CPU usage, but I saw this issue on a friend's computer. The process with PID 4 had a high CPU usage. But that issue solved itself. However, how is disabling HDD timeout (spin down after ** minutes) meant to solve the CPU usage issue? How is it related?

Purchased. This looks like a highly useful device.

One can create dump file of tasks using task manager or also create full RAM dump files during a system crash. How can information be extracted from that dump? And can the system or specific applications be relaunched from dump files?

How much energy does a laptop typically need to maintain stand-by mode? I would like to calculate how long a 50 Watt Hour battery can keep a laptop in stand-by.

Failed boot 1: Boot normally. Failed boot 2: Boot normally. Failed boot 3: Automatic repair. Failed boot 4: Boot normally again? In which file does Windows store the information of what mode to boot into?

There is some backgorund I/O activity in Windows. I do not mind it, but I am just curious about what this activity is.

What did possibly cause the files being hidden?

Not tested on Windows 2000. But if I attempt starting a working XP/Vista/7/8/10 HDD via VirtualBox or a different PC, I can only access the boot menu. Even safe mode results into BSOD.