Customizing Hardware Device Settings

Few system settings have more impact on the user experience than the settings for hardware devices such as the keyboard and mouse. Although these devices might seem to have straightforward uses, you can control several settings for them.

Configuring Keyboard Settings

Keyboard settings are controlled with the Keyboard utility. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then double-click Keyboard to display the Keyboard Properties dialog box. You can now use the settings on the Speed tab to update the basic keyboard configuration. These settings are as follows:

• Repeat Delay Controls the delay for repeating characters when you hold down a key. The default repeat delay is fairly short. For novice typists, you might want to set a longer delay rate.

• Repeat Rate Controls how quickly characters repeat when you hold down a key. The default repeat rate is fast. You'll rarely want to change this setting.

• Cursor Blink Rate Controls the rate at which the cursor blinks. If you find the blinking cursor annoying, set Cursor Blink Rate to None.

Keyboards also have device drivers that can be managed like any other device driver. You can view driver details, update drivers, and uninstall drivers. You can also roll back drivers if necessary. One way to access the device drivers for a keyboard is to follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then double-click Keyboard. This displays the Keyboard Properties dialog box.

2. On the Hardware tab, click Properties. Then in the Keyboard Properties dialog box, click the Driver tab.

Configuring Mouse Settings

Mouse settings are controlled with the Mouse utility. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then double-click Mouse to display the Mouse Properties dialog box. Here are some tips for optimizing mouse behavior for different users:

• On the Buttons tab, select Switch Primary And Secondary Buttons to configure the mouse buttons for left-handed users.

• On the Buttons tab, select Turn On ClickLock to select or drag without having to hold down the mouse button.

• Customize the display of the mouse pointer by using schemes. In the Pointers tab, use the options in the Scheme list to set a pointer scheme.

• If you have problems double-clicking, in the Buttons tab, change the Double-Click Speed rate to match your clicking speed.

• If the pointer distracts you when you are typing, in the Pointer Options tab, select Hide Pointer While Typing.

• If you need a better visual cue as to the location of the pointer when you move it, in the Pointer Options tab, select Display Pointer Trails.

As with keyboards, mouse devices also have device drivers. One way to access the device drivers for a mouse is to follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then double-click Mouse. This displays the Mouse Properties dialog box.

2. On the Hardware tab, click Properties. Then in the Mouse Properties dialog box, click the Driver tab.

Configuring Audio Devices and Sound Themes

Most computers have sound cards, audio input devices (such as microphones), and audio output devices (such as built-in speakers or attached stereo speakers). In Windows Vista, you can use the Volume control, which is accessible from the system tray, to set the computer's main volume level and the volume for each application that is running. By default, the volume level for running applications is set relative to the main volume, such that if you increase or reduce the main volume, the application's volume increases or reduces as well, relative to its initial value.

Double-click the Volume icon in the system tray to display the Volume control. You can then adjust the main volume as necessary, and the application's volume will be adjusted relative to its initial value. You can also independently adjust the volume for running applications. Because the main volume must always be at least as high as the applications volume, the main volume is increased automatically if you increase the applications volume past the main volume level.

To control the main volume for sound cards and audio devices, you'll use the Audio Devices And Sound Themes utility. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then click Sound to display the dialog box shown in Figure 1. Using this Properties dialog box to configure audio playback devices, audio recording devices, and sound effects is discussed in the sections that follow.

Figure 1: Use Sound to configure audio recording and playback devices.

Configuring Audio Playback Devices

Output and input levels for sound are controlled separately. To set the output levels for audio playback, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then click Sound.

2. In the Sound dialog box, double-click the appropriate device on the Playback tab.

3. Select the Levels tab, shown in Figure 2. The Volume Control panel provides the master controls. You can work with the main controls as follows:

   • q Use the Volume Control slider to set the playback volume as appropriate.

   • q To mute the device, click the sound button to the right of the Volume Control slider. To unmute the device, click the sound button again.

   • q To adjust the speaker balance, click the Balance button, drag the L and R sliders as appropriate to set the desired balance between the computer's left and right speakers, and then click OK.

   
   Figure 2: Use the Volume Control panel options to manage the master volume and individual controls to set the volume of individual audio devices.

4. You can use similar techniques to set playback levels for other devices.

5. Click OK to save the settings.

Audio performance options control how Windows Vista plays audio. You can use the sample rate to control the playback quality of audio and the amount of system resources used to manage audio playback. To configure the sample rate, double-click the device under Audio Output (Playback) Devices. On the Options tab, use the Default Format selection list to set the sample rate and bit depth to use. In most cases, the default setting is 16 bit, 44100 Hz CD Quality sound.

Configuring Audio Recording Devices

To set the input levels for audio recording, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then click Sound.

2. In the Sound dialog box, double-click the appropriate device on the Recording tab.

3. On the Levels tab, use the slider provided to set the recording volume as appropriate. If a Balance button is provided, click the Balance button, drag the L and R sliders as appropriate to set the desired balance, and then click OK.

4. Click OK to save the settings.

Some microphones have a MIC Boost option that is used to boost the microphone's input volume. To boost the microphone and set the level to boost, double-click on the Recording tab of the Sound dialog box. In the Properties dialog box for the device, select MIC Boost on the Custom tab. On the Levels tab, use the slider provided to set the boost level as appropriate. If a Balance button is provided, click the Balance button, drag the L and R sliders as appropriate to set the desired balance, and then click OK.

Configuring System Sound Effects

System sound effects enable you to play audio files when certain program events occur. You can choose sounds for each event individually, or you can use a Windows Vista sound scheme to apply sound settings automatically. Several sound schemes are available. Windows Vista desktop themes can also have sound schemes associated with them. This means that if you change your desktop theme, the system's sound scheme might also change.

You can configure sound effects and schemes by completing the following steps:

1. In Control Panel, click Hardware And Sound and then click Sound.

2. Click the Sound tab.

3. To choose a sound scheme, use the Sound Scheme list box.

4. To preview a sound for a particular event, select the event in the Program Events list and then click the play button (the button with the right-pointing triangle).

5. To change the sound for an event, select the event in the Program Events list and then use the Sounds list to choose an available sound. You can also click Browse to select other sounds available on the system. The sound files must be in Microsoft .wav format.

6. To save a changed sound scheme, click Save As, type a name for the scheme in the field provided, and then click OK.

7. Click OK to close the Sound dialog box.

Adjusting Regional Settings

Regional settings are used to set country-specific standards and formats. In different countries, the unit of measurement, currency, and date formatting can be different. By choosing a region, you choose all the appropriate settings for it. Regional settings are also used to specify your present location for the purposes of presenting local information in dialog boxes and within Help And Support Services windows.

To configure regional settings, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, click Clock, Language, And Region and then click Regional And Language Options.

2. On the Formats tab, use the Current Format list to select a country or region. The Examples area should now display the formatting standards for the region. To customize these settings, click Customize This Format and then use the Customize Regional Options dialog box to modify the basic number, currency, time, and date settings for the region.

3. On the Location tab, use the selection list provided to set the current location.

4. On the Keyboards And Languages tab, click Settings. In the Text Services And Input Languages dialog box, use the Default Input Language selection list to set the default input language to use with the keyboard and then click OK.

5. Click OK to save these settings.

Any regional settings applied to the currently logged on user can be applied to a computer's default user account and to system accounts. Applying regional settings to the default user account ensures that any new user accounts created on the computer use the settings. Applying the regional settings to system accounts ensures the operating system uses the settings for all background processing handled by system accounts, such as Local System.

To apply the current regional settings to a computer's default user account and to system accounts, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, click Clock, Language, And Region and then click Regional And Language Options.

2. On the Administrative tab, click Copy To Reserved Accounts.

3. To apply the current regional settings to the default user account, select the Default User Account check box.

4. To apply the current regional settings to system accounts, select the System Accounts check box.

5. Click OK.

Tip

If you make a mistake and apply the wrong settings to the default user account or system accounts, simply correct the regional settings as appropriate for the current user and then apply them to the default user account, system accounts, or both.

Setting the Date and Time

System time can be set in several different ways. Typically, you'll use the Date And Time Properties dialog box. To adjust the system date and time, follow these steps:

1. On the desktop taskbar, click the clock in the system tray and then click Date And Time Settings. This displays the Date And Time Settings dialog box.

2. Click Change Date And Time. Use the options provided to set the system date and time as appropriate and then click OK.

3. Click Change Time Zone. Use the options provided to set the time zone for the computer and then click OK.

   Note

   Note Some time zones within the United States and abroad use Daylight Saving Time. If you select a time zone where this is applicable, you'll see the Automatically Adjust Clock For Daylight Saving Changes check box. Daylight Saving Time is used by default wherever applicable. If you don't want to use Daylight Saving Time, clear this check box.

4. Click OK.

To keep system time in close synchronization with world time, you'll want to use Internet time.

Note

The lithium battery that maintains the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) memory on the motherboard also maintains the PC clock within a computer when the system is shut off. This battery is designed to last several years but it does need to be replaced periodically. If a computer consistently loses time, this battery could be to blame, and you might want to replace it.