Windows 7 / Getting Started

Comparing Performance Monitor Logs

You can use Performance Monitor's Compare feature to overlay multiple log files for comparison. This feature is most useful for comparing multiple log files that have been configured to log the same data points for the same amount of time. To access the Compare feature, you must start Performance in stand-alone mode. After Performance Monitor is open, you can view and compare log files by performing the following steps:

  1. Type perfmon /sys /comp to open Performance Monitor in stand-alone mode for comparison, and then click the View Log Data button on the toolbar to open the Performance Monitor properties with the focus on the Source tab.
  2. Click the Log Files option and click Add to open the Select Log File dialog box.
  3. Locate the Performance Counter log (.blg) file that you want to open and then click Open. The log file will be added to the open Performance Monitor instance, but no counters will be added by default.
  4. Click the Add button on the toolbar to open the Add Counters dialog box and add the counters that you want to display. The counter data will now be displayed in Performance Monitor.
  5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to open the second log file in a separate stand-alone Performance Monitor instance and display the desired counters.
  6. After you open the logs for comparison, two opaque Performance Monitor windows will open on the desktop. Position the anchor window-which may be either one of the Performance Monitor windows-on your desktop and resize it as desired. This will be the Performance Monitor window upon which you overlay the other window.
  7. Select the second Performance Monitor window-which will be overlaid on top of the first window-to bring it into focus, click the Compare menu, point to Set Transparency, and then select the desired transparency level. Note that transparency here is not related to the Windows Vista Aero Glass feature and will work on systems that are not capable of supporting Aero Glass.
  8. The Set Transparency option sets the transparency of the window to be overlaid on the anchor window. The transparency options are No Transparency, 40% Transparency, and 70% Transparency. When you set the transparency to 40%, the desktop background remains visible through the second window.
  9. Select the Compare menu item and then click the Snap To Compare option. The second window is resized to the same size as the anchor window and is overlaid on top of the anchor window.

Note You can still interact with both Performance Monitor windows individually to change properties; select menu items; and minimize, maximize, or close the windows.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Windows 7 Desktop Maintenance
  2. Performance Monitoring
  3. Improvements to Performance Monitoring in Windows 7
  4. Using Performance Monitor
  5. Real-Time Performance Monitoring
  6. Performance Monitor Logging
  7. Creating a Data Collector Set
  8. Configuring a Data Collector Set
  9. Using Data Manager to View Performance Data
  10. Starting and Stopping Data Logging
  11. Viewing Performance Data
  12. Comparing Performance Monitor Logs
  13. Performance Monitor User Rights
  14. Remote Data Collection
  15. Using Windows PowerShell for Performance Monitoring
  16. Resource Monitor
  17. Overview Tab
  18. CPU Tab
  19. Memory Tab
  20. Disk Tab
  21. Network Tab
  22. Reliability Monitor
  23. How Reliability Monitor Works
  24. Windows Performance Tools Kit
  25. Event Monitoring
  26. Understanding the Windows Event Architecture
  27. Channels
  28. Improvements to Event Monitoring in Windows 7
  29. Using Event Viewer
  30. Understanding Views
  31. Viewing Event Logs
  32. Saving Event Logs
  33. Configuring Event Subscriptions
  34. Considerations for Workgroup Environments
  35. Creating a New Subscription
  36. Using the Windows Events Command-Line Utility for Event Monitoring
  37. Using Windows PowerShell for Event Monitoring
  38. Using Task Scheduler
  39. Improvements to Task Scheduler in Windows 7
  40. Understanding Tasks
  41. Understanding the Task Scheduler Architecture
  42. Understanding Task Scheduler Security
  43. Credentials Management
  44. Securing Running Tasks
  45. Understanding AT and Task Scheduler v1.0 Compatibility Modes
  46. Understanding the Task Scheduler Snap-in
  47. Understanding Default Tasks
  48. Creating Tasks
  49. Defining Triggers
  50. At Startup Trigger
  51. On Connection To AND Disconnect From User Session Triggers
  52. On Workstation Lock AND Unlock Triggers
  53. Defining Actions
  54. Defining Conditions
  55. Defining Settings
  56. Managing Tasks
  57. Viewing History
  58. Using SchTasks.exe for Creating and Managing Tasks
  59. Task Scheduler Events
  60. Troubleshooting Task Scheduler
  61. Tasks Won't Run If the Service Is Not Started
  62. The Task Will Run Only When a Certain User Is Logged On
  63. The Task Action Failed to Execute
  64. Interpreting Result and Return Codes
  65. Understanding the Windows System Assessment Tool
  66. Understanding WinSAT Assessment Tests
  67. Examining the WinSAT Features Assessment
  68. Running WinSAT from the Command Line
  69. Understanding WinSAT Command Exit Values
  70. Running WinSAT Using Performance Information and Tools
  71. System Capabilities Section
  72. OEM Upsell And Help Section
  73. Understanding Windows Error Reporting
  74. Overview of Windows Error Reporting
  75. How WER Works
  76. Store Management System
  77. ReportArchive Folder
  78. WER Service
  79. Understanding the Error Reporting Cycle
  80. Understanding WER Data
  81. Configuring WER Using Group Policy
  82. Configuring WER Using the Action Center