Do Computers Need Time To Warm-Up?

[stevem326]

I notice that immediately after my PC boots up and is ready to go that it takes a second or two longer to open documents, spreadsheets, start a browser, or pull email than it does if I start one of these processes after my PC has been running for about 15 minutes or so. Opening a Word doc might take 3-4 seconds when my PC has been running for two minutes but 1-2 seconds after it's been running for 15. I really can notice this difference and I swear I'm not an android or anything. Well, okay, Star Trek IS one of my favoritie TV shows but I'm a 100% biological life form myself.

It almost seems like my PC needs a few minutes (like a car) to get warmed up before it can function at peak efficiency. Does this sound right?

Anyway, my PC is 18 months old (2.4 GHz CPU, 512 RAM, 120GB 7,200 ATA-100 HD, MSI 845 EMax mobo).

 

[Green Man]

Even after it looks like XP has started, it is still loading services in the background. This allows them to claim that Windows XP is the fastest loading Windows ever. They only time it until you see the desktop because most people assume that the OS is loaded once it looks like it's loaded. Kinda a pet peev of mine.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Are you running some kind of Windows?
If you answered "no" well, you didn't answer "no" did you?
If you answered "yes", do this:
1. Turn on the puter and hit control-alt-delete right after the desktop appears. Click "Processes". There's a number in the lower left corner.
2. Go make something to eat, walk the dog, whatever.
3. Check the number again. It's lower, isn't it?

Windows, especially at startup, has all kinds of programs running and stopping all the time. These are things your puter is doing instead of getting your email, web site, etc.
Most of these will be parts of Windows, but not all. Audio or video software, anti-virus, virus, all kinds of stuff. When it settles down, you want it under 30 or so.

 

[Green Man]

The Boston Dangler

LOL @ the nik.

Boston dangler. heh. everyone here got a kick outta that.

 

[stevem326]

Cool, thanks for the tips. I'll try this the next time I boot-up. Stupid me...I shoulda know this...DOH!!

 

[Necrosaro420]

According to the A+ Test you should allow a warmup period of 15 minutes ever morning lol

 

[stevem326]

Okay, thanks! I'll start getting up 15 minutes early every morning to make sure it only takes 2 seconds to open Word docs instead of 4.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[sandorski]

Also note that as you use your computer stuff gets loaded into cache. Once it's loaded up doing the same things again is speedier as much of the program/data is already waiting to be accessed again. That's especially true when accessing Directories with lots of files or opening programs that deal with lots of files.

 

[Abius]

When my computer is idle, I have 13 processes running with 60/1498 Commit Charge. I dont know what it means though.

 

[Ntar]

just because you see your screen it is loading programs that are auto-start or are required by the OS for normal funtion

 

[dodgybob]

I have 40 processes running at idle! I really need to spend the time working out what doesn't need to run as it's getting a bit silly even with 1gb of ram. Probably be one of those things I'll do just before my next reinstall.

 

[shoRunner]

yeah often times it takes a bit for the oil to cover all the pistons for proper lubrication. i never run counter strike until i've given my baby alittle warm up time, wouldn't want to spin a bearing.

 

[CalvinHobbs]

before turning on my amd i put my PIV near it and put the PIV on ..let the pentium give my amd a warm-up so it can stretch it's limb..then i launch the beast(amd of course)..

 

[Regulator07]

anyone know or have a guide on what programs you dont need to have running, i know which ones belong to installed programs but are there any windows tasks that dont need to be run all the time? a guide would be nice if there is one!!!

 

[ai42]

Originally posted by: Regulator07
anyone know or have a guide on what programs you dont need to have running, i know which ones belong to installed programs but are there any windows tasks that dont need to be run all the time? a guide would be nice if there is one!!!

AFAIK there isn't one. However, honestly while you can list windows apps/processes however there are any number of legitimate processes from Java RE, Quicktime, Norton, Mcfee, etc etc that could be running which you don't really want to kill off.

If you have any question of a specific app/process type the name into google you can usually pull up some information to what it is.

Also LOTS of spyware/malware runs in the processes tab so a good spyware/malware cleaner is a must, especially if you use IE.

 

[xsilver]

Originally posted by: ai42

Originally posted by: Regulator07
anyone know or have a guide on what programs you dont need to have running, i know which ones belong to installed programs but are there any windows tasks that dont need to be run all the time? a guide would be nice if there is one!!!

AFAIK there isn't one. However, honestly while you can list windows apps/processes however there are any number of legitimate processes from Java RE, Quicktime, Norton, Mcfee, etc etc that could be running which you don't really want to kill off.

If you have any question of a specific app/process type the name into google you can usually pull up some information to what it is.

Also LOTS of spyware/malware runs in the processes tab so a good spyware/malware cleaner is a must, especially if you use IE.

is this what you're looking for?
http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html

search a particular exe / program , it tells you who its from or what it does.... you however will have to choose if you want to keep it

 

[Insomniak]

I have 19 processes at idle, which is about as low as you can go on XP and retain all the criticals - I allow for a few extra things though, like NV's hardware firewall on my mobo...

 

[Regulator07]

Originally posted by: xsilver

is this what you're looking for?
http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html

search a particular exe / program , it tells you who its from or what it does.... you however will have to choose if you want to keep it

awesome, thank you!

Originally posted by: ai42
AFAIK there isn't one. However, honestly while you can list windows apps/processes however there are any number of legitimate processes from Java RE, Quicktime, Norton, Mcfee, etc etc that could be running which you don't really want to kill off.

If you have any question of a specific app/process type the name into google you can usually pull up some information to what it is.

Also LOTS of spyware/malware runs in the processes tab so a good spyware/malware cleaner is a must, especially if you use IE.

do you have any recommendations on spyware/malware cleaners?

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
I have 19 processes at idle, which is about as low as you can go on XP and retain all the criticals - I allow for a few extra things though, like NV's hardware firewall on my mobo...

update: tweaked around a bit more and diabled all non-critical processes.

Down to 12 now. Looks like those are the criticals for windows XP with an internet connection (unprotected, but I'm behind a network anyway).

 

[sephroth777]

www.blkviper.com

There is also a link to download a quick regedit file that automatically sets all the services to optimal conditions.

 

[Lovehandles]

Originally posted by: Necrosaro420
According to the A+ Test you should allow a warmup period of 15 minutes ever morning lol

Are you quoting a test question like that or some study guide you used? I studied for my A+ a couple of years ago, and never once remember reading such a claim.