How do I tame WinXP Pro and turn it into a lean, mean gaming machine?

[Quick1]

This will be my first XP install and looking for Moderate Level tips I can use to cut out all the non-essential background programs running by default. Did a few searches here but didn't find what I was looking for. Any suggestions?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Quick1
This will be my first XP install and looking for Moderate Level tips I can use to cut out all the background programs running at default. Did a few searches here but didn't find what I was looking for. Any suggestions?

Yea, don't touch it, if you don't understand what each process or service is for, you should run with the defaults.

 

[Quick1]

Understood, but there's nothing running in the background that a gaming rig could do without, ie...scheduled maint...etc? Or is the overhead that low as to not make a difference either way if I'm running an XP 3000+ and 1gb of RAM?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Quick1
Understood, but there's nothing running in the background that a gaming rig could do without, ie...scheduled maint...etc? Or is the overhead that low as to not make a difference either way if I'm running an XP 3000+ and 1gb of RAM?

IMHO it is not going to make a difference.
Bill

 

[loup garou]

Step 1: Install XP
Step 2: Install updates
Step 3: Install games
Step 4: Play games

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Step 1: Install XP
Step 2: Install updates
Step 3: Install games
Step 4: Play games

 

[jfunk]

Generally the people who are stripping default processes from XP are doing it get it running well on some old box they want to do very specific tasks, so they don't need all the extra stuff. If you start stripping stuff out and use it every day, you're just going to wind up wondering why you can't get something to work right later.

Besides, your new rig will handle XP just fine without any tweaking, you wouldn't notice much different on it anyway.
j

 

[Quick1]

Good enough, that's what I needed to know. :thumbsup:

 

[Link19]

I would disable some unneeded things. Whether it will make much of a difference or not, I don't know. But it will definitely help a little bit even though it may not help a lot.

You can safely disable themes services, Error Reporting, and all the added visuals. You can also safely disable Indexing service.

You can even safely disable system restore if you don't want and/or need the ability to revert your system back to a previous restore point. i find that to be a big resource hog.

I strip out and disable lots of stuff, aka much more than i just listed above and I don't have any problems. It all depends on what you are doing and want to use your system for.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Link19
I would disable some unneeded things. Whether it will make much of a difference or not, I don't know. But it will definitely help a little bit even though it may not help a lot.

You can safely disable themes services, Error Reporting, and all the added visuals. You can also safely disable Indexing service.

You can even safely disable system restore if you don't want and/or need the ability to revert your system back to a previous restore point. i find that to be a big resource hog.

I strip out and disable lots of stuff, aka much more than i just listed above and I don't have any problems. It all depends on what you are doing and want to use your system for.

While I'll not comment on the indexing service (some find it helpfull, some do not) and themes (that is a personal choice). I strongly disagree with disabling system restore and error reporting. That is just bad advice.

 

[eklass]

Sorry if this is going to hijack this thread, but would running 2000 instead of XP make a noticable difference in less junk running?

 

[GreyMittens]

Originally posted by: eklass
Sorry if this is going to hijack this thread, but would running 2000 instead of XP make a noticable difference in less junk running?

No.

 

[Link19]

While I'll not comment on the indexing service (some find it helpfull, some do not) and themes (that is a personal choice). I strongly disagree with disabling system restore and error reporting. That is just bad advice.

How would disabling Error Reporting be bad advice? If you don't want to send Error Reports to Microsoft (which most prefer to not), then you should disable it. In fact, Error reporting gives me an uncomfortable feeling, so I make sure I disable every aspect of it. AFter all, I don't want to voluntarily submit information from my PC to MS.

How would disabling system restore be bad advice? No more is it bad advice than just running Windows 2000 which doesn't even have system restore and thus is one of the reasons it is much less cluttered by default. Unless you use System restore and set check points, why not disable it? It is just an unnecessray disk space hog and likely induces more fragmentation.

 

[bsobel]

How would disabling Error Reporting be bad advice? If you don't want to send Error Reports to Microsoft (which most prefer to not), then you should disable it. In fact, Error reporting gives me an uncomfortable feeling, so I make sure I disable every aspect of it. AFter all, I don't want to voluntarily submit information from my PC to MS.

First off, where do you get the statement 'which most prefer to not'. I'd like to see the article or link backing up your statement (hint: you made it up, you won't find one). Error reporting is one of the main reasons driver and application stability on Windows has improved so much since the release of XP. The ISV and HW vendors are getting daily (in some cases hourly) updates on bugs in the field. If you choice to not participate, your just selfish (IMHO).

How would disabling system restore be bad advice? No more is it bad advice than just running Windows 2000 which doesn't even have system restore and thus is one of the reasons it is much less cluttered by default. Unless you use System restore and set check points, why not disable it? It is just an unnecessray disk space hog and likely induces more fragmentation.

Oh brother. Are you really going to try to defend this stupid position? Based on your argument, people should never upgrade their OS since none of the new features are usefull to them :roll:

 

[Link19]

First off, where do you get the statement 'which most prefer to not'. I'd like to see the article or link backing up your statement (hint: you made it up, you won't find one). Error reporting is one of the main reasons driver and application stability on Windows has improved so much since the release of XP. The ISV and HW vendors are getting daily (in some cases hourly) updates on bugs in the field. If you choice to not participate, your just selfish (IMHO).

I've talked to so many people I know and everyone of them has told me they never send Error Reports to Microsoft. How is it selfish to not use it? Not many people but the computer newb who believe everything they read actually click to send Error Reports. Error Reporting gives me the feeling that MS is looking over your shoulder, so I stay well away from it. Also, the power user doesn't need the extra help Error Reporting gives them. And since the OP wants to primarily set their rig up for gaming, I would consider them a power user.

Oh brother. Are you really going to try to defend this stupid position? Based on your argument, people should never upgrade their OS since none of the new features are usefull to them

It is not stupid. It is only stupid to recommend such a move to the flat out PC novice who doesn't even know what System Restore and many other features are. And not everyone upgrades their OS because they want to use it as it is out of the box. There are certain features in Windows XP that are hated by many and people would rather get rid of. So don't try and say disabling anything is a bad idea. Disable things with caution and make sure you know what you are doing.

 

[timswim78]

FYI: Check out this thread. Basically, some guy named BlackViper has a bunch of hints for tweaking Windows XP, but his "tips" can cause your system to become a lean, mean crashing machine:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=1678445&enterthread=y

 

[flexy]

http://majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=12

this is a mirror of the famous "black viper" "which services can i safely disable" since BV's site seems to be down at the moment.

As a rule....try it out...hope you kow what you're doing. You can only learn by doing

As the SAFEST way: Instead of disabling services to gain a few MB memiry i would RATHER get more memory and leave services enabled because yoiu REALLY, REALLY never know when you will run into trouble. (Because a needed service is not running)

Eg. i am a pretty hardcore computer geek and know my PC in and out...but once had a HELL of a time installing a simple, new HP printer.

I went crazy and even called HP tech support....i just didnt know why on earth i cant even do something simple like installing a simple printer which thousands of people have. Turns out my printer spool service was disabled....etc..etc...

Anyway read the black viper tweaks and learn about XP, is always good

 

[flexy]

btw. we're talking services here, not processes.

If we're talking abour running processes and programs, and YES, there are always some which are not needed.

start --> run ... type "msconfig" ---> "startup" tab.....here you see all programs which are loaded at startup.

I HIGHLY recommend if you see a program just google the name...there are many sites which pop up and give you an exact description what a certain process does. Get help and info there and check whether you can safely disable a certain program with msconfig.

AGAIN: Depending on your knowledge (and i assume you're prett new to XP since you say its your first XP install)...hmm i'd RATHER say first leave everything alone UNTIL you have a good understanding...and THEN start tweaking.

you also want to check tools like taskmon and/or WinTasks - Wintasks is good, its a taskmonitor like taskmon but it shows a lot of additional information what the running task/process is.

 

[Quick1]

Thanks for the comments and linkage guys, this is what I was looking for! This rig will be used for gaming and light surfing...that's it. True, I am an XP noobie, but I've tweaked and hacked the 98se registry extensively for years. I should have upgraded years ago, but the MS activation scheme really turned me off.

timswim78: Man...that's one hell of a long thread!

flexy: Good info and linkage!

I'm considering starting with all default settings of course, but then moving slowly to the Black Viper "SAFE" settings.

I'm weak, I must tweak...I can't help it!

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Quick1
Thanks for the comments and linkage guys, this is what I was looking for! This rig will be used for gaming and light surfing...that's it. True, I am an XP noobie, but I've tweaked and hacked the 98se registry extensively for years. I should have upgraded years ago, but the MS activation scheme really turned me off.

timswim78: Man...that's one hell of a long thread!

flexy: Good info and linkage!

I'm considering starting with all default settings of course, but then moving slowly to the Black Viper "SAFE" settings.

I'm weak, I must tweak...I can't help it!

Did you read the Black Viper thread on AT? Black Viper's entire site and entire line of thought re:"tweaks" have been completely debunked as absolute nonsense.

Just install XP, install the updates, install your game, install your game's updates. You're then done 'tweaking'.

 

[Quick1]

No, I haven't had a chance yet. But thanks for the "Heads up"!

No tweaks, understood!

I think I'll just follow another members recomendation and just install another gig of RAM instead.