Hi Stephen,
I ask because since I have the Internet through the cable company and am
always on I have to keep a virus scanner running and a firewall running
(not to mention my spam blocker) and I think this is cutting into my
frame rates and game performance. I'd like to create something bare
bones for gaming. Thanks in advance.
USE THE FOLLOWING INFO AT YOUR OWN RISK!
I don't really want to provide a tweaking guide, however it's
clear that there's a demand, so I'll share some tricks I've used
as long as you promise to set a restore point right now. Is that
a fair deal? ;-) Here's how to use Windows XP System Restore:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gethelp/systemrestore.asp
I use these methods only for special games such as grudge matches.
A: Setup Hardware Profile for Gaming
Control Panel / System
Hardware Tab / Hardware Profiles button
Copy Profile 1 and rename it Gaming Profile
Leave Profile 1 at the top of the list
Set to Select the first profile in 5 seconds
B: Disable Services for Gaming.
Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Services
For each service listed below do the following:
Right Click / Properties / Log On Tab
Click on Gaming Profile / click Disable Button
Click Apply but Do NOT disable for Profile 1
List of Services: Alerter / Automatic Updates / Computer Browser
Cryptographic Services (Will cause "Logo" Errors when installing SP1 or
DX9)
Fast User Switching Compatibility / Help and Support / Messenger
Print Spooler / Remote Registry / Secondary Logon (Run as... will not
function)
System Restore Service / Task Scheduler / Terminal Services / Themes
Upload Manager / VMWare Authorization Service (These services only
appear if
you use VM Ware) / VMWare DHCP Service " " / VMWare NAT Service " "
Windows Image Acquisition (I won't be scanning while playing) / Windows
Time.
* You cannot expect to install games and use windows everyday with the
above
services disabled. Those are just safe services to disable *WHILE*
you're in
a game. After the games are over, reboot and use the original
Profile 1 again.
C: Disable Page File
Since I have 512 MB Ram I find it faster to use RAM than to page to
the HD.
Control Panel / System / Advanced / Performance Settings /
Advanced Tab
Virtual Memory Change / Select each drive / click No Paging
file and
click SET. ****If you do not click Set it will not
accept your change.
* Once you're finished your games turn back on the System Managed page
file!
D: Use XP's Firewall Instead of 3rd Party Firewalls
We've already disabled your firewall (Norton's, Zone Alarm, etc.) by
disabling
Startup programs in step D. Check your services using the method in
step A to
see if the firewall or antivirus program has services you should
disable, i.e. Zone
Alarm installs a True Vector service you can disable for the Gaming
Profile.
E: Improve Framerates by Lowering Game Eyecandy and Sound
I found that by setting my resolution in Halo to 800x600, and
lowering the
visual effects, I was able to improve my framerate from 24 to 52 FPS!
This is more improvement than any of the other tweaks provided.
Sound is something that you don't need. Only keep sound settings
that will
help keep you alive, for example to hear a tank rumbling near you.
Music and
the sound effects made when you fire your weapons are expensive ear
candy.
F: Set Performance Options for Best Performance
Control Panel / System / Advanced / Settings / Visual Effects
Adjust for best performance (remember to change it back after
your games).
G: Disable Startup Programs
Start / Run / type msconfig / Startup Tab / Click Disable all button.
You will be prompted to restart, when it restarts you'll have 5
seconds to pick
Gaming Profile or it will default to Profile 1 instead.
WARNING - DO NOT CLICK THE SERVICES / DISABLE ALL BUTTON!
*Never touch the Services Tab in msconfig! It allows you to disable ALL
services
for ALL profiles with the click of one button and Windows won't startup
again!!!
Okay, so now I've shared some of the tweaks I've used on my own system.
I
hope this information will be helpful, and if used properly help you pwn
your opps!
--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Game FAQs:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite:
http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call /
Contact
MS Support at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any
rights.
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