Re: Any tweaks to speed up games under XP?

From: Chris H. (winxpnews_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 03/13/04 

Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2004 11:37:24 -0800

If you're really interested in what's under the hood, you should nose around
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/default.mspx and
http://www.msdn.microsoft.com/. There is a lot of information on both sites
which you may find fascinating. 

-- 
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
"pjp" <pjp_is_located_at_@_hotmail_._com> wrote in message 
news:ugGzRBTCEHA.1220@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hi Jimmy,
>
> Had already read about the "hardware profiles" tricks and have sort of 
> gone
> down that road before as I've run dual-monitor setup since 98 and it's 
> been
> part and parcel of various work-arounds, especially as video card drivers
> changed "features" (or bugs, depends on how you look at it :) over the
> years.
>
> I think what I'll have to do is see what's causing the 3-10% cyclic "hit" 
> on
> the cpu. Figure I should be able to find it by stopping/starting services
> one at a time while watching task manager's meter. Large desktop with lots
> of window space helps here :)
>
> So you know I'm far from a novice. I've been professionally programming
> since DOS 2 and started Windows programming under Windows 2!!!. No problem
> writing directly to the API's here without all the new oops bs, e.g. VB 
> etc.
> For most of that time I was also the "tech guy" in house. For last few
> years, I've been semi-retired but still keep my hands in it (so to speak)
> still writing software etc.
> (http://www.wingmanteam.com/latest_software/gadgets.htm, JoyIDs is mine
> going directly into device driver interfaces, Logitech liked it enough to
> host it). I say all this so you have some "confidence" I understand
> implications and usually practice "safety first" regarding backups,
> restoring things etc. etc.
>
> 'I usually know what I don't know.' That make any sense to you :)
>
> I've already found out in a prior attempt at an XP install that System
> Restore can't be counted on. I mistakenly installed a sound card driver 
> that
> screwed up system so bad, couldn't get to any Desktop, normal or safe 
> mode.
> Booting with XP cd and trying all the various things didn't help. Finally
> used a 98SE startup floppy (so had no restrictions on what I could do) and
> manually deleted the sound card driver file in order to get system back
> (next boot restored it's default driver). That convinced me I want nothing
> to do with NTFS, especially given dual-booting pc as stand-alone tools 
> don't
> seem to exist..This is also a disappointment as so much of the security
> seems to require NTFS partition and that appears idiotic to me at this
> point, argh!!!!
>
> I have resisted XP for so long because I felt it offered nothing for me,
> still do so far. At the least, I was hoping it'd be a lot more friendly
> about how to setup and restrict individual users. Instead, I find it's all
> centered around "Groups" and I can't seem to create any additional groups
> and dictate their specific set of restrictions. Seems basically everyone 
> has
> to be either Admin, User or the Guest (I know there are others, my wife is
> actually a Power User)! I've found no way to indicate "for this user ONLY
> enforce 'this' restriction".
>
> However, can't avoid the fact that time moves on and friends etc. in local
> area keep calling asking for help (Blaster was fun :). Therefore, I like 
> to
> know what's "going on" under the hood and find myself continually 
> frustrated
> by MS's resistance to lack of details (ps, I never charge to help
> considering it same as helping someone with a flat on side of road). As I
> had a video card driver go south under 98SE and was rebuilding it anyways, 
> I
> figured once I had it all "settled down" in it's normal config, I bit the
> bullet and did the dual-boot. I'm still undecided under which OS my major
> apps will be installed under (e.g. Office, Photoshop, Autocad, Delphi,
> C++Builder etc.) but suspect I'll use XP for that. It does look though, as
> if I should continue using 98SE for both games and all my "ripping needs"
> and most of my burning needs, e.g. DVD to DivX, MP3's at better than 
> 96Kps,
> creating a usable working copy of BF1942 :)  etc. and at least am sure no
> DRM system or such nonsense starts limiting what I can do (e.g. I don't
> trust MS to tell us that such bs is included in "something else").
>
> In any case, if I find what's hitting the cpu so much I'll post.
>
> "Jimmy S." <Private> wrote in message
> news:ePp0rfSCEHA.596@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Hi pjp,
>>
>> I echo Chris's caution.  You should upgrade to a P4 instead of tweaking.
>> You found one good trick already though, (run high) here's some more...
>>
>> 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.
>> _________________________________________________________
>>
>> "Chris H." <winxpnews@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:eZBPqzRCEHA.3348@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>> | Have you tried, instead of "tweaking" what you might think is necessary
> in
>> | Services, to run the default?  Indexing, for instance, when turned off
> will
>> | actually stop some games in their tracks.  It is there for a purpose,
> and
>> | that is to make things run smoother and faster.  There are a couple web
>> | sites and a PC magazine article which make recommendations to "speed 
>> up"
> XP
>> | for gaming, but they don't tell the consequences - like turning off
>> | Cryptographic Services.
>> | -- 
>> | Chris H.
>> | Microsoft Windows MVP
>> | Associate Expert
>> | Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> |
>> | "pjp" <pjp_is_located_at_@_hotmail_._com> wrote in message
>> | news:u3fQ0uRCEHA.3024@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> | > XP Pro with integrated sp1 plus all criticals from Update site
> applied.
>> | > Latest VIA 4-in-1;s applied as first install after OS up and going.
>> | > DirectX9.0b, passes all DXDiag tests and there's "No Problem ..." all
>> | > around.
>> | >
>> | > Tyan Trinity 400 S1854 motherboard
>> | > PIII at 733Mz (to spec)
>> | > 512 megs ram running at 133mz fsb (to spec)
>> | > Radeon 64 DDR VIVO (7200)
>> | > Xpert98 (2nd display multi-monitor)
>> | > two wd hd's, 15 & 40 gigs with plenty free space on each
>> | > Creative SB-PCI128 sound card
>> | >
>> | > 2 Logitech Rumblepads
>> | > 2 Logitch wheels (MOMO Force & Racing)
>> | >
>> | > Mustek flatbed scanner "Twain", (lpt port pass thru model)
>> | > Creative Webcam (also appears as a Twain scanner)
>> | > Fuji digital camera as webcam or Mass Storage Device
>> | >
>> | > 3 printers, 2 Epson inkjets and an old Canon laser
>> | >
>> | > Logitech mouse
>> | > Wacom pressure sensitive tablet
>> | >
>> | > Ethernet card connected to four other older 98SE pc's in-house 
>> (TCP/IP
> and
>> | > Netbuie as protocols, including XP)
>> | > USR Robotics 56K external modem
>> | >
>> | > 2 self-powered external four port USB hubs for all the USB devices.
> Does
>> | > provide 500Ma spec to every port simultaneously, e.g. no attached
> device
>> | > shows any kind of  problem in use..
>> | >
>> | > The hardware seems stable an there was/is specific XP drivers for it
> all
>> | > (I
>> | > was surprised I found scanner driver). The ethernet is up and running
> with
>> | > printers and folders being shared as expected from both sides. I even
>> | > managed to get the Guest account to be able to use a proxy server on
> one
>> | > of
>> | > the other pc's to connect to the net after giving up in frustration 
>> at
>> | > it's
>> | > refusal to allow use of the dialup modem connection even though it's
>> | > specified as "shared by all" by the "Admin" account that set it up
> (Users
>> | > are ok and can use it). The only problem hardware wise is, I can't 
>> get
> the
>> | > back speakers working off the sound card as there appears to be only
> XP's
>> | > built-in support for the card.
>> | >
>> | > This is the one thing I've found really makes a difference for games
> is,
>> | > use
>> | > batch files to start the game so you can elevate it's priority, e.g.
> "cmd
>> | > /c
>> | > start /High LinksLauncher.exe" is noticably faster (as I'd expect).
>> | >
>> | > I feel the basic problem is background "tasks" as Performance under
>> | > Ctrl-Alt-Del shows cpu bouncing from 2 to 13% continually (but
> randomly in
>> | > magnitude). I've tried to determine exactly what all these various
>> | > services
>> | > do but when you try to research them it seems like the answer becomes
> a
>> | > circular reference and it's never really explained. In particular,
> it's
>> | > undetermined what's going on in the background regarding the 
>> ethernet.
>> | > There
>> | > seems to be a number of various services that might be doing some 
>> type
> of
>> | > "polling" for shares or something but as they're not really 
>> documented
> I
>> | > have no idea what one's I can turn off etc. at no risk to basically
>> | > mucking
>> | > up what works now (the Guest account can connect to web using a Proxy
>> | > server
>> | > running on one of the other pc's as it "refused" anything to do with
> the
>> | > dialup miodem connection). Basically, I'm very wary of blindly
> changing
>> | > things under any version of Windows because as often as not
> "un-changing"
>> | > it
>> | > doesn't bring the system back to what it was (e.g. unknown 
>> inadvertant
>> | > consequences).
>> | >
>> | > For example, I have no idea what the "Alerter" service REALLY does,
> what
>> | > "other features" absolutely require it to be running in order to
> function
>> | > correctly nor what these "other services" also do. Ask help for 
>> "them"
> and
>> | > you get another reference etc. which eventually seems to lead 
>> no-where
>> | > usefull.
>> | >
>> | > I have turned off the obvious, e.g. disk performance monitoring
> service,
>> | > indexing and the like.
>> | >
>> | > As usually MS's help isn't helpfull, just frustrating.
>> | >
>> | > "Chris Catt" <notknown@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> | > news:uhM4JnPCEHA.712@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> | >> Hi, all depends upon your hardware specs, we really need to know 
>> your
>> | >> hardware specs before we can give you advice. What we need are cpu -
>> | >> type/speed. motherboard, ram - amount/type, video card. If you have
> any
>> | >> problems finding this out then here
>> | > http://www.aida32.hu/aida32-download.php
>> | >> is a good tool to use. Suffice to say that XP hardware requirements
> are
>> | > much
>> | >> higher than those of win98, therefore if you've not much ram, say
> 128mbs,
>> | > XP
>> | >> will really need twice that before you get reasonable game
> performance. I
>> | >> expect Jimmy S will have more to say on this, over to you Jimmy :-)
>> | >> Chris C
>> | >> Chris
>> | >> "pjp" <pjp_is_located_at_@_hotmail_._com> wrote in message
>> | >> news:OiF0SEHCEHA.2308@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> | >> > Just installed XP Pro as dual-boot with existing 98SE.
>> | >> >
>> | >> > Same game (NFS:U) running from same folder (e.g. just created new
>> | > shortcut
>> | >> > under XP) is basically unplayable under XP it's running so slow
> (slow
>> | >> > motion) at 640x480 where-as under 98SE I can run it acceptably at
>> | >> 1024x768.
>> | >> > All other settings the same including under Properties DirectX
>> | >> > settings.
>> | >> > Links 2003 and Flight Sim 2004 seem the same but not so
> exaggerated,
>> | >> > probably because they're not high speed "action" type games.
>> | >> >
>> | >> > Is this typical? I'm running same revision drivers for the Radeon,
> e.g.
>> | >> Cat
>> | >> > 4.3.
>> | >> >
>> | >> > I'm hoping it's all the crap running in the background so 
>> wondering
> if
>> | >> > there's any site(s) document what all that crap actually does as
> MS's
>> | > help
>> | >> > doesn't even try to explain what they actually "do" in most cases.
>> | >> >
>> | >> >
>> | >>
>> | >>
>> | >
>> | >
>> |
>> |
>>
>>
>
>