Re: Any tweaks to speed up games under XP?

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From: pjp (pjp_is_located_at__at__hotmail_._com)
Date: 03/14/04 

Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 13:56:35 -0400

"If you're using the same folder on a common partition for program
installation and playing the games on XP and Win98SE attempting to use the
same files - don't. Just that simple."

I think you're wrong in considering this so much a no-no. Please elaborate
specific problem as it's my understanding (from 20 years programming
experience) unless there's OS feature specific files involved, the whole
point of the Windows API is so that one can write software that'll run
unchanged under any of MS's 32 bit OS's.

Basically assuming the game doesn't actually "demand" existing registry
entries before it'll run and assuming it doesn't install dll's etc. anywhere
but it's own installed folder, what's the problem? I'm not aware of anything
amiss with this as it's all still code for the Windows 32 bit API and DX
calls etc. are all the same across OS's.

Obviously anything that makes use of features only found under XP etc. will
have problems but games (thankfully) still state "For 98...XP" and I've yet
to see one has different installed files depending on OS.

Windows 98SE on C:
Windows XP Pro on D:

I install all games into a folder named " D:\More Games\'gamedir' " (largest
hd in system) regardless of OS in use at time.

Seems at least three games I've tried don't care about actual OS once
they've been installed into a folder. I'm also sure many more also would
have no problems, Quake and most of it's variants using that grahics engine
for example assuming OpenGl's working properly. You'll also find many
programs also will have no problems, e.g. Paint Shop Pro 7 doesn't as again
the developers wrote their code properly without having OS version specific
anything in it and without installing anything outside it's own folder.

Of course products like Office have to use two separate installs. MS places
so much crap outside of the install folder and usually alter enough registry
entries that it can't be helped.

Current testing is from ...

NFS:U was already installed under 98SE, under XP just created a shortcut and
it runs with no complaints.
FS 2004 was already installed under 98SE, same as NFS:U, e.g. runs under XP
with no problems and no complaints
Links 2003 installed under XP, under 98SE just created shortcut and it runs
with no complaints.

But all of them have had the "testing reversed", e.g. reversed OS installed
under and the results (XP slower) is the same.

Only thing that "happened" is when first run under the "other" OS, both
Links and FS do the Licensing/Agree dialog. All three basically duplicated
the registry entries found under the other OS after their first run (I
checked).

All three examples above run noticably faster and hence appear smoother
under 98SE even at one notch of resolution higher.

The only "problem" is where the game "Saves" can vary between OS's. I can
live with it.

"Chris H." <winxpnews@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eMzCfDdCEHA.1544@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Okay, now I'm hoping I'm not seeing a pattern here: "installed under XP
and
> shortcuts created under 98SE"? You're not dual-booting on the same
> partition are you? If you're using the same folder on a common partition
> for program installation and playing the games on XP and Win98SE
attempting
> to use the same files - don't. Just that simple.
> --
> 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:e4Ix6WZCEHA.2576@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > Yea, I agree worth trying but not hopefull as it's apparent also in
Links
> > 2003 and Flight Sim 2004 (but not as much, slower game) which were
> > installed
> > under XP and shortcuts created under 98SE.
> >
> > "Anthony Procissi [MSFT]" <procissi@online.microsoft.com> wrote in
message
> > news:OY%23cidUCEHA.3344@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >> Preaching to the choir... :)
> >>
> >> Barebones services allocate half as much memory (maybe more), knock the
> > base
> >> CPU usage down a few percent, and cut running processes down at least a
> >> third... less processes, less threads, less time the CPU has to spend
on
> >> context switching / paging... it must help to some degree; especially
if
> >> you're on hardware close to the minimum system requirements... but as
you
> >> say, the gain is likely to be negligible and the headache might cost
you
> > far
> >> more than a hardware upgrade would.
> >>
> >> On the original topic... I'm not sure how Need For Speed actually
> >> installs
> >> itself, but... maybe reinstalling it on XP and seeing how it performs
> > might
> >> be worth a shot. The whole "install on 9x, copy a shortcut to XP and
> > launch"
> >> seems a little sketchy to me...
> >>
> >> --
> >> -Anthony Procissi [MSFT]
> >> US-Application Experience & Compatibility
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> > rights.
> >> "Chris H." <winxpnews@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:eJwC4$TCEHA.624@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> >> > LOL! That's good, except - just for my own curiosity - just how much
> > does
> >> > one gain from doing these things? And who is around to ask question
> > after
> >> > question in the newsgroups in an attempt to solve an issue like when
> >> > someone suddenly screams for help because can't install anything?
They
> >> > turned off Cryptographic Services because it was "recommended" and
have
> >> > forgotten or don't remember to turn it back on.
> >> >
> >> > To me, this is like people who over-clock hardware for what(?),
rights
> > to
> >> > saying they're burning up their CPU, RAM or graphics card? How does
> >> > one
> >> > really tell that much "||" difference in speed, compared to that "|
|"
> >> > much in milliseconds? And for what(?) to play online games where it
is
> >> > the speed of the Internet, not how fast the machine will perform
> >> > certain
> >> > functions?
> >> >
> >> > And I thought college basketball was the only March Madness. 8-)
> >> > --
> >> > Chris H.
> >> > Microsoft Windows MVP
> >> > Associate Expert
> >> > Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >
> >> > "Anthony Procissi [MSFT]" <procissi@online.microsoft.com> wrote in
> > message
> >> > news:%23v%23ND5TCEHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> >> >>I can't believe I'm going to dispute a statement made by the all
> >> >>knowing
> >> >>Jimmy S... I might as well go after Chris H! :) However, the
"Disable
> >> >>All" button in MSConfig - Services will leave "Essential Services"
> >> >>enabled.
> >> >>
> >> >> You could use the Disable All button, reboot and run XP.
> >> >>
> >> >> Please note: I have test machines for such things, and do not
> >> >> recommend
> >> >> trying this at home. I did so because if the Disable All button
caused
> >> >> Windows to no longer operate we would need to address that.
> >> >>
> >> >> Thanks,
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> -Anthony Procissi [MSFT]
> >> >> US-Application Experience & Compatibility
> >> >>
> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> rights.
> >> >> "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
> >> >>> startu
> > p
> >> >>> 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.
> >> >>> | >> >
> >> >>> | >> >
> >> >>> | >>
> >> >>> | >>
> >> >>> | >
> >> >>> | >
> >> >>> |
> >> >>> |
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

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