Re: Any tweaks to speed up games under XP?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Chris H. (winxpnews_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 03/14/04 

Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 15:55:00 -0800

Not going to argue with you, since you seem to know everything about it.
I've said it is a bad idea, since certain files are written to the game
files, written to the Registry, plus you're using different drivers by
operating system - especially in the case of Halo and Links 2003, which are
graphic intense programs. Do what you wish.

You're running the partitions and games the way you wish, and I'm happy for
you. I can only remark that I run multiple partitions/operating systems and
install some of those same programs you're running individually, by OS, and
am not seeing the problems you're reporting. 

-- 
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:Oq5NsThCEHA.1456@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Questions asked included within
>
> "Chris H." <winxpnews@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OtmBqQgCEHA.2600@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> Main points can be:
>
>> (1)  The XP and Win9x lines are different registry structures,
>
> So what? The software creates what it needs to under whatever OS it's
> running upon first run.
>
>> (2) both operating systems use different version of drivers for
>> graphics, controllers, etc., and it can botch up your game settings,
>
> How? The actual calls into the drivers etc. the program makes are the same
> as it's the same calls into DX regardless of OS assuming it's same version
> DX. The internals of how DX actually works underneath are hidden to the
> game. The same is true for device drivers of any sort etc. That is the 
> whole
> point of having a common API across various versions of the OS.
>
> The only time it'll botch up settings is when the game keeps same in an
> "ini" and/or "cfg" file in it's home folder. That being the case, changes
> under one OS would be reflected playing in the other OS. If instead such
> items are kept in the registry, they'd be completely divorced from each
> other. Makes no diff to me as I can easily handle the "ini/cfg" file
> reflection.
>
>> (3) You're messing with your game performance.  8-)
>
> Would it convince you if I DO install some game separately into both OS's.
> I'll even put it on the C drive under 98SE and the D drive under XP. Name
> the game keeping in consideration how I'll actually report back my 
> findings,
> e.g. what game ... how to get fps etc. etc. from it.
>
>>
>> I run Halo on Windows XP at 1280x1024 and it is absolutely stunning.  I
>> think you're cheating yourself and the performance of the games with your
>> method.
>> -- 
>> 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:%23vLgfbfCEHA.3132@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>> > "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.
>>
>>
>
>

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