Booting the computer with minimal Processes & Services

[Dennis]

I have an obsession with running my computer lean & mean when I'm
gaming. Upon bootup I have 41 processes listed in the task manager, I
know which are essential and which arent, so I kill about half of them
before launching a game. I also go in and shutdown unneeded services
(print spooler etc). I get down to 20-25 processes and I feel better.

I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions on a better way to do this?
I am familiar with Hardware Profiles but it seems to only deactivate
devices. Ideally I would love to be able to just press a button (or
reboot if needed) and have my system unload all the unneeded processes
& services automatically.


Any suggestions appreciated. TIA.

 

[David]

Have a look in the startup tab of MSCONFIG and see if there is stuff in
their you can disable when the machine is starting

 

[Dennis]

Have a look in the startup tab of MSCONFIG and see if there is stuff in
their you can disable when the machine is starting

Yes but that's not my goal. I want to be able to have to profiles/
modes: one that runs heavy (41 processes) and one that runs light (20
processes).

 

[db.·.. >]

some of the processes
can be eliminated by
disabling the services.

for example, safemode
is simply loads the core
files to run windows.

so you can compare the
safemode and normal mode
services and eliminate those
difference.

however, the above is not
user account specific.

so what is also another option
is to install windows on a disk
all by itself and nothing more
except your game.

then you will have the option
to boot into a stripped down
windows with your game on
it or the regular windows with
everything on it.

the booting method above
does control the services
and hardware at a master
level than the user/profile
accounts level.


--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

 

[Jeff]

In the startup tab in msConfig the only things I would allow are ctfmon.exe,
cmd.exe, svchost.exe and your anti-virus application. As far as I know
that's all you need.

Jeff

 

[Jeff]

Ignor that post, I wasn't thinking
definatly do not allow svchost.exe.. it is added by a trojan
cmd.exe should not be in startup some malware camouflage themselves as
cmd.exe
ctfmon.exe is associated with office it controls speach and text features if
these are active.

This is a good place to find out about startup entries:
http://www.castlecops.com/StartupList.html

jeff

 

[Bill in Co.]

Svchost isn't a trojan, it's part of the operating system, isn't it? It's
alrways running. Maybe it isn't listed there in msconfig? (haven't
checked)

 

[John John (MVP)]

I have an obsession with running my computer lean & mean when I'm
gaming. Upon bootup I have 41 processes listed in the task manager, I
know which are essential and which arent, so I kill about half of them
before launching a game. I also go in and shutdown unneeded services
(print spooler etc). I get down to 20-25 processes and I feel better.

I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions on a better way to do this?
I am familiar with Hardware Profiles but it seems to only deactivate
devices. Ideally I would love to be able to just press a button (or
reboot if needed) and have my system unload all the unneeded processes
& services automatically.


Any suggestions appreciated. TIA.

To disable unnecessary processes or services when you want to run your
game you could craft a batch file, but you can also do this with
FSAutoStart. This utility was made for Flight Sim fans who need to
squeeze all the juice from their machines when they play but it can be
used for the same purpose for any software or game
http://kensalter.com/software/

Another option would be to create a second Hardware Profile that can be
booted to when the computer boots, look in your Windows Help files for
more information.

John

 

[Joe Buck]

In the startup tab in msConfig the only things I would allow are ctfmon.exe,
cmd.exe, svchost.exe and your anti-virus application. As far as I know
that's all you need.

Cmd.exe and svchost.exe are NOT part of the startup listing in
MSCONFIG you moron.

 

[Daave]

Have a look in the startup tab of MSCONFIG and see if there is stuff
in
their you can disable when the machine is starting

Yes but that's not my goal. I want to be able to have to profiles/
modes: one that runs heavy (41 processes) and one that runs light (20
processes).

Create another profile that is mean and lean specifically for gaming:

Start | Control Panel | User Accounts | Create a New Account

 

[Dennis]

To disable unnecessary processes or services when you want to run your
game you could craft a batch file, but you can also do this with
FSAutoStart.  This utility was made for Flight Sim fans who need to
squeeze all the juice from their machines when they play but it can be
used for the same purpose for any software or gamehttp://kensalter.com/software/

Another option would be to create a second Hardware Profile that can be
booted to when the computer boots, look in your Windows Help files for
more information.

John

John: thanks!!! FSAutoStart (AlacrityPC) is EXACTLY what I was looking
for. You rock.
Jeff: ROFL.... "definatly do not allow svchost.exe.. it is added by a
trojan"... You fail horribly.