Hi Gordon,
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
Use these methods only for special occasions / 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 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 then 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.
_________________________________________________________
| I am going to try using an older PC (P3 733mhz 133mhz bus) as an additional
| gaming computer. I already have 7, but the more the merrier! Right? I really
| would like to use some of my older equipment. Anyway, I am going to use it
| solely for playing Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament 2003. I am wondering what
| services I can turn off to maximize the PC for games only.The Xbox is a 733
| isn't it? So, in theory it should work. I have a GeForce FX 5200 video card
| and can max out the RAM on the ASUS Cuv4x motherboard.
| I want to turn off ALL unneeded services and any other tips and tricks to
| trim down XP for games. Any Ideas? (I have LAN parties and there are never
| enough PC's for the newbies. It is always fun to kick butt on poor newb's.)
| Thanks for any advice.
| Gordon
|
|
