Optimizing the Os (XP) for vt5

[georgew]

Hey there!

I have a vt4 that has worked wonderfully for a couple years, and it's time to upgrade it to a vt5 for a new project.

Thjis machine has also been used for a number of different things, and I see it has some extra software installed that I want to clean off... So I think it is time to scrape it to the bone and start over with a fresh OS install.

A dealer here in the forums told us about how great it is to have dealer support, so that the OS can be properly tuned, as only a dealer can possibly know how to do that correctly. :bowdown: I'm sure the dealers know all of the magic. And since that is all a secret skill that mere mortals like myself can never hope to master, how about some enlightenment?

Let's not go into the hardware issues, I want to focus this thread specifically on the os. Thankfully I don't need vista to get the most from my hardware, so let's not go down that path either... I'm sure vista needs so much tuning that it's almost not even vista by the time it is all done. Don't get me started on that, and try not to start up on it yourself. XP is old-school enough that the secret magic cannot be all that hard to let loose, just a little.

So starting from a stock install, windows xp professional sp2 system, what should be installed, and what should be un-installed? What can be updated? The machine needs to be able to be networked from time to time, so it would be handy if most of the security holes are plugged with updates.

I can figure this all out on my own, as I have successfully done in the past... But the dealers insist there is some magic, so lay some magic on me, baby!

Is there a list, or suggested xp install routine I should follow?

And dealers, if you don't want to answer the question, then don't. I'm not here to debate with you. I am asking this question because a dealer told me there was important things that only dealers know about os tuning.

[Jim Capillo]

And dealers, if you don't want to answer the question, then don't. I'm not here to debate with you. I am asking this question because a dealer told me there was important things that only dealers know about os tuning.

Well, that in itself should tell you something. Take it to your dealer and let him perform the "magic". It may cost a few bucks, but that dealer will stay in business with the work. Not to say that the good folks here won't help you, but what you're asking for is not a specific problem but something that would likely take a few hours (by experienced hands) to fine tune.

[kleima]

Install SP 2, then all drivers then VT. Uninstall all games. :hey:
If you have an vNidia graphics card (which is highly recommended) make sure that the Desktop Manager is disabled (if you are using dual monitor setup).
Turn off drive indexing on all media drives.
Use free AVG anti-virus if connected to a network.
Use hardware firewall.

That should just about do it. :hey:

[IMPERIAL]

There are a lot of services running that you wont need at all... but even if you stop them it wont make much(any) difference for VT or performance of XP.
You can find them in #ControlPanel_Administrative Tools_Services#.

Dealers should know wich does what...but in my expiriance its not nesesery at all. (you have short description beside each service...so try to stop some that looks unnessesery to you, but remember wich one... so you can start it again if you need it). Some services can not be turned off at all.

If you like to experiment ...i sugest that you install everything you need and make image of the C drive.. so if you do much damage you wont need to reinstall all over again.. just restart with the image in DVD drive and you will have everything up in few minutes.

I have noticed that whenever I turn on the network ... whole machine tend to slow down a bit. I guess all the AUTO UPDATES and AUTO SCANS are slowing down the machine.

Dealers are great... sometimes... and I agree you should pay them for their services and knowlage... but in this case I doubt that they can do any difference. Unless they slightly overclock your system and then claime they did some magic.

If there was something that would make noticable difference in performance I am shure Newtek would mention it.