Decreasing Restart / Startup Time: WinXP

DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
I've always felt that the time it takes your computer to startup or restart is one method to gauge its performance. I restart mine every day if I'm home - if I'm not whenever, ensuring I've closed out Firefox and opened IE. Normally when I restart or startup it takes under a minute. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

The only tweaks I know of (aside from defraggin' regularly etc.) are to use Selective Startup in the System Config Utility and keep the number of programs loading at startup to a minimum (I currently have 3). Another good tweak is going into Services and set the ones to manual that don't need to be automatic.


Do <b>YOU</b> know of any good tips to tweak WinXP? Discuss.... ... .. .

Comments

  • RetalesRetales Panigg cultist Join Date: 2003-08-07 Member: 19180Members
    Umm... A virgin sacrifice at full moon? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1637245:date=Jul 3 2007, 11:28 AM:name=Retales)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Retales @ Jul 3 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]1637245[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Umm... A virgin sacrifice at full moon? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    well, we are only a few days off....

    /me ties down Retales

    now where is my sacrifical knife?
  • WarriorWarrior Join Date: 2003-02-16 Member: 13624Members
    You can try the program Bootvis. Based on what Iv read its a app that records the boot time then gives options to reduce it. I haven't used it as my system boots fast enough for me not to care.

    What are you specs. Your hardware and drive configuration can make alot more of a difference then a few tweaks.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Just the one hdd, a WD2500KS I believe.
  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    edited July 2007
    Running <a href="http://www.ccleaner.com/" target="_blank">CCleaner</a> on a regular basis should help a bit.

    Running <a href="http://www.safer-networking.org/" target="_blank">Spybot Search and Destroy</a> and <a href="http://www.download.com/3405-8022-5153545.html" target="_blank">Ad-aware SE</a> is also a good idea.

    EDIT: you can also try the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B286E6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en" target="_blank">User Profile Cleanup Service from MS</a>.
  • ZaggyZaggy NullPointerException The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-12-10 Member: 24214Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos, Subnautica Playtester
    Get rid of everything that wants to start at boot with msconfig, services.msc or just simply uninstalling them.
    Stay away from AV's/Firewall/active <strike>hogging</strike> scanning stuff (unless you need them).
    Clean up your hdd, remove unneeded stuff, free diskspace really speeds things up sometimes.
    Remove sounds at boot, desktop background, clean up desktop icons (read: remove unnecessary items)
    Use windows classic theme.

    That's what comes out of the top of my head.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1637266:date=Jul 3 2007, 02:17 PM:name=Spooge)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Spooge @ Jul 3 2007, 02:17 PM) [snapback]1637266[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Running <a href="http://www.ccleaner.com/" target="_blank">CCleaner</a> on a regular basis should help a bit.

    Running <a href="http://www.safer-networking.org/" target="_blank">Spybot Search and Destroy</a> and <a href="http://www.download.com/3405-8022-5153545.html" target="_blank">Ad-aware SE</a> is also a good idea.

    EDIT: you can also try the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B286E6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en" target="_blank">User Profile Cleanup Service from MS</a>.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I run all three of these already, good advice!

    <!--quoteo(post=1637269:date=Jul 3 2007, 02:34 PM:name=Zaggy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zaggy @ Jul 3 2007, 02:34 PM) [snapback]1637269[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Get rid of everything that wants to start at boot with msconfig, services.msc or just simply uninstalling them.
    Stay away from AV's/Firewall/active <strike>hogging</strike> scanning stuff (unless you need them).
    Clean up your hdd, remove unneeded stuff, free diskspace really speeds things up sometimes.
    Remove sounds at boot, desktop background, clean up desktop icons (read: remove unnecessary items)
    Use windows classic theme.

    That's what comes out of the top of my head.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Good advice. I have no desktop icons, and can disable the annoying windows logon/logoff music.....
    Windows Classic? Hmmmm... ugly but I agree it would help.
  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    I typically use CCleaner to delete a lot of startup items like javaupdater, acrobatupdater, and any other vender specific update program. Those tend to annoy me quite a bit. I also get rid of the preloader programs for different office suites and such.
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    Assuming you turn on your PC everyday at a specific time:

    Open your bios and hope that there is a auto-boot option.
  • Renegade.Renegade. Join Date: 2003-01-15 Member: 12313Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1637272:date=Jul 3 2007, 02:52 PM:name=Depot)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Depot @ Jul 3 2007, 02:52 PM) [snapback]1637272[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Windows Classic? Hmmmm... ugly but I agree it would help.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> huh what? do you prefer el Noobo XP look? the one where it looked likes some massive Bubble monster took some ungodly crap all over your desktop? Yea.. I know, Classic is only for us leet people who actualy *like* to make use of our desktop space...

    My advice is try to stay away from automated cleaning programs, they tend to heavy-hand things and can be more destructive than helpful. Find out what you need to clean up (services, registry keys, policies, etc) then do it manually. A good program for finding out what to do in case of spyware/adware is <a href="http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php#hijackthis" target="_blank">HiJackThis</a>.

    Two suggestions I can think of off the top of my head that will greatly increase shutdown time are:
    1) Find the key "<!--coloro:white--><span style="color:white"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->"
    and make sure the DWORD "<!--coloro:white--><span style="color:white"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->ClearPageFileAtShutdown<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->" is set to 0. Clearing the page file can slow down shutdown times and can be turned off safely (it should be off by default anyways I believe).

    2) Find the key "<!--coloro:white--><span style="color:white"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->" and set the DWORD "<!--coloro:white--><span style="color:white"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->EnablePrefetcher<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->" to either 1, 2, or 3. Prefetching allows XP to bring frequently paged programs into pages faster (especially at boot time). It does that at a small hit to RAM though, so there is a time/space tradeoff. Check out <a href="http://www.google.ca/search?q=EnablePrefetcher&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">google</a> for more prefetch info.

    For the <b>ultimate</b> guide on Windows XP start-up, take a look at <a href="http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/1/161ba512-40e2-4cc9-843a-923143f3456c/Fast%20System%20Startup%20for%20PCs%20Running%20Windows.doc" target="_blank">Fast System Startup for PCs running Windows</a>, but put a pot of coffee on first, because that's one hell of a long, hard read!
  • RedfordRedford Monorailcatfjord Join Date: 2002-04-28 Member: 528Members, NS1 Playtester
    In my opinion an exercise in futility. Unless windows is taking several minutes to start up, you really have no problem. If windows IS taking several minutes to start up, you have something abnormal on your computer.
  • HybridclawHybridclaw Join Date: 2003-11-03 Member: 22271Members
    You could always completely wipe your hard-drive and reinstall everything
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    y'know, a flux capacitor can always fix this issue. I can make a 300mhz computer bootup windows XP in less then time itself*. You do have to be moving at 88mph though and you also need a 1.2 jiggawatt psu, those are hard to come by...

    <!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->* warning won't make windows itself run any faster on said cpu speed<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->


    Or just keep it running until windows freezes up on ya, should take about 2-3 months of intensive use <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />


    ... Man I'm bored these days -_-
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Thanks RENEGADE, good info there (although the registry intimidates me).

    Hybridclaw, this is a brand new hdd, which is why I want to set it up right.


    And where is BM when ya need him?!?
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    edited July 2007
    The real key for me was to never install anything after the base install except a few well trusted apps (utorrent, firefox, 7-zip, etc). When I need to use or test some other piece of software I use Sandboxie or Altiris SVS or, if I really distrust the software, VMWare or VirtualPC (though usually if I distrust it that much I don't even try it). Of course, I also use the classic theme, no windows sounds, and a few other basic display tweaks. I use no virus scanner, no anti-malware, and just the windows firewall. Aside from that I've done nothing to the base install and I boot in about 10-20 seconds (including bios).
  • WyzcrakWyzcrak Pot Pie Aficionado Join Date: 2002-12-04 Member: 10447Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <a href="http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay" target="_blank">http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay</a>

    Just stumbled upon Startup Delayer last week. I love the premise, but I haven't booted enough times with it to know if it's what I'm looking for.
  • RedfordRedford Monorailcatfjord Join Date: 2002-04-28 Member: 528Members, NS1 Playtester
    Sorry, BM is currently going to a cousin's wedding, and thusly only has access to his stupid laptop. He probably has things to do other then trying to make fun of you, depot.
  • DarknsDarkns Join Date: 2004-09-05 Member: 31402Members, Constellation
    If it's the waiting during startup that you don't like, you could just leave it on or put it in hibernate.
    A full reboot isn't necessary all that often.

    However, if you just want speed for its own sake, nothing beats a clean install.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1637333:date=Jul 4 2007, 12:27 AM:name=Wyzcrak)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wyzcrak @ Jul 4 2007, 12:27 AM) [snapback]1637333[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    <a href="http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay" target="_blank">http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay</a>

    Just stumbled upon Startup Delayer last week. I love the premise, but I haven't booted enough times with it to know if it's what I'm looking for.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    If you don't have these programs loading at startup though, I don't know if this would help. I only have 3 loading at atartup as it is, and these are necessary.

    <!--quoteo(post=1637334:date=Jul 4 2007, 12:31 AM:name=Redford)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Redford @ Jul 4 2007, 12:31 AM) [snapback]1637334[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Sorry, BM is currently going to a cousin's wedding, and thusly only has access to his stupid laptop. He probably has things to do other then trying to make fun of you, depot.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That's hard to believe, seriously. I am at the top of his hitlist!

    <!--quoteo(post=1637382:date=Jul 4 2007, 09:37 AM:name=Darkns)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darkns @ Jul 4 2007, 09:37 AM) [snapback]1637382[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    If it's the waiting during startup that you don't like, you could just leave it on or put it in hibernate.
    A full reboot isn't necessary all that often.

    However, if you just want speed for its own sake, nothing beats a clean install.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    A clean install is what I have. Btw, installation of SP2 really slowed it down.
  • BlackMageBlackMage [citation needed] Join Date: 2003-06-18 Member: 17474Members, Constellation
    in this order: format, install OS, defrag, install drivers, defrag, install apps, defrag, install games, schedule defrag for 3am every night, defrag and then poke around with a utility like those mentioned above. for the best startup time (stability and reliability are questionable) the os should be on the primary partition of the primary disk as close to the center of the disk as humanly possible. right after the os should be the drivers. the pagefile should be on the fastest disk or disks and (if possible) should not be on the same disk as the os (disk refers to physical harddrives). on mature systems: make sure the prefetch isn't bloated, make sure startup only includes vital services and applications (msconfig and services.msc are your friends).

    also, while disabling the "clear the pagefile on shutdown" option will increase performance on a shutdown, if your pagefile is on a relatively fast disk (especially one that is not the os drive) the performance gain (only on shutdown) will be negligible and your startup times may suffer.
  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    MonsE wrote an XP tweek guide on these forums though I don't remember what terms to use to search for it. Perhaps someone else recalls where it is and they could provide the link for you.
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    MonsE also later stated that the guide was horribly out of date and parts of it should not be followed (especially the registry tweaks). IIRC anyways.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1637460:date=Jul 4 2007, 10:46 PM:name=Black_Mage)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Black_Mage @ Jul 4 2007, 10:46 PM) [snapback]1637460[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    in this order: format, install OS, defrag, install drivers, defrag, install apps, defrag, install games, schedule defrag for 3am every night, defrag and then poke around with a utility like those mentioned above. for the best startup time (stability and reliability are questionable) the os should be on the primary partition of the primary disk as close to the center of the disk as humanly possible. right after the os should be the drivers. the pagefile should be on the fastest disk or disks and (if possible) should not be on the same disk as the os (disk refers to physical harddrives). on mature systems: make sure the prefetch isn't bloated, make sure startup only includes vital services and applications (msconfig and services.msc are your friends).

    also, while disabling the "clear the pagefile on shutdown" option will increase performance on a shutdown, if your pagefile is on a relatively fast disk (especially one that is not the os drive) the performance gain (only on shutdown) will be negligible and your startup times may suffer.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Good infos. Where can I find more stuff on prefetch? I use msconfig (3 things running) and services.msc (everything manual that I can get away with).

    <!--quoteo(post=1637461:date=Jul 4 2007, 11:22 PM:name=KungFuDiscoMonkey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KungFuDiscoMonkey @ Jul 4 2007, 11:22 PM) [snapback]1637461[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    MonsE wrote an XP tweek guide on these forums though I don't remember what terms to use to search for it. Perhaps someone else recalls where it is and they could provide the link for you.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I have that in my possession KFDM, but I believe it was written in 2001. About all I used from it was what services to change - didn't touch the registry stuff.
  • EpidemicEpidemic Dark Force Gorge Join Date: 2003-06-29 Member: 17781Members
    Is it possible to install windows on a ram drive?
  • ZaggyZaggy NullPointerException The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-12-10 Member: 24214Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos, Subnautica Playtester
    Just found this while stumbling: <a href="http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bert9845smith/ShrinkXP.html" target="_blank">http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bert9845smith/ShrinkXP.html</a>
  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    <!--quoteo(post=1637466:date=Jul 5 2007, 12:30 AM:name=SkulkBait)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SkulkBait @ Jul 5 2007, 12:30 AM) [snapback]1637466[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    MonsE also later stated that the guide was horribly out of date and parts of it should not be followed (especially the registry tweaks). IIRC anyways.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I figured someone else might remember better than me about the guide. I couldn't remember any of the specifics about it.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1637536:date=Jul 5 2007, 12:58 PM:name=Zaggy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zaggy @ Jul 5 2007, 12:58 PM) [snapback]1637536[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Just found this while stumbling: <a href="http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bert9845smith/ShrinkXP.html" target="_blank">http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bert9845smith/ShrinkXP.html</a>
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Great article Zaggy, and it appears current. Thanks!
  • ExploderExploder Join Date: 2006-11-02 Member: 58202Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1637460:date=Jul 5 2007, 02:46 AM:name=Black_Mage)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Black_Mage @ Jul 5 2007, 02:46 AM) [snapback]1637460[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    in this order: format, install OS, defrag, install drivers, defrag, install apps, defrag, install games, schedule defrag for 3am every night, defrag and then poke around with a utility like those mentioned above. for the best startup time (stability and reliability are questionable) the os should be on the primary partition of the primary disk as close to the center of the disk as humanly possible. right after the os should be the drivers. the pagefile should be on the fastest disk or disks and (if possible) should not be on the same disk as the os (disk refers to physical harddrives). on mature systems: make sure the prefetch isn't bloated, make sure startup only includes vital services and applications (msconfig and services.msc are your friends).

    also, while disabling the "clear the pagefile on shutdown" option will increase performance on a shutdown, if your pagefile is on a relatively fast disk (especially one that is not the os drive) the performance gain (only on shutdown) will be negligible and your startup times may suffer.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    There's no point in defragging every day. It's overkill.
  • BlackMageBlackMage [citation needed] Join Date: 2003-06-18 Member: 17474Members, Constellation
    so? it's idle time, might as well spend it on something useful.
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