In order to boost the performace of your Window XP, you will have to tweak and remove some of the bundled programs
which are really redundant and will affect the overall performance of your desktop.
Please note that if your audio softwares are working efficiently then leave your PC alone - If it ain't broken why
fix it - but if you want to proceed, I strongly recommend that you back-up all your data. You have been advised.
Before starting the tweaking process, please switch your desktop to classic view.
Click on Start > Control Panel > Select "Switch to Classic View"
Then, switch the "Start Menu" to classic view.
Click on Start > Control Panel > Double click "Taskbar and Start Menu" icon > click on "Start Menu" Tab > Select "Classic Start Menu"
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1. PROCESSOR SCHEDULING SHOULD BE SET TO BACKGROUND AND NOT PROGRAMS
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Basically by doing this, you equally share your processor resources between background and foreground programs.
So when you run background programs such as printing or disk backup, your task will not slow down the other
programs which are running simultaneously. This could also make a significant difference to how low you can
set your samples per buffer for your soundcard. A lower samples per buffer setting means lower latency.
Click on "Start" > "Settings" > "Control Panel"
Double click "System" icon
Click on the "Advanced" tab in "System Properties" window
Look for "Performance" and click on "Settings"
Click on the "Advanced" tab and check "Background services"
Click "Apply" and leave the "System Properties" window open
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2. VISUAL EFFECTS SHOULD BE SET TO MINIMUM
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Windows provides several options to set the visual effects of your computer and almost all of it are really
redundant for the music production and will just use additional CPU power and can cause audio glitches due
to the additional traffic being generated on the system bus.
Click on the "Advanced" tab in "System Properties" window
Look for Perfomance and click on "Settings"
Check "Adjust for best performance in the "Visual Effects" tab
Click "OK" and leave the "System Properties" window open
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3. DISABLE SYSTEM RESTORE
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System restore function requires continual monitoring of hard disc activity, and by default it runs automatically
in the background. If your system is working efficiently with it turned on, then perhaps you may wish to
leave it turned on although it does use a small amount of CPU resources and it creates additional disc space.
Click on the "System Restore" tab in "System Properties" window
Check "Turn off System Restore on all Drives"
Check "Apply"
Click "Yes" on "System Restore" dialog
Leave the "System Properties" window open
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4. DISABLE AUTOMATIC UPDATES
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This tip will disallow Windows to automatically check on the Internet for Microsoft updates or service
packs for XP.
Click on the "Automatic Updates" tab in "System Properties" window
Check "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them"
Click "Apply"
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5. STARTUP AND RECOVERY OPTIONS
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By enabling "Startup and Recovery" option, your PC will automatically restart itself on any occurance of a
system error and all unsaved data will be lost. It'll be wise to disable this option.
Click on the "Advanced" tab in "System Properties" window
Look for "Startup and Recovery" and click on "Settings"
Look for "System failure" and uncheck "Automatically Restart"
Click "OK" but keep the "System Properties" window open
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6. DISABLE ERROR REPORTING
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Whenever a program has an error and crashes , whether its a Microsoft application or a third-party
application, a dialog appears and prompt you to send a "report" to Microsoft. Occurance of
unexpected tantrums throwing is minimized when you disable this option.
Click on the "Advanced" tab in "System Properties" window
Click on "Error Reporting"
Check "Disable error reporting"
Check "But notify me when critical errors occur" (optional)
Click "OK" but keep the "System Properties" window open
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7. DISABLE REMOTE ASSISTANCE AND REMOTE DESKTOP
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Just do it!
Click on the "Remote" tab in "System Properties" window
Uncheck "Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer"
Uncheck "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer"
Click "Apply"
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8. ACTIVATE DMA ON HARDDISK AND CD-ROMS
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Slave drives on ATAPI channels are often set to PIO mode and this could hindered the performance
of the attached slave drives. By activating the UltraATA (DMA) mode, not only that it is better mode of
data transfer, it will place less overhead on the CPU
Select the "Hardware" tab in "System Properties" window
Click on "Device Manager"
Select "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" and click on [+] to expand it
Right click on "Primary IDE Channel" and select "Properties"
Click on "Advanced Settings" tab
Check that the Transfer Mode on "Device 0" and "Device 1" is set to "DMA if available"
Click "OK"
Right click on "Secondary IDE Channel" and select "Properties"
Click on "Advanced Settings" tab
Check that the Transfer Mode on "Device 0" and "Device 1" is set to "DMA if available"
Click "OK" and close "Device Manager" window
Leave the "System Properties" window open
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9. CHANGE OR DISABLE FIXED SWAP FILE (VIRTUAL MEMORY)
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It is better to have a fixed swap file, rather than to let Windows manage the file dynamically.
It is also better to set this up just after installation as the file will be near the start of the
disc and will be in one block. If the installation process hasn't already done so, set the Virtual
Memory to be a fixed sized for both the minimum and the maximum values.
Click on the "Advanced" tab in "System Properties" window
Look for "Perfomance" and click on "Settings"
Click on "Advanced" tab
Look for "Virtual Memory" and click on "Change"
Check "Custom Size"
It is recommended to mutiply the amount of your total RAM by 1.5 or 2 for both initial
and maximum size respectively. For example, if you have 1024MB of memory then it'll be
1536MB for "Initial size" and 2048MB for Maximum size.
Click on "Set"
Click "OK" on "System Control Panel Applet"
Click "OK" on all windows
Click "Yes" to restart your computer
Of course if your RAM is lesser than 512MB, then you could consider in disabling this option but try
experimenting and find out what is best for your PC. To disable Virtual Memory,
Double click "My Computer"
Click on "Tools"
Select and click "Folder Options"
Click on "View" tab
Uncheck "Hide Protected Operating System Files"
Click "Yes"
Click on Start > Run
Type "secpol.msc" in the box and click "OK"
Double click "Local Policies"
Double click "Security Options"
Double click on "Shutdown: Clear virtual memory pagefile"
Check "Enable"
Click "OK"
Double click "My Computer"
Click on "Tools"
Select and click "Folder Options"
Click on "View" tab
Check "Hide Protected Operating System Files"
Click "OK"
Restart your PC
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10. DISABLE SCREEN SAVER
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The original purpose of a screen saver was to prevent a fixed image from being burned into the phosphor
of the screen. Screen burn is less likely to occur with current monitors and screen saver will consume your CPU
resources.
Right click on desktop and select "Properties"
Click on "Screen Saver" tab
Change your screen saver to "None"
Click "Apply" and leave the "Display Properties" window open.
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11. DISABLE BACKGROUND IMAGE
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Desktop wallpaper uses graphics memory which can be used elsewhere.
Click on the "Desktop" tab in "Display Properties" window
Change your background to "None"
Click "Apply"
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12. SWITCH OFF POWER SCHEMES
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Save your time by switching them off.
Click on the "Screen Saver" tab in "Display Properties" window
Look for "Monitor Power" and click on "Power..."
Click on "Power Schemes" tab
Set the "Turn off monitor" and "Turn off hard disks" options to "Never"
Click "Apply" and keep the "Power Options Properties" window open
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13. SWITCH OFF HIBERNATION
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Windows XP by default creates a file called hiberfil.sys, to store the contents of RAM in the event of the
computer automatically going into "hibernate" mode. The size of this file will be determined by the amount
of RAM you have installed in your system. If you have 512MB RAM, then a file of 512MB will be created.
Click "Hibernate" tab in "Power the "Power Options Properties" window
Make sure the Enable hibernation box is NOT checked
Click "OK" but keep the "Display Properties" window open
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14. DISABLE AUTOMATIC DESKTOP CLEANUP WIZARD
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This wizard runs every 60 days. It will display a list of icons that have not been used for 60 days or more and
will give you the option to remove those icons that you don't require. This application is redundant and it will
do your PC good if you disable it.
Click on the "Desktop" tab in "Display Properties" window
Click on "Customize Desktop"
Uncheck "Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days"
Click "OK" and close your "Display Properties" window
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15. DISABLE FAST USER SWITCHING
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By default, Fast User Switching is enabled in XP Home and XP Pro editions. Fast User Switching can support
several accounts logged on the same machine. The only limitation is the available memory and the session
for each user requires 2 MB of account space in addition to the memory required for any programs the user
runs. On a heavy used system this can be both a security threat and will affect your PC overall performance.
Click on "Start" > "Settings" > "Control Panel"
Double click "Users Accounts" icon
Click on "Change the way users log on and off"
Uncheck "Use Fast User Switching"
Click "Apply Options"
Except the "Control Panel" window, close all other opened windows
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16. DISABLE INTERNET SYNCHRONIZE TIME
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Another useless application.
Double click "Date and Time" icon in the "Control Panel" window
Click "Internet Time" tab
Uncheck "Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server"
Click "OK"
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17. DISABLE SYSTEM SOUNDS
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System sounds are cool but if it is left switched on, then it is possible that this could interfere with your
sound card settings. Some system sounds have been sampled at quite low rates to save disc space and
when these sounds are triggered during playback or recording in your sequencer, it may slow down your audio and
adjust it to a lower sampling rate.
Double click "Sounds and Audio Devices" icon in the "Control Panel" window
Click on "Sounds" tab
Change the "Sound scheme" to "No Sounds"
Click "Apply"
Leave the "Sound and Audio Devices Properties" window open
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18. DO NOT MAP THROUGH SOUNDCARD
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This tip will disallow Windows from using your audio card while you're in a recording mode and it will also
substantially help any program that uses 8bit sound files .
Click on "Hardware" tab in the "Sounds and Audio Devices Properties" window
Highlight your soundcard from the list
Click on "Properties"
Click on "Properties" in the soundcard's window which you've selected
Double click "Audio Devices"
Highlight your soundcard from the list and double click it
Check "Do not map through this device"
Click "OK" on the "Changes Saved" dialog
Click "OK" and close all other opened windows
Restart your computer
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19. DISABLE HIDE INACTIVE ICONS
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Another useless application.
Click on "Start" > Settings > Taskbar and Start Menu
Select "Desktop" Tab
Look for "Notification Area" and uncheck "Hide inactive icons"
Click "OK"
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20. DISABLE OFFLINE FILES (WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL ONLY)
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Another useless application.
Double click "My Computer"
Click on "Tools" and select "Folder Options"
Click on "Offline Files" tab
Uncheck "Enable Offline Files"
Click "OK" and close all opened windows
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21. SPEED UP MENU DISPLAY
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You can use this tip to customise the speed of the menu display.
Click on Start > Run
Type "regedit" in the field and click "OK"
Select "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "Control Panel" and click on [+] to expand it
Click on "Desktop"
Double click on "MenuShowDelay"
Change the value data of "400" to "1"
Click "OK" and close "Registry Editor"
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22. DISABLE CD-ROM "AUTO INSERTION DETECT"
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Windows can automatically detect the insertion of a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive and this could
cause problems with real-time processes.
Click on Start > Run
Type "regedit" in the field and click "OK"
Select "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "System" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "CurrentControlSet" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "Services" and click on [+] to expand it
Click on "Cdrom"
Double click "Autorun"
Change the Hexadecimal value data to "0"
Click "OK" and close "Registry Editor"
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23. DISABLE NOTIFICATION AREA BALLOON TIP
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Balloon tips sometimes interrupt your audio output.
Click on Start > Run
Type "regedit" in the box and click "OK"
Select "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "Software" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "Microsoft" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "Windows" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "CurrentVersion" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "Explorer" and click on [+] to expand it
Click on "Advance"
Right click the right panel and select "New" then "DWORD value"
Rename "New Value #1" to "EnableBalloonTips" (without quotes)
Double click "EnableBalloonTips"
Change the Hexadecimal value data to "0"
Double click "StartButtonBalloonTip"
Change the Hexadecimal value data of "2" to "0"
Click "OK" and close "Registry Editor"
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24. DISABLE NTFS LAST ACCESS TIME LOGGING
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Applicable to PC with NTFS file system.
Click on Start > Run
Type "regedit" in the box and click "OK"
Select "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "System" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "CurrentControlSet" and click on [+] to expand it
Select "Control" and click on [+] to expand it
Click on "FileSystem"
Right click the right panel and select "New" then "DWORD value"
Rename "New Value #1" to "NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate" (without quotes)
Double click "NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"
Change the hexadecimal value data to "1"
Click "OK" and close "Registry Editor"
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25. DISABLE DISC INDEXING
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To perform a quicker search, Windows XP keeps a record of all the files on the hard disk and indexed it.
This will slow down normal file commands like open, close, etc. Turn this feature off if you rarely search for
files on your hardisk.
Right click "Start"
Click "Explore"
Right click your "Primary Drive" (normally it C: drive)
Click "Properties"
Uncheck "Allow Indexing Service to index this disc for fast file searching"
Check "Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files" and click "OK
Right click your "Secondary Drive" (every one of them)
Click "Properties"
Uncheck "Allow Indexing Service to index this disc for fast file searching"
Check "Apply changes to (secondary drive), subfolders and files" and click "OK
Click "OK" and close "Explorer" window
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26. DO NOT RUN NETWORKING/INTERNET PROGRAMS
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It is best not to run email, web browsers, ftp clients, and other networking and communications applications
while running audio/MIDI programs, as running them simultaneously may interfere with real-time operations.
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Visit these sites for more useful tips
aXcess
TuneXP
MusicXP.net
Chameleon Music
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So you have a designated PC which is strictly for music production and have installed the all mighty Windows XP
Professional Edition as your operating system. Sadly the allegedly "all mighty" operating system or "OS" is not
designed for music production.