Fresh XP install for speed?

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T23_Owner · #1 Post by **T23_Owner** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:18 pm

So everyone does it, they format their HD when they get it with a fresh XP install and only install required utilites just to get the machine running faster. Is this really necessary? I mean can't you just use the IBM install and unistall the utilities you don't need? Why is a fresh install required? People think IBM installs hidden stuff to slow the computer but is this really the case? I am skeptical. I know little things are left lingering even if you uninstall them but will it slow the machine or just leave a few dlls lying around that will never be used.

What do you think?

#2 Post by **jdhurst** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:19 pm

I have not seen that IBM software slows down my machine. I set Messenger not to get any updates. I uninstall Norton to apply Symantec Corporate. Otherwise I have all the IBM software installed and the machine works fine.

gte204i · #3 Post by **gte204i** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:17 am

I don't think you need a fresh install to speed up your thinkpad.

Do some things like:

1) Disable unnecessary Windows services - http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm - whatever you do make sure you turn off the indexing service

2) Turn off Windows "System Restore" - if you decide you can do without it (I can)

3) Uninstall Windows Messenger - or everything else you don't want for that matter

4) Prevent unwanted programs from starting using msconfig

5) Delete all files in c:\windows\prefetch every once in a while

6) Make sure your internet cache size is not huge

7) Disable some of the "pretty" XP interface display options - don't remember off hand how to do this - it's some kind of advanced display option or system option

I can't remember what else I did - just do a google search for "Windows XP" tweaks

Doing these things cut my boot time drastically, lowered my "idle" memory usage", and made my T42 much more responsive

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:24 am

Setup is very important - gte204i is correct. My T41 runs consistently at zero percent utilization when not pounding on an application. It is at zero right now even when using IE 6 and with Mail open and QuickBooks open. Proper setup has much more to do with performance than whether the IBM applications are installed. ... JDHurst

awolfe63 · #5 Post by **awolfe63** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:55 pm

Turn off system restore??? You must live in one of those places where people still leave their front doors unlocked

System restore (and ConfigSafe before it) has saved my butt too many times to remember...

apoll0 · #6 Post by **apoll0** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:21 pm

Yeah, i wouldn't recommend turning off System restore either. There will come a day you thank Bill for it.

Leon · #7 Post by **Leon** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:23 pm

really? I've read several places that it really doesn't do any good....

NotANitWit · #8 Post by **NotANitWit** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:55 pm

Holy cow, GTE, thanks for those hints! I really saved a lot of RAM and HALVED the number of running tasks on my thinkpad (and I just applied to my desktop machine too.). That Blackviper site is GREAT and I thank you for linking to it.

Everyone, I encourage you to simplify your XP this way! I'm very happy indeed!

Guest · #9 Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:04 pm

I have also read that system restore is not that great. I do know that when I have gotten a virus at college I first have to turn off system restore then restart my computer in safe mode run the virus scan then restart the computer and reenable system restore. So if you did something stupid and then got a virus right after system restore would not help.

gte204i · #10 Post by **gte204i** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:19 am

If you don't have any other means of system backup, by all means DO NOT turn off system restore. But for me 1) I don't like relying on Microsoft for my backups 2) I don't want a background process constantly running to do the backup. Right now, I don't have any critical data on the machine, but I'm planning on getting an external USB HDD and using Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image. Anyways, I guess it's personal preference.

NotA - no problem. That blackviper site is good, and there are also some others. Just make sure that you back up your data and be careful when you are making tweaks, especially if you are manually editing the registry.

Leon · #11 Post by **Leon** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:20 am

but in any case, system restore does NOT do a backup....

gte204i · #12 Post by **gte204i** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:48 am

Yes, but if you already have a backup that takes an "image" of your drive, than windows restore is redundant...well, sort of...I guess with windows restore you wouldn't have to also restore all of your data files.

Anyways, it seems that some people like to use windows restore and some people don't. Personally, I like more manual control over my backups and I don't like the resources system restore takes. But I guess system restore does have its uses.

Mofongo · #13 Post by **Mofongo** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 1:35 pm

Can I turn off the Wireless Zero Configuration service if I am using IBM Access Connections?

Thanks,

Mofongo

Leon · #14 Post by **Leon** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 1:47 pm

you SHOULD!

Fresh XP install for speed?

Fresh XP install for speed?

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