Improving computer performance? How to?

[dberry001]

Does anyone have a list of applications that typically run in the background dragging down performance that can be turned off?

I want to set up my PC and run only what I need to record and playback my stuff out of Cubase LE4. I'm using Tascam for the audio interface.

Anyone have a list like this or know where to find one?

Thanks!

[jjb]

One thing to do is select Start and then Run. Type msconfig.exe and press enter. A system configuration box will show up. Select Startup and notice there are a bunch of things that execute in the background each time you start up your PC. If you don't need them, you can turn them off (you can try it and, if stopping them causes a problem, you can select them again to start). This can improve performance.

jjb

[dberry001]

Originally Posted by jjb

One thing to do is select Start and then Run. Type msconfig.exe and press enter. A system configuration box will show up. Select Startup and notice there are a bunch of things that execute in the background each time you start up your PC. If you don't need them, you can turn them off (you can try it and, if stopping them causes a problem, you can select them again to start). This can improve performance.

jjb

Cool. I did this just now and saw one or two things that I was comfortable turning off. I'll have to test out the other things one at a time to see if they have any negative effects.

Thanks for the tip!

Other suggestions are welcomed!!

[fmw]

Your computer lists them all. Go to the Windows task manager and choose "processes." They are all there with other things as well.

Usually it will suffice to close everything on the windows task bar and turn off your internet access while you record.

[TD5_23]

Originally Posted by jjb

One thing to do is select Start and then Run. Type msconfig.exe and press enter. A system configuration box will show up. Select Startup and notice there are a bunch of things that execute in the background each time you start up your PC. If you don't need them, you can turn them off (you can try it and, if stopping them causes a problem, you can select them again to start). This can improve performance.

jjb

You can also google "autoruns". It not only gives you a list of startup programs, but lots of other things that like to run in the background at all times. It's a little more user-friendly than msconfig.

[dberry001]

Originally Posted by TD5_23

You can also google "autoruns". It not only gives you a list of startup programs, but lots of other things that like to run in the background at all times. It's a little more user-friendly than msconfig.

Cool. I'll give that a try too. Thanks!

[spaceatl]

If you are using windows, you can create a hardware profile. Call it DAW and within that profile you can disable services and hardware that you don't need when using the PC as a DAW (network interface, modems etc...)...This would allow you to disable your network, Anti-Virus, iTunes, automatic update, etc... and any other stuff you do not need as to optimize for a DAW...

In my DAW profile under XP Pro my total ram in use when I hit the desktop is 104 MBs...Under my normal profile that has network, Anti-Virus and other stuff turned on it is around 250 MB...

FYI: you have to reboot to select the profile and you can set whatever one you like as default and set the time to make the selection...

[Gabriel_S]

Originally Posted by dberry001

Cool. I did this just now and saw one or two things that I was comfortable turning off. I'll have to test out the other things one at a time to see if they have any negative effects.

Thanks for the tip!

Other suggestions are welcomed!!

Well what I do is click on "Hide All Micrsoft Services" FIRST, Then I click on "Select All" and turn everything off. If you have any external services like an external HD etc I would leave those in. Doing this cut my background apps from 30 plus to only 22. Made a HUGE difference. I have a bunch of other tips for tuning your PC for Audio but it's a pretty lengthy read but totally worth your time. takes about a half hour to complete. If interested, let me know and I'll post it

Gabriel

[dberry001]

Originally Posted by Gabriel_S

I have a bunch of other tips for tuning your PC for Audio but it's a pretty lengthy read but totally worth your time. takes about a half hour to complete. If interested, let me know and I'll post it

Gabriel

Yeah - I would be interested in reading more. Is there a link to it or a while to upload the file?

Thanks for your help!

[Gabriel_S]

Originally Posted by dberry001

Yeah - I would be interested in reading more. Is there a link to it or a while to upload the file?

Thanks for your help!

Well i tried to post it but it has way too many characters. The forum allows for 6200, this article has 29,000. Tried to send it to you via PM as well but the same rules apply.

Soooo....unless the moderator makes an exception on this forum or you can send me your email via PM and i'll get it to you

Gabriel