WinXP Profile Specifically For Video Editing

[daamon]

Hi All,

I've had a look around, but the keywords I can think of using are too generic and so are returning results that don't apply. Hence this post...

I'm wanting to create a profile such that, when I log on using it, only the absolute minimum processes are started up - leaving as much system resources free as possible for editing and encoding.

I considered using "HijackThis" to delete registry entries for things that auto-start across all profiles, but that would also mean that other profiles won't have them starting - and killing my firewall / virus protection and the such like isn't a good idea.

So - does anyone know how I can set such a profile up?

Cheers.

[redwudz]

Try using msconfig to see what you can do without. Just type 'msconfig' (without the quotes) into a run window. It's a non destructive way of stopping processes. A guide here. http://alri.org/step2/usingmsconfig.htm There are more out there if you a do a Google search for the program.

[daamon]

Hi redwudz,

Cheers for the info. This will help me identify what I don't need and (presumably) what I don't want to start.

Do I then set them, for that particular profile, to not auto-start on startup?

This is just a quick look at your response - I'll play with 'msconfig' and take a look at the link later.

[jagabo]

I'm wanting to create a profile such that, when I log on using it, only the absolute minimum processes are started up - leaving as much system resources free as possible for editing and encoding.

Unless you're short of memory, or have some program that's hogging up CPU cycles, it won't make much difference. Capturing is a different story because it involves real-time data transfers.

[redwudz]

Sorry, that's about the limit of my knowledge about msconfig. But others may be able give you some tips. At least msconfig should be able to give you an idea what processes are using the CPU.

[daamon]

Unless you're short of memory, or have some program that's hogging up CPU cycles, it won't make much difference. Capturing is a different story because it involves real-time data transfers.

I'm running 1Gb of RAM - when I close unnecessary processes in Task Manager (firewall, Skype, Yahoo etc.) I see that the "Mem usage" in Task Manager for Premiere Pro (when rendering), or my encoder (when encoding) jumps from around 40 - 50,000 up to the likes of 110,000. Surely that's gotta be a good thing?

I'm not concerned with capturing. But thanks for mentioning it.

Sorry, that's about the limit of my knowledge about msconfig. But others may be able give you some tips. At least msconfig should be able to give you an idea what processes are using the CPU.

OK, no problem. I've had a look at msconfig and had a read of that link - that's more aimed at manually closing things down once you're logged in.

I'm looking for a way where, for a certain profile, processes don't start up in the first place - especially those which appear to be across all profiles, like my firewall and similar. But thanks for the thought redwudz.


Anyone?

[InXess]

It all boils down to cutting Windows automation to 0 (setting everything to be manually controlled). Below is the link to Windows XP optimization guide. Perhaps one of the better ones. You won't be blown away by it but it covers all major points very well.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,5155,00.asp

[daamon]

Hi InXess,

Thanks for the link - interesting reading.

Do you know if the settings, especially those related to what applications and services are launched upon start up, are specific to each profile? Or are the across all profiles?

I'm looking to create a profile which, once logged on, only has the bare minimum of applications and services launched - no firewall auto-starting etc.

[daamon]

Does anyone know of any good technical websites / forums specifcally aimed at WinXP and / or PC configuration that may be able to help with this?

[BJ_M]

http://www.videoguys.com/DIY.html

[daamon]

Looks promising - I'll have a hunt around. Cheers BJ_M!

[InXess]

Hi InXess,

Thanks for the link - interesting reading.

Do you know if the settings, especially those related to what applications and services are launched upon start up, are specific to each profile? Or are the across all profiles?

My understanding is that most of the customizations will be profile specific. Don't have any details or material that will support it though. You need to try creating a video-editing oriented profile and see how it will affect the other one(s). A call to Microsoft tech support should give you some answers and points to observe.
You don't have to be that paranoid. Most systems (in private hands) do not have all the ideas implemented and still work very, very well. You would need to do some research as to what nonessential services can and should be disabled. The article I linked to covers most bases.