Windows Performance Tweak

[patag]

I've created a small utility (batch file) that will start and stop Windows services. The idea behind this is to help your system run as best as it can while you are gaming. All of the services that I'm starting or stopping are based on a TweakXP.com article called System Settings for a Game Machine. TweakXP.com had another article titled Gaming Machine: Hardware Profile to free up System Resources but I felt that solution was too long to implement and required too many reboots. I wanted a solution that would enable me to go from working to gaming and back again.

You can download the utility here: http://patag.universalrealms.com/tools/GameServices.rar

Uncompress the RAR file and read it with your favorite text editor. You'll have to run the batch file from a command prompt.

I'd like to hear what you folks think.

[WasntMe]

Great work.

I would just explain to all users what exactly is being stopped (disabled/manual/automatic) because some users may need these but may not understand what disabling them does (System Restore, Fast User Switching, IMAPI CD-Burning, Removable Storage, Windows Firewall, etc.). Also, you may want to make an undo file in case it screws someones PC up (not that it will) or makes a change they didn't want.

[patag]

The undo button is either rebooting or running the batch file with the start parameter.

This method is the simplest possible. The changes don't stick after you reboot. But you're right, certain services like ICS might cause some folks problems. That's why I put the TweakXP.com references in the header of the file.

[Stan-The-Man]

Looks like something I'll be getting after I get this new computer together.

Cool, thanks! ;)

[Abraxen]

So this would eliminate the need for me to go into blackviper's list and doing all of this manually? When I did this I did a split of his safe and gaming mix to keep general functionality while leaning more towards gaming. I did set up another profile so that before windows starts it asks which one to load, but for some reason the settings are the same for both.

[Volcanon]

I would do it manually, it doesnt save THAT much memory unless you havent disabled anything

[misterselfdistruct]

Patag, I hope you've tested this... Got a new Alienware a couple of weeks ago, I'd hate to see it die so quickly :P

[WasntMe]

So this would eliminate the need for me to go into blackviper's list and doing all of this manually? When I did this I did a split of his safe and gaming mix to keep general functionality while leaning more towards gaming. I did set up another profile so that before windows starts it asks which one to load, but for some reason the settings are the same for both.

If you have already followed BlackViper's suggestions, you don't need this. They are almost identical.

[patag]

I've tested it and it works fine. There is nothing in the batch file (assuming you download from my server) that would hurt your system. Worse case would mean you have to restart your system.

The other sites talk about setting up profiles, then tweaking those profiles, saving, rebooting etc. With this, just boot your system. If you have to work for a while, work. When you want to game, run the batch file to squeeze that extra RAM from your computer. When you're done, re-run the batch file with the start paramater and you're back to where you were.

At any time, reboot and you're back to 100% of where you were. No fussing with profiles or anything like that.

[Xenode]

/stab MSD again...

Alienware? WHY OH WHY?

[rev]

Just to be on the safe side, patag, you might want to do a md5 hash of the file on your server. Allow individuals to compare the hash.

I would never download nor run anything of this sort without any sort of confirmation of validity and confidence of no malicious intent.

[misterselfdistruct]

/stab MSD again...

Alienware? WHY OH WHY?

Hey, cut that out, I'm full of holes already.

I got the Alienware because: 1. I needed a Laptop. 2. My usual gaming PC had gone on the fritz after the hard drive died. I tried putting in a new one, but guess what? PS wouldn't even RUN on it.

[patag]

Just to be on the safe side, patag, you might want to do a md5 hash of the file on your server. Allow individuals to compare the hash.

I would never download nor run anything of this sort without any sort of confirmation of validity and confidence of no malicious intent.

Good advice rev. I just updated the RAR file to include a MD5 checksum.

[RagOnAStick]

Patag, very nice.
Quick question however, my computer goes for ages without a reboot, so how can I do the undo, you said something about the start parameter?

[Mystic]

If you feel that you might screw someting up you can create hardware boot profiles.. That's what I did... Did I see a difference? Yes!

[patag]

Patag, very nice.
Quick question however, my computer goes for ages without a reboot, so how can I do the undo, you said something about the start parameter?

You run the batch file from a command prompt. You would type either:

gameservices stop
gameservices start

The first command will stop all of the services in the batch file and the second command will start all of the services. Again, you could do all of this with hardware profiles (which is more complicated and takes a bit more time) or run the batch file before playing.

Also, you can modify the batch file to suit your specific needs. For example, I run various servers on my computer (IIS, SQL, FTP, SMTP), so for my personalized configuration, I stop these services as well.

[Xenode]

/kick MSD

I dont agree with the jump to alienware laptop, but then again if you have the money I guess spend it.