XP, what's fat and what's not?

Okay, I started a new thread...

What kind of info do you need to help me trim the fat from XP?

XP Home version 2002
HP Pavilion 734n
AMD Athlon XP 2400+
2.00GHz, 512 MB of RAM


What else? confused

 

You want to trim? Start by removing the OEM software you don't use or need. Until then, XP will be slow, no matter how much you tweak it. If you don't want to remove it, you can go into the programs in your notifcation area, and see if they have a setting not to start with Windows. Additionally, some programs startup from the startup folder, which is accessible from the start menu. Remove the entries you don't want in there.

The fatest thing on your system right now is all thhe junk HP included. Then you can use something like this:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Edit: Reading your other thread, yes most processes will belong to MS, but they arent always the culprits.

 

Notification area? What's that?

I already created a No Start folder and moved the junk from Start Up to it.

As for the OEM stuff... I don't know what I can strip out and what I can't... what will give me bigger problems when removed.

It isn't OEM, but I don't know if I can strip out OutLook Express now with this machine. (I did on my 98.)

I know better than to try to take IE out.

I have looked at msconfig many times, guess I will have to web search the entries one by one.

What I see in the msconfig that I have questions about is stuff like:
Veritas
Block Tracker
HP Share To Web
HP Digital Imaging
KBD
autobar
RECGUARD
nwix
ALCXMNTR
RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize

The other stuff I can guess is basic system stuff and programs I have added... correct me if I am wrong on that though.
Like system32 and sysdrv... java, Zone Labs client, Spybot Tea Timer, Spyware guard... btw was still slow before I added those.

 

Try not to use msconfig to disable stuff, long term anyway.

Notification area...aka systray.

Well, I suppose what we could do is go to add/remove programs, and list everything there. Put it here, if you like. Then we can see whats needed, and whats not.

 

lol Yeah, just read that about msconfig. Thank you for the heads up on that one, I thought it was the equivalent to the util in 98... which worked for my purposes.

It is a long list of stuff (I pretty much gave you the full list from msconfig) in Add/Remove... is there a way to make it generate a printable/copyable list?

I can look at it and see a bunch of junk, but it does not LOOK like it is stuff that is loading for the most part... a bunch of games I have never/will never run, among other stuff.

 

You could always stretch the dialog box out listing the applications and screenshot it. Easier than writing them out, im sure.

 

You want me to post two screen shots? Just making sure to ask first. (And yes, it'll take two.)

 

Make that three actually.

 

Try Starter at http://codestuff.tripod.com/
Allows you to see what programs are run at Startup, and add or delete them, as desired. Simple to use and better than msconfig. Bazza

 

Okay... as requested... my Add/Remove list.

 

Well hell... those look worse here than they did with reduced quality on my machine... lol, figures.

 

K, I will review them in a bit and get back to ya

 

Thank you, Adrynalyne.

Thanks Bigbazza... I will look at that after dinner. Hunger draws me away.

 

Before you start taking stuff off have you made the HP rescue Cd/DVD, or did you get one with the pc?

Remember also to set plenty of restore points as you are doing this stuff.

Many programs can simply be set in their preferences or options to NOT start when windows starts. MSN Messenger is a prime example if you don't use it. (It stats by default with Windows)
It is usually better to set things this way than wholesale slaughter, which can rebound.

When you get a camera or scanner or other gadget it is tempting to put in the attached CD and choose 'TYPICAL' --- don't. Very often you end up with extra programs that start with windows and hijack your file associations. Choose custom and only install what you need.

Drawing programs are another case in point. Windows gets very shirty if it has more than about 1000 (yes one thousand) fonts. Thinks this is alot? Well Corel Draw can add 2000, Serif about 600, MSoffice about 300, ..........
Tha'ts way too many.

I will post a list of services and other trims you can usefully make.

Meanwhile what are you going to be doing with the pc?
Video editing? MP3 stuff, general use? database? graphics ? They all require different setup for optimal performance

Studio T

 

Here's a VERY DANGEROUS guide to look over: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=316422

Don't apply anything; just read & learn!

 

Okay Pondhopper, I will. ty

 

studiot,

All I have is the partition. I saw something about making a cd... but I don't recall where now... and worse news... the writable cd drive died... I took it out and looked at it... teeth are worn off on the drawer, it won't take a cd now. BUT I do have an extra hard drive that I slave for transfer and recovery missions. It is a 4.3gig. Is that big enough? Can I use it instead of a cd?
lol I learned about making Restore points the hard way. lol I read you loud and clear!
For every program I can 'see' I have already set them to not start with Windows.
The rest of the junk in the Add/Remove are programs I have never run, and do not SEEM to load... but who knows?
I almost always do custom installs, regardless of where the program came from, and take off most file associations, since I don't mind opening the program first, then the file THROUGH the program's Open command. (I loathe how pushy some programs can be even after you tell them NOT to associate with file types.) At the very least, I take a look at what it considers a Typical or Recommended Install, to see what I want and don't.
I use Open Office and that's it for font-including programs as far as I know... I don't think The Gimp or Project Dog Waffle have their own, but I could be wrong.
As for what I do with this comp:
Play internet games, simple ones, like Yahoo Pool
On board games, like Spider Solitaire
Work with still images in Gimp or Dog Waffle
Listen to on board mp3s
Watch youtube every now and then
Do some writing in Open Office
Chat via Yahoo Instant Messenger (MSN does not auto-load now.)
Chat via a java based web site
And do a lot of Googling.

That's about it.

I keep Zone Alarm running.
Spybot's TeaTimer
Spyware Guard


I used Mozilla's Firefox for most of my browsing needs.

My e-mail is web based and I like it that way... no use for OutLook Express.

Except for working with still images and maybe playing music... I am a low impact user.

 

Have at it StudioT.

 

Thank you for your time, Adrynalyne.

 

Have to run, storm is rolling in... but I will check back on this thread later tonight or tomorrow... depending on the weather.

Thank you for all your continued help!

 

Okay, storm is gone. I am back. What now, lol?

 

I have got slave-geek to type some thoughts into a text file so hopefully
y'all will be able to read it instead of falling about laughing at my spelling.

Studio T


View attachment Winopt.txt

 

LOL Slave geek huh? How can I get one of those?!? At my house I am the resident geek (boy are we in trouble!) and the only slave!

Thanks for the txt, I will go read it now.

 

It's a grand life -- If you don't weaken.

Studio T

 

Okay, surprised myself a bit... I had already done most of the things you listed in the txt, just because I don't like pushy programs/functions.

The stuff in services.msc was new to me... and several of them were either already disabled or on manual... or simply were not listed at all.

I already had hybernation turned off.

I have never had browsers set to auto-load on start-up, I already set the page to be checked each visit, the cache was 50mb by default and sounded good to me, so I left it alone... I set up all of that even though I am not on dial-up... but used to be and was on dial-up long enough to learn to limit almost EVERYTHING to On Demand ONLY. lol I use web based e-mail, with no on board reader aside from my browser.

I like the balloon and info tips... lol... even though I rarely look at them any more. Kind of like hearing a well known song and the lead guitar has been dubbed out... still a good song, but something is missed. lol

I had already shut off DeskTop CleanUp Wizard... again with the pushy programs issue... and I keep a pretty neat desktop anyway, putting program icons into a "My Software" folder that is then divided into the main and a second folder, "Rarely Used"... for ease of finding what I want in a well populated folder.

I had also already shut off the auto-defrag... pushy. Since I usually get my computer set up how I want it in the way of settings and programs then rarely add anything new. I defrag after major removals and after things are set how I like them, then set a restore point too.
As for the amount of space I will use on my drive... I came close to filling a 1gig drive (my first computer) then switched to a ?17gig? drive and it never reached 1/3 full... somehow I doubt I will ever come close to filling this 69.24gig beast... since my usage patterns have not changed since my Win95 machine. lol

I did not know I should not be Admin all the time. Will this make me suffer the Log On prompt and password? I am the only person who uses my machine... no one else around except my husband... and he damned well knows better. lol I get it that it is for internet reasons... just wanting to know if there is a way to not be Admin AND not have to do a Log On w/password.

Not sure that the few changes will have much impact on my running speed, but one can hope. Any other suggestions?

I will do the driver removal later... much to do around the house... grrr.

Thank you EVER so MUCH for your assistance thus far!

BTW I type and read fluent Typonese.

 

Process Explorer is one of my favourite programs. It keep a good eye on what is running on your PC. It soon picks up what is running / hogging your PC.

Process Explorer. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4566

 

Thanks BigBazza, I will get that now and check it out!

 

You're welcome. It is Essential on any PC that I am involved with. One of the first that I load. Bazza

===

 

You don't need to set a password for any account if you don't want to.
However you will still have to 'login' if you have more than one account so windows can tell which one to log in to. you just won.t be asked for a password.

Of course when Bazza gets Vista he will find that the processor use flatlines at 99.999999999%. It's the way it's designed.

Studio T

 

Hope so. :cool Bazza

===

 

Okay, cool. I was just having flashbacks to having to disable the log on prompt in 98 and how sometimes the steps worked... sometimes they didn't, despite having learned them by heart... from the many reinstalls I had to do while learning just how aggressive I could be in stripping out unwanted programs. lol

 

lol Nice name. Getting it now. I have some of that crap on my machine.

Thanks.

 

Mousie, (and Bazza) you obviously like delving into your operating system.

You can ge the process explorer functionality bnd many others by installing the Microsoft support tools from your XP CD.

Put in the CD and either chhose extra tasks>browse the cd when it autoplays
or navigate to
support in explorer
double click on suptools.msi and install.

You get to the tools from start>programs
Open an command window
then type the name of the tool.

Of interest will be

DEPENDS

shows all dlls (Sorry Adrynalyne reports of their demise is exagerated) associated a given program or file.

PVIEWER

view and manipulate processes, including priority setting

PSTAT (more)

Overlay
views ALL running processes
ctrl+break to exit

PMON

Overlay
shows mem and cpu use
esc to exit

SPCHECK

Service pack checker


MSICUU

Cleans up after improper install/uninstall with windows installer.

I will post a registry guide to dll hunting soon as slave-geeks typing finger is better.

Happy Geeking

Studio T

 

lol Sorry to hear that slave geek is on the injured list. Get well soon!

My XP is OEM, partition recovery only... no disk, cept for the HP Users Guide... which makes a lovely coaster or frisby... I highly recommend them.

I have googled and killed a bunch of crap using Starter by CodeStuff and double check it with Process Explorer.
I have also dumped WildTangent, despite it telling me that I NEEDED it for emergency game purposes. **Snorts derisively and shakes head**
I dumped all of the games FIRST.
And some other stuff I have found deeply annoying.
I still have a lot of searching to do yet... see what all is on here and what it REALLY does. Add/Remove Programs is still over run with unknown entities... (Did you look at the three .jpg's I posted? They look different now though.)

I created a user and super user account, or whatever... I talk to my Linux-Based-Father too much.


BTW BigBazza, I got decrapper, but it will not run properly, says something about a file missing... would not remove MusicMatch Jukebox... which was only one of two items it found, and this was prior to my removing stuff using Add/Remove.

Thanks for the continued help, lol I need it.

 

De crapify was originally written for Dell and I have found it not very useful on HP.
Pity ya didna choose Dell - their recovery CD has the Windows tools.

You can still get the tools off a borrowed cd no key is needed.

Studio T

 

lol Oh yeah... BIIIIG help you are! lol Go ahead... rub it in some more! lol

My first computer was a Dell, custom made for some company, in a set up that was never manufactured for the general public. Of course, it came to me only after it had been trashed by the company, picked up by my Dad and stuck in storage for many many moons. I don't think it had been built to impress even during the decade before it became mine. lol I got it in 99 or 2000, I forget which. It only had a partial installation of Windows95... and even though I eventually was sent the Windows CDs... he had lost the key for them. I had no choice but to fix whatever broke. Win95 was my crash course in the joys of computing.
Some time after that, 2003 or 04, I think, I got a big girl computer... it had Win98SE! But this time I had the (OEM) disk for it! Woo Hoo Enter the joys of reformatting, reinstalling, a setting up umpty grump programs to not be idiots. That was also the first time I got off of dial-up and a **tries to think of full number... gives up** 14.something modem. Hey for a Win95, 24mg RAM, simulated 75MHz processor and 1gig hard drive, that little sucker worked well.

Ah... those were the days. lol

 

MSICUU---don't install that.

Get msicuu2.exe from Microsoft, which is officially supported for Windows XP. msicuu never had XP support, albeit included on the CD.

 

Thanks StudioT, lol but still no XP disk, not even one to borrow.

As for msicuu... no worries... I won't... in fact, can't. lol

But I will check out msicuu2. Thanks.

 

Actually Microsoft says it does not support any of these programs, but Microsoft personnel use them. A bit like tweakui really.

There are 70 utilities in all. they install to a folder c:\programfiles\support tools.

If you copy this folder to a usb stick it can run happily from there , even with windows 2K, or you can copy the folder to hard drive. The only thing extra you get with install is the start menu entries.

Studio T

 

Google blackviper for services info and recommendations, if you haven't already heard of him.

 

I'm glad Starter and Process Explorer were of help.

As for decrapper, that is not one of my recommendations. Never used it. Bazza

===

 

lol Oh hell.

I know I should not engage in fine computing, much less fine forum posting when brain dead. I had not slept the night before posting that. Sorry BigBazza... the lights on the front of the machine were on (well, at least flickering) but the processor was down.

It was zbd21 that recommended De-Crapifier. lol


Yeah ColemanGuy,
Adrynalyne linked me to his site a couple of days ago. Good stuff! Now my issue is not so much the processes, but finding out what is junk as far as the programs in the Add/Remove list. I need to strip those out before going on with the Good House Cleaning in preparation for Malware inspection.
**Pulls back foot and... goes, puts on boot... and kicks HP's arse!**
If any ya'll wanna/can assist me with that... somewhere back in this thread... I posted screen captures (3) of my Add/Remove list.
I have dumped the games (as far as I know) and Wild Tangent... though WT is still buried so deep in my system that I think it would take two brain surgeons and a backhoe to dig it out. lol

But thanks for the heads up and encouragement! Means a LOT!