XP Multi-tasking Optimization...

[NDC]

Have you noticed that Windows XP isn's as responsive when it comes to multi-tasking? This is quite apparent when you run an application that is running a heavy process.

For example, when Photoshop is running a heavy filter or resizing which takes may take a few minutes to complete the task, you're unable to click on the START button or any of icons on the quick launch bar and even if you are able to click them, the new process is in a pause state because of the first process. However, programs that are already running in the background may run fine. It appears that XP has problems starting a new thread but what ever is already running in the background works fine. After some fiddling around, I 've found the solution to this problem. Just follow the steps below if you're mulit-task heavily like I do and you're having the same problem as I mention above...

1. Go to start --> Control Panel --> System --> Advanced --> performance --> Settings --> Advanced.

2. Change the option for MEMORY USAGE from PROGRAMS to SYSTEM CACHE.

3. Reboot the system to take the new system settings.


My conclussion is that when you have the "Memory Usage" from programs to System Cache, more system files that would be accessed from hard disk is being accessed from physical memory and therefore less CPU utilization takes place since it doesn't have to fetch the needed system files from the hard disk which utilizes CPU usage. Anyone have a better expanation? This is the only conclussion I can come to...

[BBA]

You know...I think your on to something here.

Since I changed mine, I don't seem to have any response hangups...I remember it did seem to annoy me with the Programs setting.

Maybe I will switch it back and forth just to see a little more hte differences.

[SPEEDO]

Thanks NDC I will try it too!

SPEEDO

[NDC]

Another thing I just noticed...

When you set the processor "Processor Scheduling" from default "Programs" to "Background Services", you get a higher benchmark Sandra 2001se for CPU Benchmarks... When you make this change, XP will not ask you to reboot the system but it appears that it goes into effect after you reboot the system. Try it. You should be seeing about 120~160 points difference on the Sandra CPU benchmark... I just dont understand how this can be!

[NDC]

Windows 2000 runs better when you enable the option to use minimum Pagefile usage by editing the following key to 1:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Session Manager \ Memory Management \ DisablePagingExecutive=1

However, Windows XP runs much smoother in multi-tasking environments with its default setting of 0. So don't get the idea that WinXP is similar to Windows 2000 and change this value. Keep it at its deafult setting of 0. That's the mistake I made and looks like I'm paying for it now!

[Emc2]

UD keeps locking up on startup in XP. <Ctrl>+<alt>+<del> tells me it's using 98% of the processor, even though it's waiting to contact the server. I wound up removing it from startup and manually executing it.

Would this help?

Excellent tips NDC and I also agree with your logic. TweakXp is an excellent set of utilities which does all this from an interface instead of editing the registry.

www.totalidea.de for those interested to try it out free 50 times. If you're careful and start up this utility sparingly, 50 times will last till the next OS comes around..

[NDC]

50 times free use? That won't last me more than a month! LOL

[BBA]

Sure it will...just never close the app and never reboot

[NDC]

BBA:

Emc2:: Well, I did some asking around and from what I was told, UD has some minor bugs. As most programs like RC5, etc should use the processor power only when the processor(s) at idle. However, I was told that UD has some minor bugs which it doesn't release its process one it starts. This is just what I was told. I don;t have any personal comments because I don't use an distributing programs on my systems...