How to get the slickest booting htpc

[bigal]

minlogon messed up my compyter too....when it's time to logon the fails and jumps back to tha login screen (witch didn't appear before) and when I try to login it jumps back again

anyone how knows what to do?
/BigAl

[jayrock]

Originally Posted by xxxomxxx

hi all

if i use Media Portal as shell, i just dont know how to get the other prgrams running....

im using the following as a frontend:
C:\Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\MediaPortal.exe

But i need following Startup entries to start
C:\Program Files\SOUNDGRAPH\iMON\iMON.exe /startup (<-dont know if i need the startup command)
C:\Program Files\Motherboard Monitor 5\MBM5.exe
C:\Program Files\***\***\***.exe


help would be greatly apreciated...

Is this the tool you are looking for?

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html

It lets you check and uncheck what programs are started at logon. You also get to see where you find it in the registry. This makes it easier to add new commands.

Don't forget to back up your registry before playing with it.

/jayrock

[d99fish]

I tried standby mode (s3) as recomended further up in this tread, and it's really fast! Thanks for the tip!

I have a problem though, when returning from standby, the computer returns to the logon screen and i need to enter the password for the acount. I't doesn't do this after reboot, since it's set to logon automatically.

Is there a way to do this automatically for standby to?

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by d99fish

Is there a way to do this automatically for standby to?

Yes, go into Power Options Properties/Advanced and un-tick "Prompt for password when computer goes off standby".

[Toley]

Originally Posted by Taipan

I don't think that is correct.

Standby (S3) uses the +5v rail that remains on when the power supply has been shutdown, and this "always on" 5V rail is limited to a maximum of 2A, so the most that standby could consume is 10W. Typically, standby consumes less than 10W, as the RAM is kept alive in a low power mode.

There is very little power consumption difference between standby and hibernate, since this 5V rail is also used to keep the NIC and USB alive in both S3 and S4 modes.

The RAM that goes into a low refresh state does cost more power. Besides that, S3 (stand-by) is said to be more unstable than S4 (hibernate). In addition mechanical power can be removed or restored with no ill effects.

Hibernate costs less power, and it still powers up very fast, so why not use it? Especially now we have an option in MP version RC2 in the shut down menu to hibernate.

[Spragleknas]

The easiest way to "no fuzz" logon;
1. Start -> Run: cmd -> msconfig -> boot.ini -> noguiboot
3. Remove unvanted startup-apps at the same time (in msconfig - or DL EasyCleaner)
2. Download TweakUI -> Autologon. lots of other neat feutures...

[sylvio2000]

@ ebk71

Could you please explain, how you made an image for Logon-Studio with Kais Bootscreen?
I have tried that, but without luck, I dont really understand that program.

That would be very helpful.


@ Okay
I have tried noguiboot, but then everything (but the desktop of course) is away. I only want to hide the Logon-Screen (i have Autologon). I mean the part between the loading screen and the Desktop.

[armyofme]

Sylvio, have you looked at http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=51635

I found that very useful.

Sysinternals didn't help in loading Imon as a startup when MP is shell. Anyone any ideas of how to do this. I've searched for ages. Help would be much appreciated.

[trailboy]

To all concerned about power consuming issues...

I just purchased a Killawatt device, similar to this one http://www.househacker.com/permanent...sumption-Meter

It tells you on the fly how much electricity is consuming whatever you plug into it.

I will try it very soon with my computer on Standby and Hibernate mode. Anyway, Hibernate mode should not consume anything since the computer shuts down but saving to RAM all the runing data. Standby mode consumes energy but I do not know how much yet... I will let you know very soon!

By the way, my computer is not the most powerful one, here are the specs:
Area: Media Portal Program
MediaPortal Version: 0.2.0.0 RC2 (2005-12-16)
MediaPortal Skin: BlueTwo
Windows Version: Windows XP (SP2)
.NET CLR Version: 2.0.50727
DirectX Version: 4.09.00.0904 (9.0c)
Audio Codec: ffdshow Audio Decoder
Video Codec: Mpeg2Dec Filter
CPU Type: Intel Pentium III - 1GHz
Memory: 639 MB
Motherboard: CUV4X (ASUSTeK Computer INC.)
TV Card Model: Hauppauge PVR 250MCE
TV Card Type: Hardware
TV Card Driver: 1.18.21.23257
Video Card Model: Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 (128 MB)
Video Card Driver: 8.1.9.8
Video Card Resolution: 1280x1024
Video Render Type: VMR9
Audio Card Model: Creative EMU10K1 Audio Processor (WDM)
Audio Card Driver: 5.12.1.296

I have another simple sound card installed (only used for VoIP), 1 network card, 1 USB MCE receiver, 2 optical drives, 2 system 120mm fans, 1 hard drive and a floppy with USB card reader. It is not a very high end setup. I should put all that as my signature to make it easy...

Expect yours to potentially consume more energy in Stanby mode if it is more powerful than mine...

See you soon with the results!!!

[trailboy]

Here I am, BACK with the results...

Some of them were surprisingly good and other rather bad... I have measured all the equipment I have at home. Here you have them:

Router:
- Linksys WAG354G: 10W (wireless enabled)

Speakers:
- Labtec Arena 5.1: 6W (no music playing)

Monitor:
- Dell P1110 21" (CRT Flatscreen with Sony Trinitron tube): 2W (standby) - 95W with video on

CPU:
- Specs in previous post:
0W - when the PSU is manually switched off, not all have the switch at the back...
2W - when the PSU is switched ON but the computer is NOT running, it consumes a little bit even if not running!
78W - when running idle, no apps running
107W - on maximum load
44W - on standby mode, this is very disappointing...
2W - when hibernated, as expected

It was disappointing to see that in standby mode the computer still consumes a decent amount of energy, over 50% of the power consumption in idle mode...

Sorry to disappoint you all, it looks like we will have to hibernate or shut it down if we want to cut the bill down.

Any question, don't hesitate to ask.