Optimizing XP for MP - how? (1 Viewer)

[Spragleknas]

I am having some issues that is related to MP - but the real sinner is XP.

So, here goes:

• How is it possible to turn of XP autostart FOR GOOD? (All file types, all drives etc.)
• I am experiencing heavy HDD-work - for no reason that I can track back to MP. How can I find out what is causing this? (I have no AV, no FW no nothing - only MP, codecs and drivers + a few minor apps like EasyCleaner). Is there anyway to instruct XP to not scan/search/browse/index or otherwise use HDDs unless needed?
• If I turn my HTPC on before LCD, then screen stays blue (blank). Anyway to avoid this?

 

[Darre]

- http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/UserGuides/HTPC_looknfeel
I think that would solve the first of your issues at least.

- The HDD working could be indexing, since you dont have any other apps thats my best guess. Try disabling it. I dont run XP now so consult google for the answer. --> http://www.tweakxp.com/article37006.aspx or http://lifehacker.com/software/optimization/turn-off-indexing-and-speed-up-windows-xp-031440.php
If you have more the 1gig of RAM you could also try disabling the page file(Virtual memory).

- The fact that the screen stays blank is depending on your TV itself i think.. Mine turns off after 15 secs of no signal(DVI). I have no idea how to fix that unless its an option in the TV-menu(but you probably allready checked there?)

 

[Spragleknas]

Thanks for answering (should have read the wiki, off course ).

Forgot to mention that indexing is turned of. I only have 1GB of RAM but will consider your tip. I have done this previously on all machines, but turned it on due to fear of instability. Never crossed my mind that this could solve my issue, though...

About the TV, this is only when I start up my HTPC. No problems otherwise...

 

[Darre]

I had a program once that could show exactly what was going on at any given time. Like a advanced version of the built in task manager. I believe it did show what was using my HDD's too. I used it to disable anything(that i didnt need) using resources, but this was back when xp was new, so its probably 5-6 years ago. I have no idea what its called or anything, but maybe someone else does? If not, google is a handy tool =)

 

[and-81]

I certainly wouldn't recommend disabling the page file.

How have you tried to disable autorun? TweakUI? Other Registry changes?

http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/?page_id=1546

Have you defragmented your hard disk recently? The extra thrashing caused by fragmentation might be causing trouble ... just guessing here.

It could be a problem with MediaPortal however.

Hope that helps,

 

[Darre]

Ive never experienced any problems with disabled page file. My MediaCenter box has been used for gaming/media center in 2 years without any troubles.

 

[and-81]

There is no proven performance benefit in disabling the page file. There is one proven risk: running out of memory.

Many people have reported very strange behaviour from their system after disabling the page file. And lots of experts who have made the decision to disable their page file have then turned it back on.

For example, Jeff Atwood at Coding Horror did it, and then switched it back on after numerous unexplained phenomenon.

Basically, if a program requests more memory than is available it will fail if there is no page file. Lots of applications fail gracefully, but there are a lot that fail in strange and unpredictable ways.

I'm not saying it can't be done. You are proof that you can run without a page file. And lots of people do. But it's a risk. And that risk needs to be known when you make the suggestion.

Consider this. User X disables their page file. 2 months later User X installs TV Engine 3. All of a sudden there are strange errors happening. How long before User X figures out it's the missing page file causing the problem?

Just out of curiosity, how much ram do you have?

Cheers,

 

[Darre]

1.5gb now, used to be 1gb. My ram usage is rarely above 50%, at least as a htpc. But i do get your point =)

 

[PatrikN]

Hi!

I have the same problem.
My HD is totally silent when I'm not running MP, but when I start MP the disk starts to "tick" constantly. I have a IDE HD 2.5" I think it's a Hitachi. I have tried to disable the pagefile, but that doesn't seams to change anything.
I have AMD690 chipset with ATi X1250 integrated graphics. 2GB of RAM with 256MB dedicated to the graphics.

Any tips?