Which "Services" are required . . . (link) (1 Viewer)

[Spragleknas]

Also: Remove Windows Mssenger:
Click [Start] [Run] and in the [Open:] box type or copy/paste the following command
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
Click [OK]

I also like EasyCleaner - amongst other thing you can find faulty startup entries
http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm

 

[MartinSmith]

Thanks for the reminder, and suggestion, Spragleknas.

I almost forgot about EasyCleaner 2.0 another program I am exceedingly fond of, and for those members interested in the program download URL: http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/files/EClea2_0.exe

Regards,

Martin

 

[and-81]

Sorry, I should also add:

I have not found any services that MediaPortal requires. That is to say, no services that I would have otherwise disabled.

The only services that I wouldn't otherwise run are related to the TV Server and they are documented in the TV Server wiki pages.

Cheers,

 

[MartinSmith]

Good to hear from you again, Aaron.

Thanks for the heads up.

Interested in reviewing TVEngineV3's wiki page? Click here . . . http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/TV-Engine_0.3/

Martin

 

[and-81]

Ok, here's what I can see ...

http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/TV-Engine_0.3/install-TV-Server

From here we see that the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator service is required.

Dependent Services

* The TV-Server is dependent on the "RPC Locator" service which is installed automatically when the "Client for Microsoft networks" is installed. The TV-Server will not start if this is not installed.

http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/TV-Engine_0.3/config-firewall

From here we get all the ports that need to be open in your firewall ...

Required open Ports for TV-Server

* TCP Port 554: Used for RTSP
* UDP Ports 6970 - 9999: used for UDP streaming.
*

Note: a smaller range of UDP ports can usually be used (typically 6970-6999).

Required open Ports when using Microsoft SQL Server:

* TCP/IP 1433
* UDP 1434

Required open Ports when using MySQL Server:

* TCP/IP 3306

http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/TV-Engine_0.3/troubleshooting-Database

From here we discover that the SQL Server Browser service is required if you use MS SQL.

Of course the SQL Server (SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) for MS SQL Express) needs to be running on the TV Server.

Hope that helps,

 

[MartinSmith]

Once again, thank you for your response, Aaron, and for taking the additional time to research this issue and share your findings in my posting(s).

I wish I was half as tenacious as you when it comes to MediaPortal products.

Having not committed to trying TVServer, I must say that I did not read anything beyond the link that I posted in response to your previous suggestion.

That being said, in one HUGE regard, RPC Locator, in my opinion is a HUGE FIND!!!

While its counterpart, RPC, requires an AUTOMATIC setting for my Internect connection, I previously set RPC Locator at MANUAL and have never noticed it changing states to STARTED or RUNNING. Nevertheless, I am confident their is no reason why I should not set it to AUTOMATIC and hope that it has a POSTIVE effect on MediaPortal 0.2.3.0 RC2. Of course, I doubt I will see any "radical" changes, but I want to believe its a step in the right direction.

It sure would be NICE if the MediaPortal TEAM would chime in with a word or two and offer additional perspective on this issue.

Thanks again, Aaron!!

Best regards,

Martin

 

[MartinSmith]

more HUGE FINDS . . .

Inspired by and-81's, Aaron's, tenacity and diligence, I decided to further my investigation to identify which Windows Services are required to run MediaPortal 0.2.2.0 or 0.2.3.0 RC2 successfully.

Referring to the following link . . . https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/windows_services_does_media_portal_need-t11553.html

On 2006-10-08, Portal Member "cheetah" asks . . .

I am planning to do a full format of my media center soon with a fresh XP Home install and was wondering what services media portal needs for full functionality?

What services should i keep running?

On 2006-10-08, TEAM MediaPortal "Docs Team" idioteque replies . . .

What Mp needs are
Dcom serverprocess
Taskmanager
WMI

My Setup with LAN and ADSL
DCOM Server Process
DHCP
DNS
Eventlog
HID input
Network connections
PLug and PLay
Remote Access Connection Manager
RPC
Server
Telephony
Windows AUdio
WMI
Workstation

Around six months later, on 2007-04-13, cheetah05 asks . . .

Does anyone have a list of the required windows services that are needed for MP to have full functionality, so that I can stop all the other services so windows starts faster.

To which "idioteque" responds the following day, 2007-04-14, as follows . . .

yes,
only MP plus network
Dcom server
DHCP
DNS
Eventlog
HID input (MCE remote)
Network connections
RPC
Plug and Play
Server
Task Schedular (only for task scheduled, like tv guide)
Windows Audio
Workstation

That same day, 2007-04-14, kenwonders posts a particularly interesting reply . . .

This is not entirely going to work out as you think. The days of thinking that Windows has a load of useless bloatware are gone. Black Viper (guy who setup a site detailing windows 'tweaks') was a fool who conned a load of people into thinking they were improving their setup, whereas actually they were retarding it.

Take a read here: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.html

Then here: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html

It will help you make the right choices about how you customise your XP install.

Looking forward to further discussion,

Martin

 

[and-81]

HTPC Services List (Draft)

Take a read here: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.html

That's the link I was talking about earlier that I couldn't find! ... It's a very good guide and really explains why some of the tweaks out there are a bad idea.

There are two services they specifically say that you should not disable:
DNS Client and Task Scheduler.

I agree with Task Scheduler, there's no reason to disable it. What it provides is beneficial to everyone.
But the DNS Client can be disabled for some PC's. And I think a well setup HTPC, so long as you don't use it for lots of web browsing or tasks that use realtime internet services, can have this disabled. So, if the only internet access your HTPC does is to download the TV Guide, synchronize the time and occasionally look up a CD or DVD/Movie/TV Show on an internet database then I think it's safe to disable. Better still, disable it and see how your HTPC runs. If you notice anything wrong/different/whacky then re-enable it... easy!

Here's a good resource from Microsoft on what each service does:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...r2003/technologies/management/svrxpser_7.mspx

So at the end of the day, I guess we should compile a comprehensive list of services for a Media Center PC running MediaPortal ... Here's a Draft ... Keep in mind this is for a Media Center PC (HTPC), not an everyday PC. In fact it's even geared towards the Dedicated HTPC, not the dual use type. But if you understand the differences you should be able to get something out of this for an everyday or dual-use HTPC/PC.

This is a list of what should be set to Automatic, you should not disable these if you want to run MediaPortal and/or TV Server:
COM+ Event System
Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
Event Log
Logical Disk Manager
Network Connections
Plug and Play
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Server
Shell Hardware Detection - Needed for Auto-Insert notification / AutoPlay.
System Event Notification
Task Scheduler - Required for certain disk management tasks and time synchronization, possibly also for TV Guide downloading depending on the guide download system you use.
Windows Management Instrumentation
Windows Time - Keep your PC's clock accurate so you don't miss the start/end of a recording.
Workstation

These should be set to Automatic for MediaPortal TV Server:
TVService
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator - And on the client.
SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)
SQL Server Browser

If your PC is not network connected, or if it uses a Static IP Address then disable this, otherwise it should be set to Automatic (If you're not sure then leave it Automatic):
DHCP Client

This is a controversial one, I feel it depends on how much internet usage your computer does. If all it does is synchronize the time and download the TV Guide then you can safely disable this. But web browsing would be somewhat negatively effected by disabling this (If you're unsure then leave this Automatic):
DNS Client

If your HTPC connects to the internet (TV Guide updates, Time synchronization or web access) then you might need these enabled, I needed all of these until I set up a Static IP address for my HTPC:
Remote Access Connection Manager
Telephony
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) - Note: Even though I wasn't using the windows firewall I needed this service enabled before I manually configured my network settings (IP, DNS, Default Gateway, etc).

Some remotes and keyboards require HID Input / Human Interface Device Access. I have never needed this.

Here's what I think you should disable:
Alerter
ClipBook
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Fast User Switching Compatibility
Help and Support
Indexing Service
IPSEC Services
Messenger
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Network DDE
Network DDE DSDM
Portable Media Serial Number
QoS RSVP - This is not needed unless you have applications that require QoS services.
Remote Registry Service
Routing and Remote Access
Secondary Logon
SSDP Discovery Service
Telnet
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Upload Manager

Leave this enabled (Automatic) for MediaPortal Client:
Windows Audio - I have it disabled because I have a headless TV Server

If you don't have a UPS then disable:
UPS

If you don't use Remote Desktop Connection to remotely log onto you HTPC or if you use VNC instead then disable:
Terminal Services

If you don't have a wireless network then disable this:
Wireless Zero Configuration - Might be needed for some uncommon wired network security features.

You should disable this one if you don't mind the classic look:
Themes

If you don't have a Printer connected to your HTPC then disable:
Print Spooler

If you don't use Windows Update then disable:
Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service

If you don't use Windows Firewall then disable:
Application Layer Gateway Service
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) - Disabling this service stopped my HTPC from connecting to the internet, I use an ADSL router on my home LAN. I had disabled the other two services though. After I switched to a static IP address for my HTPC on my LAN I no longer needed this service either.

If your Media Center PC is not connected to a LAN (accessing services or folder shares), then disable these:
Computer Browser
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

If you know what you're doing then you can disable these too (I have these disabled):
Security Center - Manages the Firewall, Antivirus and Windows Update components. This is what pops up to annoy you every time your antivirus is out of date.
System Restore Service - Lets you roll-back changes to windows. I've never needed it, and given that my HTPC is fairly static in the software it runs I doubt I ever will.
Error Reporting Service - I don't want errors popping up on my HTPC, that's what log files are for.
Protected Storage - Stores passwords so you don't have to retype them, I don't want this on my dedicated HTPC.
Security Accounts Manager - This is related to Secondary Logon and Protected Storage.

What does everyone else think? Have I got anything wrong or missing? What about the last five, what do people think about them?

Also, I'm going back to my earlier post about setting up a HTPC and I'm going to add some more details I've just remembered so check it out again shortly ...

EDIT: I've attached an exported list of services from my TV Server which is a dedicated TV / Media Server, no display, no audio. So it's not your average MediaPortal client.

Cheers,

 

[MartinSmith]

Another EXTRAORDINARY response, Aaron!!

Many, many thanks.

Best regards,

Martin

 

[druffski]

Not sure if its already been mentioned - msconfig (run from the "run" line).
Go the startup tab.
There are a lot of items in here that can be disabled. I've got something like 20 items that were starting by default. This has been whittled down to about 3 (firewall, etc).

It may not account for much, but every little bit helps.