XP/Windows Setup, System Optimizing and Drivers

[almwhit]

Sir,

First I want to thank you for the outstanding advice you have given.  Your instructions are clear and concise.

I am running XP with SP3.

I do have a question for you.  I am following your tuning instructions, and you state that I need to add a line to my boot.ini.  I did a file search and the only one I have similar to that is

boot.ini.backup which is located in C:\Windows\pss.

Am I doing something incorrect?

Again, thank you.

Jim W

[NickN]

are you referring to the boot.ini file to add the 3GB switch when using >2GB of memory?

You must make sure hidden operating system files is disabled. If you followed my list the feature should be disabled

MY COMPUTER - TOOLS MENU - FOLDER OPTIONS - VIEW TAB

Scroll down and do the following:
Bullet in: Show hidden files and folders
UNCHECK: Hide Protected Operating system files
CHECK: Launch Folder Window In A Separate Process

Click APPLY, then OK to close the box

====================


boot.ini is on the root of C:

C:\boot.ini

and you will need to set the attributes of that file by unchecking READ ONLY in its properties

[nyfirefly11]

Nick,

I had originally set up FSX on a dedicated drive with WinXP32 on a Raptor. I just set up Win 7 64 on my other raptor, and it's working pretty great (I have 6GB of Ram on a x58 mobo, so I want to use Win 7 as my primary OS).

If I want to install FSX on the Win 7 drive, I assume I should wipe the FSX drive and start over? i.e. there's no way to transfer the install?

I also have GEX, REX, and UTX

[NickN]

no, not and have full support

Reinstall is required

[nyfirefly11]

ok, thx! also, I did the superfetch tweak that you suggested for Vista, and I'm wondering if the "rundll32 advapi32,ProcessIdleTasks" command should be used more than the first time (i.e. after the defrag sequence and once a month, etc.)?

[NickN]

I posted that for people to try.. if it is working for you then yes, run the command line just like you would for XP

[nyfirefly11]

great, thx! I'm not sure if that tweak has resulted in any perf boost, but hasn't seemed to hurt.

fyi, when I try to run an offline defrag i get a blue screen (the defrag runs and seems to be successful, but when it then continues booting, i hit the BSOD. It's fine in XP, but Win7 64 is a no go).

[NickN]

I assume you have Vista SP1 with all updates? the latest version of O&Ov11.5 build 4101?


If so I do not know what the problem is. I assume you have shut down things like UAC, system restore, Defender, etc?

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_p ... 126#174126

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_p ... 127#174127



EDIT: You said Windows7... (Vista7) well, it works here and all I can say is that is a BETA OS and software is still not supporting it

[Flightsim Phil]

Nick:

Changing gears on you...   I just ordered a new video card for my FS-X computer.  I am swapping out the nVidia 9800 for a 285-GTX.  I was wondering if you have a specific procedure in mind on what is the best way to make the change, i.e., delete old drivers, remove old card, etc.
As always, you advice/input is greatly welcomed...

Phil

[NickN]

just uninstall NV drivers from ADD and REMOVE programs... then power down, replace the card and start over with new drivers. After new driver is installed , suggest 182.50, then reboot and wait about 2 mins after the desktop appears and reboot again.. use Nhancer 2.5.1 to set up the card via my FSX tuning thread

Not sure what you are pairing this 285 up with in CPU and memory but if that is not right you wont be getting the benefit of the 285 and can even bone yourself on a slower CPU/memory subsystem

[Flightsim Phil]

Nick:

I am pairing up the card with an Intel Core-I7 920, Asus P6T mobo, and 6GB of Corsair DDR3 RAM.

Just curious....  why did you recommend the nVidia 182.50 driver instead of the current 185.85 release?

[NickN]

182.50 appears stable where 185 has been showing strange results

use what you like but I'm tellin ya right now, the latest drivers dont mean squat to FSX because they are gearing them for shader engine games like Crysis. Its very hit and miss to get a driver that works better. I have only used 5 since 2006

Find what works and stick with it.

[Gbergh]

I am running Vista 64. I would like to install XP 64. I have the notion I should format the operating system drive and install XP 64 and then go through the optimization of the OS drive.

[NickN]

click the 2nd link in this post

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_p ... 126#174126


and then go down the list I posted and only disable/set the items I listed. The 2nd link sends you to the site for the directions to perform each step


make sure all the items I listed are disabled through the link(s) I provided. Those are the same as my XP list but for VISTA.

When ever you are instructed to shut down a SERVICE always use this method:

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_p ... 127#174127


There are a few items from my XP list that are not listed there. You can look at the XP list from the beginning of this thread:

http://forums.simviation.com/cgi-bin/ya ... 959973/0#0

and see which ones you did not do and perform those too but note the items I said to NOT do with Vista and skip them. You will recognize the ones you already did from above.. some services in my XP list will not be listed in Vista, some will. Just nail the ones that match

Cleaning out the temp folders will be different.. the paths will not be the same. I do not have those paths right in front of me.

Use of O&O defrag is the same

[WilliamH]

Bearing in mind that Nick says on board raid is a no-no for FSX can someone please give me an idea of the best mobo for FSX. I intend to add 2 Raptor drives in a Raid 0. At the moment I have MSI P6N SLI-FI, Core 2 Quad Q6600 and 8800 GTS. OS is XP with all SPs but Windows 7 looks good for the future. Memory is 4084MB DDR800 which probably needs upping but that will have to wait for W7.

I have read reviews and forums to the point where I am now confused as to which mobo is going to do the job. Gigabyte keeps popping up as does ASUS.

Thanks.