Win XP64 and Windows7 Help

I bought XP64, but have been having a lot of trouble with it. First off, it is the regular SP1 version, but I slipstreamed SP2 into it. I got through Nick's XP guide, and I was ready to defrag. (Just finished the aging file_ when I got the BSOD PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA...

I installed XP prior, and got the same error after doing the tweaks..

So, I ran MEMTEST 7X, no errors. Diskcheck- no errors....
NOD32...


Help!
Jeff

Nick,
I individually checked all sticks of RAM with memtest--all passed. I did set the page file to 3072...but I cannot find where the old pagefile was...

As for the drivers, I did not install the Intel SATA driver from the disk, I updated them. Should I re-install windows?

I can boot Win7 fine, but with XP I only have 30 seconds or so until it BSODS...

What should I do next?

Nick,

So far, I am shocked- I haven't gotten a BSOD!

I learned from my mistakes, this time I set the BIOS to default (no OC) and installed XP.

I hope it stays this way!!!

The stop code was 00000000X50 or something like that...and it said "disk.sys"....

Hoping for the best!

Back again...

 

 

 

wait a minute!

Are you ttrying to DUAL BOOT XPx64 and W7 by installing XPx64 AFTER W7?

FORGET IT!

You MUST install XPx64 FIRST, then W7 AFTER XPx64 goes in

Thats what is wrong here. The system boot loader is borked unless you install the OLDEST OS first

The ONLY option you have to circumvent this is to UNPLUG the hard drive that has W7 on it from the system, then install WindowsXP x64 without that W7 drive in the system. Once you have a fully functioning and updated XPx64 setup then you can plug the W7 drive back in BUT BE AWARE, there is NO boot loader for XP at that point unless you SPECIFY that the XP drive be first in the BIOS boot list!

You can hit F-8 as soon as you see the BIOS screen and that should give you a BOOT list of drives to boot to but the DUAL BOOT LOADER will NEVER work with W7 and XPx64 unless XPx64 is loaded FIRST, then Windows 7 AFTER

Same deal with Vista and if you wanted to triple boot you must install the OS's in this order

1 XP x64

2 Vista

3 W7

NO WORKAROUND for a boot load screen to work right

The only way to get around it is how I posted above.. the drive with the newe OS can not be in the system, anywhere when the older OS goes in

 

 

 

It is my understanding there is FAR MORE to it than just using BCEDIT

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919529   read: MORE INFORMATION

 

Its also my understanding MS PULLED the KB and fixed it some time ago so if you did not slipstream all the older versions of the KB updates into the disk you should not be effected by that problem

 

Bottom line, Its easier to simply install the older OS first and the newer OS after, OR, disconnect the drive with the newer OS and install the older to another drive, then instead of the Windows boot loader, simply use the BIOS drive boot menu (F-8 at BIOS START) and select the drive with the OS you wish to boot to.

 

 

With the current install, I made the following problems:
1. I Did not install updates from the Motherboard CD
2. Win 7 before XP

I have ran memtest, diskcheck--no errors. Everything is perfect in Win7, but not XP!!! If you do advise me to re-install it all, could you please explain how to do it correctly...using an SP2 slipstream.

Looks like i'm going to have to start all over again...XP/WIN7 are on the same SATA drive, on different partitions. So there is no way I could unplug the drive...

Should I slipstream SP2 in there with Nlite, or leave SP1 and do the web-upgrade?

Nick...Today I am going to buy a 1TB Drive at Best Buy (for 99- dirt cheap!) And will install Windows 7 on it. I will have:
500GB for XP
1TB for 7
300VC for FS9/x

How does that sound?
Here is the drive:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Western+Digital+-+Caviar+Black+1TB+Internal+Serial+ATA+Hard+Drive+for+Desktops/8909595.p?id=1213047091732&skuId=8909595

 

 

Installed and formatted a new drive in what?  DOS, Windows7?

 

let me tell you what you are in for..

 FORGET using the W7 or the XP partitioning tool to redo this...  if you intend to start over and install XPx64 first, then install W7 you best get yourself the manufactures DOS disk (for WD drives that is DATA LIFEGUARD TOOLS and for Seagate drives its SEATOOLS both for DOS) burn a CD and use those to WIPE the drives with ZEROS using the QUICK method or MS's rediculous method of locking thier W7 partitions will probably give you nothing but grief when trying to get rid of it and start over

Once the drives are clean start over beginning with XPx64.

 

 

Here is one other little TID BIT

assuming the motherboard supports it....

If you are not using SSD, go into your BIOS BEFORE you INSTALL WINDOWS and make sure the SATA CONFIGURATION is set to
ENHANCED - SATA AS: IDE

Do not use AHCI!

you can NOT CHANGE THAT after Windows has been installed. You must install Windows without AHCI and let the motherboard drivers install the Enhanced IDE driver for the SATA system

mechanical hard drives only benefit from AHCI in NETWORk multi-access setups, otherwise AHCI SLOWS mechanical drive performance

SSD is different, it requires not only AHCI but the right driver too to unlesh its full potential.

 

Now, with W7 it is possible to use AHCI on some ports and shut DOWN AHCI on others if your motherboard has multiple ports such as Intel ICH on one set and Gigabyte or Marvell on another set in the DRIVERS

HOWEVER.. if all you use is mechanical hard drives, there is no reason to run AHCI at ALL for a performance game system.

Check your BIOS and the motherboard manufacture for details about how to use or disable AHCI!

 

One of the FEW people at AVSIM who really knows WTF he is taking about when it comes to electronics and computers,..  is Bob Scott

http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?s=6b74cbb63a0415cf6b238ab625e249fa&showtopic=281776

scroll down

I consider Bob Scott the #1 source for real high-tech information at that website. Although there are some things he may not be directly on top of, when it comes to advice on the subject matter of raw performance in CPU/memory/HDD and how things really work when set up correctly, .. there is no better source at AVSIM than Mr. Scott

Bob has experience that many high level engineers do not have (which I have seen at AVSIM when someone who claims they are at that level are WRONG and Bob is RIGHT) and with his military backgound in tech you can't go wrong reading what he says.

 

 

 

 

 Xp x64 tuning... http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=31916&PID=183578#183578

 

 

Now, ROCK ON

 

You have the XP optimize list.. here is the Windows7 list... some of which I borrowed from a few sites so I didnt have to type it all out but I ONLY PICKED the items that were right

CREDIT for some of the copy/paste to SAVE MY WRISTS from falling off, goes to http://tweakhound.com/ and also http://www.sevenforums.com 

 but DONT start applying tweaks you read from there.. what I posted below is was weeded through to obtain the perf and keep windows looking SHARP at the same time!

 READ what I posted above here

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34141&PID=198077#198077

and HERE

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34141&PID=198177#198177

 

about hard drive setup and performance first...   then continue

WARNING: NO OVERCLOCKING WHEN INSTALLING A OS OR SOFTWARE, DEFRAGMENTING, OR INITIALLY TUNING FSX!

YOU START WITH A SECURE AND STABLE SYSTEM WITH THE CORRCT BIOS SETTINGS FOR YOUR SATA SYSTEM, MEMORY SPEED/TIMING/VOLTAGE.

 OVERCLOCKING COMES LAST --AND THEN-- YOU CAN ADJUST FSX SETTINGS FOR A NEW CLOCK, NOT UNTIL

 

MORE ERRORS ARE MADE TUNING A SYSTEM AND FSX WHILE OVERCLOCKED THAN ANY OTHER REASON. IT IS POSSIBLE TO END UP WITH INSTALL CORRUPTION OR YOU MAY BE OVER-DRIVING THE CPU EVEN IF TEMPS LOOK RIGHT!

START WITH NO CLOCK, AND WORK YOUR WAY UP, LAST!

 

Also you need to be on a 64bit OS if you want FSX and addon goodies.. if you are not on a 64bit OS your results WILL BE limited.

 

First, right after installing Windows7 OS you ALWAYS disable UAC before you do anything else...
 
To Disable UAC:
Head into Control Panel and type UAC into the search box, or do it from the start menu. Then drag the slider down to the bottom.- In the resulting window, move the slider all the way to the bottom.

REBOOT.. you MUST REBOOT BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE
 
 

Now, GET ALL your drivers installed STARTING WITH THE CHIPSET and MAKE SURE TO REBOOT AFTER EACH DRIVER GOES IN

After all drivers are in and you have a internet connection...

Automatic Updates from MS can SLOW your system. You should MANUALLY check for Automatic updates
 
Control Panel > Windows Update
In the left pane double-click Change settings.
To disable Automatic Updates choose Never check for updates
 
You can still access this panel and have it check for updates by clicking the "check for updates button" Do this once a month manually instead of letting MS thrash your disk while using your system.

 

 

NOW....  Summary to get started

1. 1st boot into Windows7, Shut down UAC (slider to ZERO) reboot
 
2. Start your driver install.. Chipset drivers FIRST, reboot, install the rest of your drivers and reboot as they tell you, leave the video driver for last

NOTE: VIDEO DRIVERS

If you are experienced with FSX you know video drivers can be HIT and MISS even on identical hardware.

there has been a rash of FAN SPEED problems related to some newer Nvidia drivers,, to resolve this I highly suggest the use of the software MSI AFTERBURNER http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/download.htm in which you can enable FAN CONTROL

In the settings, FAN TAB check ENABLE USER SOFTWARE FAN CONTROL

and make a simple DRAG speed/temp point for the MIN and MAX fan speed. I suggest a HIGH END of 85c = 100% fan speed, the low end is based on your ambient and video card temp, I would say 49c = 35% for minimum fan noise when surfing, but you must make that call. All Modern NV cards automatically DROP their CORE SPEED to run cooler when not under 3D load and you do not need to do anything to make that work.

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34141&PID=198220#198220

You must SET the software to START WITH WINDOWS so total fan control is maintained... it has a very SMALL footprint and OK to run at startup

Also, I would DISABLE all monitors on the MONTIORING TAB except

CORE CLOCK

CORE TEMP

FAN SPEED

MEMORY SPEED

Thats it, but its also up to you what you wish to monitor.. I would at lease leave CORE TEMP and FAN SPEED enabled to check if all is working right.

DO NOT OVERCLOCK A VIDEO CARD UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND EVEN THEN, DONT DO IT TILL AFTER ALL SETUP IS COMPLETE.

VIDEO CARD OVERCLOCKING IS ONLY EFFECTIVE IF

A. THE CARD IS CLOCKED LOW FROM THE FACTORY TO BEGIN WITH

B. THE CARD HAS OVERHEAD TO WORK WITH

C. THE CARD HAS THE RIGHT HEATSINK TO DO THE JOB

Unlike CPU overclocking video card overclocking has LIMITED results with FSX. It is far better to BUY the right CARD than go CHEAP and try to overclock a card!!

-------------------------------------------

 
4. SHUT DOWN automatic updates completely, the SURF to Windows Update (TOOLS - Windows Update) Install the MICROSOFT UPDATE feature they offer, then CUSTOM scan for updates
 
5. Install ALL CRITICAL updates and make SURE NET FRAMEWORK is updated..  check the OPTIONAL updates list too for items but dont install crap like LIVE Essentials, SEARCh and other garbage like that
 
6. If they offer a driver update, LOOK CAREFULLY at what they offer, sometimes the LAN updates are good to get if they offer one, MICROCODE UPDATES are OK, but be careful with any video driver update they may offer
 
7. The TRICK with Windows Update is you MUST RETURN THERE after a reboot and run the scan again to be sure you have everything you need, once you have done that and the list is clean you are finished at Windows Update and can proceed to install your software
 
8. Make SURE you run the DirectX update tool to be sure you are updated for DirectX and also install the C++ Library update from the link I posted in the FSX tuning thread under INSTALL http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=29041
 
here are the links
 
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&displaylang=en
 
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/KB961894/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=2067

Begin OPTIMIZE...

NOTE: DO NOT REBOOT AGAIN UNTIL I POST TO DO SO.....................
 

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

OPTIONAL: AUTOMATIC METHOD

Download this file http://gex.flight1.net/optimize.zip

unzip or decompress it

Double click the unzipped file optimize.reg ..   select YES to allow it to run, then when it asks if you wish to let it merge with the registry, select yes

You just did the work outlined in the next section below without having to manually make the reg file yourself.

If you use the file I posted above you can skip the next part and contine on with:  Turn Off System Restore

 

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

MANUAL METHOD

Copy the following and put it in a notepad, then save the notepad as OPTIMIZE.reg
 
Double click that file and select YES to allow it to merge to the registry
 
..............BEGIN COPY

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"MenuShowDelay"="200"
"HungAppTimeout"="4000"
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="5000"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
"NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation"=dword:00000001
"NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"ForegroundLockTimeout"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="5000"


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoLowDiskSpaceChecks"=dword:00000001
 
 

----------------------END COPY
 
Do not reboot yet!
 
  

 
Turn Off System Restore
 
This will also clear the disk of the locked area used by system restore. The is needed to properly defrag the hard drive. If you want system restore enabled, do it LATER after all the defrag work is completed. I suggest you leave System Restore DISABLED for better performance.
 
 
Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Press the Windows + Pause Break keys > in the left pane click on Advanced system settings.
In the resulting window, switch to the System Protection pane.

Select all the drives, click the Configure button
A pop-up will happen asking "Are you sure..." click Turn System Restore Off, the click Apply.


 
Disable Automatic Disk Defrag
Press the Windows + R keys > type dfrgui.exe (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter).

Click Configure Schedule button > Uncheck Run on schedule.

 
 
Hit the Windows + R keys > type sysdm.cpl  > click the Advanced tab > in the Performance section click the Settings button.

Uncheck all boxes except the 4 in the picture below 

NOTE: I highly suggest for performance a AERO Theme not be used and instead use a BASIC HIGH CONTRAST Windows theme and change the background desktop image. I use the theme WINDOWS 7 BASIC and edit the background. The tab below will appear DIFFERENT when a non-AERO theme is in use.. make the same selections but the AERO options will not be available.

 

 
NOTE: You can leave SHOW WINDOWS CONTENT WHILE DRAGING and USE DROP SHADOWS FOR ICON LABELS enabled too if you like, but get rid of the rest.

 

 

 
Click the ADVANCED TAB
Processor Scheduling...
 
MOVE the bullet from PROGRAMS to BACKGROUND..   then, Move the bullet from BACKGROUND back to PROGRAMS and click OK. I know it sounds strange, like you didn't do anything, but there is a reason for that
 

Click Virtual Memory
 
Set a MANUAL size page file on the Windows7 partition to 3072-3072, click SET, OK and APPLY (if applicable) do not reboot at this time, cancel any reboot request

NOTE: I DOES NOT MATTER if you have 2, 4, 6 or 8GB of memory, UNLESS your system is also a dedicated A/V, graphics production or engineering application tower, a 3072-3072 page file is MORE than enough.

If your system is used for high memory demand applications like I listed above, the page file size is based on how much you overrun your physical memory. IT IS FAR better to add more memory then use a larger page file.

HOME/GAME/FSX systems with 2GB or more will NEVER use a page file of 3072 or greater

If you have LESS than 2GB of physical memory, set the feature to SYSTEM MANAGED

 
 
To Disable Hibernate  Permanently  (resource hog)

Press the Windows + R keys > type cmd > type powercfg.exe /hibernate off

Power Profile - Important for now, can be set different later
Press the Windows + R keys > type powercfg.cpl (this is Control Panel/Power Options)
 
Choose the High performance plan > Change plan settings >  turn all options to OFF or Never. (note - You may have to manually type in Never)

NOTE: You can add in a SCREENSAVER AFTER optimizing and defrag is complete! Dont set that now!

Set the Folder options...

1. Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
2. Open Folder Options in the Control Panel.   
3. Select the View tab in the Folder Options window.

 
Now, go down the list and make the following changes

UNCHECK: Always show Icons, never thumbnails (this is your choice, I prefer it)

CHECK: Display file icon on thumbnail (optional, I prefer it)

CHECK: Always show menus (easier access in folders)

UNCHECK: Display file size information in folder tips
Bullet in: Show hidden files and folders
UNCHECK: Hide Protected Operating system files
UNCHECK: Hide extensions for known file types

UNCHECK: Hide empty drives in Computer folder

UNCHECK: Restore previous folder windows at logon

CHECK: Show drive letters (optional)

UNCHECK: Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color

UNCHECK: Show popup description for folder and desktop items

UNCHECK: Show preview handlers in preview pane (optional)

-------------------------------------------

 

SPECIAL UPDATE NOTE:

UNCHECK: Launch Folder Window In A Separate Process in Windows7

After some research I have found this setting can produce unstable results in FSX especially when other software such as ASE is launched and with HIGHMEMFIX in the config. In the past with XP/Vista this setting was a good way to increase stability and also can assist with performance however with Windows7 I have found that it can cause crashes under the right circumstances. I would suggest this be disabled in Windows 7

-------------------------------------------

 

Click APPLY and also click the button at the top that says APPLY TO ALL FOLDERS
 
NOTE: You can change all your folders to show a LIST instead of the ICONS from this same location.
 
Go to your W7 OS root

Click VIEW, select LIST  (the icons will change to a list, much nicer)
Then
Click on the Tools (ALT and ALT+T)
Click on Folder Options.
Select the View tab in the Folder Options window
Click APPLY TO ALL FOLDERS
 
All windows will now show the LIST instead of the large ICONS
 
 
DISABLE WINDOWS DEFENDER AND KILL iT  PLEASE!
 
Uninstall it. Press the Windows + R keys and type appwiz.cpl > Turn Windows Features on or off > uncheck Windows Defender, click OK.

 

NOTE: Professional AV software with small footprint,,   NOD32 but DO MAKE SURE YOU DISABLE THEIR FEATURE FOR WINDOWS UPDATE CHECKS, ITS NOT NEEDED AND WILL STUTTER A SYSTEM

See NOD32 support for details..

http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&id=SOLN2196

and here for how I set up NOD32:

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34502&PID=200292#200292

 
 
SERVICES
 
NOTE: Some of these MAY or MAY NOT appear in your services list.. if you dont see it, dont worry about it

IMPORTANT:

THE SERVICE LIST(S) I AM DISPLAYING ARE FAIRLY SAFE FOR BOTH SINGLE SYSTEMS AND SYSTEMS THAT RUN ON A HOME NETWORK. SOME OF THE ITEMS DISPLAYED TO START/RUN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY ARE NEEDED FOR HOME NETWORK SETUPS. THEREFORE IF YOU SET UP YOUR SYSTEM WHEN WINDOWS INSTALLED AND DID NOT SELECT TO USE IT AS A SYSTEM ON A HOME NETWORK SEVERAL OF THE ITEMS LISTED MAY ALREADY BE DISABLED OR SET TO MANUAL BY DEFAULT.

SHUTTING DOWN THE WRONG SERVICES FOR YOUR SYSTEM AND SPECIFIC SETUP CAN PRODUCE UNDESIREABLE RESULTS AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY CRIPPLE PERFORMANCE IN SOME CASES. IN ONE EXAMPLE, ITEMS SUCH AS 'TASK SCHEDULER' SHOULD NEVER BE SHUT DOWN. 

THE LIST I PROVIDED SHOULD BE SAFE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE TO USE HOWEVER DO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU DISABLE A SERVICE AND PROBLEMS APPEAR, YOU MAY NEED TO ENABLE ONE OR TWO OF THEM FOR YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS.

MANUAL IS USUALLY SAFE, THE DISABLED LIST IS VERY SMALL BUT SHOULD PROVIDE THE MOST RELIEF TO PERFORMANCE

 
 
Press the Windows + R keys > type services.msc 
 
In the list that appears select to have the following DISABLED at STARTUP..  
 
NOTE: If the service is RUNNING, click to STOP the service, then set the startup to DISABLED
 
Repeat for each Service listed in the DISABLED LIST shown here:

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34141&PID=201316#201316

PLEASE NOTE the AUTOMATIC and MANUAL list I posted. The items shown as automatic may include home networking services that should remain enabled. Please be careful going to places like 'Black Viper" and disabling or setting services to 'manual' If you dont know what you are doing, please leave the rest of the list alone and only deal with the DISABLED items.

 
 
Close the Services list
 
 
DISABLE ALL PERFORMANCE COUNTERS BUT LEAVE SUPPORT FOR OS AND PROC
 
Download this package from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7ff99683-b7ec-4da6-92ab...

Run the installer: exctrlst_setup.exe

Once installed you will have no shortcut to the tool� simply browse to:

C:\Program Files\Resource Kit

Double click the file: exctrlst.exe

A box will appear. Make sure there is a bullet in �SERVICE�

There is a list of services showing in the lower pane of the box, simply click the top service in that list to HIGHLIGHT IT and CLEAR the check OUT OF THE BOX labeled: �Performance Counters Enabled�

Scroll down the list and repeat the highlight\uncheck until EVERY SERVICE in that list displays a cleared �check�, verify you got them all -but the two- I list below... then close the box


NOTE: MAKE SURE TO LEAVE A CHECK IN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

PERFPROC
PERFOS



Program loading with Windows... (MSCONFIG)
 
This is one area I can not list to you what should be turned off/removed and what shouldn't because there are so may different software packages out there and there is also video and sound driver support needed as well as AV software startup needed at boot.
 
The Windows STARTUP programs list will require you RESEARCH what you need at boot and what you do not.
 
Here is my advice, get RID OF AS MUCH AS YOU CAN but BE CAREFUL you do not kill needed AV, software or driver support!
 
Items like ADOBE ACROBAT, QTASK, REALPLAYER, GOOGLE JUNK, MS MESSENGER, ETC, ETC... this garbage slows you down. Lean the list down as much as you can without removing items you critically need to boot and run.
 
You should LEAVE times related to you VIDEO/SOUND driver alone and also any AV software at boot.
 
A safe way to do this to begin is to go to the RUN box, type in   MSCONFIG, select the STARTUP tab. On the list presented you can work out what you can kill safely by simply UNCHECKING the startup items you think you do not need and reboot. If you make a mistake go back to MSCONFIG and simply RECHECK the item you disabled by mistake. Once you have figured out what needs to be enabled at boot and what can go away then navigate to the following REG keys and remove the startup lines for those items
 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Removing them from the registry will remove them from MSCONFIG permanently

CLEAN UP THE TRASH AND TEMP FILES

 

Use this little program to completely clean the system of all temp file garbage:

 http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/download/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/

 Download and run TFC.exe, click START the software will do the rest.

 

 REBOOT the computer

 

 

Changes with setting up the BOOT system and superfetch

 This will set your system up for the fastest boot with the least impact on memory by the prefetch system

Download this zip package that will optimize the Windows7 boot, unzip.. there is no install

http://gex.flight1.net/TweakPrefetch.zip

1. Open the folder and run TweakPrefetch.exe
 
2. OPTIONS - ADVANCED CONTROLS
 
3. Place a bullet in BOOT for both the prefetch and the superfetch options
 
4. Click CLEAR PREFETCH
 
5. Click APPLY. Allow the tool to finish, it will request a reboot.. do so
 
6. Once back in Windows to confirm the prefetch is clear, open the program folder then open the folder, winprefetchview.. run WinPrefetchView.exe
 
you should see only ONE file in the top pane: NTOSBOOT-B00DFAAD.pf   if that is so, then you can close WinPrefetchView.exe. If there is a list of files something went wrong, go back and repeat steps 1 through 6

NOTE: It is possible the first reboot after the use of this tool may not properly write the NTOSBOOT-B00DFAAD.pf file.. if you do not see any file listed, repeat steps 1-6 above

Once back in Windows and you have confirmed NTOSBOOT-B00DFAAD.pf...
 
7. Run TweakPrefetch.exe and make sure OPTIONS - ADVANCED CONTROLS is enabled then select TOOLS - REBUILD LAYOUT.INI
 
The process may take a good 2 minutes to complete. When finished the software will request a reboot, do so

 

 

LAST: After all your software has been installed and updated, I would RERUN Windows Update just to be sure there is nothing sitting out there for your installed software in the way of updates. Some programs install MS files that may need updating so its always good to verify!

If you find updates, install them and reboot/recheck till all your important updates have been installed

 

 
You are now ready to begin the DEFRAG process using O&O Defrag.. 

 

DEFRAGMENTING CORRECTLY

SSD DRIVES DO NOT NEED THIS! DO NOT USE THE FOLLOWING WITH SSD DRIVES!

 

DUAL OS BOOT SYSTEMS:

This is TRUE for XP or W7 however DO NOT EVER defrag another OS drive from within a OS

You MUST INSTALL O&O DEFRAG into EACH OS to do this right! And you must never defrag a OS drive from another OS

Also, you only need to DEFRAG the FSX drive (or ANY drive outside of the OS you are using) with ONE OS or the OTHER as BOTH will accomplish the same result

 

 

O&O Defrag v12
 
http://www.oo-software.com/en/download/archive/index.html?product=OOD12PRO you dont have to give your real name, email.. just make up a name and email address   LOL   uncheck the "subscribe" box
 
You can purchase it at anytime but you have 30 days to use it after it is installed. You must make SURE you download the 64bit version for a 64bit OS and it MUST be set up correctly before using it!
 
 
First, you must make sure you have done all the OS TUNING before running O&O making sure HYBERNATE and SYSTEM RESTORE are disabled, you have FLUSHED all the temp files and you have optimized the prefetch

Some have asked why do the defrag process.. if you want a short and sweet answer, read this:  http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34799&PID=202329#202329
 

then move on....
 
When you first run O&O defrag and have not purchased it, use it in the 30 day trial mode, otherwise input your purchase code.
 
When O&O first starts wizards and tips will appear..   check to NOT SHOW at start and cancel the box
 
The first time you are in the main interface you need to DISABLED the following on ALL drives
 
1. Click the first drive in the list to select it
 
2. In the TOP GUI, click DISABLE MONITORING and DISABLE ZONES
 
3. REPEAT those steps for each drive shown, you must select the next drive and DISABLE Monitoring and ZONES
 
Once all drives have had monitoring and ZONES disabled....
 
Next, click SETTINGS
 
There are 3 tabs
 
GENERAL
- UNCHECK Create reports
- UNCHECK Show O&O Defrag in the tray
 
OFFLINE DEFRAGMENTATION
 
Leave these alone for now, we will come back to this
 
TUNING
 
Bullet in
 
USE ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES
 
SEQUENTIAL
 
CHECK IN - Take into account systems layout rules, USE LAYOUT.INI
 
UNCHECK battery mode, IF this is not a laptop
 
Click OK and close the box. You can now also close O&O defrag
 
 
FIRST THING WE DO after a fill install is a DSKCHECK on all drives to verify the tables are in fact not corrupt or have glitches in them.
 
We ALSO DISABLE any INDEXING that is enabled per drive (may not appear in Windows 7)
 
Open MY COMPUTER, the Hard disk list will appear. Right click each disk and perform the following tasks
 
1. Select properties
 
2. At the bottom of the GENERAL tab, if the item ALLOW INDEXING SERVICE TO INDEX THIS DISK is checked, then UNCHECK it and on the next screen opt to APPLY CHANGES TO SUBFOLDERS AND FILES, click OK
 
The process may HALT because of a locked file, if it does select IGNORE ALL and allow it to continue,
 
once complete
 
3. click the TOOLS TAB
 
4. Select ERROR CHECKING, then CHECK NOW
 
5. Place a check in AUTOMATICALLY FIX THE SYSTEM ERRORS but leave SCAN FOR BAD SECTORS UNCHECKED
 
6. Click Start.
 
If the drive is a OS or other locked drive you will get a message that asks for a check on the next reboot, select YES to allow that. If the drive is not locked by Windows it will perform the disk check, let it complete and if it finds errors, RERUN the disk check AGAIN. Once no errors are found, continue to the next drive and REPEAT for each. ONLY do ONE drive at a time, do not attempt to do simultaneous drive checks.
 
NOTE: Any offline disk check will automatically re-run if errors are found. You do not need to repeat offline disk checks.
 
7. Once you have gone through all the drives in Windows, REBOOT and allow the offline diskchecks to complete. The system will reboot back into Windows once finished and you are ready for the next steps in defrag.
 
 
Open O&O defrag, click the OS drive in the list
 
Right click and select SPACE
 
DO NOT TOUCH THE COMPUTER FOR ANY REASON WHILE ANY O&O DEFRAG IS RUNNING.. NO EMAIL, NO SURFING, NO FILE MOVES, NOTHING!  IF YOU DO IT WILL NOT OPTIMIZE CORRECTLY
 
Once that is complete, close O&O, reboot and then start O&O defrag and select the FSX Drive, right click and select SPACE 
 
Once complete, open the O&O SETTINGS - OFFLINE DEFRAGMENTATION TAB
 
Select EXECUTE ONCE ON NEXT SYSTEM STARTUP, then
 
Select your OS drive, click ENABLE
 
Select you FSX drive, click ENABLE
 
Click APPLY and OK to close the box and reboot the computer
 
The Offline defrag will run on reboot, once complete it will return to Windows
 
Once back in Windows Open O&O defrag, select your OS drive, right click and select COMPLETE\NAME
 
DO NOT TOUCH THE COMPUTER FOR ANY REASON WHILE ANY O&O DEFRAG IS RUNNING.. NO EMAIL, NO SURFING, NO FILE MOVES, NOTHING!  IF YOU DO IT WILL NOT OPTIMIZE CORRECTLY
 
Once complete, reboot and Start O&O defrag, select the OS DRIVE AGAIN drive, right click select COMPLETE\NAME, reboot when complete

FSX DRIVE

 Start O&O defrag, select the FSX drive, right click select COMPLETE\NAME

Once complete, reboot and Start O&O defrag, select the FSX DRIVE AGAIN drive, right click select COMPLETE\NAME

When all drives are done, go into the SETTINGS for O&O DEFRAG and ENABLE THE OFFLINE DEFRAG ON ALL DRIVES FOR ONE TIME, REBOOT AND RUN THEM

 
This operation may take several hours to finish and please DO remember this, with any defrag solution a system is NOT DEFRAGMENTED completely in ONE PASS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE GUI SHOWS, it REQUIRES 3 passes to do it right ON A NEW INSTALL!

 

Summary:

Normally, on a new install with all new software and everything installed

DISK CHECK ON ALL DRIVES
 
SPACE defrag on each drive with a reboot between
 
OFFLINE defrag on ALL drives
 
COMPLETE\NAME on each drive with a reboot between
 
and then REPEAT IT:  COMPLETE\NAME on each drive with a reboot between
 
and last, OFFLINE defrag on ALL drives
 

 
 
 
NOTE: I am only listing the OS drive and the FSX drive right now, however you can later do this same process to your other drives which will make them far more efficient to the system. Simply repeat all the steps I posted on the drives you did not do BUT REMEMBER, in a DUAL BOOT situation you only need to do drives outside of you OS with ONE OS or ANOTHER you do NOT NEED TO REPEAT! 

 

You are ready to TUNE FSX.. I suggest you NOT ADD A CRAPLOAD OF TWEAKS TO YOUR FSX CONFIG AND ESPECIALLY ANY MIRACLE TWEAKS.

TUNE FSX BASED ON VERY SIMPLE CHANGES IN THE CONFIG TO START

 

USE THESE FSX GUI SETTINGS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS REGARDLESS OF YOUR CPU/MEMORY/VIDEO CARD SPEED, ADJUST THEM BUT BE AWARE OF THE ONES THAT WILL GET YOU EVERYTIME IF YOU GO TOO FAR...

 

 

remember, JUST LIKE I SAID IN THE FSX TUNING THREAD YEARS AGO, .. In heavy urban such as LA, NYC, SanFran, Chicago, etc... flrame lock is usually best set to UNLIMTED

When you transition out of the heavy load urban areas, frame lock is usually best set to LOCKED between 24-30 (you must tune this)

 

Nhancer offers NO support in DX10..   for DX10 you will set to AA ENABLED and Anisotropic filtering

In DX9 if you use those settings Nhancer is being overridden

 

NHANCER IS FOR SHIMMER CONTROL AND FOR IMAGE QUALITY     

If you are not bothered by FSX autogen shimmer and you dont care about IQ, you dont need Nhancer! But you better know how to set up the FSX PROFILE in the Nvidia control panel!  The MAIN settings in the Nvidia control panel DO NOT CONTROL FSX, The GAME PROFILE Nvidia provides in the Nv control panel controls FSX or FS9!

Nhancer Overrides Nvidia and makes it FAR easier to set up

If you use Nhancer MAKE SURE to DUPLICATE the Global and FSX PROFILE SETTINGS, see the FSX tuning thread for instructions. At the same time ALL YOU NEED to do for other games is USE THEIR PROFILES to tweak

 

3DMARK TESTERS FOR TESTING YOUR HARDWARE.. In Nhancer, DISABLE VSYNC for the 3DMark profile. set it to OFF or NONE in Nhancer for the 3DMark06 profile and your Score will be accurate but DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE in that 3DMARK Profile!  If you dont use Nhancer, FIND the 3dMark GAME Profile in the Nvidia control panel and DISABLE vsync!

That will give you a proper score because with Vsync enabled you are limited to the refresh rate of your monitor in 3Dmark.. ALTHOUGH a 60hz monitor will only display a 'true' 'visual' 60FPS result even with Vsync disabled, the frame buffer  of your hardware when 3DMark is run will indeed account for the FPS you are generating by 3Dmark even if the monitor is not displaying that rate visually and score correctly!

 

 

 

 

This setup is fairly close for just about everyone EXCEPT THOSE on very low end systems. If you are on a very low end system or one that struggles with FSX, then I would start by REDUCING Scenery Complexity a notch from what is shown above as well as drop AUTOGEN a notch or so and also lower the MESH COMPLEXITY to about 70%, leave everything else the same although WATER 1xHIGH can help the REALLY older systems but they wont get the higher reflection support.

Depending on the system, Autogen may need to be lowered or raised, but DO NOT screw with water above Low 2X until after you have tuned everything else. In DX10 you can use higher water withouth the shader hit

I never use DX10, nor needed it for better perf

 

 

Dont slam your config file with FSX.cfg CLOUD radius EDITS now, get it tuned right before doing anything like that

 

 

Again, dont slam the system to the cross with traffic for right now. The goal is to get FLIGHT working first, THEN figure out the AL/GA and ground traffic LAST

And TURN OFF THE LABELS as I show above

 

 

 

 

 

[Display]

WideViewAspect=True   //If widescreen monitor in use otherwise False

TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=xx  //Most will use 70 to 80 

If you are on a higher end system, start with 80 but BE AWARE this value may be best at the default of 30 or 40. You must test fly and tune.

[Main]
HideInfoText=1 <--- unless you want that annoying text on the screen, then dont use this
DisablePreload=1

and PLEASE DONT ADD ANY OTHER EDITS at this point.. , including AFFINITY MASK, OR BUFFERPOOL ENTRY!!

Do not increase scenery radius in the FSX.cfg!   This is NOT THE TIME to mess with tweaks like that, this is the time to get the SLIDERS RIGHT first and push the tweaks to see how far you can get, LATER!

 

Fly FSX and tune the sliders for Autogen/Scenery Complexity first, then work AL/GA traffic,  Ships/ferries (15-25% is usually fine for most with Ships/ferries/boats) and LAST the silly little cars (I leave those disabled even on a 4.4Ghz i7 Gulftown as I have no need for them)

Car traffic will invoke a serious load on a CPU. If you use a 3rd party AI traffic package, how well it was made will make the call on how high you can set it.

With default FSX AI the load is quite high so if not using 3rd party AI then be careful with the sliders.. keep AL/GA at least 15-20% MIN (if your system is slow) and most can run 30/30 with the better clocked systems running 59/59

 

 

Well, thats about it..   you should be able to find your sweet spot and then add more to it as you go.

Theres no magic or miracle involved, just your hardware and COMMON SENSE to setting it up

 

Since moving to i7 and especially since moving to a 980x on a 400 series video card I have no tweaks in my config other than Texture_Bandwidth_Multiper. I have no need for bufferpool changes and others I have seen posted at all and since moving to i7 the FPS Limter has become useless and unnecessary.

 

One thing about UTX and this is true when I setup/test

After installing UTX and its patches correcty run the UTX diagnostic, launch the interface, click OK and OK again to clear the start boxes, press CTRL-SHIFT-R and answer YES to allow the interface to check for problems. Once complete I always start out making sure the 2 NIGHT LIGHTING features are ENABLED, select the menu ULTIMATE TERRAIN - CHANGE LIGHTING EFFECT BRIGHTNESS
 
set it to 25% or 50%, either one (your choice). Once complete, THEN make sure the following in UTX is DISABLED for initial testing and setting up:
 
side menu - Night Lighting - Both features MAIN and Intersection lighting
 
side menu - Road Surfaces - RTX Moving traffic
 
You can tweak the rest of UTX appearance later, Close UTX interface

Thats to get the initial setup of FSX right, you can add the lights and car traffic back in later after you have tuned your system for FSX.

Some systems can deal with all the UTX lights and cars, some cant. Best to set it up so you can see what you can and can not do as you tune

 I posted a UTX install/setup guide at the end of the FSX tuning thread if you wish to use it, please do

 

Now, once you have gotten the system and FSX tuned correctly you can start messing with FSX.cfg edits..  BUT SAVE A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT FSX.CFG BEFORE DOING SO, please!

 

[JOBSCHEDULER]
AffinityMask=X   This setting can have value but only if the OS or 3rd party software is touching CORE0 too much, its not going to make FSX run better just because it is in the config file...  unless you know for a fact your system responds to and needs that edit in the config, leave it out,.. most DONT

Some systems need the AffinityMask entry to trim stutters, but most do not. That is a very system specific entry. If it does anything for you, it will be seen instantly. As I posted in the FSX Tuning Thread, the most common use of this entry for a quad core is

[JOBSCHEDULER]
AffinityMask=14 

 

Bufferpools is also a trial and error entry. The NORMAL use of it is explained in the FSX Tuning Thread.

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=29041

The ABNORMAL use of it is explained here

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34246&PID=198635#198635

 

 

When it comes to tweaks, what you think a tweak is doing over SCENERY PACKAGE A may not work right over SCENERY PACKAGE B.. you must be aware that what I posted was to get a system in line across the BOARD, not adjust for ManhattanX, PNW or any other big scenery although I bet if you do it right and follow the guidelines you can get it locked down for those too by making ONE or TWO slider changes without config tweaks

 and you WONT LOSE your Multimonitor setup or Vsync to do it either!

AND PLEASE BE AWARE, IF YOU LOAD A NEW FSX CONFIG IN MID-FLIGHT WHEN FSX IS CLOSED IT CAN OVERWRITE THAT CONFIG WITH SETTINGS FROM THE ORIGINAL FSX.CFG FILE THE SIM WAS BOOTED WITH

ALSO, BE AWARE THAT ALTHOUGH SOME FSX.CFG SETTINGS CAN BE ALTERED AND RELOADED IN FLIGHT, MANY WILL NOT TAKE ANY EFFECT UNLESS THAT CONFIG IS USED TO BOOT THE SIM CLEAN.

 

New Tweaks...

A lot of what I am seeing posted recently is guesswork and is not correct in all conclusions even though there is some basis in fact for consideration with 2 of the items posted, however I will confirm that those having problems with textures going black in W7 running big payware planes, this entry may help you..

[GRAPHICS]
HIGHMEMFIX=1

Only TRY THAT if you experience the SYMPTOMS.. dont add it to your config for nothing! If it doesnt work, or help, REMOVE IT

CREDIT for that goes to bojote at AVSIM for sleuthing that out and not being NDA bound

 

BE AWARE, that is not a 'silver bullet' for everyone either. Aces was not stupid, although they did make some poor choices about several things such as threading support, they did the right thing in releasing the system they way they did and not publishing certain aspects of its function. 

Tweaks are great, IF you know WHEN/HOW to apply them and when NOT TO

Thats all I am going to say about tweaks, you can figure the rest out if you USE LOGIC to do it and DONT OVERRUN YOUR SYSTEM WITH SILLY TWEAKS TO GET A SLIDER TICK OR MORE SCENERY RADIUS!

 

If you have the hardware, the motherboard for high performance, the processing power, the memory speed/timing and the video card and you have set up for optimized OS/system performance you can get a heck of a lot out of FSX without silly tweaks, giving up multimonitor setups or running without SHIMMER CONTROL, higher quality AA and Vsync!  Thats NUTS!

 

you get what you pay for, if you know how to use it 

  

The biggest problem with FSX is that its not a "plug-n-go" application and those who want the goodies must take the steps to get them

Everything from the parts, to the BIOS to the OS to the application to the addons drives the final result,,..   right down to the right monitor calibration which influences the correctly lighting and color one sees.

 

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

 

 

 

I already have one with a 980x

Its perfectly paired with that CPU and the 4.435Ghz I run

It does need driver work, as they all do at first.. quite honestly, I would wait till the next release of that model, probably coded 485

It would be like buying a 280 and then buying a 285 later.. just wait and let them clean out the critters first.

If you have a 285 now, you are fine.. upgrade when the upgrade presents value to it and has gone through its primary dev cycle so you are not dealing with the initial driver and other issues and then be hit with the fact a new model comes out fixing all the little nag issues

 

Thats what dopes like me with a deep wallet are for 

 

 

 

 

I dont use FS9 or ATi

they posted a workaround for the Ati/W7 vsync at AVSIM as I linked to you in another post although I cant vouch for it.. if Bob Scott says it works, I am sure it does

The only reason Bob went to ATi as far as i can read is because his 285 was having onboard Vreg issues and blanking out and he wanted to see how the ATi card faired.

 

 

 

Your stuttering is probably related to the post I made above and that also assumes your memory speed/timing and other BIOS settings are correct

Ya know, most people dont know or understand this...   you can have a processor clocked up that passes every load test you throw at it, and if you are clocked too high or something in voltages is not quite right you can stutter like a rutting pig in FSX even on lower settings

Overclocking is what most are doing and the fact of the matter is most dont know what they are doing, with clocking or selecting the right memory speed/timing for the clock they use

 the 480  chews through FSX with the 980 running 4.43Ghz but it does preset a few glitches due to immature drivers right now. Im not telling anyone to jump ship and buy anything. But I would be an a Nv card far before Ati for this old rendering engine.. even over a 5870 with a 285

 

 

 

Here are the MSI AFTERBURNER screens for setting it up with NV cards..

 

the silly forum software wont let me post them in the thread above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick, thanks a lot for those very helpfull tips on tuning W7 

Just 2 comments:

1. Services:
You used the english names, but this can be difficult for users of foreign language versions of Windows

2. Programs loading with Windows...:
This could also sometimes be difficult, to find out, what is needed and what is not needed.

To solve that, 2 programs are IMHO very usefull:
AlacrityPC:
It allows you to stop services/programms, defrags the RAM (somewhere I read that FSX needs memory blocks with at least 1MB), then starts FSX and after ending FSX it restarts all stopped services/Programs again. During my WinXP times it reduced OOM by aprox. 70%, by setting free av. 150-300 MB of RAM
Although Win7 64Bit is not explcit listed, it works fine on my machine.

StartED:
To dig a little bit deeper into what services/programs are needed it is very usefull, as it gives hints on what is necessary or not.

Otto

Thanks for the Win7 tuning guide Nick!

Rod

 

 

FSX is all about having as many CPU cycles available to it as possible. The guide, like the XP version I made, provides that and leaves the W7 GUI still looking like W7

 

 

W7 for modern Intel support in software that will use hyperthreading and the more modern Intel CPU instructions..   A/V editing, etc

For me and FSX, XPx64 and it MUST BE a FULL XPx64 SP2 install disk, you can NOT web update to SP2!

Not saying W7 is bad, I just like lean/mean and low issues. Some have no problems with W7 and FSX! 

W7 wont run FSX better perfomance wise so either will do..