Turning off unnecessary XP services. 2014

[jojo]

I have been working on this list for a while now. I posted it recently on another XP forum so have decided to post the same topic here. I appreciate that our small community may not be particularly interested in it, but this is the first computer forum I joined and I think I owe you all this, as a courtesy at least.

There seem to be a number of sites which will offer good advice on turning off services. BlackViper being one of the most reliable

Sadly, they all seem to principally aimed at networking users, which most home users are not. This is further compounded by the abandonment of XP by M$, making some services obsolete or simply out of date.

I have compiled this updated list. Where descriptions on existing sites were confusing or in conflict, I have attempted to research the service thoroughly so the setting is optimal.

My set up is Desk top computer, DVD writer, Printer, Cable access using a router, twin drives with a USB plug in for backup.

My main usage is: surf the net, spend too much time playing online graphics games, send email ect., listen to CDs, DVDs, YouTube and so on. Pretty average stuff.

The set up listed in the PDF file, has been completely reliable, not to mention, faster. I have attempted to write in brief comments, especially when some personal needs might be an issue. DHCP Client for example, listed as one that can be turned off. On my setup this resulted in no network access. Presumably I have a static IP address.

Others such as Logical Disk Manager, Logical Disk Manager Administrative are needed to configure hard drives. I don't do this very often, but occasionally. I use a printer so need Print Spooler, but not System Restore, so have this turned off. Updates are concerned with M$ and therefore obsolete, this has no effect upon other programs such as Zone Alarm updates for example, which continue and removable storage, which is turned off though my USB external storage seems to be unaffected!

Some eye candy such as the little TV icons on the Bottom right of the screen and the panel which indicates that you have plugged in something to the USB port, then pesters you about what to do, are no-longer there.
           
Before altering the Component settings it is worthwhile to turn off the unnecessary services on the desktop.

Right click My Computer, select Properties.

Select Advanced, Performance settings. Then remove all the ticks from each box. All of these are eye candy, taking up resources. Select System Restore and turn off. Select Automatic updates and turn off. Make sure there is no tick no the Remote panel.

Open My computer, right click your HD, usually C, select properties. Remove the ticks from Compress to save space and Allow Indexing. (There are better compressions available and indexing uses resources.)

Open control Panel. Open Regional and Language options, select Languages tab, Details button, Advanced and put a tick into the Turn Off Advanced Teat Services box.

Next, click on Programs, Administrative tools, Component services. Double click Services. Select Standard. For each service you need to alter, right click, Properties, then change the Startup Type.

This setup is not for everyone. But compiled as it is, services can be turned off and turned back on later, if the result is unsatisfactory. More importantly, this setup is what suits me, not for everyone.

Enjoy. Services XP.pdf (60.45 KB)

[mikkh]

Why are you running a software firewall? Zone Alarm is a well known resource hog of old and you're already running a hardware firewall (the router) which uses no system resources and displays no self congratulatory messages like ZA does to justify it's existence. Unless you've hacked the Pentagon recently, the default settings on the router are ample protection. You can customise the router settings if you need specific sites blocking etc. and while it's not as easy as using software, it doesn't impact on system performance.

If you feel you must have a software firewall, investigate some lighter options because ZA will be slowing you down

[jojo]

Not sure where you got the idea I was mikkh. I use ZA as an anti-virus, simply because it's considerably faster than others. After startup I can get online almost immediately, while Panda, for example, I had to wait several minutes.

ZA's Firewall is turned off, though I have the Application Control on. The Identity and Data options haven't been activated/downloaded/setup.




Addition.

I do seem to be having a devil of a problem getting rid of Nvidia's Forceware stuff. I've been advised that their firewall is bad news.

Can I also ask, when I do eventually upgrade, does AMD stuff come with the same ammout of bloatware as Nvidia?

[mikkh]

There you go, I been using Linux too long - didn't know Zone Alarm had even graduated into the anti virus marketplace

Just did a little research on light firewalls and found this one

www.privacyware.com/personal_firewall.html

Used to be commercial, but now freeware

It's certainly light at 3.5 MB and non intrusive and should be ideal for laptop users on the move not covered by their home router

As for light virus checkers, there's a couple I've tried recently for other people - 'immunet' which I may have mentioned before and 'clamwin'

Both ultra light and ideal for older machines

[mikkh]

Yeah I never install the network access manager stuff Nvidia try's to put on - I always do a custom install of any driver like that (or anything come to think of it)
If you think Nvidia is bad, ATI/AMD is even worse - do NOT do express install or you'll end up with 5 or 6 extra bits of crap in your startup

[jojo]

I can see what's happened. I wrote the piece separately and cut n pasted it into here. And like an idiot, I forgot to include the bit about Firewalls. I temporarily took that out because it didn't flow with the rest, intending to rewrite and complete forgot.

I had intended to write in the line on my current set up: My router includes a hardware firewall.

Later, when discussing the Properties panel of My Computer, I was going to suggest turning off the Windows Firewall. A hardware firewall is better if you have one, but a commercial firewall such as Zone Alarm, is better than the Windows effort.

I also intended suggesting using ShieldUp from Gibson Research to test any firewall.

Sorry about that.

Had a look at the link. Looks good, but as I said, hardware. But good for reference. Is it in the Firewall section of CIT?

As for NVidia, sadly I installed everything when I installed Windows. I've basically done everything I can think of, short of re-installing XP, (which might be impossible now) including trying to un-install, Trying un-install in Safe mode. un-installing every NVidia and reinstalling the drivers. But each time I end up with the same set up.

Given this, I am wondering if I should try to avoid NVidia on my next computer? Are there any graphics companies you know of that don't load their software with garbage? Or is this a general thing in the hardware industry?

Found this: www.tweakguides.com/NVFORCE_4.html

[mikkh]

The forceware drivers are more motherboard/chipset drivers than graphics card drivers, but they share some elements. ATI/AMD and Nvidia are pretty much your only choice if you want good graphics ability via a separate card. If you're not a gamer (and I mean real games that you install as programs, not ones played in a browser) then on-board graphics does widen the choice a bit more with Intel as another option. On-board graphics used to be poor as seen in many older laptops, but the modern alternatives are much better and are equal or better than budget graphic cards.

The downside of this however, is that to use Intel graphics - you must be using an Intel motherboard (and therefore an Intel CPU too) which are more expensive than AMD, especially at the top end i.e the better i5's and all i7's. If you go this route the motherboard you choose is *very* important

[jojo]

Thanks mikkh. Good information.

The information is academic at this time. I expect this machine to be viable for a while yet. I recall when W98 was replaced by XP. The differences were obvious.

Incidentally, the F5 method of accessing Safe Mode, which you suggested is a bit hit and miss. Though I have only had cause to go into Safe mode a few times recently, I found pressing F5 often caused the machine to hang up then eventually restart.

Anyway, that was just a bit of random chat. I seem to be the only XP user here now.