Shoutbox

I just end every task I can...

All I play atm really is Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, and I put the cd into the drive, wait for the launch menu to come up, then ctrl+alt+delete. I end everything I can in the list (INCLUDING Explorer.exe) and just leave things that cannot be stopped ("system" services etc) and things I explicitly need (eg. program to control soundcard).

Then I just end task manager and press play on the launcher and it makes the game performance a lot better.

Mind you, when I try to end one of the svchost.exe programs running, Windows will usually complain and force a timed shutdown after 30 seconds. I cancel this with start>run>shutdown -a but does anyone know if you actually NEED the program running when all you're doing is playing games?

If i'm right svchost manages dll's loaded on your computer

EDIT:
Description:
svchost.exe is a system process belonging to the Microsoft Windows Operating System which handles processes executed from DLLs. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated.

Oops

Thanks for that Ezra, I'll bear that in mind next time

My computer is similar to yours (1.8Ghz Geforce FX5200) and what I do to make games run smoother is end tasks, like fatfreechicken does, have no background and run the game in a small resolution (800x600).
@ Joe, those settings will make the computer not lag as much while you are using your computer, but not when you are playing a game because they won't be doing anything anyway. I have turned off those performance settings and it makes a difference when I am moving windows etc.

I haven't tried this but maybe if you play the game in safe mode...

What I usually do is end the "svchost.exe" with the most memory usage (highlighted) and it doesn't come up with the 30 second shutdown.

Also don't use anti-aliasing and texture filtering.

quote:

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Originally posted by zach
My computer is similar to yours (1.8Ghz Geforce FX5200) and what I do to make games run smoother is end tasks, like fatfreechicken does, have no background and run the game in a small resolution (800x600).
@ Joe, those settings will make the computer not lag as much while you are using your computer, but not when you are playing a game because they won't be doing anything anyway. I have turned off those performance settings and it makes a difference when I am moving windows etc.

I haven't tried this but maybe if you play the game in safe mode...

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Nahh not very likely to work in safe mode as it's only 16bit (i think)
And most games dont support 16 ony 32.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ezra
Also don't use anti-aliasing and texture filtering.

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hmm ok, but in counter strike source, under the filtering mode option theres is:
Bilinear
Trilinear
Anisotropic x2
Anisotropic x4
Anisotropic x8
Anisotropic x16
i set it on binlinear, is that the best option?

Instead of fidling with windows settings (which indeed wont change much in game performance), actually set up your game in the right way.

This means, every game has a configuration screen. And in almost all recent games you can heavly customize on what (graphic) options you want to see and/or use. Those will have a much much higher influence on game play than anything else.

for example:

quote:

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Originally posted by Ezra
Also don't use anti-aliasing and texture filtering.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Reaper
i set it on binlinear, is that the best option?

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see the manual and/or try it out....

enabling an option on one computer will not automatically have the same effect on the other computer. It highly depends on graphics cards, memory available, etc... etc...

well counter strike source doesnt come with a manual
but if it helps my specs are
P4 1.8ghz cpu
ATi Radeon 9200SE
512mb RAM