DAWOptimization

Computer, Windows XP tweaks and DAW Optimization for light speed AUDIO performance
(as well as any other dedicated computer like games, video etc.) Updated March, 28, 2006

WindowsXP profiles for :
1. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) performance rocket boost
2. Default WindowsXP

The art of :
Disabled weak(s)
Enabled tweaks

For :
ACPI - Advanced Configuration and Power Interface with (HAL) Hardware Abstraction Layer PC.
Simply put : single processor motherboard with single processor.

* Best viewed in Notepad with Word Wrap turned OFF *

Main features :
* Warning message
* Imagine...
* Article description
* System used
* Norton Ghost - Ghosting C:/ partition and potential problems
* CDR/RW, CD burning and ASPI layer
* IRQ issue
* Hard drives
* NTFS or FAT32
* General notes
* Installing WindowsXP
* Creating Hardware & User Profiles.
* Installing Chipset & Hardware drivers.
* Menual tweaks
* Run command tweaks
* Various other tweaks
* Services tweaks
* Registry tweaks (do it one at a time and test the results)
* Notes
* Logic Audio tweaks
* Additional tips
* Appendix : include good people valuable comments !!!
* Reg files entries (excerpts from deXter www.newwin.net)
* Reg files entries My REG file entries

Warning message
I'm not responsible for any consequences resulting from trying the following tweaks ! (don't be desperate, read on...)
This article meant for power users !. However, others can learn how far they can go with their computers and hopefully start learning.
You MUST know how to handle WindowsXP's menus, registry, partitions, formats etc.
You will encounter problems that is NOT written here and you will have to solve it yourself !.
However, you can avoid ALL your potential problems by simply use Norton Ghost to back up and restore your system partition (see following notes).
It WILL take some time to do all tweaks here and to achieve this amazing performance !!. BUT - after doing it you will have the following ...

Imagine ...
Imagine you enjoy your computer performance as if it was bought right now - ANY TIME
Imagine you run your computer at it's fastest peak potential - ANY TIME
Imagine you can test ANY DAW, plugins, sounds, samples with absolutely NO restrictions - ANY TIME
Imagine you have a computer with power you never dreamed of/knew before - ANY TIME
Imagine you enjoy your favorite DAW at it's fastest peak performance - ANY TIME
Imagine you enjoy your favorite plugins with out almost ANY limit - ANY TIME
Imagine you can restore your best, fastest, peak computer performance in THREE MINUTES, even after a TOTAL software crash - ANY TIME
This is what my article is all about ...

Article description
I'm addicted to Acoustic Samples !!
Most, if not all of my music played with those samples, which takes huge amount of computer space and resources.
This article is about achieving an amazing audio performance with Logic Audio Platinum v5.5.1 in WindowsXP on a single computer.
It is a result of years of continues and dedicated learning/reading with trial & error.
It has many proven working tweaks (as well as a few potential ones). It is NOT and never meant to be complete.
It is NOT theoretical one - ALL tweaks improve DAW performance, tested and proved to be working in real world's audio/samples playing.
With the advent of over 1 Gigabyte of samples instruments for software samplers emerging recently - tweaking the computer to it's fullest performance is a must !.
I've made it like a note pad : as short and right to the point as possible - each tweak (or the way to do it) is written ONCE ! (except for few) and each word - counts.
The tweaks are set Menually (through menus) and at the Registry. There are tweaks that can be set only at Registry. However, ALL tweaks are finally written to the Registry.
Some default Windows settings are NOT written in registry keys/values (why ? because it is DEFAULT !)
All tweaks could be gathered into one big REG file and merged into the registry in one go !. I've done that partially .. see appendix.
One BIG advantage to this approach is that you will get familiar with the tweaks and learn how to reverse it settings.
If you want to know more details about a tweak - copy/paste the tweaks here and search the Internet.
I never said "I know it all" ... I said "I know much". Found something new ? - Email me and i'll update this article. ALL of us will benefit.

Systems used :
The following two Hardware systems used WindowsXP Home that was setup with four profiles and tweaked for fastest performance :
1. User profile for WindowsXP default settings for general, average use.
2. Hardware profile for WindowsXP default settings for general, average use.
3. User profile for Light speed audio (DAW) with realtime processing.
4. Hardware profile for Light speed audio (DAW) with realtime processing.

and achieved the following DAW performance :

*** System 1 ***
Gigabyte GA-8KNXP board
Intel P4 3 GB Hyper threading processor.
2 GB DDR400 PC3200, Dual Channel configuration.
Geforce 4 MX440 AGP 8X 128MB DDR
UDMA 100/133 Hard disks (900 GB total)
Audiowerk2 PCI Sound Card / Maya 44 MKII
WindowsXP original English version home edition with service pack 2, DirectX 9.x
Logic Audio Platinum v 5.5.1.
This system achieved :
70 sine wav files played on 70 Audio tracks with 70 Logic's native reverbs (35 mono 35 stereo)
OR ..
300 polyphony with Logic's 10 internal EXS24 mkII samplers, playing 10 Pianos with over 5 GB of samples (Due to EXS24 Virtual Memory) without reverbs.
OR ..
30000 samples in 1400 groups in 43 Kontakt 2 instruments, with up to 130 polyphony,
17 Gigabyte of samples loaded into memory total !.
* Kontakt 2 Disk streaming loads only about 6 percent of all samples to memory, and read it from hard disk.
I know it sound absurd, but it's true.

*** System 2 ***
Intel's D850GB board
Intel P4 1.4 GB Processor.
640 MB RDRAM
nVidia Riva tnt 32mb
UDMA 100/133 Hard disks (500 GB total)
Audiowerk2 PCI Sound Card.
WindowsXP original English version home edition with service pack 1, DirectX > 8.
Logic Audio Platinum v 5.5.1.
This system achieved :
36 sine wav files played on 36 Audio tracks with 36 Logic's native reverbs (18 mono 18 stereo)
OR ..
120 polyphony without reverbs, with Logic's internal sampler EXS24 mkII.
(With this system i've released two of my original music CDs).

All were using the computer's CPU for processing.
All were playing simultaneously with no audio and performance artefacts or degradation.
All native logic reverbs, Platinum, Gold, Silver, An, A - verbs, were spread evenly across all Audio tracks, one on each track.
Note that reverb is one of the most computer resources demanding audio FX. All others require much less computer power so less reverbs = more audio tracks-up to hard disk limit !.
I've even gained two more tracks by running Logic high priority. That gives you a rough idea for what you can achieve.

**** Norton Ghost - Ghosting C:/ partition and potential problems :
With Norton Ghost you backup (ghosting) your tweaked C:/WindowsXP PARTITION to ANOTHER hard disk PARTITION, and restore it back to C:/.
This way you can easily and fastly (2-3 minutes) restore any fresh, virus free tweaked WindowsXP step you plan ahead of time.
DO NOT connect to the internet until you finish ghosting any step to avoid being affected by viruses and ghosting them too !! (except for short WinXP activation)
Use Norton Ghost in DOS mode. You floppy/CD boot your computer (e.g. WindowsME boot disk) and ghosting C:/ from the DOS like black screen ...
* You will have to use FAT32 on BOTH WindowsXP install AND your Ghost files partitions for WindowsME boot disk to recognize them !
. However, Ghost v9 and above recognizes NTFS partitions.
* you will have to know some basic DOS commands. (D: or E:=Goto Partition, CD=Change Directory, CD..=Go up one directory level, hit Enter)
Why using floppy/CD Dos like boot (or any other startup media) ? simply because if your windows will not load, you won't be able to start GHOST from Windows
and you will not know how to restore from DOS like screen cause you did not practice !. (ah ?!)

Ghosting steps might be like the following :
GhostName.gho- Action taken (C: partition, usually where Windows XP is)
-------------+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WinXP_0.gho - WindowsXP with fresh default install + Activation with Graphic card only. LATEST BIOS, defaults OR optimized settings.
WinXP_1.gho - WindowsXP with Service pack latest version.
WinXP_2.gho - WindowsXP with Default & Audio, Hardware & user profiles created + Safe only Menual, Run commands & services tweaks done in Audio profiles !.
WinXP_3.gho - WindowsXP with Audio profiles Registry tweaks (Preferably with .reg files so you can easily revert any change).
WinXP_4.gho - WindowsXP with Default profiles LATEST - Intel Chipset (or any other brand), DirectX, Audio, Video (Display), RAID/SATA - in THAT order ! (weird ha? ya bet)
WinXP_5.gho - WindowsXP with Audio Profile's Audio applications (not plugins) + Default Profile's MINIMUM, MUST have Applications installed that do NOT run in the background ! (like Anti virus etc.)
WinXP_6.gho - WindowsXP with Audio Profile's Plugins and any add ons.
Note that the above steps order let you revert back to any version and rebuild from there.
How do i know an application is running - Ctrl+Alt+Del > Look at Applications / Processes tabs.
You can "EndTask" there but it is strongly recommended to not run them in the first place.
If problem continues after extracting a ghosted Windows :
Try previous ghost version.
Take out all the memory modules except one, and try moving it to a different slot.
Check for heat problems - Motherboard temperature should stay around 30-50 celsius (I've opened my case completely).
Try a different Power Supply.

**** Dual boot with Two primary partitions :
Instead of having ONE WinXP with Dual Hardware and User profiles, Internet and Music for example, installed on the Single, Boot, Primary Partition 1
you can have TWO WinXPs installed on Two Primary Partitions, each one with it's own Hardware and user profiles.

General Explanation :
Multiple Primary Partitions intended for booting Multiple Systems.
Only ONE Primary Partition can be Active.
The Active Primary Partition will be the first one to searched after Computer BIOS routines,
and the one that will execute the BOOT.INI file, the multi boot menu.

For example, lets assume you have the following two winXPs already ghosted :
WinXP internet (originally installed on a single, Primary Partition 1) would be installed on the Boot, Primary Partition 1 and will have only the default Hardware and User profiles
WinXP Music (originally installed on a single, Primary Partition 1) would be installed on the Primary Partition 2 and will have Two Hardware and User profiles.
(It is strongly recommended for WinXP Music to still have Two Hardware and User profiles since, sometimes,
programs installation would need certain services to run in the default Hardware and user profiles.)

In order to boot your WinXP Music (that is already ghosted and was originally booted from Primary Partition 1)
from Primary Partition 2, you must tweak the two WinXPs systems and partitions in a very specific way.
* BACK UP YOUR DATA to other than the following hard disk !.

** WinXP Music
* Restore your WinXP Music to the Primary Partitions 1.
* Restart...
* Enter you WinXP Music by selecting the default Hardware and User profiles.
* Start > Control panel > Administrative tools > Computer management > Disk management
* Delete all partitions other than your first boot partition (Windows will not let you delete it any way).
* Add Primary Partition 2 to the currently Boot Primary Partition 1.
* If you create two primary partitions on other hard disk ...
. Create Two primary partitions (15GB each) on other intendant master Boot hard disk and mark Primary Partition 1 as Active
. Marking Partition as Active means : After BIOS, this partition will be the FIRST partition the computer will look for a bootable system.
. The Boot.ini in this Active partition will direct Windows for the rest of systems in other, NO boot, Primary Partitions.
* Restart
* Start > Run > regedit > OK > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/MountedDevices
. Assuming your system is C: ...
* Rename /DosDevices/D: to /DosDevices/X:, or unused drive letter
* Rename /DosDevices/C: to /DosDevices/D:
* Rename /DosDevices/X: to /DosDevices/C:
* Explorer > Rename C_ Partition to the same as your intendant Ghost file - 8 Characters.
* Restart with Startup Diskette/CD.
* Ghost this WinXP Music, renaming it as it's C_ Partition.
* Restore this WinXP Music just ghosted to Primary Partition 2.

** WinXP internet
* Restore your WinXP internet to Primary Partitions 1.
* Restart your WinXP internet.
* Edit your Boot.ini as follows :
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)/WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)/WINDOWS="Partition 1 - Internet" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)/WINDOWS="Partition 2 - Music" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
* Ghost this WinXP internet, renaming it.
* Advanced method instead of ghosting WinXP internet ;
. While in WinXP internet, copy Boot.ini to another hard disk FAT32 1st partition, or a diskette.
. Delete all it's attributes System, Hidden, Read only.
. Restart with the Startup Diskette/CD
. While in the Dos like screen ...
. Delete C_ Boot.ini attributes with : Attrib DriveLetter_Boot.ini -s -h -r
. Copy the copied Boot.ini in the other hard disk FAT32 1st partition or the diskette, overwriting Boot.ini in the Boot, Primary Partition 1.

* Restart - DONE !.

When loading WinXP Music from Primary Partition 2,
You should see at Start > Control panel > Administrative tools > Computer management > Disk management the following :
(C:) (Boot) (Aviel remark - this is a WinXP bug since it is now the System, NOT the Active Partition}
(D:) (System) (Aviel remark - this is a WinXP bug since it is now the Active Partition, NOT the System}
Any way, At WinXP Music, the Active, boot Primary Partition 1 is DIFFERENT than the System Primary Partition 2, which is NOT Active.

**** CDR/RW, CD burning and ASPI layer :
Most CD burning software/hardware needs ASPI layer, which is not installed by WindowsXP default.
Most of the problems with winXP and CD burning software are ASPI layer problems.
My NERO 6.x.x.x do not have any problem - install it and done.
After installing winXP, before installing any CD burning software do a few things first:
Explorer > highlight CD player > right click > Properties > Autoplay > Set "take no action" for each and all content types.
Explorer > highlight CD player > right click > Properties > Recording > Untick "Enable CD recording on this drive".
Install the standard ASPI layer from : http://www.adaptec.com. Goto support and search for the word ASPI.
Install dedicated CD burning program like Nero.

**** IRQ issue:
Microsoft states :
"On a computer that is running the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL),
you are NOT able to change a resource setting for a device in Device Manager.
If you modify the resource settings in the BIOS, the changes do not register.
This behavior occurs because the ACPI HAL controls resource assignments in Windows XP and does not permit user intervention."...
"You can manually configure resources in Windows only if you are using Standard PC HAL, and even then you may not be able to configure some devices"
I've tried both and i've found ACPI very reliable.
Nevertheless ..
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > View > Resources by connection > IRQs > Make sure your sound card do NOT share IRQ with other PCI cards.
It can be shared with board's resource devices.
Since you are about to tweak Windows for Audio dedicated use, you will use your sound card solely with no other PCI devices working at the same time.
It is sometimes possible to change your sound card IRQs by exchanging slots (I've tried assign IRQ at BIOS and it did change at Windows)
It is possible to Prioritize IRQs. See the following "Prioritizing".
(See also "Appendix" for other's people comments)

Hard drives :
-------------------------------------
2 hard disk configuration (poor you) :
1st IDE Master : Divide this hard disk into 3 FAT32 partitions : 1st partition (10GB)-system ONLY with NO data* (will be ghosted), 2nd (10GB)-Audio Progs ONLY with NO data**, 3rd-all other progs + Ghost files.
. * System ONLY with NO data menas: Not My documents, Emails, Address books, Favorites etc. Move them to other hard disk/partition (see Shell Folders)
. ** Audio Progs ONLY with NO data : Most installs will let you choose where to install the program and where the DATA. do NOT put both together if possible.
2nd IDE Master : ALL recording/playback audio & Sample files ONLY (NO virtual memory pagefile.sys here !)
-------------------------------------
3 hard disk configuration :
1st IDE Master : The same as above
2nd IDE Master : ALL sample files ONLY (reading from HD, NO virtual memory pagefile.sys here !).
2st IDE Slave : ALL recording/playback audio files ONLY (reading/writing from/to HD, NO virtual memory pagefile.sys here !).
-------------------------------------
You must have at least 3 fast hard disk to achieve this amazing performance.
Hard disks MUST be connected with NO OTHER DEVICES attached, like CDROM/RW, DVD, etc. They slow down transfer rates when connectd.
Keep your hard disks defragmented AT ALL TIMES !! It's much faster to defragment very often.
Use special 80 wires cable for UDMA 66/100/133 Hard disks.
Hard disks greater than 137 GB requires WindosXP with Service pack 1 or 1a, with some registry tweaks and/0r System32 updates, depend on your HD.
Attach the Master HDD to the last terminator and the Slave to the middle with the shortest possible cable.
Use the correct drivers for you Controllers (So DMA can be enabled).
Increasing HDD performance by changing cluster size is an option i haven't tried yet.
RAID 0 (ONLY) increases data transfer significantly, BUT, if one drive fails - all data in the RAIDed hard disks will be gone !.
Use RAID 0 if you're crazy enough and have backed up all your files.
NetCell's SyncRAID is a new technology that should be considered.
For CD devices connected to boards with 2 IDEs only - buy PCI IDE and use it when you are NOT Audioing !
Latest boards come with
Serial ATA (SATA) is even better. BIOS update is a MUST !.
Serial ATA (SATA) in a RAID configuration - whaoooo !!.
Ghost program launched with Win ME/98 startup diskette will stuck if SATA HD exist.
There should be settings in the BIOS that make SATA controller compatible with IDE. Try it and Ghost will run ok.

**** NTFS or FAT32 :
I've tried both.
* There is no noticeable boost in performance in audio use up to 127GB.
* NTFS is much better in security issues.
* Generally, WindowsXP's native file system is NTFS, which allows you terra bytes hard disks, unlimited file size (FAT32 is limited to 4 GB), etc.
File size of 4 GB is small due to the emerging of the new VST instruments with Meta Data files of over 4 GB.
* Startup disk up to WindowsME will NOT recognize NTFS !.
* You will HAVE to use NTFS to format hard disks greater than 127GB !!
* Do NOT convert any FAT to NTFS, due to Defragmentation of the NTFS Master File Table, Unaligned clusters size and locations, etc.
It's best to create and format new hard disk from scratch and copy all you need to it.
* Reserve proper space for master file table in NTFS. see:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem > "NtfsMftZoneReservation"
Rules of thumb :
1. Set "NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:0000000X first !
2. Reboot.
3. Partition & Format your Hard disk with NTFS.
4. Copy your files into this hard disk.
If you format hard disks greater than 127-137GB with NTFS AND it will contain a very large number of your Audio/Sample files ..
set "NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000002.
This is a run-time parameter and does not affect the format of a volume. Rather, it affects the way NTFS allocates space on all volumes on a given system.
Therefore, to be completely effective, the parameter must be in effect from the time that a volume is formatted throughout the life of the volume.
(See also "Appendix" for other's people comments)

**** General notes :
All tweaks here worked fine for my system, but it can be applied to almost any Audio dedicated computer. (or any other dedicated one like games ..)
Dedicated means - you work with audio on a SEPARATE Hardware AND User profiles and apart from other tasks, like internet.
You'll NOT get this amazing performance if :
1. You partially tweaking - tweak it all !. (if you do not understand something, skip it and redo it later)
2. You work in a multimedia way : Audio with Internet, Radio, cooking, watching mpegs, chatting etc.
There is no computer/system yet that can work on different tasks at the same time and achieve this amazing performance (including Mac).
Your computer hardware's maximum performance is determined solely by your Windows performance tweaks !!
Hardware is a POTENTIAL that can be fully reached only by tweaking.
You can have the best hardware, but if your WindowsXP is lousy tweaked - you'll be slow, baby !
Better hardware with the following tweaks will result a better performance. Use faster CPU / Board / Buses, more & faster RAM / Hard disks your money can get.
However - i did encountered Bad/Defective motherboards/hardware. This is rare but you should take this as a LAST possibility.

After a while, by installing/uninstalling/running programs, the registry becomes fatter and the disk - defragmented.
You'll never get the maximum performance if you'll use all kinds of tweaking tools to deal with the fat registry phenomena.
Further more - each installation will make registry even fatter so .. you see the catch ?
!!! The absolute best way is to revert to your fresh/tweaked windows version you've backed up with Ghost !!!.
Hint :
at installation, Most, if not all programs write to the registry. However, not all of them need those keys to run (especially small programs/utilities)
to get rid of a particular program's regitry keys and help shrinking the registry and GHOST sizes do the following :
* Install this kind of program (Registry keys WILL be written) or copy it's installation to some other hard disk/partition location.
* Restore your last GHOST (the one without this particular installation so registry keys is NOT present)
* Run the program from the new location - this time without it's registry keys !
* Why doing it ? for example, Active Eraser Demo is a good little program that wipes all traces of paths, computer/files history, cookies, temporary files etc.
. I run it without it's registry keys just before GHOSTing and i get cleaner smaller GHOST backup !.

WindowsXP is an amazingly stable system - it almost NEVER crashes, unless you tweak it wrong !.
Drivers conflict could crash windows.
Use WindowsXP original English version ONLY (No language support)

When you complete tweaking windows, you will achieve 95% of your DAW potential to perform at full performance.
You will left with just a few DAW/Driver tweaking mainly in it's hardware settings.

Forget about Clear Type fonts, It will slow down your computer to hell ! better use Control Panel > Display > Settings > Advanced > Set DPI settings.

It is possible that you'll encounter minor wired behaviours of your computer because of the tweaks :
* Windows will not shut down normally - Try Log off and then shut down
* Windows will not shut down normally - Simply shut down with the power on/off switch at the power supply AFTER windows saves it's settings and you see the Shutting down message.
* Startup programs will not load - You will have to change the relevant registry keys (you can do it with *.reg file) and use msconfig to revert your twekas.
There are solutions to that - search the net.

Always install the LATEST, up to date : BIOS (Before Windows installation), Chipset & Hardware drivers - in THAT order !.
Disable devices you do not use at all at the BIOS (for example - second COM ports, LANs, USBs, built in audio etc.)

It takes some time to get used to zero time flying menus and a light speed performance computer, but after you get use to it - there is no way back.

There is no substitute for Talent/musicality/inspiration/mood/practice/good playing - no super computer will do it for you !.

Thank you very much for all of you who placed their knowledge at the internet. You've helped me made my music programming ideas and dreams come true.
http://www.blkviper.com/
http://www.tburke.net/info/regentry (Registry ultimate)
http://members.optushome.com.au/skinah/ or
http://www.pcmus.com/
http://www.musicxp.net
Read more at :
http://www.opusaudioprojects.net/WinXp.htm
http://www.pcaudiolabs.com/winxp_tweaks.htm
http://www.absdigital.co.uk/dloads/XPdawTweaks.htm
http://www.djwebpages.com/cgi-bin/2ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=000154;p=
and many more great people out there

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

OK .. Let's dive ... into the tweaks ...

Update BIOS & Install WindowsXP:
1. Take out ALL PCI/USB/COM etc... hardware devices/cards, leaving the computer with Graphic card only.
2. Update BIOS before Installing WindowsXP ! (Note : some require that you update BIOS sequentially-from one version to another (not omitting any version !)
3. Install fresh Windows XP with it's default settings (ACPI HAL) on a newly formatted hard disk. DO NOT Upgrade to WindowsXP !.
5. Ghost it NOW !! FIRST thing !!!
4. Activate it through the internet.
. in order to get rid of the MODEM driver and make SURE you are not infected by virus from the net when activating, do the following :
. * After Activation, Copy C:/Windows/System32/wpa.dbl to other location than C:/.
. * Restart your computer with any startup diskette and Restore your fresh installed ghost to c:/
. * While you're in startup diskette system, Copy wpa.dbl back to C:/Windows/System32 - DONE. Your WinXP is activated.
6. Update to the latest BIOS/Motherboard chip set (or whatever name it might be) !!

Creating Hardware & User Profiles.
Create matched User and Hardware profiles :
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Hardware profiles > Create hardware profiles
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Hardware profiles > select "Wait until i select a hardware profile"
Control Panel > User Accounts > Create user accounts corresponding to Hardware profiles names
Profiles loading :
You should load MATCHED Hardware & User profiles (although you can mix it for different tasks, but leave it for later on ..)
Default Hardware with Default User profiles
Audio Hardware with Audio User profiles.
Hardware profile is selected first right after the computer's POST (Power On Self Test)] and then User profile.

Hardware/device drivers installation :
When installing device drivers - choose Default hardware profile with Audio user profile (so all services is available).
Insert cards/devices : (only when computer is OFF, Unplugged and static charge free - if you did not know that - forget about it all and go buy an OEM computer)
Insert all cards or each card individually and install it's latest up to date drivers, avoiding general/generic drivers.
Note : I've installed/insert all my devices and i could not tell any differences between this and removing them. fyi.

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

Menual tweaks : (ALL Menual tweaks are safe)
--------------------------------------------
* You must be logged on to Audio Hardware AND User profile !!
All user dependable unless noted.

Control Panel > Taskbar and Start Menu > Taskbar > Uncheck "Hide Inactive Icons"
Control Panel > Taskbar and Start Menu > Start menu > Check "Start menu" > Customized > Advanced > disable as many as possible.

Control panel > Keyboard > Character repeat > Repeat delay > Short
Control panel > Keyboard > Character repeat > Repeat rate > Fast
Control panel > Mouse > Pointer options > Select a pointer speed > "Fast"

Explorer > Right click Toolbars > Unlock Toolbars & Customize
Explorer > View > Details
Explorer > View > Status bar
Explorer > View > Toolbars > Address bar
Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View > Advanced Settings > disable All/Most ... but the following :
Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View > Advanced Settings > tick "Do not cache thumbnails"
Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View > Advanced Settings > tick "Launch folder windows in separate process" (Stabelize system but use much more RAM)
Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View > Apply to all folders
Explorer > F3 > Change preferences > Without an animated screen character (Turn off animated character)
Explorer > F3 > Change preferences > Don't show balloon tips
Explorer > F3 > Change preferences > Turn AutoComplete off
Explorer > F3 > Change preferences > Without Indexing Service
Following is another way to Folder Options ...
Control Panel > Folder Options > Offline Files > Untick "Enable Offline Files" if there is any.
Control Panel > Folder Options > View > Disable ALL EXCEPT "Display the full path in address bar" see also "Launch folder windows ..."
Control Panel > Folder Options > View > Disable ALL EXCEPT "Do not cache thumbnails"
Control Panel > Folder Options > View > Disable ALL EXCEPT "Launch folder windows in separate process" (Stabelize system but use much more RAM)

Control Panel > Folder Options > File types > Highlight "AudioCD"> Advanced > Actions > Highlight "Play" > Remove
Control Panel > Folder Options > File types > Highlight "DVD" > Advanced > Actions > Highlight "Play" > Remove
Disable Indexing :
1. Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Click the "Add/Remove Window Components" icon > untick "Indexing services" > next.
2. Explorer > F3 > Change preferences > Without Indexing Service
3. Explorer > Right click each disc > Properties > Untick "Allow Indexing Service to index this disc for fast file searching"
4. Disable Indexing service. see "Services tweaks"

Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Visual Effects > "Adjust for best performance" (this tweak will affect many following tweaks too)
Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Background Services (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > System Cache (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Change > "System Managed size" > Set (*1) (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Advanced > Startup and Recovery > Settings > Untick "Automatically Restart" (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Advanced > Error Reporting > Disable Error Reporting (check "But notify me when critical errors occur") (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Automatic Updates > Turn off automatic updating. UnTick "Keep my computer ..." (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > System Restore > Tick the "Turn off System Restore on all Drives" (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Remote > Untick "Allow remote assistance invitations to be sent from this computer" (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers > Properties > Advanced > "DMA if available" for each device (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > View > Resources by connection > IROs > Make sure your sound card do NOT share IRQs. (Mutual to ALL users)
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > Disable unused ports / devices for and in each Hardware profile to free up resources (select > Right click > Disable).
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > Disk Drives > Right click each hard disk > Properties > Policies > Untick "Enable write caching" (havn't been tried)

Control Panel > Display > Desktop > Background > None
Control Panel > Display > Desktop > Customise Desktop > Untick "Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days"
Control Panel > Display > Screen Saver > None
Control Panel > Display > Settings > 16 bit (some cards will work better with 32, Do not use 256 colours)
Control Panel > Display > Settings > Advanced > Troubleshoot > Hardware acceleration > Move the slider one tick to the left in case of problem.
Control Panel > Display > Settings > Advanced > Set DPI settings if fonts are too small
Control Panel > Display > Appearance > Effects > Untick ALL except "Hide underlined letters ...."
Control Panel > Display > Appearance > Windows and Buttons > Windows classic style

Control Panel > Date and Time > Internet Time > Untick "Automatically synchronize with an internet time server"

Control Panel > Power Options > Power schemes > Always On
Control Panel > Power Options > Power schemes > Turn off monitor > Never
Control Panel > Power Options > Power schemes > Turn off hard discs > Never
Control Panel > Power Options > Power schemes > System standby > Never
Control Panel > Power Options > Hibernate > Untick "Enable hibernation"

Control Panel > Schedule tasks, Double click to open Scheduled Tasks > Advanced > "stop using Task scheduler"
Control Panel > Schedule tasks (left click) > Delete ALL tasks if there are any.

Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices.. > Hardware Tab > select each one in the list > Properties > Properties > Audio Devices > select each one in the list > Properties > Check "Do not map through this device".
This might include - built in/your sound card, Legacy Audio drivers, (This will disallow Windows from using your audio card while you're in a recording program)
Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Sounds > Sound Scheme > No sound

Control Panel > User Accounts > Change the way users log on or off > Disable "Use Fast User Switching"

Start > All programs > Windows messenger > Tools > Options > Preferences > Untick ALL options to disable icon to work/show.
Remove MSMessenger : Stop MSMessenger at SystemTray/Task manager, Run > "RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%/inf/msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove"
.
.
Run command tweaks :
--------------------
Start > All programs > Startup > Delete any.
Run > “diskperf –n" (without "") > Restart. Disable disk I/O performance logging) (Safe tweak)
Run > "regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll" (without "") > Restart. Disable WindowsXP native ZIP function in explorer (Safe tweak) ("regsvr32 zipfldr.dll" to ReEnable)
Run > "MSConfig" (without "") > Disable ALL except "Load System Services" and enable must have devices selectively > ReLog.
Run > "cleanmgr" (without "") > Select Drive > Disk cleanup + More options (Safe tweak)
Run > "cleanmgr /sageset:1" (without "") > Set options > OK (Replace 1 with 2,3,etc.. for different settings, Safe tweak)
Run > "cleanmgr /sagerun:1" (without "") > OK
Run > "defrag c: -b" (without ""). Forces immediate Application and Boot file Defrag instead of Windows default every 3 days.
(This type of defrag pushes all commonly used programs and boot files to the edge of the hard drive for faster access).
Run > "rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks" > OK. To manually invoke process idle tasks.
.
Various other tweaks :
----------------------
C:/windows/prefetch - Delete all files there once in a while, when you feel window apps loadings are slower. (Safe tweak)
.                     Delete all files there right after tweaking and just before ghosting (those files reflects your tweaking activity and NOT your Audio work !).
.                     Deleting Prefetch files makes subsequent programs loads to be temporarily SLOWER.
.                     HOWEVER, After deleting, Windows recreate & update those files to reflect your current work, and program files needed for FASTER loading.
.
Services tweaks : (Hardware dependant)
--------------------------------------
This is the most powerful and critical one !
You must be in the Audio Hardware and User profiles. Do it BEFORE any apps installed.
Where to tweak the services :
Start > Control Panel > Administrative tools > Services > Right click a service > Properties > Log on > Highlight the hardware to be disabled at > Disable > Apply > ok
Disable *ALL* services for your tweaked Audio hardware profile EXCEPT the following services :
Event Log
Plug and Play
Remote Procedure Call
Windows Audio
Windows Management Instrumentation
* Disabling a service shortcuts : Select a service > Enter > Ctrl+Tab > Tab Tab .. > Arrow Down > Arrow Down > Tab > D > A > Enter
* New installations may install additional services. Disable them if they are NOT for Audio use.
* Logical disk manager - see notes below
* Using "Net Start/Stop Service Name" command is not recommended due to too many services dependencies.
* Windows will boot SLOWER when services are disabled. However, performance will increase significantly.
* New installations may require Windows installer or other service (Installation will simply stop without telling you it needs it!)
In this case you will have to :
A) if you are in the Audio profile - Enable the required service in the Log on tab and start it (don't forget to stop and disable it again) OR ...
B) install the app at the default Hardware profile & Default or Audio User profiles, depending where you want it to be installed.
.
.
Registry tweaks :
-----------------
* You must be logged on to Audio Hardware AND User profile !!
* Do it one at a time and test the results for a period of time.
* Make new or modify existing keys and values. Some are self explanatory.
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER is User dependable
* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is mutual to ALL user profiles

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop] "AutoEndTasks"="1"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop] "HungAppTimeout"="1000" to "5000"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop] "MenuShowDelay"="0" (menus speed in miliseconds)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop] "WaitToKillAppTimeout"="4000" (Not recommended by some)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop] "WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="4000"or"1000" (Not recommended by some)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced] "EnableBalloonTips"=dword:0000000
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced] "ShowInfoTip"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run] Delete MSMSGS if you do not need it
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer] "NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000b5 (CDs AutoRun-b5=Disable, 91=Enable (microsoft))
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer] "NoInstrumentation"=dword:00000001 (Disable User Tracking)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer] "NoLowDiskSpaceChecks"=dword:00000001 (Disable low disk pace pop up a balloon)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced] "DisableThumbnailCache"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer] "link"=hex:00,00,00,00 Shortcuts without "Shortcut to.."

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Filesystem] "DisableNTFSLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001 (Probably WRONG syntax)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Filesystem] "NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Filesystem] "NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation"=dword:00000001 (only if you do NOT use any DOS progs)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem] "NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000001 (reserves 12.5% of free diskspace for MFT, auto resized)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem] "NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000002 (reserves 25% of free diskspace for MFT, auto resized)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem] "NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000003 (reserves 37.5% of free diskspace for MFT, auto resized)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem] "NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000004 (reserves 50% of free diskspace for MFT, auto resized)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem] "ContigFileAllocSize"=dword:512 (+Defrag havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem/CDFS] "CacheSize"=hex:ac,09,00,00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem/CDFS] "CacheSize"=binary:ff ff 00 00 (havn't been tried - it speeds up CD copying to hard drives)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem/CDFS] "Prefetch"=dword:00004000 (havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem/CDFS] "PrefetchTail"=dword:00004000 (havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/PriorityControl] "Win32PrioritySeparation"=dword:00000026or18(Hex)(CPU scheduling:26(38)=Programs, 18(24)=Background)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/PriorityControl] "IRQ8Priority"=dword:00000001 (or any other IRQ number instead of 8 - watch it here !)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "ClearPageFileAtShutdown"=dword:00000001 (takes more time to shut down)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "ContigFileAllocSize"=dword:512 (+Defrag havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "DisablePagingExecutive"=dword:00000001 ** WARNING : Requires at least 512 MB RAM !
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00001000 (Windows default)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00002000 (008192_KB-For 064+MB_RAM)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00004000 (016384_KB-For 128+MB_RAM)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00008000 (032768_KB-For 160+MB_RAM)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00010000 (065536_KB-For 256+MB_RAM)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00020000 (131072_KB-For 512+MB_RAM)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "LargeSystemCache"=dword:00000001 See Notes
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "PagedPoolSize, NonPagedPoolSize" - Let Windows handle it !
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "SecondLevelDataCache"=dword:00000100 for 256K L2 cache
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "SecondLevelDataCache"=dword:00000200 for 512K L2 cache
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "SecondLevelDataCache"=dword:00000400 for 1Meg L2 cache
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management] "SecondLevelDataCache"=dword:00000800 for 2Meg L2 cache
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Environment] "DEVMGR_SHOW_DETAILS"="1" (Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Environment] "DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES"="1"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}/0000] "EnableUDMA66"=dword:00000001 (only for intel chipsets)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}/0000] "EnableUDMA100"=dword:00000001(only for intel chipsets)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/Cdrom] AutoRun=dword:0000000 (Overrides HKLM & HKCU - NoDriveAutoRun & TypeAutoRun (Disable "Media Change Notification")
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/Atapi/Parameters] EnableBigLba=dword:0000001 (Enabling support for drives greater than 137Gb For WinXP SP1, HD>137GB present & Compatible BIOS ONLY !)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/MyComputer/NameSpace/DelegateFolders/{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}Del Shared folders
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace/{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} Delete this key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/AlwaysUnloadDLL] @="1" (Must exist key with NO value)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer] "AlwaysUnloadDLL"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/Explorer] "DisableCurrentUserRun"=dword:0000001 (0 for default profile, havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/Explorer] "DisableCurrentUserRunOnce"=dword:00000001 (0 for default profile, havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/Explorer] "DisableLocalMachineRun"=dword:00000001 (0 for default profile, havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/Explorer] "DisableLocalMachineRunOnce"=dword:00000001 (0 for default profile, havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/Explorer] "NoTrayItemsDisplay"=dword:00000001 (0 for default profile, not necessary)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/Explorer] "NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000b5 (No need. Overrides by AutoRun=dword:0000000)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/AeDebug] (Delete to Disable Dr. Watson)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/WBEM/CIMOM] "Logging"="0" (havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/WBEM/CIMOM] "EnableEvents"="0" (havn't been tried)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Dfrg/BootOptimizeFunction] "Enable"="Y" (havn't been tried)
.
.
MSConfig tweak (safe to tweak, Reversible) :
--------------------------------------------
Each time you want to log on to the :
Audio profile - Run > MSConfig > Disable ALL except "Load System Services" and enable must have devices selectively > ReLog.
Default profile - Run > MSConfig > Enable ALL > ReLog.

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

Notes :

Prioritizing :
Setting higher priority can lead to yet faster performance, but sometimes to click/pops/instability/hangs.
Note that you cannot run everything, and not all programs/hardware devices working smoothly - in higher priority.
* Prioritizing Individual Processes (programs) :
1. Use Windows task manager (Alt+Ctrl+Del) to set your DAW priority higher. or ..
2. Compile and run "Priority menu.reg" to create a Right Click Priority Menu for programs (see Appendix).
* Prioritizing IRQs (hardware devices) :
1. Check your device's IRQ.
2. Search "IRQ8Priority" in this article and replace 8 with your sound card's IRQ.

Set alternative path to Windows default C:/WINDOWS/Fonts in Audio User profile and/or use as fewer fonts as possible (NOT a must, see "shell folders")

Virtual memory ("System Managed sized") considerations :
Virtual memory creates a file called pagefile.sys and use it as extra, but SLOW, virtual RAM.
Spread pagefile.sys across multiple & fastest hard disks, at their-Start of the first partition, separated, dedicated, unfragmented, NTFS formated, None RAID 1/5 partition per hard disk
that contains NO system/Audio/Sample files and NO activity while you working with Audio. (in addition to the default one in C:/).
Disabling Virtual Memory is not recommended by Windows (due to Memory.dmp), though it can be done on systems with huge amount of RAM (2 GB).
The system performance is even faster but Logic reacts a bit weired from time to time. It's worth a try.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is mutual to ALL profiles. That means your Default profiles WILL be affected by it.

Samples directory path should be kept to a MAXIMUM of no more than around 4 directories.

Startup :
---------
Disable ALL you can at Startup Either temporarily (MSConfig) or permanently (at registry entries)
Following is a list of your possibly *Startup* locations & paths :

Run > MSConfig
Start > All programs > Startup > Delete any.
Explorer > C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Username/Start Menu/Programs/Startup

Deleting the following Startup keys and values are irreversible (I have'nt done this) :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run (MSConfig Startup)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer/Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunOnce/Setup
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunOnceEx
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders "Common Startup" =
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders "Common AltStartup" =
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/explorer/User Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders "Common Startup" =
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders "Common AltStartup" =
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/Shell
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/Userinit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Shared Tools/MSConfig/startupreg

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunServices
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunServicesOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer/Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunOnce/Setup
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunOnceEx
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders "Startup" =
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders "AltStartup" =
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders "Startup" =
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders "AltStartup" =
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Windows "load"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Windows "Run"

HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Windows "Run"

Set system folders' alternative paths at (Listed in precedence order !) :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders (This is THE key to change !)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders
Changing specific Folders locations :
*Outlook store folder : Outlook > Tools > Options > Maintenance > Store folder > Change > quit Outlook > ReLog
*My Documents : My Documents > right click > Properties > Target folder location
*Address book : Outlook express > Address book > Help > About (here is your Address book file and location)
Exit Outlook express, copy your *.wab file to your NEW location and Delete original directory and address book.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/WAB/WAB4/Wab File Name] "Default"=your new LocationPath/your*.wab, Restart.

LargeSystemCache
When working with files larger than physical memory :
1. It will cause swapping memory to disk in lack of physical memory
2. It will burden the hard disk where the pagefile.sys is.
3. Could be fatal.

Logic Audio tweaks
* A rare few functions (like merge objects, record buffer) in Logic 551 for Windows acts weirdie in computers with over 1GB of RAM.
* When loading song with over 1 GB of samples in a computer with 2GB RAM, logic shows it's record buffer is full (at Transport).
. Open a song with empty EXS instruments and load the ones you want INSIDE the open song with Previous/Next command. Save it with instruments NOT loaded.
. Kontakt 2 should be set to Options > Load/Import > Load instruments ... in "purged mode".
* Live Layered instruments playing : Insert Logic's I/O, assign an input, Bypass.
* Load Logic, delete ALL objects, save it as your default song. Then, make new object each time you need one. it takes much more RAM if you have unused objects
* Set the smallest settings possible, click/pop free buffers in Logic Hardware tab for lower latency.
* Activate Logic's Virtual memory in EXS24. Settings are dependant on your kind of playing/samples loaded/number of EXSs opened. Use trial & Error.
* You will have to let EXS24 ReSearch for your samples if you move them to another separate hard disk as i recommend OR simply use "EXS Manager" by Redmatica.
* Emagic recommends to deactivate "Release audio in background" in your driver preferences
* Logic's preferences file (LOGIC 5.PRF) could be damaged. Move it from your /windows,launch Logic and recheck. (It has all key commands etc. !)
* If you do not use any Logic instrument, VST, DX or other plugins - DELETE it from Logic's folder and then run Logic (it loads them into memory each time !).

Additional tips :

If you want to restore your system partition GHOST to OTHER than the original XP installation partition :
* Attach your other (new) hard drive and delete all partitions there (back up your data).
* Crate a new active primary partition in this hard drive, with equal or greater size of your ghosted system partition.
* Full format it with FAT32. (NOT quick format, otherwise it will NOT check for bad sectors),
* Restart and Restore your last good system ghost to your current system partition.
* Enter your current system. Check the drive letter your newly active partition you've just formated. let's say it is N:.
* Start > Run > regedit > OK > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/MountedDevices
. Assuming your current system is C: ...
* Rename /DosDevices/C: to /DosDevices/Z:, or any unused drive letter
* Rename /DosDevices/N: to /DosDevices/C:
* Restart the computer.
* GHOST your system with the changes you've just made.
* Attach your other (new) hard drive with the newly created partition to IDE 0 and jumper it as Master.
* Restore your new GHOST, with the changes you've just made, to the new partition.
* Restart - DONE !.

* Command Line Help Reference : Create shortcut to > hh.exe ms-its:C:/WINDOWS/Help/ntcmds.chm::/ntcmds.htm

* View Which Hot Fix Patches Have Been Installed - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Hotfix.

* Common Command Console Utilities :
Console : - Run :
Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
Disk Management - diskmgmt.msc
Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
Disk Defrag - dfrg.msc
Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
Group Policies - gpedit.msc
Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
Resultant Set of Policies - rsop.msc
Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
Services - services.msc
Component Services - comexp.msc

If you want to unInstall/remove more apps in Add/Remove
1. Remove "hide" (with out erasing the quotes) in - windows/inf/sysoc.inf.
2. BUT ... you setup your computer for a multi hardware/user environment, so you need most default WindowsXP programs.
I did not remove default WindowsXP programs (Internet explorer, Outlook, etc) and i could not tell any performance degradation when Audioing.

Logical disk manager & Logical disk manager administrative services in Music Hardware profile.
Use those Services to change Drive Letters. Usually you have to Restart Windows for this to take affect.
For immediate affect in Music Profile do the following :
1. Enable both at Services for Music Hardware Profile at their Properties tab
2. Start them right away at Services.
3. Use Disk management.

Viewing Hidden Devices
Two types of devices are hidden by default in Device Manager :
Non–Plug and Play drivers, printers, and other classes of devices that are not typically useful in configuring or troubleshooting hardware issues are hidden.
Also hidden are devices that were previously attached but are not connected to the computer at the present time, also known as non-present devices.
Typically you will not need to view hidden devices unless you need to configure or troubleshoot hardware.
Each category of hidden device requires a different procedure for Device Manager to display the devices in that category.

To view currently attached non–Plug and Play drivers, printers, and other devices
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > View > "Show hidden devices"

To view previously attached non-present devices for this instance of Device Manager only :
1. Run > "Devmgmt.msc set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1"
2. Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > View > "Show hidden devices"
To view previously attached non-present devices whenever Device Manager is running :
1. Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > View > "Show hidden devices"
2. Control Panel > System > Advanced > Environment Variables > User variables and/or System variables > New >
Variable Name=DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES
Variable Value = 1
* User variables apply only to a specific user.
* System variables apply to all users

Windows reboot without computer rebooting.
Press CRTL + ALT + DEL
Task manager > processes > click "explorer.exe" > end process
If "shut down ?" appears > No
Task manager > File > New Task > type "explorer.exe"
If the problem is major Relog or Restart normally.

Hardware tips :
* While troubleshooting, be sure to check your system with a standard mouse-driver, if you have e.g. installed some special "mouseware" tools etc.
* Only for users with VIA chipset based mainboards: Crackles and pops in your audio can sometimes be
. eliminated by changing the "PCI Latency" or "PCI clock" (only for experienced users, please refer to the manual of your BIOS and mainboard).
* Highend graphic cards sometimes tend to use up most of the PCI bus bandwidth. This could lead to problems
. with audio or midi over PCI, ISA or USB, because no contiguous data streaming is possible (which results in
. audio artefacts or noise etc.). In such a case, do not use full acceleration for your graphic card, but move the slider one tick down.
* Matrox and ATI cards seem to work fine and do very rarely cause trouble (Mine is nVidia - no problemo).

Useful keyboard shortcuts :
Run (Command prompt) = Windows key + R
System Properties = Windows key + Pause Brake
Explorer = Windows key + E

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix :

People that tried the tweaks report : (Thank you guys for your cooperation)
1. Dudu Koma reports : ASUS board with an AMD and WinXP Pro crashed when tweaking Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > System Cache

2. Gary Gordon from Sound Factory Productions, Berlin comments :
a. NTFS versus FAT32: I have read a few tests that found FAT32 audio and sample partitions up to 10% faster than NTFS.
b. You should point out that partitions should be dimensioned so that they are not more than 50% full.(PQ Partition Magic is the business!)
c. Re. ACPI, I beg to differ. Nearly all other audio tweakers recommend installing without this - and I know why!
After installing XP with ACPI and going through your first half page of tweaks, I installed my audio card and found it
was sharing an IRQ with 2 other devices! I knew that changing this is possible, but could cause problems later,
so I went back and started again without ACPI. This time, when I reached the sound card installation, all the IRQs were seperate.
.
.
******* Registry entries for easy tweaking : *******
======================================================================================================
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE : Replace "/" with back slash ANSI 92. (hold Alt 92), since HTMLs do not allow back slash to show
======================================================================================================
Deleting/Undeleting registry Keys and Values through .Reg files
.
;To UnDelete/add a value, set the value with it's data.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/EnviromentExample]
"Value"="ValueData"
"TEMP"="tmp"
.
;To delete a value, put a single - (minus sign) right after the =, infront and in place of the value's data (change the Data value to a minus sign)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/EnviromentExample]
"TEMP"=-
.
;To delete a key with its sub-keys : Add - (minus sign) infront of the key.
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER/EnviromentExample]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER/EnviromentExample/{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}]
.
;To UnDelete/add a key, remove the - (minus sign).
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/EnviromentExample]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/EnviromentExample/{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}]
.
; means this is a Remark line .. it in not executable, remove it if you want the line to be executable.
======================================================================================================
********* Priority menu.reg ***************************************************
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/RealTime Priority]
@="Start RealTime Priority (Will hang Windows !)"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/RealTime Priority/Command]
@="C://Windows//System32//cmd.exe /c start /"XQSHP/" /RealTime /"%1/""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/High Priority]
@="Start High Priority"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/High Priority/Command]
@="C://Windows//System32//cmd.exe /c start /"XQSHP/" /High /"%1/""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/AboveNormal Priority]
@="Start Above Normal Priority"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/AboveNormal Priority/Command]
@="C://Windows//System32//cmd.exe /c start /"XQSHP/" /AboveNormal /"%1/""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/BelowNormal Priority]
@="Start Below Normal Priority"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/BelowNormal Priority/Command]
@="C://Windows//System32//cmd.exe /c start /"XQSHP/" /BelowNormal /"%1/""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/Low Priority]
@="Start Low Priority"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/exefile/shell/Low Priority/Command]
@="C://Windows//System32//cmd.exe /c start /"XQSHP/" /Low /"%1/""
*******************************************************************************
.
excerpts from deXter www.newwin.net
Following are some entries that simply can be copied/pasted to a *.reg file (!!! Replace "/" with back slash ANSI 92 !!!)
Reg files are files that can import into, export from and delete Registry entries. You will have to learn a bit more to use it.
Nevertheless, it is not so complicated and can save a lot of time than tweaking the registry manually with Regedit (NOT with other app, guess why ?).
The easiest way to learn is : WindowsKey+R > regedit > select any registry entry > right click > export > name the file > save > edit.

; Following line is a headline that must exist at the top of every reg file !!!
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Tweaks entries ... (most are duplicates of the manual tweaks above. new ones are not critical to the computer performance)

;Remove Shared Documents from My Computer
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoSharedDocuments"=dword:00000001

;Disables Windows Tour bubble popup
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Applets/Tour]
"RunCount"=dword:00000000

;Disable Baloon Tips
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced]
;"EnableBalloonTips"=dword:00000000

;Disable the Desktop Cleanup Wizard
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Desktop/CleanupWiz]
"NoRun"=dword:00000001

;NoRecentDocsMenu removes the recent documents from the start menu.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoRecentDocsMenu"=dword:00000001

;Disable Highlighting New Programs on Start Menu
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced]
;"Start_NotifyNewApps"=dword:00000000

;Disable Automatic Hiding of Inactive Tray Icons
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer]
;"EnableAutoTray"=dword:00000000

;Disable Grouping of Similar Taskbar Buttons (>=1 is "from how many to start grouping")
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced]
;"TaskbarGlomming"=dword:00000000
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced]
;"TaskbarGlomming"=dword:00000000

;Disable the Unread Mail Message on the Welcome Screen
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/UnreadMail]
;"MessageExpiryDays"=dword:00000000

;Disable Fast User Switching
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon]
;"AllowMultipleTSSessions"=dword:00000000

;Enable Boot Defrag to speed up booting
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Dfrg/BootOptimizeFunction]
"Enable"="Y"

;Disable Recent Documents History
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoRecentDocsHistory"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoRecentDocsHistory"=dword:00000001

;Shortcuts without "Shortcut to.."
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer]
"link"=hex:00,00,00,00

;Disable System Restore
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/SystemRestore]
"DisableSR"=dword:00000001

;NoLowDiskSpaceChecks (won't check if you are low on diskspace and pop up a balloon telling you)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoLowDiskSpaceChecks"=dword:00000001

;Disable CDROM AutoRun
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/Cdrom]
"AutoRun"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/policies/Explorer]
"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091
; following is from microsof
"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000b5

;Disable CD Burning
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoCDBurning"=dword:00000001

;Disable Tracking of Broken Shortcut Links
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoResolveTrack"=dword:00000001

;Speeds up copying/moving of zip files(disable zip functionality)
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/.zip/CompressedFolder]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/CLSID/{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Classes/CompressedFolder]

;Speed up shutdown
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="1000"
[HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"

;Application Hung Timeout value
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop]
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"
[HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop]
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"

;Automatically End Hung Applications
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"
[HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"

;Increasing Icon Cache (Default is probably 500)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer]
"Max Cached Icons"="1024"

;Windows Prefetcher Service
; (0=disabled, 1=app launch prefetch, 2=boot prefetch, 3=both (default)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management/PrefetchParameters]
"EnablePrefetcher"=dword:00000003

;Enable Quick Reboot (Shift+Ctrl+Alt+Del, use when system has stopped responding)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon]
"EnableQuickReboot"="1"

;Disable Windows Picture and Fax Viewer
;[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/SystemFileAssociations/image/ShellEx/ContextMenuHandlers/ShellImagePreview]

;Do not use Simple File Sharing
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Lsa]
"forceguest"=dword:00000000

;Disable "Offline Files and Folders"
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/NetCache]
;"SyncAtLogon"=dword:00000000
;"SyncAtLogoff"=dword:00000000
;"NoReminders"=dword:00000001
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/NetCache]
;"Enabled"=dword:00000000

;Speed up opening of My Computer and Explorer
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/stisvc]
"Start"=dword:00000004
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced]
"NoNetCrawling"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
"NoRemoteRecursiveEvents"=dword:00000001

;Clear the Page File at System Shutdown
;Use 00000000 for a faster shutdown
;Use 00000001 for security reasons or if your pagefile usage is always high
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
;"ClearPageFileAtShutdown"=dword:00000001

;Disable sticky keys (Popups up when pressing shift for some time, accessibility)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Accessibility/StickyKeys]
"Flags"="506"

;Disable the NTFS Last Access Time Stamp (speeds up viewing folders in ntfs)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem]
"NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001

;Change the Number of Page Table Entries (Haven't tried it)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
"SystemPages"=dword:0000C350

;Force Windows to Unload DLLs from Memory
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/AlwaysUnloadDLL]
"Default"="1"

;Improve Core System Performance **** WARNING : Requires atleast 512 MB RAM!
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
"DisablePagingExecutive"=dword:00000001

;Increase IoPageLockLimit (disk cache)
; Note- Use the following settings depending on your system RAM:
; 00020000 = 131072 KB (if RAM > 512 MB)
; 00010000 = 65536 KB (if RAM > 256 MB)
; 00008000 = 32768 KB (if RAM > 128 MB)
; 00004000 = 16384 KB (if RAM > 64 MB)
; 00002000 = 8192 KB (if RAM > 32 MB)
; 00001000 = 4096 KB (if RAM < 32 MB)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
"IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00010000

;Enable UDMA-66 Support (WARNING: Newer MOBOs only, intel chipsets)
;Speeds up drives
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}/0000]
"EnableUDMA66"=dword:00000001

;Optimize L2 Cache Detection (Manual)
; Note: Change the setting depending on the L2 Cache of your CPU.
; If you dont know the L2 cache of your CPU, use a freeware program like CPU-Z
; http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
;
; 8192 KB = 00002000
; 4096 KB = 00001000
; 2048 KB = 00000800
; 1024 KB = 00000400
; 512 KB = 00000200
; 256 KB = 00000100
;
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
"SecondLevelDataCache"=dword:00000200

;Prioritize CMOS RealTime Clock Using IRQ8
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/PriorityControl]
"Win32PrioritySeparation"=dword:00000026
"IRQ8Priority"=dword:00000001

;nVidia OverClock/Tweak mode enable (Note: Use only if you have an nVidia Card!
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/NVIDIA Corporation/Global/NVTweak]
"CoolBits"=dword:00000003

;Dont show window contents while dragging
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop]
"DragFullWindows"="0"

;Disable Windows Animation Function (while max, min windows)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop/WindowMetrics]
MinAnimate="0"

;Disable Windows Installer Rollback (faster msi installs)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Policies/Microsoft/Windows/Installer]
"DisableRollback"=dword:00000001
.
.
=======================================================================================================================
.
.
Following is MY REG file. Do whatever you want with it. It worked fine for my system. It includes some remarks too (lines start with ;)
Copy from "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00" to "; Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 - END" and save it as *.reg

===Copy from next line "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00"==========================================================
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;==========================================================
; *** Aviel's HKLM & HKCU merged ***
; Create this key and Marks it in Registry, my eazy notes.
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/!AvielRegs]
"Aviel_HKLM&HKCU_v1.0.reg"="1"
;==========================================================

; === My selected deXter entries === START
;Speed up shutdown
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="1000"
; Aviel_OK
[HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"

;Application Hung Timeout value
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop]
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"
[HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop]
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"

;Automatically End Hung Applications
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"
[HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"

;Disables Windows Tour bubble popup
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Applets/Tour]
"RunCount"=dword:00000000

;Disable Highlighting New Programs on Start Menu
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced]
"Start_NotifyNewApps"=dword:00000000

;Disable sticky keys (Popups up when pressing shift for some time, accessibility)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Accessibility/StickyKeys]
"Flags"="506"

;Enable Quick Reboot (Shift+Ctrl+Alt+Del, use when system has stopped responding)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon]
"EnableQuickReboot"="1"

;Do not use Simple File Sharing
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Lsa]
"forceguest"=dword:00000000

;Increasing Icon Cache (Default is probably 500, 0000 is probably "Do NOT cache at all, not sure)
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer]
;"Max Cached Icons"="0000"

;Disable "Offline Files and Folders"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/NetCache]
"SyncAtLogon"=dword:00000000
"SyncAtLogoff"=dword:00000000
"NoReminders"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/NetCache]
"Enabled"=dword:00000000

;Change the Number of Page Table Entries (Haven't tried it) ReCheck !!
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
;"SystemPages"=dword:0000C350

;Disable Windows Installer Rollback (faster msi installs)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Policies/Microsoft/Windows/Installer]
"DisableRollback"=dword:00000001

;Shortcuts without "Shortcut to.."
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer]
"link"=hex:00,00,00,00

; === My selected deXter entries === END

; Aviel_OK
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"
;Dont show window contents while dragging
"DragFullWindows"="0"
"ForegroundLockTimeout"=dword:00000000
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"
"MenuShowDelay"="0"
; remove the Minimise, Maximise and Close button tooltips
"MinMaxClose"="0"
; disable smooth scrolling windows (No such value by default)
;"SmoothScroll"=hex:00,00,00,00
"SmoothScroll"=dword:00000000
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="1000"
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="1000"

; Disable safely remove hardware warnings (Haven't tried it)
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Applets/SysTray]
;"PCMCIAFlags"=dword:00000000

;Disable Windows Animation Function (while max, min windows)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop/WindowMetrics]
MinAnimate="0"

;----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Not OK-This one dont work
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders]
;"Favorites"="i://MyDocs//MyData//Favorites"

; Aviel_OK Favorites="i:/MyDocs/MyData/Favorites"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders]
"Favorites"=hex(2):69,00,3a,00,5c,00,4d,00,79,00,44,00,6f,00,63,00,73,00,5c,00,/
4d,00,79,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,46,00,61,00,76,00,6f,00,72,00,69,/
00,74,00,65,00,73,00,00,00

; HKLM i:/MyDocs/MyData/Favorites do nothing. Use HKCU instead.
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Shell Folders]
;"Common Favorites"="i://MyDocs//MyData//Favorites"
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/User Shell Folders]
;"Common Favorites"=hex(2):69,00,3a,00,5c,00,4d,00,79,00,44,00,6f,00,63,00,73,/
; 00,5c,00,4d,00,79,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,46,00,61,00,76,00,6f,00,/
; 72,00,69,00,74,00,65,00,73,00,00,00
;----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Aviel_OK
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced]
;Disable Balloon Tips
"EnableBalloonTips"=dword:0000000
;Disable Auto-Expanding Trees in Windows Explorer
"FriendlyTree"=dword:00000000
"DisableThumbnailCache"=dword:00000001
"DontPrettyPath"=dword:00000001
"ShowInfoTip"=dword:00000000
"TaskbarAnimations"=dword:00000000
; Grouping of Similar Taskbar Buttons
"TaskbarGroupSize"=dword:00000002

; Address book path (have'nt tried it and i don't use it)
;[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/WAB/WAB4/Wab File Name]
;@="I://MyDocs//MyData//Outlook Express//Aviel.wab"

; Aviel_OK
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run]
; "MSMSGS"="/"C://Program Files//Messenger//msmsgs.exe/" /background"
;"MSMSGS"=""
; Disable Windows Messenger Auto-Run by Deleting the MSMSGS Value
"MSMSGS"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer]
; Aviel_OK. CDs AutoRun-b5=Disable, 91=Enable (microsoft),
; Overrides by HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/Cdrom] AutoRun=dword:0000000
;"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000b5
;"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091
; Disable User Tracking (Deletes Start menu most often used progs shortcuts),
; A value of 1 prevents the system from tracking the programs users run, the paths they navigate, and the documents
; they open. The system uses this information to customize Windows features.
; As a result, the system disables customized menus and other features that require user tracking information.
;"NoInstrumentation"=dword:00000000
;"NoInstrumentation"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Internet Settings]
"MaxConnectionsPerServer"=dword:00000000
;"MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"=dword:00000005

; I havn't tried this one
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop]
; Prevent applications from stealing the focus from the window you are working
"ForegroundLockTimeout"=dword:00030d40
; turn off power when doing a shutdown
"PowerOffActive"="0"

; I havn't tried this one
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/WBEM/CIMOM]
; Enabling of event logging and the verbosity level of logging used : 0=Off 1=Error logging 2=Verbose Error logging
;"Logging"="0"
;"EnableEvents"="0"

; Enable Boot Defrag to speed up booting. I have'nt tried this one
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Dfrg/BootOptimizeFunction]
"Enable"="Y"

; Open IE full screen
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Internet Explorer/Main]
"FullScreen"="yes"

; Aviel_OK Delete Shared Folders for ALL users in My computer
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/MyComputer/NameSpace/DelegateFolders/{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}]

; Aviel_OK Delete check for any Scheduled tasks on remote computer (Windows default)
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace/{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}]
@="Scheduled Tasks"

; AlwaysUnloadDLL - Disabled by Deletetion (option 1a)
;[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/AlwaysUnloadDLL]
;@="1"
; AlwaysUnloadDLL - Enabled by UnDeletetion (option 1b)
; OK! AlwaysUnloadDLL - Enabled. A key that needs to exist with default value 0f 1
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/AlwaysUnloadDLL]
; @ & "Default" are the same ! ?.
@="1"
; "Default"="1"
; AlwaysUnloadDLL - Enable=1, Disable=0, (option 2)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer]
;"AlwaysUnloadDLL"=dword:00000000
"AlwaysUnloadDLL"=dword:00000001
;deXter - Force Windows to Unload DLLs from Memory
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/AlwaysUnloadDLL]
;"Default"="1"

; I havn't tried this one
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop/WindowMetrics]
"MinAnimate"="0"
"DragFullWindows"="0"

; Aviel_OK Disable the Autorun for all the CDROM drives.
; Overrides HKLM and HKCU's "NoDriveAutoRun" & "NoDriveTypeAutoRun"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/Cdrom]
"AutoRun"=dword:00000000

; Aviel_OK Disable Dr.Watson by Delete it's Registry Key
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/AeDebug]

;Aviel-Enable UDMA-66 Support (WARNING: Newer MOBOs only, intel chipsets)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}/0000]
"EnableUDMA66"=dword:00000001
"EnableUDMA100"=dword:00000001
;deXter-Enable UDMA-66 Support (WARNING: Newer MOBOs only, intel chipsets)
;Speeds up drives
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}/0000]
;"EnableUDMA66"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem]
"NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation"=dword:00000001
;Disable the NTFS Last Access Time Stamp (speeds up viewing folders in ntfs)
"NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001
;"NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000001 is the default value - seems to be enough !
;"NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000001
;"NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000002
;"NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000003
;"NtfsMftZoneReservation"=dword:00000004

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/FileSystem/CDFS]
"CacheSize"=hex:ac,09,00,00
"Prefetch"=dword:00004000
"PrefetchTail"=dword:00004000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/PriorityControl]
;"Win32PrioritySeparation"=dword:00000018
"IRQ8Priority"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
;"ClearPageFileAtShutdown"=dword:00000001
;Improve Core System Performance * WARNING : Requires at least 512 MB RAM!
"DisablePagingExecutive"=dword:00000001
"LargeSystemCache"=dword:00000001
; dword:00000100 = 256KB L2 cache
; dword:00000200 = 512KB L2 cache
"SecondLevelDataCache"=dword:00000200
;-----------------------------------------------------------
; Set IoPageLockLimit for different RAMs (disk cache) (deXter)
; Note- Use the following settings depending on your system RAM:
; 00020000 = 131072 KB (if RAM > 512 MB)
; 00010000 = 65536 KB (if RAM > 256 MB)
; 00008000 = 32768 KB (if RAM > 128 MB)
; 00004000 = 16384 KB (if RAM > 64 MB)
; 00002000 = 8192 KB (if RAM > 32 MB)
; 00001000 = 4096 KB (if RAM < 32 MB)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Memory Management]
"IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00010000
;-----------------------------------------------------------

;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/Environment]
; Show Ghost devices at Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices. Have'nt tried this one
;DEVMGR_SHOW_DETAILS = "1"
;DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES = "1"

; Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 - END
=== Windows Registry Tweaks - END ==================================
Various ...
If you need to share multiple folders, running the program SHRPUBW.EXE will bring up a simple dialog box to let you:
.
Browse to the folder you want to share
Enter in a Share name
Ender in a Share description
Set permissions. Several choices are available
Restart the process from within the same program
.
.
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This article will be updated, so any remarks will be most welcome.

Take care, have fun, be happy

Aviel Segal
avielsegal@hotmail.com