What?

[mojo88]

I want to eliminate some of the processes running on my computer to better enable games to run faster...but, i don't want to shut down something essential..so i have gone to start up and eliminated items such as virus scanner, since the gaming computer is not hooked up to the internet.... and anything downloaded is scanned on another computer..what processes can i stop running that will not endanger the computer ??....i fell like a monkey in a nitro shop...the computer i am running games on is a pentium4 with Win XP Pro, 512 mb ram and a 128 meg video card..i know if i upgrade the hardware this will speed things up, but i am trying to get the most speed from what i have. In games, i have eliminated high resolution terrain, special effects etc. to get more speed. Thanks ps..the computer is defragged, when advised, by the Win defrag.program...........

[Indoril Nerevar]

Originally Posted by mojo88

the computer is defragged, when advised, by the Win defrag.program.

I'd ignore Windows, and defrag it at least once every one or two weeks, regardless.

Shutting down extra processes is only going to make a difference when it comes to things like antivirus programs. If you have installed a program which it runs on its own when Windows starts, and you don't need it... then uninstall it. If your gaming PC is isolated, and you can be certain that you will not bring any infected content to it, then uninstall your A/V entirely. Other programs like internet toolbars or popup stoppers can be removed. Check the system tray (bottom right bunch of icons), and see if there are any programs you've installed there. If there are, those are the things which will improve performance most.

People have also said that ending explorer.exe (the entire Windows interface you use every day) while running games can improve performance significantly, but I've never tried it.

[koala]

Go to Start > Run > msconfig > Startup tab and post back with the full list of Startup Items.