appendix c

Windows System Optimizations

When installing Pro Tools on Windows XP, there are many system variables that affect performance. If you have followed all the Windows

configuration instructions in Chapter 2, “Windows Configuration” and are still experiencing

problems, try the following troubleshooting suggestions.

Norton Ghost is highly recommended, as it lets you save your system in a working state and easily revert to that state should you accidentally disable anything that your computer needs.

Troubleshooting

Blue Screen at Startup

If, after installing Pro Tools and QuickTime, your computer crashes with a blue screen, use

Add/Remove Programs to uninstall Pro Tools and QuickTime. Then, repeat the installation in-

structions in “Installing Pro Tools Software” on page 23.

Advanced Settings

The following system optimizations may help

Pro Tools perform better on some systems. It is recommended that you only try these optimizations if necessary, as they may disable or adversely affect the functionality of other programs on your system.

Disabling Network Cards

If applicable, disable any networking cards

(other than a 1394 “FireWire” card that you might use to connect an external drive to your system).

To disable a network card:

1

Right-click My Computer and choose Manage.

2

Under System Tools, select Device Manager.

3

In the Device Manager window, double-click

Network adapters, then double-click the Network Adapter card you want to disable.

4

Under the General tab, choose “Do note use this device (disable)” from the Device Usage pop-up menu, and click OK.

5

Close the Computer Management window.

Appendix C: Windows System Optimizations

107

Processor Scheduling

To Adjust Processor Scheduling Performance:

1

Choose Start > Control Panel.

2

Launch System.

3

Click the Advanced tab.

4

Under the Performance section, click the Settings button.

5

Select the Advanced tab.

6

Under the Processor scheduling section, select the “Adjust for best performance of background services” option.

7

Under the Memory Usage section, select the

System cache option.

8

Click OK twice. You will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Startup Items

The fewer items in use by your computer, the more resources are available for Pro Tools. Some startup applications may be consuming unnecessary CPU resources, and should be turned off.

Be very careful when disabling startup items, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Portable media serial number (required for applications that utilize a copy protection key)

• Plug and play

• Event log

• Cryptographic services

• DHCP Client, TCP/IP Net BIOS, and other networking-related items (unless the computer has no network or internet connection, in which case these items can be disabled)

Norton Ghost is highly recommended, as it lets you save your system in a working state and easily revert to that state should you accidentally disable anything that your computer needs.

To Disable System Startup Items:

1

From the Start menu, choose Run.

2

Type “msconfig” and click OK. The System

Configuration Utility opens.

3

Under the General tab, choose Selective Startup.

4

Deselect Load Startup Items and click OK.

5

Click Restart to restart the computer.

6

After restarting your computer, a System Configuration message dialog is displayed. Check to see if Pro Tools performance has increased before you deselect the “don't show this message again” option. If performance has not changed, run “msconfig” and return your computer Selective Startup back to Normal Startup. Alternatively, try disabling start up items and nonessential processes individually.

108

Getting Started with HD