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Ending Processes in WinXP when installing apps.

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Milt, 2005/03/25.

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  1. 2005/03/25
    Milt

    Milt Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am in the process of upgrading several systems from Win98 to WinXP which involves completely rebuilding the systems (software) from a clean drive.
    In Win98, I always end all running programs other than Explorer & Systray with control-alt-delete-prior to installing any software-very simple to do.

    My question (s) are:
    1.) Is it as necessary in XP to this?
    2.) It is more cumbersone in XP (ending process, background programs)i.e.-each has to be selected and ended-and one has to sift through the necessary system and user processes....or, one can just create a profile in MSConfig with selective startup-and use this until all the installations are complete? Also, what about just selecting 'diagnostic' startup during this process.

    In short, what is the simplist and safest way to end unnecessary background program in XP when installing a lot of programs, to end up with a clean system? Of course, the more programs you add, the more TSR's you get-so a manual setup in MSConfig would change as you progress.

    Also: One of the systems is XP Home, and the other is Pro-I noticed in a comparison on this board, that Home does not support "Auto-install, uninstall.. ", as Pro does. What exactly is this feature?

    Thanks

    Milt
     
    Last edited: 2005/03/25
    Milt,
    #1
  2. 2005/03/26
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    1. Most newer software made for XP does not require closing tasks befor installing.

    2. It's best to always close running opened programs prior to installing a program. This means if one has MS Word opened that one should save the file and then close Word before installing Corel Painter.

    3. In XP, you can end processes by rt clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager or by using the 3 finger salute to open the Windows Security dialog and then clicking Task manager. In Task Mgr one can click the Processes Tab and one by one kill running NON-ESSENTIAL system processes. XP will tell you if the process is an essential one or not.

    4. XP also has msconfig, which can be used to control startup apps, or one can directly edit the areas of the registry where these startup locations exist. In XP, there are 12 different locations in the registry where startup apps are located.

    5. XP, like win2k, has a set of Administrative Tools accessable via control panel and the start menu if one configures the start menu to display admin tools. One tool is called Services, where one can control what services are to be used. The choices are manual, auto and disabled. Read up on xp services here: http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
    (XP Home default install has 32 services that load at startup, half of which are unnecessary for the average home user)

    When I install XP, I do this: (I may forget s/g here, this is basics only)
    1. install xp.
    2. at first boot immediately rt click close MS Messenger via system tray & kill it via Task manager.
    3. rt click start button & select "properties ".
    4. change start menu to "Classic ".
    4. rt click My Comp icon on desktop and select "properties ".
    5. shut off auto updates, shut off system restore, shut of remote assistance'.
    6. open services applet and config services to my liking, but BlackVipers "Safe" config is a good start for the new xp user.
    7. reboot because at first, some services can be set to disabled but won't stop. At second boot the services are disabled and no longer running.
    8. confing folder options, config desktop settings, and other minor adjustments.
    9. check device manager for devices using xp default drivers or for devices that have no drivers yet.
    10.. load drivers for hardware that xp does not already include, such as video or audio.
    11. disable other auto features such as error reporting, desktop cleanup wizard, etc.
    11-a. use add remove pgms to remove unwanted windows apps such as Messenger, MSN, Indexing service, etc.
    11-b. install XP SP2 if not included in the install cd.
    11-c. config IE and Internet Options.
    12. load rest of my software. (some may have to be downloaded which is sometimes faster than hunting for apps I have on cdr's, which is why config internet options first)
    13. after all or most all of my tweaks, software installs, adjustments, I image the xp partition using Norton Ghost.
    14. readjust Services via services applet and startup apps via the registry keys.
    15. then, lastly, I install the AV program and config it, then update it.
    16. readjust AV services.

    note: on older computers the sequence I do xp install may vary due to the need to install drivers, etc before making some tweaks/adjustments. on newer comps I tend to follow above sequence.
     
    Last edited: 2005/03/26
    TonyT,
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  4. 2005/03/26
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    I do not have all the answers but I do have a question on the above.

    You say you end all that is in the Systray. Do you just end ( shut down ) from the Systray Or do you also set them up so that they do not reload on a reboot. ?

    But I have for years used a program called Startup Cop to control what loads at startup. If I were to do a clean install that would be the first one to be installed.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  5. 2005/03/27
    Milt

    Milt Inactive Thread Starter

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    Billy bob,
    In Win98, I have certain TSR's that I set up in MSCONFIG, which are not loaded at Startup, and which are activated only when I need the program.
    And, yes, I have used Start-up Cop in that past for this-it is a good program, particularily if you have different profiles to set up.
    But, when installing software, I always manually close all but Explorer & systray each time I go to install. Thats common Win98 install procedure.
    However, in Win98, it is easy as you just do as TonyT called it, "the three finger salute ", highlight and hit enter-hit the down key to the next one, and so on until all are closed. Its pretty fast. In XP, however, it seems more cumbersome. I was not referring to open programs-they are obviously closed first, but to the processes. Many of the system processes I do not need, and I am in the processes of identifying which one's I can disable. I appreciated TonyT's comments on one's he permanently disables. I was however, primarily referring to the processes which are not disabled, but which pehaps should be 'closed' when installing software. My issue was simply that it is harder to do this in XP on the fly, than in Win98- because the act of closing them is more time consuming than in 98.

    Milt
     
    Last edited: 2005/03/27
    Milt,
    #4
  6. 2005/03/27
    Milt

    Milt Inactive Thread Starter

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    Tony,
    Thanks for the extensive tweak lest for XP. I have another which I have been sifing through that was written primarily for systems being used for video editing, which I do. I am in the process of checking out the system processes I do not need.
    However, I was more concerned with the issue of simply closing Processes on the fly for the purpose of installing programs. It is simply more cumbersome in XP. I obviously close open programs, but just wanted to find a fast way to get rid of background "TSR's" when installing programs, without locking them in MSConfig. Its so easy in Win98.

    A side issue: I notice you use Ghost for you images. With 98 I always used a dos based program called EZimager. I have dozens of images made with this, and they always worked faultlessly. I have even used it to image XP on a dual boot (from the 98 part), which worked fine. I went to Direct Image 2002 for XP, (I have DI7- but have not used it much), and mostly run it from floppies. I have Ghost from a 2003 Pro CD, and have experimented with it some. I like the firewire support to an external DVD drive. Anyway, I am still deciding wether to continue my XP images with Drive Image, or Ghost. The uncompressed Ghost files are smaller than the Drive Image uncompressed for some reason. Any thoughts between these two. They both seem to work fine. Since Symantec purchased Drive Image last year, the support on that product is non existent, (as it seems to be with a lot of Symantec), but I assume they are incorporating Drive Image technology in the newer versions of Ghost. (Perhaps also you could tell me what level of compression you prefer in your Ghost images and why?)

    Milt
     
    Last edited: 2005/03/27
    Milt,
    #5
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