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Resolved Disabling devices-anything to be gained, performance wise?

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by skaler2k, 2011/09/13.

  1. 2011/09/13
    skaler2k

    skaler2k Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I have a laptop that has a built-in webcam, and bluetooth capability. Is there anything to be gained by disabling them in the device manager? I will never use the camera or buy any bluetooth devices.
    I read years ago that in the boot up process, the computer "looks" for all of the devices that it is capable of seeing-even if they are not connected. I wonder if that search and not found process actually takes longer than finding the equipment. Some motherboards handled up to 8 IDE drives, and still looked for them even though there was only one HD and one CD drive connected.
    So, I'm guessing that disabling them in the Windows device manager should be accompanied by some changes in BIOS? I'm chasing microseconds of time, right?
    This is a Dell Inspiron with a Core i5 and 8gigs of ram, running Win 7 64bit.
    Thanks.
     
    Last edited: 2011/09/13
  2. 2011/09/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Right :)

    Disabling unused devices should prevent the drivers for those devices loading at Startup, saving some memory resources. I don't think a BIOS change is necessary.

    FWIW - I have disabled the web cam & Bluetooth in both my laptop & netbook as I do not use such devices.
     

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  4. 2011/09/13
    skaler2k

    skaler2k Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks PeteC. I went ahead and disabled my bluetooth and webcam devices.
    Probably microseconds worth of speedup. I guess I just expected too much by going from a dual core 2.5gHz to a second gen Core i5.
     
  5. 2011/09/13
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    And you probably gained some security too. Now nobody can connect to you through bluetooth & no malware can switch on your webcam & record you.

    IMHO, now security is a much major problem than saving a few seconds or bytes here and there.
     

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