Using a laptop...What should I turn off?

[clintmartin]

Do any of you know of any links telling me which devices should be turned off for maximizing performance on my laptop? I've looked in task manager and found the list of running programs but I'd like to know for sure what needs to stay on.

 

[orogeny]

in for some good info. .. . i hope

 

[slayerbear17]

I use this tool to help me tweek my laptop for recording.

http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml

My laptop is an everydayer.....so when it comes to tweeking...takes me about 5 -10 mins.

Wireless, networking, background programs I dont need...virus, etc etc.

Pretty much all my bars are in the green then.

 

[slayerbear17]

I also turn off any power saving settings. a defrag of the HD cant hurt once in awhile. If you have any programs like perhaps norton which start up on start up...errr....turn em off.

 

[mixwiz]

I'm not a computer genius but this has worked for me. Start up in Safe mode and open task manager. That is your bare min list. Restart in reg mode and, other than your DAW and recording programs, turn off everything else that isn't on that list.

 

[jdps150]

I downloaded a 'audio processing' power option & use that, (if using an audio interface) disable onboard audio in device mgr, in msconfig services - mark 'hide all microsoft services', then disable all, then in startup disable all. When it reboots- turn off my wifi in bios. I log into windows using my Studio user which has all the fancy bells & whistles for aero etc tuned off. Then disable Norton AV.

Seems like a lot, but this is very stable for me & takes about 3 minutes to do.

 

[Scott Whigham]

I'm assuming that you're using Windows since you said "Task Manager". I've found that, in Windows 7, there's not a whole lot to disable - Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, and System Restore being the biggies. Those tweaks would be maybe for the advanced users and, in particular, those not on the internet (or those who are fairly savvy on the web).

 

[loudboy]

Google "optimizing XXX for Audio Recording," w/XXX being your operating system.

I think it's on audioforums.com aor something - a very comlete guide.

 

[jdps150]

a little more in depth http://www.presonus.com/community/learn/musicians/optimization-guide-for-vista/

YMMV