Setting up PC for max ASIO(and general) performance

Bruce Ballslap

In the KX web help files it says that you get the best results with ASIO if you have set your system properly.

Can you tell what should I do to make a properly set system. Links and personal tips are very welcome.

My system:
AMD Athlon XP 1700+
512MB RAM
SB Audigy (SB0090)
MIDI-keyboard
Windows XP SP2
Cubase SX3

Would a wise choice be to install a second copy of windows XP SP2 on my current PC? I would then install only the software, drivers and hardware that I need for making music.

Or are the same advantages achieviable by mending my present install of XP SP2? For example by creating some sort of (never tried) alternative hardware-setups.

Thanks in advance

Doug W

Here are XP tuning tips from MusicXP.net
http://www.musicxp.net/tuning_tips.php

Are you talking about a second partition on the same PC or a profile just for recording?

Either way, some people like to partition the PC and have one partition that is strictly for recording. Personally, I just have a recording profile. with minimal stuff on it. It seems to work OK for me.

Bruce Ballslap

Doug, thank you so much for the link. It seems to collect loads of essential tips.

By installing a second OS I was actually referring to a setup on my friend's PC. His old OS got screwed up by not using firewall/antivirus. He then just threw in the XP install-cd and booted. He's not a really talented PC-user so he now has two windowses in the same partition . Original is in C:\WINDOWS and the second in C:\WINDOWS2. Quite amazing .

By the way, that partitioning sounds quite good. How do you boot from for example drive D? I guess I'd have to mend BIOS but my BIOS is quite old and I dont think I can set it "prompt for bootdrive", maybe I can, not sure. I wouldnt like to del-hit go to BIOS everytime I want to change the bootup partition.

That recording-profile of yours.. Where do you set up a new profile? Is it just a new user account and can you disable certain peripherals for that profile?

Doug W

I normally set up several partitions on my recording computer before I install the OS. I have only had a dual boot system once. I had Windows 95 installed on a computer and like your friend, just ran the Windows NT installation CD and it created the boot up screen. After I had it there for a few days, I got rid of it since I really had no reason for it.

I don't have a dual boot system right now and don't really plan on setting one up. The rest of the family generally uses another computer for the Internet and other things. The kids use my computer for a couple of games that bog down on the other computer but other than BARBIE SECRET AGENT and LEGO ISLAND II, I try to keep only what I need for recording on that computer.

Other people up here could probably give you better advice on a Dual Boot setup. I don't like to rack my tiny little brain too much.

Guess I was talking about setting up different users on my computer. I haven't disabled anything for different profiles but I suppose you could do that.

Bruce Ballslap

Thank you for your time Doug. I think I can get pretty far with musicxp's guides. Thanks for that link too.

Take care

Doug W

You're welcome Bruce.