XP Pro running slower than XP Home

[JC/DV]

So my PC went out due to corrupted system files for whatever reason Saturday morning before going to shoot the wedding. I ended up picking up XP Pro (have been running home) and got everything back inline, installed, etc.

This POS is running much slower than XP Home did--what's up with that? I ran all the tweaks as I did with home (disable system restore, and all that noise.)

I'm not looking for the answer "Get a MAC"... any ideas?

[Daniel Runyon]

If you just installed the new XP without deleting the old partition, creating a new one and formatting it from scratch try that. When you simply install over the old partition it leaves a lot debris behind that can still mess with the new installation.

I've run both Pro and Home over the last few months and can vouch that there should be no noticeable difference in running speed, at least that I can tell.

[JC/DV]

You serious! I just got everything reinstalled too. I may mess with it this weekend.

I did install to a new directory, but had to leave on same harddrive (I don't do multi partitions per disc) so I could keep all my documents, data, etc. Could this garbage be in the boot sector or root directory?

[Daniel Runyon]

I would imagine that it could be but am not knowledgeable enough to say so definitively!

[Doug Puckett]

I say do what Daniel said. A good reformat a fresh install and all updates will probably solve your troubles.

I do it every 6 months to avoid problems and it works wonders!!!

[Daniel Runyon]

Me too... the peace of mind in knowing without a doubt that you are running a pure installation is well worth the day of trouble... I do it about once every two months... it's a Monkish phobia, but it works well!

[JC/DV]

So do you call MS all the time to get the frikkin key reactivated? I've found that twice is all they'll do it, but once I told them I was thinking about switching to a MAC and they let me redo it "one more time."

[Daniel Runyon]

?

I've never had to call them, mine always activates over the net without a hitch, though it's always been on the same hardware. Just tell them you like to re-format your system every so often... that is well within your rights.

[JC/DV]

I'll do that... Thanks Doug and Daniel!

[Daniel Runyon]

It will feel good!

If you run into the activation issue and MS will not help you just give a holler...:devil-smiley-076:

[JC/DV]

Will do. What would be cool is to get my system exactly how I want it, then copy it all as a backup onto another drive and then switch over to it when it goes to crap again--kinda like system restore does, but without the service constantly running and updating. Or like how they slipstream SP2 with the installation CDs nowdays.

[ssvp]

Make sure you are installing your latest chipset driver, before installing any other drivers.

Also when you re-install delete the partition and re-create the new one. Then when it asks for formatting, don't choose quick.

[GmElliott]

XP slow.....get a Mac. *ducking to hide now*

Joking of course- in all seriousness I've avoided XP Pro because it has a tractor trailer load of services that you don't need. After the fresh install, try systematically going though and disabling all the services you aren't going to use.

[Daniel Runyon]

What's up with the Quick option anyway... obviously it doesnt do as good of a job as the Full Meal Deal or they wouldnt offer the two options, so what's the difference? I've always suffered through the long one without knowing in specifics as to why!

[Daniel Runyon]

After the fresh install, try systematically going though and disabling all the services you aren't going to use.

Just make sure to definitely leave Terminal Services turned ON since you use Vegas... I had to go through and turn em all back on one at a time then retry Vegas before isolating that it was that one that for some reason keeps Vegas from opening without an error.

[ssvp]

As far as I understand the quick doesn't write/rewrite over every sector and it's more of a mass delete than a wipe..

[JC/DV]

UPDATE: I defragged with O&O Defrag utility and now it is running right. I guess Winders doesn't defrag all too well.