Looking for tips to make an XP-based Audio/Video system as stable as possible

[Doc]

If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would you recommend
keeping everything off the machine that isn't needed for actual audio
or video work? I.e. do all your internet, email etc. on a different
machine and perhaps only turn on a network connection between them
when you need to transfer something to the net? Wondering if keeping
firewalls, antivirus etc. off the a/v machine will enhance its
stability.

Or is that not necessary?

[Doc]

Do you find that the various Windows updates and service packs make
any particular difference as far as system reliability?

[Mike Kujbida[_2_]]

On 3/31/2011 5:28 PM, Doc wrote:
> If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would you recommend
> keeping everything off the machine that isn't needed for actual audio
> or video work? I.e. do all your internet, email etc. on a different
> machine and perhaps only turn on a network connection between them
> when you need to transfer something to the net? Wondering if keeping
> firewalls, antivirus etc. off the a/v machine will enhance its
> stability.
>
> Or is that not necessary?


Yes to all your questions.
The edit suites at my workplace have never been connected to the net.
Once the OS is on them, the only programs that get installed are the NLE
(Sony Vegas Pro), Photoshop and a few other programs necessary for editing.
I regularly read about problems other users have that I never experience.
If we need to update any software or upload any thing to the net, it
gets copied to a CD/DVD/jump drive/hard drive and installed/uploaded
from that device.
I'm still running XP Pro and, until recently, never installed any OS
updates.
Vegas Pro 10 requires SP3 so I downloaded the complete package from
Microsoft, copied it to a jump drive and installed it from there.

Mike

[ushere[_3_]]

On 1/04/2011 1:50 PM, Mike Kujbida wrote:
> On 3/31/2011 5:28 PM, Doc wrote:
>> If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would you recommend
>> keeping everything off the machine that isn't needed for actual audio
>> or video work? I.e. do all your internet, email etc. on a different
>> machine and perhaps only turn on a network connection between them
>> when you need to transfer something to the net? Wondering if keeping
>> firewalls, antivirus etc. off the a/v machine will enhance its
>> stability.
>>
>> Or is that not necessary?
>
>
> Yes to all your questions.
> The edit suites at my workplace have never been connected to the net.
> Once the OS is on them, the only programs that get installed are the NLE
> (Sony Vegas Pro), Photoshop and a few other programs necessary for editing.
> I regularly read about problems other users have that I never experience.
> If we need to update any software or upload any thing to the net, it
> gets copied to a CD/DVD/jump drive/hard drive and installed/uploaded
> from that device.
> I'm still running XP Pro and, until recently, never installed any OS
> updates.
> Vegas Pro 10 requires SP3 so I downloaded the complete package from
> Microsoft, copied it to a jump drive and installed it from there.
>
> Mike

agree entirely with mike - i usually do ;-)

however, i do usually install service packs (making sure i have a sys
backup in place (just in case.....)

[Phil W]

"Soundhaspriority":
> "Doc":

>> If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would you recommend
>> keeping everything off the machine that isn't needed for actual audio
>> or video work? I.e. do all your internet, email etc. on a different
>> machine and perhaps only turn on a network connection between them
>> when you need to transfer something to the net? Wondering if keeping
>> firewalls, antivirus etc. off the a/v machine will enhance its
>> stability.
>>
>> Or is that not necessary?
>
> If we're talking workstation, not necessary or desirable. The ideas you
> floated are rooted in previous years, when some programs, such as Avid,
> did require some customization of the machine. Avid is the only program I
> know with such a history.
>
> DO install all service packs, and all updates.

I´d second that. In 20+ years time, I´ve used PCs (DOS/Win machines), I
never experienced any program not running anymore after installing a Windows
patch (on my own machines and various others). Though, I´ve seen it happen
on friends´ computers - but those Windows instances were actually "broken"
before and/or had "badly written" programs on them. Anyway, even the number
of those cases is pretty low.
With decently written programs, you should not experience any problems
caused by Windows updates.
It´s much more important to keep really unnecessary stuff off the system -
NO "registry tuner/booster/improver" thingie most importantly! These can
(and do most of the times) mess up the Windows registry and cause
significant problems of all kinds. Usually, a full re-install is the
quickest and easiest way to get around that.

Besides the updates and patches for Windows, don´t forget, that most current
programs have their own update check feature. The days, when you could get
along with downloading all the stuff on PC1 and take the data to PC2 (no
internet connection) on a burned CD, USB storage device etc. are gone.
There´s just too much of that stuff to keep everything patched to the most
current version.

General tips:
1) download MS Security Essentials (see below) and install it on the A/V
computer
2) connect the A/V computer to the internet
3) make sure, XP´s integrated firewall is activated! You´ll probably use a
firewall in a router anyway, don´t you? ;-)
4) if you haven´t already done it, activate "Microsoft Update" - basically
the same as "Windows Update", but additionally scans for more MS software
updates (e. g. Office)

to do that, use the Internet Explorer (other browsers do NOT work with this
site!) and go to
http://update.microsoft.com

You will be prompted several times to allow "installation" of the required
software, always click YES...
Start a "User defined scan" (or whatever it´s called on English XP), not the
"Quick scan".

After the scan has finished, go to the "Optional (nn)" category and check
everything there - "Important" updates are selected by default.
Be a bit careful about the "Drivers category", especially, when you know,
the latest (or desired) driver versions are already installed.

Start the update procedure, probably followed by a reboot and repeat until
it doesn´t find anything anymore...

In addition to that, download and run "DirectX End-User Runtime Web
Installer" every 3-5 months. It will find, download and automatically
install DX stuff, that is *not* covered by "Windows/Microsoft update"!!!
BTW: DE-select the unnecessary "Bing Bar" in the installer!
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3

> Some antivirus programs do cause significant latency problems. Install
> Microsoft Security Essentials, free antivirus from Microsoft.

It may not be the best antivirus program out there, but sufficient and
better than no av at all.
In combination with the Windows firewall - and possibly a firewall in a
router, the computer should be safe enough.

One more important MS protection tool is:
"Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)"
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c6f0a6ee-05ac-4eb6-acd0-362559fd2f04


> Use the machine for all the things you would normally use a machine for.

Just try to avoid installing "questionnable" programs and obvious stuff like
that. Setting up an e-mail client and stuff like that (e.g. FTP client for
uploading) normally doesn´t harm the system. Some version of MS Office or
OpenOffice

Some software, you should have installed:
- Adobe Reader (for PDF manuals etc.)
ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/
downloading directly from Adobe´s FTP avoids the "Adobe Download Manager",
that *must* be used, when downloading through Adobe´s normal download
page -> less junk on the system...
IF there´s a .msi version for the latest program version is available,
choose this one!
The .exe version is usually smaller, but actually just contains the packed
..msi file and unpacking takes looooooong...

- keep Adobe Flash current - direct download links:
IE/ActiveX - VERY IMPORTANT!
http://fpdownload.adobe.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_ax.exe

- XP installs a ancient version of Flash (for IE/ActiveX) by default, which
will be used by IE - this outdated version of Flash is highly critical
securitywise!
Thus, install the current version anyway, even if you don´t "plan" to use
Flash on this computer. It´s all over the web, even where you wouldn´t
expect it.

Firefox, Opera and others (only applicable if installed, of course)
http://fpdownload.adobe.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player.exe

- "MS Power Toys" for XP (not necessary, but very handy to have) - direct
download links:
* Alt-Tab Replacement
"... in addition to seeing the icon of the application window you are
switching to, you will also see a preview of the page. This helps
particularly when multiple sessions of an application are open."
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/TaskswitchPowertoySetup.exe

* Tweak UI
"... gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows
XP default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings,
taskbar settings, and more."
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/a/fca6767b-9ed9-45a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

- MS SysInternals - "stand-alone" programs, no installation required:
* Process Explorer
A very useful alternative to the normal taskmanager!
Can give a better overview of what´s actually running (program trees, not
only the process/program names, as in the normal taskmanager; history for
CPU/RAM/Disk usage for each running process/program!) and further
information, what hides behind cryptic file names.
good for real-time monitoring CPU load, memory usage, disk access with tray
icons and hidden (minized) program window
Needs some tweaking to get the best possible view options. Check the linked
page every few months for updates.
Either download and unpack the .zip archive (.exe, .chm help file + EULA
text) or just straight get the "procexp.exe" only with "Run Process
Explorer"
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653

* PageDefrag:
defrag system files, that are locked in normal Windows use, during the boot
process.
I´d recommend storing the .exe somewhere, run it once and set it to "defrag
at every boot" - only takes a few seconds and is quite useful. To turn it
off, just run the .exe from Windows again and change the setting.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897426


In case, you have a "Java Runtime Environment" installed:
run "Secunia Online Software Inspector" to check for a wide variety of
outdated programs. Usually provides download links to current versions.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/

It´s a free service, that also may be used on PCs, which are used
commercially. Whereas their "Personal Sofware Inspector (PSI)" is free for
personal use only.


Hope that helps,

Phil

[Mike Rivers]

On 3/31/2011 5:28 PM, Doc wrote:
> If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would you recommend
> keeping everything off the machine that isn't needed for actual audio
> or video work? I.e. do all your internet, email etc. on a different
> machine and perhaps only turn on a network connection between them
> when you need to transfer something to the net? Wondering if keeping
> firewalls, antivirus etc. off the a/v machine will enhance its
> stability.

If by "stability" you mean that it doesn't start doing
unexpected things once you've beaten it into do doing well,
then, yes. It's best not to add or delete anything that you
don't specifically do yourself, and being connected to the
outside world can do that.

There are a bunch of tweaks that you can make which will
keep ongoing tasks from interfering with your audio work,
one of which is to disable networking including (especially)
wireless network adapters since those are continually
looking for a connection. Same for screen savers, virus
scanners, mail programs, and anything else that looks for
things that your computer can be doing. Mostly it involves
disabling Windows services.

Another "stability" issue to avoid every upgrade that comes
along. Eventually you'll have to upgrade something because
you'll run into a problem and find that you have an
unsupported version of software or hard/firmware, but it's
nearly impossible to change just one thing. An upgrade or
update will almost always affect something in addition to
what you think it will, and you may not discover what until
long after you've done the update.

This includes Windows updates. Since nearly all of them have
to do with security, if the computer isn't on the 'net, you
don't need them. Sometimes there will be times when you
can't avoid it, but if you're careful about where you go,
your computer won't inadvertently get cooties.

Be diligent about setting Windows Restore points. Turn off
automatic restore so it won't constantly look for a time
when it can do it, but set a Restore point before you add a
new program or update something.

Remember - if you leave it alone, it will work just as well
today as it did yesterday. If you change something, it will
work differently, maybe for the good, maybe for the bad,
maybe some of each, and you don't know which.


--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[William Sommerwerck]

> Another "stability" issue to avoid every upgrade that comes
> along. Eventually you'll have to upgrade something because
> you'll run into a problem and find that you have an
> unsupported version of software or hard/firmware, but it's
> nearly impossible to change just one thing. An upgrade or
> update will almost always affect something in addition to
> what you think it will, and you may not discover what until
> long after you've done the update.

There are also botched upgrades. Fifteen years ago I installed a updated
video driver from the manufacturer. When my computer started erratically
locking up and crashing, it took me six months to figure out what might be
the problem. Reverting to the previous driver fixed it.

I was also having RAM problems at boot-up. Though I repeatedly tested the
RAM, it showed no consistent problem. I then realized that the RAM cards had
gold-plated contacts, but the MOBO sockets were tin-plated. When I swapped
the cards for ones with tin-plated contacts, the problem stopped.

Whenever you change system drivers or add RAM, or do anything likely to have
a "global" effect, you should write down what you did and when you did it.

[Arny Krueger]

"Doc" > wrote in message


> If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would
> you recommend keeping everything off the machine that
> isn't needed for actual audio or video work?

New computers are more than powerful enough that AV work can be done on the
same computer that is used for email, document and report composition, and
even web surfing.

I sometimes catch up on my web reading while rendering audio and video
files.

If someone calls me on the phone while I'm editing audio or video, it is
convenient to just alt-tab to the email or browser window and get the
requested information.

If I was recording 24 tracks at an event, I'd probably not surf the web
during the event but the machine might have a full time connection to the
LAN and therefore the web.

[Mr Soul]

> If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would you recommend
> keeping everything off the machine that isn't needed for actual audio
> or video work? I.e. do all your internet, email etc. on a different
> machine and perhaps only turn on a network connection between them
> when you need to transfer something to the net? Wondering if keeping
> firewalls, antivirus etc. off the a/v machine will enhance its
> stability.
>
> Or is that not necessary?
Good luck finding an OEM copy of XP.

I used to try to keep my A/V stuff separate from my general internet/
computer work but now I don't bother. My new DAW is fast enough that
I don't even bother to try to optimize it anymore and I don't even
worry too much about viruses, etc with the Symantec software &
firewall I use.

Mike C

[Peter Larsen[_3_]]

Doc wrote:

> Do you find that the various Windows updates and service packs make
> any particular difference as far as system reliability?

Stricty answering your question: no, xp has been highly reliable out of the
box from day one. There has been a couple of service-update errors that have
caused grey hairs some years ago, such as windows update services
incorrectly running at realtime priority - that one was fun!

You need to define the use of the box in question, the amount of ram in it
and whether it is exposed or not.

On my day job I just had to order more ram for an application computer that
I updated to XP servicepack 3. It is exposed to the internet as a cash
register computer so staying at servicepack 2 was not an option for security
reasons.

For a non exposed production box I'd to go servicepack 2 and no further and
skip having antivirus software of any kind on it. If common sense suggests
that you need antivirus on a box then you also need to keep os and
applications updated. SP2 and earlier are happy with 1 gigabyte ram, for SP3
it is minimum.

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Steve-O]

Doc;

I have been through what you are choosing right now with all sorts of
computers, audio interfaces, software, etc.

Some rules to consider that worked for me:
1. Emails, surfing and other general tasks (Excel, Word, etc) can all be
done quickly and effectivly on nothing more than a P4 with XP (stripped
down), with about a gig of ram, a 120 GIG HD a basic video card etc. I have
obtained a couple of computers from work which they were throwing away that
could accomplish these tasks. On this maching you can run your Anti-Virus
etc.
2. Audio/Video processing takes lots of CPU and Video processing speed (if
just audio, a basic PCIe video card will do.
3. You need less than you think for audio. Unless you are
recordin/mixing/mastering at 64-bit/192 with tonnes of plug ins, you
shouldn't need more than a Core 2 Duo. I use an Intel Q6600 (Quad core). I
have mixed songs with up to 30+ tracks, plug-ins applied galore (VST and
Directx, Not Pro Tools RTAS) and only used half of my CPU.
4. I do keep my studio computer on the internet, but if I need to download
something I usually go to my P4 "surfing/downloading" computer. I can then
transfer them to my studio computer over my home network.
5. I do have anti-virus software on my production PC, but I turn off the
"On access scanner" when doing anything audio.
6. Learn how to strip your operating system down to the bare bones for your
audio computer (turning off any enhanced graphics, menu animations).
7. Make sure whatever interface that you use get's priority (<-very
important) in your BIOS. Doing this entails some bios settings.

If you have any questions let me know;
Steve-o

"Doc" > wrote in message
...
> If you want to use a machine primarily to do a/v would you recommend
> keeping everything off the machine that isn't needed for actual audio
> or video work? I.e. do all your internet, email etc. on a different
> machine and perhaps only turn on a network connection between them
> when you need to transfer something to the net? Wondering if keeping
> firewalls, antivirus etc. off the a/v machine will enhance its
> stability.
>
> Or is that not necessary?
>

[Arny Krueger]

"Steve-O" > wrote in message


> 3. You need less than you think for audio. Unless you
> are recordin/mixing/mastering at 64-bit/192 with tonnes
> of plug ins, you shouldn't need more than a Core 2 Duo. I use an Intel
> Q6600 (Quad core). I have mixed songs
> with up to 30+ tracks, plug-ins applied galore (VST and
> Directx, Not Pro Tools RTAS) and only used half of my
> CPU.

Many of us have recorded and mixed like 20+ tracks using things like 666 MHz
P2's with 1 GB or RAM and 20 GB hard drives. E
EFX and waiting for rendering of mixdowns may have driven many of us to more
advanced hardware, but I've been pretty pleased mixing audio jobs that size
with simple RFX like Eq for every tracks on a single-core 2 GHz processor
with 2 GB RAM. With complex EFX you can burn whatever cycles you can buy.

For video, I have yet to find a setup that works nearly as fast. Video
editing can be pretty workable. While audio rendering can complete in 1/5 or
1/10 of real time or even less, rendering video in real time or half real
time is about the best I've seen and that was with multiple (4) fast cores.