[Cid Highwind]

Some time ago I read about an application that would allow you to specify a delay for every single application that will start with Windows. The reasoning behind it is that because of everything having to be loaded at the same time your harddrive becomes the limiting factor. There's quite the gain in responsiveness to be had with something like this from what the article said.

I was wondering if any of you have experience with such apps and what you'd recommend for me. Mostly because I do have my share of apps running:

- ATi CCC (default)
- MSN Messenger (not mandatory, but convenient since I often log in)
- Xfi Mode Changer (soundcard related, mandatory for Xfi users)
- Logitech SetPoint (for my mouse)
- Kapersky AV/Firewall
- Folding @ Home (duh)
- Daemon Tools
- ATi Tray Tools
- Linksys Wireless thingie

That's just in the tray launching with Windows, and it doesn't include stuff like Diskeeper that runs in the background (even though those apps are limited).

I would definitely like to have stuff like MSN, Xfi Mode Changer, Folding and Daemon tools load with 10 seconds difference if it means having superior responsiveness of my system.

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

Simply don't shut down :\

Hibernate is your friend

 

[Cid Highwind]

That stuff sometimes messes up with Folding, though I think pausing it before hibernating helps. Wouldn't it be good still to really shut down from time to time just to have a "clean start" ?

 

[gamefreak94]

I only do a complete shut-down of my PC when things start to get a bit messed up (the OS speed starts becoming a bit slow, and peculiar bugs pop up here and there), which is usually after 2 weeks or so, otherwise I just hibernate all the time. Takes <10 seconds to resume and no reloading everything, everything is exactly as you left it.

Though I think other people's systems could last much longer without rebooting, I install/uninstall at least 5-8 applications daily so that might have something to do with the problems that start popping up :emb:

 

[46480]

Here is an app like that Cid.

Download Delay Run - A small program that will delay the startup of programs - Softpedia

The Delay Run application was designed to be a small program that will delay the startup of programs. How could this be helpful? I've found that sometimes I want to have some programs loaded in memory, but I don't want them to be executed right away. Usually one wants to have control of the computer as soon as possible without having to wait for a dozen of little utilities to be loaded first.

It is required that the file delayrun.ini is in the same folder as the main executable. I recommend to copy both files (delayrun.exe and delayrun.ini) to your windows directory (usually c:windows or c:winnt)

The format of the file is simple, but strict:

The first line indicates the number of seconds the program must wait before launching programs.

After the first line, each program must be specified in a group of 3 lines:
Program_file
Program_path
Parameters

For example, a valid delayrun.ini file is

60 seconds before launching programs
c: program filesmyprog.exe program 1 (filename)
c: program 1 (path)
program 1 (parameters)
c:windowssystem32calc.exe program 2 (filename)
program 2 (path)
program 2 (parameters)
c:windows
otepad.exe program 3 (filename)
c:windows program 3 (path)
c:my documentsmydoc.txt program 3 (parameters)

Hope it works for you.

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

That stuff sometimes messes up with Folding, though I think pausing it before hibernating helps. Wouldn't it be good still to really shut down from time to time just to have a "clean start" ?

yeah, but then wheres the point of delaying startup if its just a random event.

actually.. its usually the starting of services that slows windows down.

 

[Hard core Rikki]

If youre using WinPatrol, apps can be delayed there with varying delays, and be kept delayed (some apps like to put themselves back into the normal start sequence). To keep things smooth, better apply different delays instead of having 20 apps starting at the same time after a delay.

 

[Cid Highwind]

Thanks for the WinPatrol app HCR, seems like a very nice, simple and small one, I'm giving it at try right now