new to windows xp

[biggin]

I just switched from windows ME to Xp media center.What are some good tips or settings to use to get my new computer set up for alot of image editing using photoshop.Maybe some settings or tricks that windows xp setup instructions that came with the computer fails to mention! Any ideas or tips will be appreciated. Please no remarks on why I was still using ME. The wife finally okayed the new computer purchase - LOL

[lancea]

The general rule is to let XP be self-tuning, so you're on the right track by doing nothing. However, if you have multiple hard discs and lots of RAM (say 2GB or more) then you can increase (in Photoshop settings) the amount of RAM that Photoshop will use for its cache. There was a thread on this very topic within the last couple of weeks. A rule of thumb is to leave 512MB for XP and your "other" applications, provided they don't themselves benefit from having lots of RAM. If there is competition then leave the Photoshop set to the defaults.

If you have multiple hard discs, move the page file and the Photoshop disc-cache (used for thumbnailing etc) onto the least used disc. If you have only a single hard disc but room for a second, it's a good idea to buy a second disc (it can be one of those cheap 80GB models!) to use just for this purpose. Or buy a bigger one, and use it to keep another copy of the original photo files (easier than getting out your DVD copies).

[biggin]

thank you lancea for the tips! I have 1gb of memory so should I leave photoshops cache where it is ?

[jfrancho]

I use distributed cache files. If you are using a centralized cache, it makes some sense to have on a data only drive, seperate from the system drive.

[jj1987]

thank you lancea for the tips! I have 1gb of memory so should I leave photoshops cache where it is ?
yes I would leave it.

Another trick is to get 2 sticks of ram. 2x512 seems to be quite a bit faster than 1- 1gb stick.

[rlhphotos]

If working with RAW files go look for the Microsoft PowerToys and get the RAW Image viewer.

[biggin]

hey rlhphotos Is the raw image viewer that you spoke of any better than the canon EOS file viewer utility?

[jj1987]

hey rlhphotos Is the raw image viewer that you spoke of any better than the canon EOS file viewer utility?
no, all it does is allow windows to preview the files, not convert.

[lancea]

thank you lancea for the tips! I have 1gb of memory so should I leave photoshops cache where it is ?
I agree with jj1987. The default is around 55% so that fits in well with leaving 512MB for the use of XP and other apps.

[redbutt]

I can't second the idea of getting a second disc to use as the pagefile location. This will speed up your system dramatically. I'm using CS on a 1Ghz Athlon box with only 256MB of RAM. But, I have an external firewire 120GB drive that I use for the pagefile, and Photoshop is actually quite useable (mind you...I really would like to get more RAM...but I blew a wad on gear...so the RAM has to wait).

[jj1987]

I can't second the idea of getting a second disc to use as the pagefile location. This will speed up your system dramatically. I'm using CS on a 1Ghz Athlon box with only 256MB of RAM. But, I have an external firewire 120GB drive that I use for the pagefile, and Photoshop is actually quite useable (mind you...I really would like to get more RAM...but I blew a wad on gear...so the RAM has to wait).
You confused me? You cant second the idea, but it speeded things up? Im assuming that you meant you cant say enough for a 2nd hard drive?

I bought a 10k rpm sata drive for my pagefile drive for under $100. I could tell a little increase when working with a photographer that I do retouching for who has drumscans of 220 negs, but nothing noticed with Rebel XT files.

At work where we have computers with either 4gb or 8gb of ram I really cant tell the difference between pagefile on the main hard drive (not C:\, its mac so I forget exactly the wording as I'm not in front of one) or a secondary.

My guess is the less ram you have, the bigger improvement.

[wei328]

If you have a lots of RAM(>4GB), you wounldn't see much difference by putting the pagefile on the second hard drive; since most of the pagefile stays in memory.
In most cases, especially if your PC has less than 2 GB of RAM, then using a second hard drive for pagefile will speed up PS.