Computer Profiles on Vista

[PhotoJourno]

I am not sure where the computer talk section has gone, but this is just as good a place as anything else.

Stat: I currently use this Windows Vista desktop PC and I am the only user. MSN, Skype, and many other start-up programs are checked for loading upon startup of the PC (Sidebar is an example of such progs). So not a lot of memory left to be running about.

My thought: What if I created a new User?... I could leave user Photojourno for the same daily purpose, but then create a "Photoshop" User, with Admin rights, and absolutely no bollocks on startup (via msconfig command), in order to save as much memory as possible, and have very little process trees laying around. Another option with a new user profile, would be to allow me to turn off virtually every service (or a good part of them), so that I can simply log onto the "Photoshop" Account to use CS3, and once the photo is saved, I can log off and revert to the other user.

The doubt: Is this remotely possible? My one fear is that the startup checklist (msconfig) could be for the entire machine, regardless of which user will be logging in. In such case, creating a separate user exclusive photoshop use would be pointless.

Anyone with new batteries on their thinking cap?... I could use some advice.
Goal is to have two profiles, one normal, other with very bare esential software to run PS CS3.

Cheers.

[OdiN1701]

I'd just eliminate whatever you can period. Do you really need these startup programs?

I'm not sure if msconfig is user-based. I would think it is.

There's one way to find out - give it a try. If it doesn't work like you want, delete the extra user and put your stuff back in msconfig - you won't hurt anything by trying.

How much RAM do you have?

[neil_g]

as odi said really, if theyre bugging you then turn them off and load them as you need them.

[Mark1]

I created different profiles for different uses.

Rule #1...NEVER run as an administer! Unless you are loading software or doing admin work. This is a great security tactic.

My administer profile of coarse has everything. Use it mainly for aministration work.

I have a "Daily use" profile that has most of what I need on a given day.

A "Bare Bones" profile with nothing but Vista that loads. Use it for editing and things that take a lot of power to run. This machine does not really need this, but I do it anyway. Aero is turned off, no sounds, no desktop picture, no sidebar, just Vista and what ever program I am actually using.

It takes 10 seconds to change profiles. So it is not like it is hard to do.

[PhotoJourno]

Thanks everyone.

Mark, that sounds like what I need to do. I was just not sure that msconfig would be user-independent, as the original executable was designed and conceived to be the only loader in mind (regardless of the user).

I will give it a try. Create a new user, and then simply run -within that login- a msconfig disabling the Acrobat tray, distiller, color calibration, messengers, webcam, and as many services as possible.

This way, I can have a normal profile, and another bare bones one. So that if I do have an intensive APP to run, I can do so without all the clutter.

Thanks again. (BTW, I will report back on how it worked).

[PhotoJourno]

Ok, here is what I have found so far with this issue.

Regardless of the type of Users you create, the Startup Files and Services (what loads as you log in, or what is controlled by the command msconfig.exe), is the same for all of them.

I even failed to keep two different resolutions for both users, the admin and the other user. (This is highly dodgey, so I will have to restart the computer later on, and see if it changes, for two different users should be able to have different resolutions, as one may have a different liking on icon sizes, etc).

You see, this is the meat and potatoes of the issue:

I am running a Rotating HP Monitor as main, and also connecting my video card to the HDTV. When I use the computer every day, I very much like the vertical display, as it gives me much more depth, allowing me to see the screen in portrait mode, which is better for photo editing.

But some apps, specially if I feel like watching a youtube video on the HDTV, rotating the TV is much much harder (Actually not even covered by warranty :p ).

So the thought was to have two users, one for using the HP Monitor in portrait mode, and the other to use the TV in its regular landscape mode.

As of this moment, impossible. Anyhow, if anyone knows whether I am wasting time on this, please do let me know.

[Mark1]

Mmmmm not sure why you are not able to do it. Possably because you have loaded all the programs on the machine before you created the profiles. The machine is thinking everybody wants what is on it. I loaded the profiles on first start up. So when I load software, it asks me if I want the program for the one profile or for everybody. There are other ways to edit what loads other then the MSCONFIG. Empty the "start up" folder in the Start menu. This will prevent programs located there from starting. This folder is for programs that do not install them selves into the CONFIG. Such as I have thunderbird there for my daily use profile. I get my mail as soon as I log on. But Thunderbird does not put it self into CONFIG.

There are profile folders in the Wildows folder, but I have not had to learn what to do with them. But I know you can deleate stuff to prevent that profile from accessing the programs.