NT FAQ



Pointers
on
Optimizing
NT® 4.0
and
Windows
2000®
(NT® 5.0)

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The below list of ways to optimize your NT® 4.0 or Windows 2000(NT 5.0)® Workstation.* These tips should apply to Server Installations in most instances.*
(NT is very different from Windows 95/98, many things that optimize them will slow down NT.)

  • Use Pentium-II, Pentium Pro or Pentium MMX (or equivilent).
  • Use a minimum of 96 mb of memory, the more the better.
  • Use DIMM memory instead of SIMM.
  • Disable all shadowing in BIOS for BIOS and video.
  • BUS speed is more important than CPU speed.
  • Don't use any ISA slots on your machine.
  • Get AGP video support on motherboard.
  • Make sure to have the latest video drivers.
  • Split your pagefile across each of your physical drives.
  • Make the pagefile a fixed size: i.e. MIN=MAX.
  • Do not allow the pagefile to fragment.
  • Use a defragmenting tool regularly.
  • Use SCSI if possible, IDE will not multitask.
  • Increase L2 cache as main memory increases (Minimum: 512K).
  • Average seek time is the important HD seek specification.
  • Also look for fast HD rotation speed.
  • Optimize the BIOS memory settings: wait-states,cache cycles, cache,etc.
  • Remove unused Network protocol, services, etc.
  • Keep fonts and unused shortcuts on desktop to a minimum.
  • Install only programs that are used.
  • Find ways to optimize the registry setting(s).
  • Use FAT below 500mb to 1 gig HD, use non-compressing NTFS above.
If you are serious about the really fine details then get "Optimizing™ Windows NT®" by Sean K. Daily, published by IDG Books Worldwide.
Another good reference is "Windows NT® 4.0 Installation & Configuration Handbook" by Jim Boyce, published by Que Corporation.

*The information here is believed to be accurate, but is strictly provided to show the reader that many aspects of the system effect the overall efficiency.