I would like to turn off Programs or anything else that is not needed prior to fireing up FSX so it will run better, but some of it looks Greek to me. Can someone tell me what I can safely turn off ? Try to make it as simple as possable. Thanks

Check this thread by NickN. You'll have to scroll down a ways to find the Windows optimization section where it lists items you can safely shut down. You might want to read this whole thread as it has a lot of other info in it.

 

Btw, shutting down unnecessary processes doesn't yield the result like it did years ago when were running single core Pentium 4 processors. The thing that will help is to not be trying to run a lot of active applications at the same time while FSX is running. For example having IE open and playing a youtube videos, running graphics programs, itunes playing music, some anti-virus programs, things like that that use a bit of CPU and GPU power.

 

Here's the link:

 

http://www.simforums.com/forums/the-fsx-computer-system-the-bible-by-nickn_topic46211.html

 

One last thing, shutting down the wrong process running in the background can cause more harm than good, so if you follow the guide, make sure to stick to what's listed and the reason that process is either necessary or not necessary.

There is a program you can download that automatically turns off anything the computer does not need whilst playing games. I can't think of it now but my brother uses it, his computer is less powerful then mine, he thinks it's fantastic. I will be talking to him shortly and I will report back.

Here's a good place to start to be sure you're not shutting down something critical  http://www.blackviper.com/  .

 

Doug

Here's a good place to start to be sure you're not shutting down something critical  http://www.blackviper.com/  .

 

Doug

Rarely do i join in these type of discussions, but REALLY.... if you want to destabilise your FSX machine, then using the 'blackviper' site is the quickest and best way to get that result.

If you need to turn off services and or processes, there are MUCH better and SAFER ways to do it.  As suggested, go see Nick’s bible on the F1 forums. Or there's a great setup guide here on Avsim. Both are great, but Nick's in much greater depth.

The product in quest is called AlacrityPC by Ken Salter.  It does do exactly what is says on the tin, but in all honesty, if your PC is correctly setup (as per Nick’s bible), then there’s very little need for it.  It CAN be of use if you have things like iTunes installed.  That can be a resource hog.

 

 

The product in quest is called AlacrityPC by Ken Salter. It does do exactly what is says on the tin, but in all honesty, if your PC is correctly setup (as per Nick’s bible), then there’s very little need for it.

 

I was a fan of AlacrityPC when I had FS9 running on XP. But now with FSX on W7 I have stopped using it. I was having some problems because of stopped services (probably my fault, not Ken's). I used Nick's guide to stop services he recommended but most were already stopped anyway. My PC was professionally built and it looks like they also tweaked the services.

 

But in all honesty to the OP. Unless you have a problem with performance, stopping services is unlikely to make much difference with modern multi-core processors.

There is a program you can download that automatically turns off anything the computer does not need whilst playing games. I can't think of it now but my brother uses it, his computer is less powerful then mine, he thinks it's fantastic. I will be talking to him shortly and I will report back.

It's the freeware Gamebooster. Very convenient and effective!

Thanks guys for your help so far. The reason I posted this question is that lately I've been getting out of memory error messages. My computer is fairly high end.

It's the freeware Gamebooster. Very convenient and effective!

Again.... this can defeat the object.  Especially if downloaded from a non reputable site.  The last time i downloaded and installed Gamebooster (several years back), it also installed a whole lot of toot!

 

If using this or AlacrityPC, have a look at the resourses being used for the app itself, while it's suposedly saving your resourses;-) So much so, that when I used it, instead of leaving it running in the background, in order to restart any stopped services, I'd simply shut it down after its done its job.

 

Unless you have a TON of stuff running to stop, which of course Windows7 and beyond does not have, then it's very much self defeating.

Thanks guys for your help so far. The reason I posted this question is that lately I've been getting out of memory error messages. My computer is fairly high end.

Oh how I know that, and I feel your frustration with OOMs.  Gotta be said though, the chance of any of these type of apps helping with OOMs, is slim to **** all.

 

That's NOT to say there's nothing you can do though...

I don't think background programs are your issue if you are encountering OOM's.  That's a pretty hot topic on it's own and there are lots of threads in these forum addressing that specific problem.

 

Likely you will have to turn some sliders down to overcome it.  DX10 Scenery Fixer helps, some talk about FSX-SE improving the issue but the more eye candy we dial in the quicker you will see an OOM error followed by FSX shutting down or reloading.  The more we upgrade our systems the more stuff we load hence the quicker we run out of memory

 

Until we get a true 64 bit flight sim the problem will persist.  XP, anyone?

 

Sorry, I too wished there was a better answer.

 

Rick S.

Thanks guys for your help so far. The reason I posted this question is that lately I've been getting out of memory error messages. My computer is fairly high end.

I just had a peek at your profile. Looks like you have a lot of scenery and airport addons. That would be where I would look for problems first. They can chew up a lot of memory in FSX. Add heavy weather and a PDMG aircraft and you very well can be headed to memory problems, especially on long flights.

I would agree with Sam's response. 

 

Sounds like you could have the gun loaded and holding it to your temple.

 

Rick S.

 

 

Here's the link:

http://www.simforums...topic46211.html

 

 

This was extremely detailed and the comments were great as well...thanks for sharing this!

 

 

 

 

 

if you want to destabilise your FSX machine, then using the 'blackviper' site is the quickest and best way to get that result.

 

 

You are very correct about this, however using Blackviper's site to define what all the processes do can help you decide what to shut off or not. Never blindly follow anyone outside of the FSX community. FSX has special needs that are not apparent to other gamers.

 

 

Check this thread by NickN.

.

 

 

This is an excellent read for anyone attempting to modify anything for FSX. It is a little tough to read with his religious over tones but like he says "you don't like, don't read it". I highly recommend you sit down and read the entire document before you do anything, great eye opener. But, still you need to take some responsibility in deciphering what is going to work for you.

 

 

I was a fan of AlacrityPC when I had FS9 running on XP. But now with FSX on W7 I have stopped using it.

 

 

You should still use something like AlacrityPC, there are processes and programs that can be shut down and restart after FSX that you do not want to permanently shut down.

 

 

It's the freeware Gamebooster. Very convenient and effective!

 

 

I do not recommend this generic gaming performance enhancing  software. It is not aware of what FSX needs ( in my opinion), particularly when you run PMDG aircraft.

 

 

I just had a peek at your profile. Looks like you have a lot of scenery and airport addons. That would be where I would look for problems first.

 

In this case I would also recommend a utility like Scenery Config Editor to eliminate non essential scenery for a specific flight. You can disable and re-enable scenery as you desire. If you ORBX scenery this gets a little more complicated I believe.

 

 

You should still use something like AlacrityPC, there are processes and programs that can be shut down and restart after FSX that you do not want to permanently shut down.

 

FSX is running absolutely fine. Why start messing with something when it's working okay? I'm not neurotic about closing down every non-essential service. I'd never see the difference anyway.