Best way to set/install Windows or MI

**geeky_hawkes** · 08-18-2006, 02:30 PM

As the title really. Whats the best way to configure/reinstall windows for the fastest/most stable MI install.

Anything in particular i should look to remove/keep in / tweak?

**Siezmik** · 08-18-2006, 02:37 PM

Assuming you are referring to XP, the methods are numerous. Some methods are a bit more shady than others (any of the mini XP builds by eXperience - do a torrent search) or a nice legit method is XPLite (http://www.litepc.com).

**geeky_hawkes** · 08-18-2006, 02:40 PM

Thanks, had a lok at xplite before but really trying to make my mind up if thats any better than just doing a cleanish (ie no cr*p) xp install with min drivers fo the system in use..

**reddeath30** · 08-21-2006, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by geeky_hawkes

Thanks, had a lok at xplite before but really trying to make my mind up if thats any better than just doing a cleanish (ie no cr*p) xp install with min drivers fo the system in use..

One thing to be carefull about when using the slim xp installs is, they leave out the driver library, so if you install new hardware and it requires windows drivers for any reason it wont be able to find it, or it may not be able to install it either. I tried a slim install of xp once and had so many issues, I wont ever do it again.

**Siezmik** · 08-21-2006, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by reddeath30

One thing to be carefull about when using the slim xp installs is, they leave out the driver library, so if you install new hardware and it requires windows drivers for any reason it wont be able to find it, or it may not be able to install it either.

Very true, however that's a perfectly acceptable trade-off for most people, especially in a CarPC environment. It is indeed something to be aware of though.

**geeky_hawkes** · 08-21-2006, 01:11 PM

Thats what i suspected. Even worse in the case of using a laptop as a base unit i imagine. Reddeath whats your performance like using a full xp install?

**reddeath30** · 08-21-2006, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by geeky_hawkes

Thats what i suspected. Even worse in the case of using a laptop as a base unit i imagine. Reddeath whats your performance like using a full xp install?

It takes roughly 20 to 25 seconds for bootup, and about 10 to 15 seconds for shut down. This is XP Pro, with Sp2, .Net 2x, Media Player 10, Direct X 9.x, Xvid codec, and Power DVD installed. Absolutely no critical security patches have been installed, no antivirus, etc. those are what slow you down.

My system is the following
MSI Cube PC - Mega 651
P4 2.53 ghz
256Mb Ram
40Gb hard drive
Sound Blaster Live MP3 soundcard.

**geeky_hawkes** · 08-21-2006, 04:27 PM

Sounds good, im planning on running a laptop install so will mostly hibernating the system anyway so that should shave a few seconds off here and there. Thanks for your help