Home Computer Audio Asylum

Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Computer Audio Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

17 [New] Windows system startup changes




This is a low level Windows change. My initial plan was to introduce it in the next document release. However sonic improvements are significant as in changing to Intel’s E2140 processor (change 16). You should hear improved dynamics, transients and harmonic richness.

Goto Control Panel > System > Advanced TAB > Settings button for ‘Startup and Recovery’. See picture above. Press ‘Edit’ button. Notepad is used to edit boot.ini file (hidden system file in root directory). Two changes are needed which should be done one at a time. Make a backup of c:\boot.ini file. TAKE GREAT CARE IN MAKING THESE CHANGES!

First change: Edit entry ‘/noexecute=optin’ OR in rare cases, ‘/noexecute=optout’ to ‘/noexecute=alwaysoff’. Save file. If you get an error, uncheck read only flag in c:\boot.ini file properties (make sure you set file explorer to show hidden files and uncheck ‘hide system files’). Reboot & test. This change works best when ‘CPU Feature’ BIOS settings for ‘Execute Disable Bit’ is disabled. See link below. DEP (Data Execution Protection) feature of Windows is now disabled and low level overheads are removed both at CPU and Windows levels.

Second change: Add ‘/pcilock’ command. This disables Windows IRQ assignments to PCI devices and forces Windows to use BIOS settings. Your Windows commands line in boot.ini file should look like this:

...
...WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=alwaysoff /fastdetect /pcilock

Reboot & test. This change may not work on some Dell PCs where both keyboard and mouse functions are lost. In this rare event, you must remove ‘/pcilock’ command. This is done by installing your boot harddisk drive in a working computer as a secondary drive. This way, you can access ?:\ boot.ini file and remove the entry.


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Sonic Craft  

Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
FAQ

Post a Message!

 Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]