STEP:Mod Testing: Difference between revisions
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If the system being used to mod test is currently overclocked, it is recommended to revert everything to its default/stock settings. This includes the CPU, GPU, and RAM. Although the chances are low, it's possible for a new mod that is resource intensive to instigate stability issues, even if the overclock settings were stable to begin with. CPU and RAM overclocks can be managed from the motherboard's [http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1804&page=6 BIOS] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface UEFI], and GPU overclocks are usually managed by a 3rd party program. A recommended program for GPU overclock management is [http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/msi_afterburner_beta_download.html MSI Afterburner]. | If the system being used to mod test is currently overclocked, it is recommended to revert everything to its default/stock settings. This includes the CPU, GPU, and RAM. Although the chances are low, it's possible for a new mod that is resource intensive to instigate stability issues, even if the overclock settings were stable to begin with. CPU and RAM overclocks can be managed from the motherboard's [http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1804&page=6 BIOS] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface UEFI], and GPU overclocks are usually managed by a 3rd party program. A recommended program for GPU overclock management is [http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/msi_afterburner_beta_download.html MSI Afterburner]. | ||
===Bloatware and Unnecessary Programs=== | |||
Bloatware and unnecessary programs can slow down a computer; eating up valuable resources. These programs include browser tool bars, shareware programs installed during the installation of a separate program, bloatware that was installed by the computer manufacturer and programs installed by the user that are no longer used or needed. Many of these programs automatically start at system boot, eating up system resources and slowing down the computer. It's important to remove these programs for a more stable system. One great program that will help detect and remove these programs is [http://pcdecrapifier.com/ PC Decrapifier]. PC Decrapifier will scan both new and used computers for any bloatware and unnecessary programs and then run the uninstallers for these programs. This isn't foolproof; however, so manually scanning through the installed programs is still recommended. Remove any programs that are no longer needed on the system; however, be careful of uninstalling unknown programs because they might be important. For these types of programs, Google the program names and read about them before uninstalling. | Bloatware and unnecessary programs can slow down a computer; eating up valuable resources. These programs include browser tool bars, shareware programs installed during the installation of a separate program, bloatware that was installed by the computer manufacturer and programs installed by the user that are no longer used or needed. Many of these programs automatically start at system boot, eating up system resources and slowing down the computer. It's important to remove these programs for a more stable system. One great program that will help detect and remove these programs is [http://pcdecrapifier.com/ PC Decrapifier]. PC Decrapifier will scan both new and used computers for any bloatware and unnecessary programs and then run the uninstallers for these programs. This isn't foolproof; however, so manually scanning through the installed programs is still recommended. Remove any programs that are no longer needed on the system; however, be careful of uninstalling unknown programs because they might be important. For these types of programs, Google the program names and read about them before uninstalling. | ||
===Ghosts in the Machine=== | |||
Over time a computer will generate many redundant files that, at the minimum, will do nothing harmful or, at worst, could cause stability issues. These files can include temporary files left by programs that are no longer needed, redundant or unused registry entries and much more. It's recommended to use a program such as [http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER CCleaner] to clean up these files; as well as, to fix any registry issues. | Over time a computer will generate many redundant files that, at the minimum, will do nothing harmful or, at worst, could cause stability issues. These files can include temporary files left by programs that are no longer needed, redundant or unused registry entries and much more. It's recommended to use a program such as [http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER CCleaner] to clean up these files; as well as, to fix any registry issues. | ||
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At this point it is also a good idea to do a thorough cleaning of old files and remove them from the system as well. Backup pictures to an external device, delete any personal files no longer needed, delete any old log files and downloaded software installers and so on. Get the hard drives as clean as possible before continuing. | At this point it is also a good idea to do a thorough cleaning of old files and remove them from the system as well. Backup pictures to an external device, delete any personal files no longer needed, delete any old log files and downloaded software installers and so on. Get the hard drives as clean as possible before continuing. | ||
===Spyware and Viruses=== | |||
Ensuring the system is clean of spyware and viruses is critical to a stable computer. Be sure an anti-virus is installed and working with up-to-date definitions. [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download Microsoft Security Essentials] and [http://www.avast.com/ Avast] are two light-weight, respected solutions in the IT community that should serve most users well. Both are free to use and there is no need for the paid version of Avast. The free version has everything anyone will ever need that follows best practices to protect their systems in the first place. | Ensuring the system is clean of spyware and viruses is critical to a stable computer. Be sure an anti-virus is installed and working with up-to-date definitions. [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download Microsoft Security Essentials] and [http://www.avast.com/ Avast] are two light-weight, respected solutions in the IT community that should serve most users well. Both are free to use and there is no need for the paid version of Avast. The free version has everything anyone will ever need that follows best practices to protect their systems in the first place. | ||
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As always with spyware and viruses, the best solution is prevention by following common best practices. | As always with spyware and viruses, the best solution is prevention by following common best practices. | ||
===Disk Fragmentation=== | |||
On hard disk drives (HDD), over time files that are regularly used by the computer will fragment (located on separate parts of the disk). This increases read times and potentially causes stability issues. Defragmenting alines fragmented files by placing them in order on the disks. It is always good practice to make sure the HDDs are defragmented before testing a mod. Thus, defrag the hard drives after installing a new mod, especially large mods such as texture overhauls. A recommended program is [http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/ Auslogics Disk Defrag], which allows full drive defragmenting as well as specific file and/or folder defragmenting. | On hard disk drives (HDD), over time files that are regularly used by the computer will fragment (located on separate parts of the disk). This increases read times and potentially causes stability issues. Defragmenting alines fragmented files by placing them in order on the disks. It is always good practice to make sure the HDDs are defragmented before testing a mod. Thus, defrag the hard drives after installing a new mod, especially large mods such as texture overhauls. A recommended program is [http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/ Auslogics Disk Defrag], which allows full drive defragmenting as well as specific file and/or folder defragmenting. | ||
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If the system has a solid state drive (SSD), please disregard the defragmentation advice detailed above. Defragmenting a SSD offers no benefit and will significantly decrease the life span of the drive. | If the system has a solid state drive (SSD), please disregard the defragmentation advice detailed above. Defragmenting a SSD offers no benefit and will significantly decrease the life span of the drive. | ||
===Background Processes=== | |||
Background processes will take up system resources and also potentially introduce stability issues when playing or testing Skyrim. The first step is to disable or delete startup items. | Background processes will take up system resources and also potentially introduce stability issues when playing or testing Skyrim. The first step is to disable or delete startup items. | ||
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A great program for eliminating as many of the remaining background processes as possible is [http://www.razerzone.com/gamebooster Game Booster]. This will close unnecessary programs and background processes and services. Game Booster is optimized towards gaming so it does this very well and will restore the programs, processes and services once the user is done gaming. | A great program for eliminating as many of the remaining background processes as possible is [http://www.razerzone.com/gamebooster Game Booster]. This will close unnecessary programs and background processes and services. Game Booster is optimized towards gaming so it does this very well and will restore the programs, processes and services once the user is done gaming. | ||
===TESV.exe Properties=== | |||
These settings will ensure that when Skyrim runs, Windows Aero Theme will be disabled, freeing up VRAM, since Aero may use between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Aero 64 to 128MB] of VRAM. To access these settings navigate to the Skyrim folder, right click on TESV.exe and then click on the "Compatibility" tab. Tick the "Disable Visual Themes" and "Disable Desktop Composition" boxes, as shown in the image below. This only applies to Windows Vista and Windows 7; Windows 8 users will not have these options due to the requirements of the new Start Screen. | These settings will ensure that when Skyrim runs, Windows Aero Theme will be disabled, freeing up VRAM, since Aero may use between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Aero 64 to 128MB] of VRAM. To access these settings navigate to the Skyrim folder, right click on TESV.exe and then click on the "Compatibility" tab. Tick the "Disable Visual Themes" and "Disable Desktop Composition" boxes, as shown in the image below. This only applies to Windows Vista and Windows 7; Windows 8 users will not have these options due to the requirements of the new Start Screen. |
Revision as of 21:44, February 24, 2014
Template:Warning Template:Notice Mod Testing for S.T.E.P. -- by the S.T.E.P. Team
- Updated: 21:44:06 24 February 2014 (UTC)