5 manning with vista or xp?

[hellsown]

this is what i have:

GT9800 OC
500 pwr supply
4 gigs ram
vista 32
dual core 3.2ghz

right now i am 4 boxing 4 shammies... :P my fps is ok until i run into a major cities..can run instances fine...with basically same fps..i use the console commands every time i load up..helps alot...i want to give 5boxing a shot now..do u think that i will have to reinstall xp? or can i partition the HD to have xp on it with WoW? and have it run even better as 4 man? or with 5 man??

I just ding'd my girls to 60 yesterday :D

[emesis]

You don't mention your hard drive setup, which tends to be the limiting factor on single machines runing multiple copies of WOW. In particular, the high I/O (multiple seeks) to a single hard drive when entering crowded areas.

I'm guessing you are using a single hard drive and do not have symlinks (Vista) or junction points (XP) setup?

The single best thing you can do to improve your city performance is setting up symlinks correctly. I finally got off my duff and did this last night on my Windows XP box for my 5-man team and the difference is flat out amazing in Shatt.

Some people use SSD (solid state disk) drives, which have the advantage of excelling at handling multiple concurrent seek requests (since they use electonic and not physical addressing); these are still fairly pricey and should be considered primarily after figuring out how to do symlinks.

The Wiki has information on setting up junction points/symlinks.

[hellsown]

Oh! i had no idea about this....Symlinks...i guess i am gonna have to do alot of researching it then..to figure it out..

thnks

[hellsown]

Instead of going into the long explaination, the easy way to become aquanted with the Symlink feature in Vista is to open up a command prompt and type 'Mklink /?' ,you will be presented with the necessary information for creating your own symlinks in Vista. So lets create one then...

Say for example we want to call the 'Music' folder in Vista "My Personal Music Collection" but we want that folder to appear at another location other that the default Vista location and we have some problems moving the 'Music' folder and we really don't mind if the actual folder stays at its default location, we just want a folder called "My Personal Music Collection" because we don't like the default Vista 'Music' name. Ok here is how we would do that. Additionally, lets say that our user name is 'Mickeymouse' (just for the heck of it).

(Open up a command prompt and type Mklink/?. That will give you information and the syntax of the command to create a symlink.)

1. Open command prompt in the place where you want to create the symlink, were going to use the root of the C:\ drive in this example but it can be anywhere you want..

2. type mklink /? for information. So if we want to create a symlink directory at the root of C:\;

mklink /J <the name of our link directory> <the target of our link>

so lets create a link directory named "My Personal Music Collection" at the root of C:\ with a target of the default C:\Users\Mickeymouse

mklink /J "My Personal Music Collection" "C:\Users\Mickeymouse"

If you now look in the root of the C:\ drive you will see what looks like a folder but really isn't, its not a shortcut either but we won't go into that in this post. You will be able to copy, save, paste, and do all the normal things you would do with an actual folder with your "My Personal Music Collection" symlink, but remember, the actual activity is taking place in the original "C:\Users\Mickeymouse"


Omg i just dont understand!

[pengwynman]

i used the powershell script from Chorizotarian[/url]... took me a few to get everything figured out because my setup is a little different but it saves a ton of time:
[url='http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=4854']PowerShell script to create symbolically linked (mklink) copies of WoW ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=User&userID=2945')

here's a thread about symlinking in XP if that's the route you'll be taking
[Other] Winbolic Guide - Symlinking for XP ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=6697')

[hellsown]

i used the powershell script from Chorizotarian[/url]... took me a few to get everything figured out because my setup is a little different but it saves a ton of time:
[url='http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=4854']PowerShell script to create symbolically linked (mklink) copies of WoW ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=User&userID=2945')

here's a thread about symlinking in XP if that's the route you'll be taking
[Other] Winbolic Guide - Symlinking for XP ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=6697')

i got it downloaded....and installed..and i ran as admin.....................know idea how to get started...want to learn it....as pc's are my passion...but...just need a step in right direction...

3) Set your script execultion policy to run local scripts without a digital signature:
# Get-Help About_Signing
# Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
# 4) Copy New-Wow.ps1 to somewhere in your path OR replace "new-wow" in the examples below
# with the script path.
#
# Examples:
# Copy default WoW location to c:\wow1:
# new-wow c:\wow1
#
# Copy default WoW location to c:\wow1 and c:\wow2:
# new-wow c:\wow1,c:\wow2
#
# Copy existing cuctem WoW location c:\wow1 to c:\wow2 and c:\wow3:
# new-wow c:\wow2,c:\wow3 -sourcePath c:\wow1
#
# If the script is not in your path:
# c:\somedir\new-wow.ps1 c:\wow1
#
# You can also use switches (standard PowerShell functionality
# new-wow -path c:\wow1,c:\wow2,c:\wow3 -source c:\oldwow
#
# Please be careful with -force -- it will automatically delete everything under the destination
# path:
# new-wow c:\wow1 -force
# ^-- *** deletes c:\wow1 and replaces it with a new copy of WoW! ***

[pengwynman]

i got it downloaded....and installed..and i ran as admin.....................know idea how to get started...want to learn it....as pc's are my passion...but...just need a step in right direction...

3) Set your script execultion policy to run local scripts without a digital signature:
# Get-Help About_Signing
# Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
# 4) Copy New-Wow.ps1 to somewhere in your path OR replace "new-wow" in the examples below
# with the script path.
#
# Examples:
# Copy default WoW location to c:\wow1:
# new-wow c:\wow1
#
# Copy default WoW location to c:\wow1 and c:\wow2:
# new-wow c:\wow1,c:\wow2
#
# Copy existing cuctem WoW location c:\wow1 to c:\wow2 and c:\wow3:
# new-wow c:\wow2,c:\wow3 -sourcePath c:\wow1
#
# If the script is not in your path:
# c:\somedir\new-wow.ps1 c:\wow1
#
# You can also use switches (standard PowerShell functionality
# new-wow -path c:\wow1,c:\wow2,c:\wow3 -source c:\oldwow
#
# Please be careful with -force -- it will automatically delete everything under the destination
# path:
# new-wow c:\wow1 -force
# ^-- *** deletes c:\wow1 and replaces it with a new copy of WoW! ***first off, you need to add a folder to your windows path (you can put scripts in this folder and run them from the command line)

Click Start and choose Control Panel Click System, on the right you’ll see “View basic information about your computer” On the left is a list of tasks, the last of which is “Advanced system settings.” Click that. The Advanced tab of the System Properties dialog box is shown. Click the Environment Variables button on the bottom right. In the lower box titled “System Variables” scroll down to Path and click the Edit button. Change your path as need be. you may need to restart your comp
-after you have a path set up (i used C:\bin as mine), copy the new-wow file to that path and change the extension from .txt to .ps1
-run powershell as admin
-run the following command: Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
-now you can run the new-wow script using the examples... my primary wow folder isn't in C:\program files, so this is what i used:
new-wow c:\Games\symwow\wow1 -sourcePath "C:\Games\WoW"

[Suvega]

Hey hellsown,

The computer should be fine for 5boxing on it, and I would recommend Windows Vista 64bit, for hte following reasons:
1) Symlink advice above :)
2) You state you ahve 4 gb of physical memory. This in combination to the video memory would be in excess of 4gb, which means it is impossible to use all of it in a 32bit OS.

Windows Vista 64bit is really a great operating system, I use it on all 5 of my computers. It was designed for NEW computers, and you want to ENSURE you have up to date drivers. Beyond that you shouldnt' have much issues :)

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Hey hellsown,

The computer should be fine for 5boxing on it, and I would recommend Windows Vista 64bit, for hte following reasons:
1) Symlink advice above :)
2) You state you ahve 4 gb of physical memory. This in combination to the video memory would be in excess of 4gb, which means it is impossible to use all of it in a 32bit OS.

Windows Vista 64bit is really a great operating system, I use it on all 5 of my computers. It was designed for NEW computers, and you want to ENSURE you have up to date drivers. Beyond that you shouldnt' have much issues :)Good advice here, though symlinking will work fine on XP and Vista 32 as well (It's what I use on 3 of my boxes).

Your PC should be just fine as-is if you're short on cash for the OS upgrade.

[hellsown]

Hey hellsown,

The computer should be fine for 5boxing on it, and I would recommend Windows Vista 64bit, for hte following reasons:
1) Symlink advice above :)
2) You state you ahve 4 gb of physical memory. This in combination to the video memory would be in excess of 4gb, which means it is impossible to use all of it in a 32bit OS.

Windows Vista 64bit is really a great operating system, I use it on all 5 of my computers. It was designed for NEW computers, and you want to ENSURE you have up to date drivers. Beyond that you shouldnt' have much issues :)



Hey hellsown,

The computer should be fine for 5boxing on it, and I would recommend Windows Vista 64bit, for hte following reasons:
1) Symlink advice above :)




2) You state you ahve 4 gb of physical memory. This in combination to the video memory would be in excess of 4gb, which means it is impossible to use all of it in a 32bit OS.

Windows Vista 64bit is really a great operating system, I use it on all 5 of my computers. It was designed for NEW computers, and you want to ENSURE you have up to date drivers. Beyond that you shouldnt' have much issues :)Good advice here, though symlinking will work fine on XP and Vista 32 as well (It's what I use on 3 of my boxes).

Your PC should be just fine as-is if you're short on cash for the OS upgrade.



ty every1...for replying...really appreciate it...

i can upgrade to vista 64..$ not a problem...if necessary...but does 64, take up more ram to run..like 32 takes 2 gigs i believe some1 told me.....i also found source of my lag problem....i think...for some reason when patch rolled out i had trouble reinstalling wow at the time..and ended up putting pre-bc version..in program files..and the tbc..ended up on c:\ drive..but hopefully...with symlinking..or with the pwershell script....it will be incredible....as i cant imagine now going back to solo'ing...lol

[hellsown]

i got it downloaded....and installed..and i ran as admin.....................know idea how to get started...want to learn it....as pc's are my passion...but...just need a step in right direction...

3) Set your script execultion policy to run local scripts without a digital signature:
# Get-Help About_Signing
# Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
# 4) Copy New-Wow.ps1 to somewhere in your path OR replace "new-wow" in the examples below
# with the script path.
#
# Examples:
# Copy default WoW location to c:\wow1:
# new-wow c:\wow1
#
# Copy default WoW location to c:\wow1 and c:\wow2:
# new-wow c:\wow1,c:\wow2
#
# Copy existing cuctem WoW location c:\wow1 to c:\wow2 and c:\wow3:
# new-wow c:\wow2,c:\wow3 -sourcePath c:\wow1
#
# If the script is not in your path:
# c:\somedir\new-wow.ps1 c:\wow1
#
# You can also use switches (standard PowerShell functionality
# new-wow -path c:\wow1,c:\wow2,c:\wow3 -source c:\oldwow
#
# Please be careful with -force -- it will automatically delete everything under the destination
# path:
# new-wow c:\wow1 -force
# ^-- *** deletes c:\wow1 and replaces it with a new copy of WoW! ***first off, you need to add a folder to your windows path (you can put scripts in this folder and run them from the command line)

Click Start and choose Control Panel Click System, on the right you’ll see “View basic information about your computer” On the left is a list of tasks, the last of which is “Advanced system settings.” Click that. The Advanced tab of the System Properties dialog box is shown. Click the Environment Variables button on the bottom right. In the lower box titled “System Variables” scroll down to Path and click the Edit button. Change your path as need be. you may need to restart your comp
-after you have a path set up (i used C:\bin as mine), copy the new-wow file to that path and change the extension from .txt to .ps1
-run powershell as admin
-run the following command: Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
-now you can run the new-wow script using the examples... my primary wow folder isn't in C:\program files, so this is what i used:
new-wow c:\Games\symwow\wow1 -sourcePath "C:\Games\WoW"


yes, hi, i read the thread...for the powershell script..but really being software illerate....it was all jibberish to me......I did however manage to follow the steps u listed above until the last gui screen comes up...and asks for system variables...then i got confused...with it

[algol]

The computer should be fine for 5boxing on it, and I would recommend Windows Vista 64bit, for hte following reasons:
1) Symlink advice above :)
2) You state you ahve 4 gb of physical memory. This in combination to the video memory would be in excess of 4gb, which means it is impossible to use all of it in a 32bit OS.
Good advice here, though symlinking will work fine on XP and Vista 32 as well (It's what I use on 3 of my boxes).
For that matter, the 4GB thing is a 32-bit issue. 64-bit Windows will work, Vista or XP. So as far as I can tell, the advice was wrong on all points. Am I missing something?

Multiple monitors are handled a little differently between XP and Vista. So is audio. I have seen it suggested that XP is not prone to some of the display crashes Vista is when running many clients - but too many things can cause the crash in question so I think this is very uncertain.

Really, either should work, although they will work a little differently in some things. Pick the one you like better.

[wowphreak]

Hey hellsown,

The computer should be fine for 5boxing on it, and I would recommend Windows Vista 64bit, for hte following reasons:
1) Symlink advice above :)
2) You state you ahve 4 gb of physical memory. This in combination to the video memory would be in excess of 4gb, which means it is impossible to use all of it in a 32bit OS.

Windows Vista 64bit is really a great operating system, I use it on all 5 of my computers. It was designed for NEW computers, and you want to ENSURE you have up to date drivers. Beyond that you shouldnt' have much issues :)

Number 2 is incorrect 32 os can use all of the 4 gigs of memory if yeh dont see all 4 gigs its because its being used go figure.

the problem with vista is that it requires a considerable amount more memory then xp. vista needs about 2 gigs without paging anything out, where as Xp needs about 1 gig without paging anything out. If yer paging stuff yer hitting the hard drive which bogs everything down.

If yeh have vista and 4 gigs of ram yeh will always lag in major city its because of the paging.

that being said with yer current hardware yeh can 5 box without lag with xp
or if yeh got vista64 yeh can do the same as long as yeh have 6+ gigs of ram

So if yer hell bent on vista get vista 64 and 8 gigs of ram.

[algol]

Number 2 is incorrect 32 os can use all of the 4 gigs of memory if yeh dont see all 4 gigs its because its being used go figure.That's also false.

Well, there are exceptions, but not that matter for our purposes (badly implemented address extension tables, zero video memory). It's 64-bit if you want to use more than 4GB minus your video RAM.

32-bit Vista has been patched to "lie" and report the installed capacity in place of the usable capacity. This may be part of what misled you?

[hellsown]

well i tried to install xp, to no avail...as when rebooted after installation it couldnt/woulldnt boot windows up so i had to digress back to vista....i think that i just have to figure out how to use the symlinks or power shell script...but installing 64 i understand...that u can go up to 8 gigs of ram...but it also depends on ur motherboard? does it not? i have a feeling i will not be able to do that as my motherboard..is an emachine(gateway) from 1 1/2 years ago...

[pengwynman]

well i tried to install xp, to no avail...as when rebooted after installation it couldnt/woulldnt boot windows up so i had to digress back to vista....i think that i just have to figure out how to use the symlinks or power shell script...but installing 64 i understand...that u can go up to 8 gigs of ram...but it also depends on ur motherboard? does it not? i have a feeling i will not be able to do that as my motherboard..is an emachine(gateway) from 1 1/2 years ago...it may be limited by your motherboard yes, you may need to look at the documentation for your specific machine.

Windows Vista x64 Edition allows up to 128 GB of memory (doubt you need that much). a 32-bit OS can address a TOTAL of 4GB of memory. that means if you have a 512mb video card, the OS can address about 3.5 GB of system memory (assuming you have this much RAM, and no other components with a significant amount of memory). I was still using 32-bit vista when i got my GTX 280 (1gb of memory) so i really only had 3GB of addressable system memory. was pretty gay haha :P

[Suvega]

Hey hellsown,

The computer should be fine for 5boxing on it, and I would recommend Windows Vista 64bit, for hte following reasons:
1) Symlink advice above :)
2) You state you ahve 4 gb of physical memory. This in combination to the video memory would be in excess of 4gb, which means it is impossible to use all of it in a 32bit OS.

Windows Vista 64bit is really a great operating system, I use it on all 5 of my computers. It was designed for NEW computers, and you want to ENSURE you have up to date drivers. Beyond that you shouldnt' have much issues :)

Number 2 is incorrect 32 os can use all of the 4 gigs of memory if yeh dont see all 4 gigs its because its being used go figure.

the problem with vista is that it requires a considerable amount more memory then xp. vista needs about 2 gigs without paging anything out, where as Xp needs about 1 gig without paging anything out. If yer paging stuff yer hitting the hard drive which bogs everything down.

If yeh have vista and 4 gigs of ram yeh will always lag in major city its because of the paging.

that being said with yer current hardware yeh can 5 box without lag with xp
or if yeh got vista64 yeh can do the same as long as yeh have 6+ gigs of ram

So if yer hell bent on vista get vista 64 and 8 gigs of ram.

You need a 64bit operating system to refrence any total memory past 4gb. That INCLUDES video memory, and MoBo memory.
So if you have 4gb of physical memory, and ANY video card, then you are not using all of your hardware. It is physically impossible to reference any system location larger then 2^32 :P

[algol]

It is physically impossible to reference any system location larger then 2^32 :PNo. It just doesn't have an addressing table large enough. It can use indirect pointers, i.e. make extra table(s) and have the original table contain referential pointers. It's actually quite easy, just not nearly as fast or robust as the usual method. Also, the Microsoft implementation for their 32-bit desktop operating systems blows chunks. So for our purposes, it is close enough to say "4GB total including all other sources"...but "physically impossible" is just nonsense. A really simple way to do it - physically, no software involved - is just to hook several memory banks up through a multiplexer and slap a dip switch array on the control pins to switch which one it's talking to. And if you can do it with dip switches, you can give it to a computer to control thanks to the wonder of the transistor (well, even a vacuum tube could do it - you just need a gain circuit of any type, transistors are just the nifty extra-small modern method).

[wowphreak]

Number 2 is incorrect 32 os can use all of the 4 gigs of memory if yeh dont see all 4 gigs its because its being used go figure.That's also false.

Well, there are exceptions, but not that matter for our purposes (badly implemented address extension tables, zero video memory). It's 64-bit if you want to use more than 4GB minus your video RAM.

32-bit Vista has been patched to "lie" and report the installed capacity in place of the usable capacity. This may be part of what misled you?

no just
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/294418
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32-bit

[algol]

As has been said in this thread, 4GB total, which for most of us means you cannot use 4GB of system RAM under 32-bit windows.