Photoshop CS4 is a disaster

Jacqui,

I leave ALG alone because it has such a small footprint in memory that I don't think it matters much. Plus, I sometimes use Windows firewall and my understanding is that WF requires it.

I installed uphclean when I *was* having shutdown events. I haven't had any since and, again, another small amount of memory resources are required so...

As to being in control, the software I use allows the user to configure what does and does not get shut down, so there's not really much to be paranoid about. I did the Black Viper thing back in the W2K days and the tweaks were OK, although I would sometimes run into something that didn't work and then I'd have to sort out why. With SmartClose, everything runs (unless I've changed it to Manual/Disabled in in Services.msc) and I don't have to solve any mysteries.

Thanks for the pointers. :)

You really have to be careful over starting and stopping Services. There are dependencies involved (what starts and when) in the mix, as well as overall timing issues, (exacerbated in Vista, BTW). Some services start before the GUI and some run whether or not the GUi is actually running.

Ho

Your services are similar to mine except that I have Acrobat, my nVidia drivers and my Wacom drivers up and running (can't do without them). On the other hand, you could possibly lose ALG service? The uphclean too unless you are having shutdown issues/Userenv events occurring. MS sent me a 64-bit version of that utility because I get a Userenv warning at shutdown if I have been printing. I chose not to install since it doesn't interfere with the shutdown process.

I must admit I prefer to be in control of what services I allow to run as opposed to handing control over to software. I'm paranoid :)

>I have a screen print of my processes here...

Me too. Note that of the 20 running processes, one is Task Manager and two are from Eset (NOD32 antivirus). I could kill the Eset service but I just disable scanning instead. So, a workable minimum for me is 19 running process thanks to SmartClose.

http://www.pbase.com/ho72/image/108029521/original.jpg

Hugh,

I have a screen print of my processes here:

http://www.pbase.com/jacquidervan/image/108025809/large.jpg

and services here:

http://www.pbase.com/jacquidervan/image/108025815/large.jpg (part 1)
http://www.pbase.com/jacquidervan/image/108025826/large.jpg (part 2)

I don't have Adobe's utility to check OGL compatibility, but I know that the 4500 is listed on their website as compatible. It is my understanding that the limiting factor is the operating system as opposed to the video card. I don't know how to find the OGL version but here is a screen print of the driver details with OGL driver at the top:

http://www.pbase.com/jacquidervan/image/108026812/medium.jpg

OGL rotate:

http://www.pbase.com/jacquidervan/image/108028412/large.jpg

I can spin images around from the 1Ds MKII so fast it makes you dizzy, but getting the brushes to work at a reasonable speed on some much smaller images with adjustment layers and layer styles is quite slow unless I reduce the size considerably. Like others have reported, the lag builds up and I have had some strokes take 9 seconds or more to catch up. Good luck with your tweaking.

Almost forgot. I saw a 50% improvement (at least) when I removed McAfee AV Suite and replaced with free AntiVir program. Then I applied Pro Artist's settings. In combination I now have a system that can wait for Adobe patch and that ever elusive, "upgraded driver" from Nvidia (oh, let's throw in Microsoft as well until we get Windows 7).

Thanks to all in this forum for sharing your experiences.

Pro Artist

I also give thanks for your OGL settings. They helped enormously. Currently running DEll M1730 with 8800M SLi; RAM = 4G, using /3G switch; 2x200 7500 HD in Raid 0; Wacom Intuos 3; and use Windows XP SP3.

All OGl-based functions work well on laptop. I have a DELL 24" external monitor running as well and all functions work well except truncated cursor. So, I defer to Nvidia to help with that issue since the laptop cursor runs well.

I will try Jacqui's Nvidia settings to see if they provide further improvement. I am using Nvidia's 179.28 Beta on my machine (from Nvidia site).

>blackviper.com

smokes crack. Download SmartClose or similar app and shut down services and processes selectively. I run SC before I have a heavy duty session in Photoshop (also invoke the 3G switch).

Pro Artist

Thanks, your OpenGL settings helped a lot with my performance issues, brush lag has improved immeasurably, pen tool is now perfectly usable but still experiencing some lag with the clone tool.

All in all, your settings will allow me to use CS4 for work.

By the way I'm using a 8600GT (256Mb).

Thanks again.

Jacqui,

We have the same chipset and drivers. I'll enable Snoop.

dedicated 4GB/sec FC array for scratch raid 0
dedicated 4GB/sec FC array for images raid 3
dedicated 15K SCSI 320 spindel for page
same for programs and system

I'll try your video settings.

Would you mind doing a print screen of your processes, or dump from the services startup? I am impressed, I have never been able to get it that low -- not even close. Would like to see what you were able to accomplish.

Do you have Adobe's utility to check OGL compatability? Could you send me the version of OGL on your 4500? I could not get any OGL on my 4500.

Thanks in advance,

H