XXHighEnd

All,

Edit : This topic is a sticky and it is often referred to. This is always about the subject starting under Third thing below. So skip to there please.


In a few hours time (or earlier :teasing:) I will upload a 0.9m version;
In order for Vista users to be able to start right away with this and find out about the Sound Quality changes, you should prepare a few things.

First thing :
It might not work on your system. :cry:
It works for Engine#3 only;
Whether it works for Hyperthreading processors ... it's up to you. I cannot test this. It should work for a Core2Duo (E6x00) because I tested it on that.
If your hyperthreading processor is told to act as one core ... forget it (but this is a user setting; did you ever set it to act like one core, and you did it the way it should be done (at the "HAL" (Hardware Abstraction) Level), you can only go back by a fresh install of the OS (okay, there are other ways, but forget about them, unless you *know* them).

Second thing :
If you tick the checkbox as shown in XXCPU01 below, your PC will be changed into an Audio Dedicated Machine. :wub: I am listening to such a device right now, and I can tell you ... chicken skin. Brrrrr.
A small downside : Your PC will get back in normal state only after a reboot. Please make good notcie of this. :rules:
I could restore things myself, but only after more work, and it will be difficult to make that waterproof. Also, you might find other downsides why all doesn't work and has to be eliminated again. So I'll awaiten that first anyway.

Third thing :
In order to let things work there's an unavoideable prerequisite : you must operate XXHighEnd "As Administrator". But also, you must operate Explorer like that. That is, when you drag files from Explorer onto the Playlist Area of XXHighEnd you must. Otherwise you can't drop files (because of uneven security (of the both programs) as how it is arranged in Vista.
Now, there are two main methods on how to arrange for that permanently (in all cases you must have Administrator Rights ! (which everybody usually has)) :

• DISable UAC (User Account Control);
  
  Look at XXCPU03 below. Choose the appointed option.
  Now look at XXCPU04. The checkbox there is ticked by default. Untick it.
  Note : This avoids the ever asking questions "Are your sure ?", "Really ?", "Really sure ?" and all the nonsense.
  
  In fact now you're done. BUT :
  There is a major downside to this way of working. This is about when you Install things, they might not install as intended. You will by then have forgotton about this, and won't be able to proceed the whatever it is you wanted to do.
  So use this option only if you don't forget about this ...
  
  W7 users : When the UAC settings are changed, no messages is displayed that the system must be rebooted in order to let the changes come through;
  When the reboot is not performed, the changes work only half, and e.g. starting XXHighEnd by means of Alt-X (AutoHotkey) will not let start XXHighEnd "As Administrator" and messages accordingly will follow from XXHighEnd.
  
  
• Appoint both XXHighEnd and Explorer for Run As Administrator;
  
  Look at XXCPU05 below. In the left bottom corner you see my XX Icon (you might have it on the Desktop). Rightclick on it, and choose Properties.
  Choose Advanced and the righthand screen pops up.
  In there, tick the checkbox as indicated.
  
  Now do the same for Explorer;
  Look at XXCPU06. In the left bottom corner you see Explorer's shortcut icon. If you don't have one yet, make one (can be on the Desktop just the same).
  
  Here too there's a downside : Each time you start XXHighEnd / Explorer there's one "Are you sure" question again.

Btw, note that you also could start the programs each time with rightclick on the shortcut icon and then choose "Run As Administrator" from the context menu ...

Are we getting too technical afterall ? maybe. But I think it is for a good cause. Try it.

Peter

Hi Peter,

When all settings were made according to your post and the new checkbox is checked and it is playing does this mean that it is working on my PC? Or should I change the processor(s) settings too.

All settings were already set the way you mention though, I only needed to check the checkbox.

I do have an Intel Core 2 6300 processor (showing 2 of them) but not an E-type or Duo (as far as I can see) and have no clue about hypertrading and such...

Bert

Hi Bert,

Yes, then it should be working. The graph of the cpu useage should look similar to the screencopy I showed though. When not (hence the right part shows siginificantly more useage) we can (and will) dive into things.

There's Hyperthreading processors (the old "Pentium"), DuoCore's (like you have I think) and the Core2Duo's. And the real dual or more processors of course (which by themselves can have more cores, or "Hyperthreading").

The newer, the "more official" for separate cores. To what extend they contribute to appointing the tasks as XXHighEnd intends ... we'll see.

Peter

Seems to work...  ;)

Too "drunk" and tired to listen seriously though...  :innocent:

Bert

Well, I have it working here as per your settings. Right now I'm running Q1 -3 inverted or 13 unchecked polarity.   Appoint Processor core checked.  When I installed Vista a while ago I had got rid of multi users by unchecking that a long time ago, has always booted right to desktop.. never typed in passwords when I install, I've always had admin from boot.  I did check mark shortcuts of explorer and XXHE to admin privileges, but it doesn't ask each time I start XXHE/explorer "Are You Sure"... so don't know what you mean.  Anyway it runs and is playing music.  Laptop has a Pentium M735 1.73 GHz cpu. Code name Dothan cpu.  2 Gigs of ram...I'm guessing I have a dedicated audio pc working as you outlined?

One thing that is different than your pic in XXCPU01.png is that the box next to Music Root is Not next to Music Root in my setup, but down in the middle of the window.... What is that Music Root box for?

Anyway no real listening yet... just set up and early evening here.

btw, this is a good freeware that tells you what you what cpu&hardware you for your system...
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

scroll down the page to find download

I forgot to tell ... When XXHighEnd is not run properly "As Administrator" there will be a message about that at startup. So if you don't receive such a message ... all shoud be okay.

Would you care to post a screen copy of that ? (the full window of XX please).

I got that to... But the place of that wil change when you make the screen smaller or bigger. I don't know how to make a copy so i will leave that for someone else..

Gerard

quote]
Would you care to post a screen copy of that ? (the full window of XX please).
[/quote]

The Path "window" moves up or down when changing the height of XX, no need for a screendump. Just make XX higher and you will see yourself...

Bert

Path window ?
I resized the screen, but I don't see anything I'm not used to ...

Vertically changed the size too (height)?

Ah ... *that* !
Ok. Thanks !

Hi Peter
I'm struggling to find the right boxes to run as Administrator. Can you paste an English version of 05 and 06
Ta :good:
Chris

Hi there Chris,

Sadly, I don't have them. But maybe I can explain :

XXCPU05 (06 is the same) :

1. Perform rightclick on the shortcut icon (XX and Explorer respectively).
2. Choose Properties from the context menu that appears after 1.
3. In the screen then appearing, choose the Shortcut tab.
4. In there choose Advanced.
5. In the screen then appearing (the right hand screen in the picture), choose Run As Administrator.
6. Press Ok. The screen disappears.
7. Press Apply in the other screen. Press Ok.

Remember, *if* this is your choise of going about. See first post.

HTH,
Peter

Sorted Peter :good:

Well my initial impressions (Q1 3 inverted) are that XXHighEnd has moved up yet another gear.

I put on one of my standard test tracks Eva Cassidy-Over The Rainbow which I've heard so often its difficult to get really excited over.

There was strumming of the guitar with notes so perfectly formed it was difficult to believe and sent shivers down my spine. The money note was hit with more impact and precision than I ever remember, and most importantly I found myself emotionally involved with the song for the first time in a long while. If I wasn't such a big strong bloke I would confess to a tear in the eye. Now where did that come from. :good: :good: :good: :good: :good:

Ciao Biker

It sounds promissing Chris.

I have still tears left to cry here and can't wait.  :biglol:

I hesitate as I will have my new 6 TB stacker running tonight and didn't want to one-core my Labtop for just the few hours it has left on my shelf.

Will join this topic when things are up running.

So long..

Gerner