Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged on?

jmt356
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Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged on?

Post by jmt356 »

Suppose a computer has a user logged on (called signed in on Windows 8) and using several programs. Will that computer run slower if there is also a second user logged on (signed in, but not using the computer because the first user is signed in)? Would it make any difference if the second user had no programs running (other than those that automatically start up in the System Tray)?
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JMT

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HansV
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by HansV »

It probably depends on how active the other user's programs are. If they are just loaded into memory without doing anything, they probably have little or no impact on performance. But if they're performing complex calculations, generating a 3D image or something like that, they may use a significant percentage of CPU capacity.
Available memory may also play a role.
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jmt356
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by jmt356 »

Available RAM or ROM memory or both may play a role?
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JMT

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viking33
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by viking33 »

jmt356 wrote:Available RAM or ROM memory or both may play a role?
RAM, yes.
ROM, not really.
Here's a clear article on the difference between the two.

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-explain-ram ... 04179.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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jmt356
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by jmt356 »

I heard that in addition to RAM and a computer's processor, ROM can impact how fast a system runs. Ideally, at least half of a hard drive should be empty in order for a computer to run optimally.
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viking33
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by viking33 »

jmt356 wrote:I heard that in addition to RAM and a computer's processor, ROM can impact how fast a system runs. Ideally, at least half of a hard drive should be empty in order for a computer to run optimally.
I don't quite agree with that. Where did you hear that about ROM?
I totally don't agree with having to have the HD half empty in order to run optimally. :scratch:
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jmt356
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by jmt356 »

I heard two things:

1. If you have lots of free ROM, then RAM can borrow from ROM if RAM is running low. Therefore, freed up ROM can help speed up a computer.

2. Having half of the hard drive empty improves performance. I am not sure of the logic, but I heard this from a computer novice who I believe heard it from a credible source.
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JMT

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viking33
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by viking33 »

jmt356 wrote:I heard two things:

1. If you have lots of free ROM, then RAM can borrow from ROM if RAM is running low. Therefore, freed up ROM can help speed up a computer.

2. Having half of the hard drive empty improves performance. I am not sure of the logic, but I heard this from a computer novice who I believe heard it from a credible source.
Sorry, sounds like both came from a computer novice.
Do a little reading up on the subject from reliable sources.
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DaveA
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by DaveA »

I appears to me that some are thinking that the ROM is the "Virtual Memory" that Windows makes at the root of the System drive , called "System Cache".

If one is to let the System handle these setting you will get good performance. I have never seen this set to more than 10% of the disk, which in todays world is a big area, unless one as partitioned their drive into much smaller ones.
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jmt356
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Re: Is a computer slower if Windows has an extra user logged

Post by jmt356 »

Perhaps system cache is what I meant. In any case, there needs to be some free hard drive space to enable that operation.
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JMT