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Hey Dak,

Unfortunately, using multiple user profiles isn't a very managable way to address your needs. Most AV apps run as a service, which will run regardless of who is logged in. Now, you could create a dedicated hardware profile that would have the NIC disabled if you choose to do so. If I were in your shoes I'd probably just dual boot with another XP install on another hard drive or partition.

I decided much the same as Dylan after experimenting with different user profiles... but I never went so far as to set up the dual boot.


I stay connected to the net (the networking component in XP is fairly slim) but don't run any other apps as a rule when I have my DAW up and doing any kind of serious work. (I have a modest machine and a big love for plug ins and VI's. I need to keep all the headroom I can muster.)

I also don't run background AV scan software -- even the most efficient is a big drag on a modest system -- and from the latest stuff I've seen even up to date AV software tends to miss as much as 80% of the latest threats.

I keep an eye on my running services, trying to keep it to a minimum for everyday use.

Since I also use my system for web and database development, I sometimes have to run the industrial strength MS SQL Server as a background service -- but I have things set so I have to manually turn that on. I also turn off Windows update, scheduler, and so on. (Of course, without the scheduler, System Restore is not able to run automatically, so I try to set a restore point before major changes to the system. Just in case.)

I set up a dual boot for a couple of laptops so far and it's the best way to go as far as I'm concerned. I also ghost both images with Acronis.

Thats what I do as well. A normal install of XP for all my normal activities and an install of TinyXP for all my recording needs.

DUAL BOOT!
I'm on an XP partition that has internet access, Email, Office apps, Photoshop, Drewamweaver, etc.

The other partition only has XP, my DAW (Sonar) and plugins and editing programs, though I installed MS Word strictly for lyric writing. But that's it for that partition. Rock solid.

Here I have no problems in disabling a couple useless components in the hw manager and exit antivirus and firewall before a session. 15 seconds maybe? then if I just have to connect to exchange something with another machine or the internet I just re-enable. No more time than rebooting, less used space than double install and most of all I can make my daw interact if I need it. Sometimes I do. Well I have other 2 desktop machines (one is a daw as well) and a laptop and I don't use my main machine just for surfing.