Software tips:

Scan your system and hard drive:

1) Click start - accessories
2) Right click command prompt
3) Choose Run as Administrator

Type:

sfc /scannow

Hit enter

4) Please schedule a disk check:

chkdsk /f /r C:

5) Hit enter

6) Restart your computer.

Afterwards, it will either show there are no integrity problems, or give a location for a file with errors. If this happens, check the file - c:\windows\logs\cbs\cbs.log for any clues.

Update your SOFTWARE:

Always use the latest version of Holdem Manager, and use the most current version of PostgreSQL. We support 8.4.x by default. You should update the version you have, or you will need a new database. So if you have 9.0.x, update to the latest 9.0. 9.2 is faster than previous versions and is stable.

Advanced Users: You are allowed to use 9.0/9.2 (64 bit). They will work just fine*, but they're not officially supported. *Some features (like using the internal backup/restore tool may not work. You can manually use pgadminIII instead: http://faq.holdemmanager.com/questio...estoreDatabase (this is for HM1!)

How to install HEM + PostgreSQL 8.4.
Update your Windows (use Microsoft Update, and make sure you have the latest Service Pack (SP2 for Vista, SP3 for XP)) and update all system drivers (including your mainboard and videocard driver! and .net framework updates).

Defrag your non-SSD harddisk, using Defraggler by Piriform. Or you can use Disk Defrag by Auslogics or Power Defragmenter (all FREE software and better than the Windows included Defrag)

It is recommended to stop postgreSQL from running before you use defrag! (To stop and start the service: Start > All Programs > PostgreSQL > Stop Service / Start Service)

DO NOT DEFRAG AN SSD.

Reformat your hard drive:

Over time, there will be a buildup of background programs running; items left in the registry; your hard drive will fill, and your computer may not run as fast as it used to. Reformatting will clear up any software issues.

Alleviate any security issues:

Sometimes folder permissions and security software can block necessary processes. Holdem Manager and Table Ninja interact with your site's software in ways that some antiviruses mistake for a virus and it can block the file. It is necessary to make sure everything you use to play poker has unfettered access to work freely.

Please see this FAQ to alleviate any security bottlenecks:

http://hm2faq.holdemmanager.com/ques...olders+HM2+use

Set Note Caddy to use less resources:

Unless you are processing lots of hands at once, you probably do not need to use all of the threads from your CPU.

NoteCaddy speed improvement - Assaultware Wiki

PostgreSQL:

Edit your PostgreSQL.conf file in the SQL 8.x/data folder. (you need to reboot after you've made the changes)
Do not use the Tuning Wizard. On some systems it will make changes to the postgresql.conf it shouldn't, resulting in being unable to connect to the database!
If you experience this problem--> simply go to the 8.4/data folder, undo the changes you made and reboot.
Recommended changes:

shared_buffers = <number> MB (set it to 20% of your system's memory, but not higher than 512 MB)
effective_cache_size = <number> MB (set this to 4x the size of the shared_buffers)

Change at your own risk: (change them back to default if postgresql stops running, or your performance decreases)
wal_buffers = 8MB
temp_buffers = 24MB #(wal_buffers x3)
work_mem = 128MB
maintenance_work_mem = 512MB
commit_delay = 10000
checkpoint_segments = 128
checkpoint_completion_target = 0.9


Remove the # at the beginning of the line after making the changes you want otherwise PostgreSQL will still ignore them (lines with a # at the front are not interpreted).

Decrease the SIZE of your database:

You may only be using a smaller range of data. By default, the HUD is set to show the last 12 months. A lot of player use less since players will often change their style. Create a database to play that only has the last 4-6 months hands, and keep a larger database that you import hands into frequently to keep for records.

Optimize your database

This is now in the database control panel:

Please run maintenance on the DB.


1) Click the database name in the bottom right corner (2nd in)

2) Click the maintenance tab.

3) Click the Full radio button.

4) Click the Optimize button.

How to optimize the database

Stop postgresql logging. How to make PostgreSQL stop making those big log files (I had 8 GB of logfiles before I realized you're allowed to delete the content of the data/pg_log directory!)

Keep your hard drive free of clutter. Your hard drive should always have at least 10% free space available.
--1 A near-empty harddisk is faster than a near-full harddisk, so delete your crap! CrapCleaner by Piriform and Windows Disk Cleanup can help.
-- Turn off indexing and turn off "compress this drive to save disk space" in your harddisk properties.
-- Optimize Windows for "best performance" (in Control Panel/System/Advanced/Performance/Setting/Visual Effects).
-- Advanced users only: save space by turning off System Restore (System/System Protection). *not recommended*

Windows 7 + SSD
(If you already have a SSD harddisk also do all the SSD Tweaks in that guide.. though don't disable hibernation!, don't completely disable your page file!, and don't disable AERO!)
*Services to disable in that guide: also don't disable Secondary Logon, Hibernation, and SuperFetch (the latter two may be disabled, but do your research and turn back on if there is an issue).

-Change Processes Priority. Start the Windows Task Manager, processes tab--> and while running an auto import in HoldemManager---> rightclick on HoldemManager.exe, HMHud.exe, ---> set priority to HIGH (not real time!), set affinity to use all your CPUs. (click for more detailed info)

Use fewer programs while playing. If you have less resources, use fewer of them while playing. Use a secondary device to listen to music/watch Youtube or other videos should you choose to do so. Close your browser, close Skype, close anything that is not directly used to play poker. Restart your computer, and only open your poker programs. Not only will this keep your computer resources reserved for only poker programs, you might even find yourself more focused while playing.</number></number>