Since that thread is now in the trashcan...
In the root of your SoD folder... (default: C:\Program Files\gamename or C:\Program Files\companyname\gamename, depending on version you have installed)
delete spellsnew.eff and spellsnew.edd
Start the game
In the chat line, type /showspelleffects on
PLEASE NOTE:
Using the old spell effects, you will see every single pulse of bard songs, and some still have repeating sound effects.
/showspelleffects off will turn off the the particles... a requirement for raiding even with a heavy machine. However, it does not disable the sound effects on those few bard songs that gain them.
/showspelleffects on/off is an on-the-fly toggle, it does not require rebooting or zoning. It does not remove effects of the current spell or pulse, but future spells and pulses will not generate them... so it may take several seconds to notice the effect.
Finally, the old spell effects were heavily reused, making it very difficult to visually distinguish one spell from another. The 60+ spells were created after the change to the newer effects, and often use the incorrect graphic... ice spells with fire graphics and the like.
syduck: