programs running in the background

[Guest]

How can I find out what programs are running in the background so I can shut
it down? ... it may be a virus scan program but I can't locate it. Thanks,
Brian

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

in Windows, there's the Task Manager (right-click the taskbar and click
"Task Manager", or simply press Ctrl+Alt+Del). In the tab Processes, you
find a list of the loaded programs. Also, there are Services running which
you can see if you click Start -> Run -> services.msc -> Enter.
If you need more information on the tasks, try Security Task Manager
(http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager).

Hope this helps.
Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[Guest]

By the sounds of the computer, it appears to be scanning files .... and it
takes forever ... and while it is occurring, my transaction are considerably
slowed down ... so I would like to be able to pause or stop it.

Any thoughts on how to get at this?

THanks,
Brian

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

- what antivirus programs have you installed?
- maybe this is the search indexer from Windows Desktop search. Is it
installed on your computer?

Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[Guest]

Someone else in my family had been using this computer so I am not sure what
antivirus prgms may be installed .... how could I definitivly find out?

Also, how would I see is the Windows Desktop search is installed?

THanks, Brian

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

for the Desktop search, check the image on the right of
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Desktop_Search
to see if your Windows search (Start -> Search) look like this.
For the antivirus program, look into Start -> All programs. Do you see
something that could look like an antivirus program, like Norton, or
Symantec, McAfee, Live OneCare, TrendMicro? Here's a longer list for that:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/49500
Additionally, you could look into C:\Program Files (hit Start -> Run ->
C:\Program Files -> Enter) and see if one of these is listed.

What is the process name of the program that takes CPU time? Start the Task
Manager, and go to the tab "Processes". Now, click onto the column "CPU",
and so the CPU usage of the processes gets listed. Which program uses the
most?
What is your overall CPU usage, seen in the bottom of Task Manager?

Hope this helps you.
Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[Guest]

a few answers for you .... windows search does not look like that .... cpu
usage is ranging from 2-10% while I was looking at it ... heaviest usage came
from "System Idle Process" program. Have not yet gotten to look into the
antivirus programs.

Does this help you understand things yet ? right now I am getting good speed
ie. not bogged down by background running.

Thanks again for your help. Brian

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

2-10 % doesn't seem bad for idle usage. Mine is about the same value.
As long as it doesn't slow down, it's normal.

Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[sareth]

How can I find out what programs are running in the background so I ca
shut
it down? ... it may be a virus scan program but I can't locate it
Thanks,
Brian

Try sysinternals Process Explorer

http://tinyurl.com/3ytolu

It's a slick little program