Too Many Processes!

[Guest]

There are times when my computer seems to be running a tad slow and I think
it might have to do with the fact that my computer is running about 80+
"processes"; however, I did not start most of these programs. I've tried
"exiting" these programs in my tray and uninstalling some other programs, but
the processes are still pretty high.
Is there a way to prevent these applications from running? Is this number
actually average and I'm worried about nothing? I do not think they are
adware/spyware because I have installed an updated scanner and it cannot find
anything.

 

[Malke]

There are times when my computer seems to be running a tad slow and I
think it might have to do with the fact that my computer is running
about 80+
"processes"; however, I did not start most of these programs. I've
tried "exiting" these programs in my tray and uninstalling some other
programs, but the processes are still pretty high.
Is there a way to prevent these applications from running? Is this
number
actually average and I'm worried about nothing? I do not think they
are adware/spyware because I have installed an updated scanner and it
cannot find anything.

That's really a lot. Since I don't know what your "updated scanner" is
and how you scanned, it would be wise for you to go through these steps
just to make sure your computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When you know the machine is clean, use the System Configuration Utility
to see what is set to run at startup:

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
Look at the Startup tab.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

Also review your services.
Start>Run>services.msc [enter]

Here are sites where you can look up what you find:

http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/
http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/search.php
http://www.processlibrary.com/results/
http://www.kephyr.com/filedb/index.php?source=bottomlin

Malke

 

[Guest]

My current "scanner" is Norton Protection Center/AntiVirus and has a Spyware
Protection.
Is that not a good program to use?

There are times when my computer seems to be running a tad slow and I
think it might have to do with the fact that my computer is running
about 80+
"processes"; however, I did not start most of these programs. I've
tried "exiting" these programs in my tray and uninstalling some other
programs, but the processes are still pretty high.
Is there a way to prevent these applications from running? Is this
number
actually average and I'm worried about nothing? I do not think they
are adware/spyware because I have installed an updated scanner and it
cannot find anything.

That's really a lot. Since I don't know what your "updated scanner" is
and how you scanned, it would be wise for you to go through these steps
just to make sure your computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When you know the machine is clean, use the System Configuration Utility
to see what is set to run at startup:

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
Look at the Startup tab.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

Also review your services.
Start>Run>services.msc [enter]

Here are sites where you can look up what you find:

http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/
http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/search.php
http://www.processlibrary.com/results/
http://www.kephyr.com/filedb/index.php?source=bottomlin

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

I have 35 vs ur 80 so I think thats significant.

2 ways I know to stop them running r to analyse
startups & services.

Excessive startups may be indicated by lots icons in
tray- I got 5.

I'll look 4 urls while others have chance to comment.

HTH-Larry

On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:25:17 -0800, "FensterBos"

|There are times when my computer seems to be running a tad slow and I think
|it might have to do with the fact that my computer is running about 80+
|"processes"; however, I did not start most of these programs. I've tried
|"exiting" these programs in my tray and uninstalling some other programs, but
|the processes are still pretty high.
|Is there a way to prevent these applications from running? Is this number
|actually average and I'm worried about nothing? I do not think they are
|adware/spyware because I have installed an updated scanner and it cannot find
|anything.

Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[R. McCarty]

I also have around 35 running (with no open/running apps).
There is no "Magic" number, it will always vary based on the
3rd-party apps you have installed, Security software, etc..
Before ever considering stopping or modifying XP services,
I'd concentrate on Startups & Watchdog apps. It's here that
you'll find Printer Watchdogs, Media Players, IMs and other
items that aren't always necessary to have running & taking
up memory and system processing time.

 

[Malke]

My current "scanner" is Norton Protection Center/AntiVirus and has a
Spyware Protection.
Is that not a good program to use?

I'm not fond of NAV although you should be fine for viral malware
protection. I don't know how effective their "Spyware Protection" is
and I'd definitely go through at least some of the steps listed on my
website. Here's the link again for your convenience:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Then continue your research by doing as I previously suggested.

Malke

 

[Guest]

I have followed most of your steps and have reduced my "processes" to 60 from
80...so far we have made some progress. However, I am still concerned about
some of the other processes in my task manager; for instance, I have three
svxhost.exe's running. Are there other steps I should follow? R. McCarty
suggested using "Startups & Watchdog apps." and another user suggested
"Process Explorer".

By the way, thanks to everyone who has been helping so far.

 

[Malke]

I have followed most of your steps and have reduced my "processes" to
60 from
80...so far we have made some progress. However, I am still concerned
about some of the other processes in my task manager; for instance, I
have three
svxhost.exe's running. Are there other steps I should follow? R.
McCarty suggested using "Startups & Watchdog apps." and another user
suggested "Process Explorer".

If "svxhost.exe" is just a typo on your part and the real executable is
"svchost.exe" then that is normal. If you really have "svxhost.exe"
then you have a virus.

For svxhost.exe:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=svxhost.exe&btnG=Google+Search

For svchost.exe:
Svchost.exe in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056/EN-US/ and
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/svchost.htm

Malke

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

Greetings & thank you for your response.

I have folder called 'StartMenu- Disabled' that has 8
entries plus about 7 r disabled in Registry. Dont know
why so many apps wanna be in Tray. I try to clean them
out right after installation.

Thanks- bye- Larry


On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 12:21:37 -0500, "R. McCarty"

|I also have around 35 running (with no open/running apps).
|There is no "Magic" number, it will always vary based on the
|3rd-party apps you have installed, Security software, etc..
|Before ever considering stopping or modifying XP services,
|I'd concentrate on Startups & Watchdog apps. It's here that
|you'll find Printer Watchdogs, Media Players, IMs and other
|items that aren't always necessary to have running & taking
|up memory and system processing time.
|
||>I have 35 vs ur 80 so I think thats significant.
|>
|> 2 ways I know to stop them running r to analyse
|> startups & services.
|>
|> Excessive startups may be indicated by lots icons in
|> tray- I got 5.
|>
|> I'll look 4 urls while others have chance to comment.
|>
|> HTH-Larry
|>
|> On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:25:17 -0800, "FensterBos"
|>
|> |There are times when my computer seems to be running a tad slow and I
|> think
|> |it might have to do with the fact that my computer is running about 80+
|> |"processes"; however, I did not start most of these programs. I've tried
|> |"exiting" these programs in my tray and uninstalling some other programs,
|> but
|> |the processes are still pretty high.
|> |Is there a way to prevent these applications from running? Is this
|> number
|> |actually average and I'm worried about nothing? I do not think they are
|> |adware/spyware because I have installed an updated scanner and it cannot
|> find
|> |anything.
|>
|> Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can
|> only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.
|

Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.