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.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

It is probable more than average. My current total is 39.

What do you mean by an updated scanner. Please name the
programme.

When the performance is poor check on CPU for unexplained activity.

Task Manager is useful but you could look at another freeware utility
Process Explorer, which provides similar information but adds that
little bit extra towards seeing what the running processes represent.

For further information about Process Explorer see here:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

To ascertain which service is causing the problem select the
image name producing the high CPU usage, right click,
select Properties, Services. Note there are the full names and some
explanation of what each service does.

You will find further information on Services here:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

To trace the particular Service involved you need to turn off each
service in turn and then restore it noting what effect it has on CPU
usage. However, you need to take care and watch what other Services are
dependent on that service. When you click on the Dependencies tab allow
it a little time to display the information.

Please provide details of those you are unsure about before taking action.

How much RAM memory?Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task
Manager and click the Performance Tab. Under Commit
Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

What is your CPU processor speed? Right click on your My
Computer icon on your Desktop and select Properties to get
this information and the amount of RAM memory.

How large is your hard disk and how much free disk space? In
Windows Explorer right click on your C drive and select
Properties.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

Gerry, you may want to bookmark this link.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041128084144/http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
The link you provided, still seems to be under construction..
j;-j

 

[Gerry Cornell]

JJ

By mistake I have included an out of date link in a couple of posts
earlier today.

This is the link I would normally post:.

You will find further information on Services here:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

The program I am currently using is Norton AntiVirus with Spyware Protection
and I just used Ad-Aware, which helped to delete more Mal/Adware programs.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

By mistake I have included an out of date link in a couple of posts
earlier today.

This is the link I would normally post:.

You will find further information on Services here:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

Blackviper's site is still down. Beware of the Internet Archive links - I
used them not too long ago and they don't appear to include his final
revisions on the SP2 services. The Elder Geek is a good resource in the
meantime.

I also have 39 processes currently running (P4 3.0 gHZ, 2 gB of RAM) - and I
still get occasional slowdowns (it's the difference between "resources" and
"RAM").

I'd suggest:
1) Aggressive scanning for spyware and viruses (try this link for a free
online scan: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ )
2) Using a program like msconfig.exe, StartupCPL or Autoruns to trim down
the autorunning programs
3) The Services applet to cut down on the number of unneeded running
processes (Start...Run...type in "services.msc" (without the quotes) and
press Enter).

- John

 

[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.

You may find this helpful
http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xptweaks/supertweaks6.htm