Questions Including Startup Files and Processes
How your computer will be affected with the change of law in day light saving times:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_homeuser#howto
Article in Smart Computing re “graphics error” http://tinyurl.com/3398kt
Questions re Startup Files and Processes
“I wanted to get your opinion about startup files (System Configuration Utility) and processes (Task Manager) that are running. My computer acts real slow sometimes”.
Startup In MS Configuration
First Place to look for start up programs is in MSConfiguration (Start> Run> type “msconfig”> click the Startup tab)
The following links will help up with descriptions, etc that might be operating in the background.
a. Startup Applications List from Answers that Work (http://urlsnip.com/065052)
b. Startup Applications List (http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php)
c. Castle Cops Startup List (http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html)
Processes In Task Manager
Multiple ways to open TM e.g. right click the Taskbar
Definition of processes: programs that perform specific tasks that operate behind the scenes and usually provide for a smooth running Windows operating system. They need to be managed. They can go awry. We can have bad ones e.g. Blaster worm.
Various Services also run as Processes (Start> Run> type services.msc)
Previous presentation on Task Manager: http://tinyurl.com/2mbbgz
Review of TM
Menu bar: File, Options, View, Shut Down, Help
Five tabs:
1. Applications:
current running programs
End Task (can select >one)
Right click: Switch; Bring to front; Minimize; Maximize; Cascade; Tile; End
Task; Go to Process
2. Processes: displays background running processes and other parameters
Many run in background yet consume resources
To monitor memory usage, CPU usage, etc
Right click: end process (caution!), to promote execution etc
Cannot multi-select
Determine which processes are loading the CPU (click on heading)
Determine which applications are using maximum RAM (click on heading)
Some processes are important Windows system utilities and shouldn’t be touched
Others are clearly spyware or nuisance applications that run constantly.
R/O viri and worms e.g. msblast.exe
Many are clearly labeled while others are not.
You can often improve system performance by using the End Process button
Importance ?: www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm.
http://www.processlibrary.com/
3. Performance tab: Shows the processor and memory utilization graphically to see what programs create the heaviest loads i.e. CPU and memory usage
4: Networking tab: Help you monitor your network or Internet connections.
Lists each active network adapter and connections.
5. Users tab: Shows each user connected to or logged on to your system.
As Administrator you can control the system resources as used by each user
The following processes are “essential”:
csrss.exe
dllhost.exe
explorer.exe
kernel32.dll
lsass.exe
msgsrv32.exe
mstask.exe
services.exe
svchost.exe
taskmon.exe
anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall
Special free utility available: Process Explorer www.sysinternals.com
A replacement for T M
Gives you more information than TM including which processes to terminate
Hierarchal structure (similar to Windows Explorer) with System Idle Process and child processes
Right click> Properties: more information including Google search
Hover mouse over process: reveals address and any associated services
Second main process is Explorer.exe under which list applications that you have installed