What windows processes need to be running?

My pc is very slow and after running all the recommended disk cleaners
and speedup applications it remains very slow. I noticed quite a
number of processes running in processes.

Is there a web site or other information source that has
recommendations on which processes need to be running or processes
that can be disabled?

Many thanks,

Mary

 

There is no such guide because each PC has a unique configuration.

Slow performance in a PC is easy to understand. It almost always has one
or more of three causes:

1- Malicious software (malware)
2- Hardware no longer up to the demands of the software you are running.
3- User misconfiguration.

The best way to avoid user misconfiguration (3) is to resist the
temptation for an ill-advised 'quick fix'. That includes avoiding
so-called registry cleaners and not tinkering with the system services,
unless you don't mind destroying your computer.

There are several ways to diagnose insufficient hardware (2). One way is
to start your computer in Safe Mode, which loads what is essentially a
skeleton version of Windows. If your computer appears more responsive in
Safe Mode that tells you that one or more of the applications you are
loading at startup is placing excessive demands on your system resources.

If you're unsure of how to diagnose and eliminate malware (1), I suggest
you show your computer to a professional. Unfortunately, malware is
getting tougher and tougher to eliminate.

 

Try this link
http://downloads.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=172521&tag=nl.e530

 

Tweak away but back up your config just for the hell of it:
http://members.rushmore.com/~jsky/id01.html

 

I don't think you have said how much RAM you have. It is my impression
(rightly or wrongly) that in general a new installation of XP will run very
smartly on a PC even with a Pentium 3 and less than 200 mb of RAM but once
you install all the Windows Updates you find everything is slower, and you
can restore some of the speed by upgrading your RAM to at least 750mb.

 

What is your current physical memory usage? What was your peak memory
usage (commit charge)? What is your CPU usage when your computer is
"slow"? Use Task Manager to find out under its Performance tab. If
there is plenty of physical memory unused and CPU usage is low, the
slowdown isn't because of what you have loaded in memory.

When you boot and after the POST (power-on self test) but before Windows
starts loading, you should see a screen showing your system. Check the
CPU specs to see that it is recognized at the speed rating for what you
thought you bought. It is possible the multiplier or speed is wrong in
BIOS. There are also utilities to show you that info within Windows,
like AIDA32 (Google on it as some sites still have it available) or
CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php).

A site that tells you about which NT services and startup program can be
disabled/deleted won't tell you what YOU want to disable/delete and
which to leave running. If you have gobs free physical memory and CPU
usage is very low, disabling services or deleting startup programs won't
help. However, it is possible that a low-CPU usage process is generating
lots of disk traffic, like a background backup program running at low
priority. Add the I/O read and writes (in bytes) columns to Task
Manager's Processes tab (View -> Select Columns menu) to see if any are
generating lots of bus traffic for file I/O.

 

I pity that computer

 

Same thing no log in
http://www.jasonn.com/turning_off_unnecessary_services_on_windows_xp

 

None for windows itself. Some wierd things like disc-at-once cd writing
software require it. You can safely disable *all* of them and then test
any strange hardware you have like digital cameras, blood glucose monitors
etc, to see if you need to enable anything.

 

So I can disable explorer and svchost and System and System Idle
Process?

Cool, thanks.

Translation: No, you CANNOT disable EVERY process. Some won't even let
you, others will 'crash' Windows - you'll basically be at a blank
screen. No start button, no icons, NOTHING.

 

Many thanks to all responders - I now have much to consider.

Mary

 

And those processes *aren't* *in* startup. So yet *another* null point
made by our want to be troll.

 

Shit, I'm the want to be troll?

Don't even get me started.

 

How can you claim this? http://i38.tinypic.com/2hzmz9g.jpg
Not saying the translation is all true, but you can't pull the above
statement out of your rear end and expect it to fly.

http://i38.tinypic.com/2hzmz9g.jpg
My startup the unselected don't start, the registry entries unknown
without viewing them - but do notice the paths as they are very
informative.

(this is just the user logon programs - just think if all the startup
items were blocked from starting).

 

Nope just some idiot that shown blue will prove it's red by changing
the subject to trains.

and HKCU

 

wrote in

You really are *not* serving the purpose of this group by doing this. So
you don't want to be wrong. Fine, don't criticize others and you'll be
happy. Otherwise you're just an idiot that can't be dealt with. *Everybodys*
wrong sometimes, and this is another one for you. You're averaging below 50%
so far with me with your "protect the group" replies. I strongly suggest you
ignore the advice you've probably been getting from or
as *you* probably know him Deli kid or any number of other nyms he uses for his
childish purposes. I told him once to stop doing his "fixes" such as telling
people to flash bios' themselves as a first step in solving problem due to the
problem with it, he decided to do the same and it evolved into this nonsence. This
has *nothing* to do with you or this group, it's all about an ego the size of Betelgeuse. Steve's. So don't make this your problem.

Oh and BTW you *are* wrong here. Show me *one* entry from
*any* computer under:

HKLM\software\windows\currentversion\run

that is *required* for windows to work - irrelevant of added hardware.
Note: that *has* to be where the program originally installs it otherwise
it's just cheating obviously.

I'm not going to even deal with your other point. Just so *you* can be
*completely* wrong.

 

There's been some questions and confusion in a previous post in regards to
why you "hard boot" (or "power drains" as chuck likes to call it) your DSL
modem. I'm compiling a website for these NG's to cut down on the utter
bullshit that's been posted in here by some posters (*caugh* chuck). So
lets clear out the bullshit and get back to business. This took me 30 mins
to compile and write. This is for those who wanted to know exactly why you
turn your modem on and off, and why this works.

Power cycling your modem or hard booting your modem, by completely
unplugging it for about 30 - 40 seconds then turn it back on again, can fix
some internet connection problems. Here is a more in-depth response to this
issue as to why this is done.

This clears out your modems buffers which can get over filled due to Packet
Loss; and this intern can cause your modem to loose sync with the
connection. This is the most common problem that causes loss of sync with
your connection and power cycling your modem is used to re-sync it. However
this is a quick fix to this problem. In most cases this can be prevented by
having the appropriate network tweaks and settings in place, which is
something that the tech turnips at Sympattycake should be informing us on.

Supportive Research:

http://www.dslreports.com/speed - Explains Packet Loss and other speed
related issues, plus links to tweaks page. For those of you who notice a
decrease in speed during certain times of the day, might want to check out
Enemy #3 on this page.

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,111644,pg,2,00.asp# - Excellent
Article.

http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/ - Listed in PC World Article

After you have ruled out all possibly for connection problems i.e.. Routers,
adware, viruses, browser cache etc..and if after you are still having Sync
Problems with the tweaks you have done, visit section 5.3 : Sync Problems on
the following site:

http://www.docmirror.net/en/linux/howto/networking/DSL-HOWTO/tuning.html

--
Steve

Beware of this Steve aka Steve Y aka Steve O etc character - he
questions every post he doesn't understand and if you get irritated at
him, he will follow you through usenet trolling your posts. Plonk
(killfile) him and *never* answer any of his posts.

--
The Grandmaster of the CyberFROG

Come get your ticket to CyberFROG city

No, I just decided not to play your silly game is all. *Some* of us know proper manners

Very few. I used to take calls from *rank* noobs,

Hamster isn't a newsreader it's a mistake!

El-Gonzo Jackson FROGS both me and Chuckcar

Using my technical prowess and computer abilities to answer questions beyond the realm of understandability

Regards Tony... Making usenet better for everyone everyday

 

"None for windows itself. Some wierd things like disc-at-once cd
writing software require it. You can safely disable *all* of them and
then test any strange hardware you have like digital cameras, blood
glucose monitors etc, to see if you need to enable anything."

--

Two Tens
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/2884652691/sizes/o/
or a sign
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2884428748_bc87053aaf_o.jpg

 

wrote in

Which is an (edited to remove some relevant points) quote of me. Your
point, if you have one left that is? The question was about startup full
stop. *Not* policies or windows programs, but the startup group.

 

http://chuckcarnil.blogspot.com/

--
The Grandmaster of the CyberFROG

Come get your ticket to CyberFROG city

No, I just decided not to play your silly game is all. *Some* of us know
proper manners

Very few. I used to take calls from *rank* noobs,

Hamster isn't a newsreader it's a mistake!

El-Gonzo Jackson FROGS both me and Chuckcar

Using my technical prowess and computer abilities to answer questions beyond
the realm of understandability

Regards Tony... Making usenet better for everyone everyday