Brenda wrote:
>Are all of these processes running.>>
Yes.
> Are they all necessary. >>
No.
A good rule of thumb is that the fewer processes you have running in the
background, the faster your computer will be. More importantly, it will
also be much more reliable in the long run as there's less likelihood of
any software conflicts.
Unfortunately, a lot of modern software puts itself into your startups when
you install it, whether you need it there or not. Good software should
always ask you.
Apple and Adobe programs such as Quicktime, ITunes, and Adobe pdf reader
are even worse, because whenever you take them out of startups, they will
very rudely put themselves back in the next time you open them, so that
they are always partially running and taking up memory even if you only use
them once in a blue moon.
There are much better behaved alternatives.
The only things which are really essential are your internet security
programs such as antivirus and anti spyware, and any wireless software you
might need for internet or network connections.
XP has an elementary startup manager in Msconfig from which you can control
these things.
Whenever troubleshooting most computer problems, the first thing I do go to
Start menu/Run and type msconfig. Open its startup tab at the top and
untick everything except security software. Msconfig is failsafe in that it
won't allow you to untick any vital system files, so it's quite safe to use.
You can always re-tick any items later, they won't disappear from the list.
Reboot and see if you're missing anything. Chances are that you won't
notice any difference except that your computer may now be more responsive
to your commands.
If you're missing anything vital, open msconfig again and re-tick that item.
Be particularly ruthless about disabling any items in msconfig you don't
recognise. Spyware sometimes shows up under strange names (and can
sometimes show as important-sounding names, too). But in general most
spyware and trojans won't show up at all in msconfig, so if your computer
or browsing is still slow, its a sign there are hidden infections.
There are better startup control programs, such as Autoruns. That one shows
ALL startup items, including vital Windows items, so use it at your peril,
as unticking anything here CAN disable your entire computer from
booting----I know, 'cos I've done it (unticked Winlogon, just to see what
would happen)! Autoruns is useful for tracing malware or driver conflicts.
Mike Lin's "Startup Control Panel" is a popular and safe one to use. Both
are freeware.
It's good computer practice to monitor your startups regularly.
Laptops may be a little different, in that they often have proprietary
makers software running in the background to make more efficient battery
use, etc. Be cautious about disabling any of the makers items if you have a
laptop. But some of it's junk, too.
Don Penlington
From the Beach at Surfers Paradise in sunny Queensland.
Computer tutorials, local scenery, and other things at my website:
http://users.tpg.com.au/deepend/index1.html
PCSOFT maintains many useful files for download
visit our download web page at:
http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml
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