My computer is really hanging............
Sunday, February 1, 2004 by dabe | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
..... and it's virtually unusable for some things. Like Photoshop. It took almost 4 minutes for PS to just load, never mind use anything. That's unacceptable, and I'm wondering what's causing it. My CPU load hovers around 20%, when normally it runs about 4-10% if I'm just idling.
I went into Task Manager looking for anything that may be the culprit. In the past, I had two versions of ObjectDock running. No good. But such isn't the case now. What I do have, however, is five copies of svchost.exe. I have no idea what that is, so I'm afraid to start shutting some down. Anyone know? I uploaded a shot of my desktop with taskmanager open, in the hopes that one of you can take a look at it, and maybe advise me about what may be hanging up my computer. Just click on my name to view it.
TIA I'd appreciate all the help I can get.
I went into Task Manager looking for anything that may be the culprit. In the past, I had two versions of ObjectDock running. No good. But such isn't the case now. What I do have, however, is five copies of svchost.exe. I have no idea what that is, so I'm afraid to start shutting some down. Anyone know? I uploaded a shot of my desktop with taskmanager open, in the hopes that one of you can take a look at it, and maybe advise me about what may be hanging up my computer. Just click on my name to view it.
TIA I'd appreciate all the help I can get.
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sig101
Reply #62 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:31 AM
Reply #62 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:31 AM
msmsgs.exe is the Messenger IM program which is *not* the same as the messenger service. The messenger service is what allows messenger popup spam if one is not running a firewall to block the open port(s) used by the service. See the MS article on the messenger service which also includes instructions on how to disable it: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
Simply having a firewall like ZA that blocks open ports (and also not allowing programs server rights on the internet unless the app absolutely won't work without internet server rights---since serving on the internet opens a port) blocks messenger service popup spam. But a lot of people who use NAT routers and firewalls still disable the messenger service to reduce unnecessary services and as a back up precaution.
As for Messenger (the Instant Messenger program) I disabled it within the program itself from running at start up and also within Outlook Express (so OE wouldn't start up MS Messenger) and it is now not shown in Task Mgr as a running process. Or look here for simple instructions to keep it from running at start up: http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php?filter=msmsgs&count=&type=
As for deciphering what programs relate to entries in the start up list or Task Mgr, this is a good site for reference: http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
A lot of people don't want a lot of programs running at start up that aren't necessary. Disabling unnecessary programs from running at start up reduces resource use and provides for a quicker start up. The unnecessary programs will still work fine when you want to use them, but they really do not need to begin running when you start up your PC. At any rate, if you want to trim the start up programs always look things up and check for the best way to disable them. It's best to use settings within the program itself if/when it has settings that allow disabling running at start up.
[Message Edited]
Simply having a firewall like ZA that blocks open ports (and also not allowing programs server rights on the internet unless the app absolutely won't work without internet server rights---since serving on the internet opens a port) blocks messenger service popup spam. But a lot of people who use NAT routers and firewalls still disable the messenger service to reduce unnecessary services and as a back up precaution.
As for Messenger (the Instant Messenger program) I disabled it within the program itself from running at start up and also within Outlook Express (so OE wouldn't start up MS Messenger) and it is now not shown in Task Mgr as a running process. Or look here for simple instructions to keep it from running at start up: http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php?filter=msmsgs&count=&type=
As for deciphering what programs relate to entries in the start up list or Task Mgr, this is a good site for reference: http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
A lot of people don't want a lot of programs running at start up that aren't necessary. Disabling unnecessary programs from running at start up reduces resource use and provides for a quicker start up. The unnecessary programs will still work fine when you want to use them, but they really do not need to begin running when you start up your PC. At any rate, if you want to trim the start up programs always look things up and check for the best way to disable them. It's best to use settings within the program itself if/when it has settings that allow disabling running at start up.
[Message Edited]
dabe
Reply #63 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 7:42 AM
Reply #63 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 7:42 AM
Thank you again, everyone. Chas, no offense taken sir. I realize that most people who post here are "sir". Hmmmmmmm..... I wonder....... If people can have "sir" before their names, how bout milady? Hey, Stardock!!! How bout it? Nahhhh, never mind. I enjoy the anonymity.
Anyway, I ran msconfig, and unchecked some programs. Thank you for looking. That's why I posted my task manager. And, thanks for that site. I have to go to work now, and I'll get back to it later. I am still definitely having some hanging issues.
Anyway, I ran msconfig, and unchecked some programs. Thank you for looking. That's why I posted my task manager. And, thanks for that site. I have to go to work now, and I'll get back to it later. I am still definitely having some hanging issues.
Koasati
Reply #64 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 9:39 AM
Reply #64 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 9:39 AM
| Icq.exe - this one is also unnecessary, and chews up system memory. |
I don't know......... I find quite useful. ICQ doesn't seem to work well without it. 
dabe
Reply #65 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 2:39 PM
Reply #65 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 2:39 PM
Koasati, I agree. I used ICQ quite frequently. Like everyday. Like all the time. It's how I connect with my family. I'm not losing that one. 
SelfExiled
Reply #66 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:28 PM
Reply #66 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:28 PM
Yeah, but if you're not even using the program, why do you need it chewing up resources? Unless, you keep it minimized to alert you when friends come online.
MadPyro
Reply #67 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:34 PM
well, duh
you dont get to be a master apprentice by guessing. 
Reply #67 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:34 PM
| Gary's soooo smart! |
well, duh
you dont get to be a master apprentice by guessing. 
yrag
Reply #68 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:41 PM
Reply #68 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:41 PM
Guess not... 
BTW: that was a Journeyman that made that statement....and a lovely one at that
BTW: that was a Journeyman that made that statement....and a lovely one at that
MadPyro
Reply #69 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:51 PM
Reply #69 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:51 PM
i stand uncorrected. i was talking about you yrag
Master Apprentice
Author: Gary Canfield
Nick: yrag
UserID: 22610
State: Pa
Country: US
Master Apprentice
Author: Gary Canfield
Nick: yrag
UserID: 22610
State: Pa
Country: US
yrag
Reply #70 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:56 PM
I know you were talking about me....actually I guess a lot. The trick is that others don't know when I'm doing it
Reply #70 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:56 PM
I know you were talking about me....actually I guess a lot. The trick is that others don't know when I'm doing it
Jafo
Reply #72 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 4:12 PM
Reply #72 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 4:12 PM
| Yeah, but if you're not even using the program, why do you need it chewing up resources? Unless, you keep it minimized to alert you when friends come online. |
Chas....that's the whole idea of the proggy...
dabe
Reply #73 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:38 PM
Reply #73 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:38 PM
Well, the verdict is in. My computer is running smoothly. Or, at least as smooth as possible given that it's only a 1.2mhz processor, 512 mb RAM. But, I don't have the money to upgrade, so I continue to push this sucker to the limit. Photoshop is kind of a limit for it. And, it's RUNNING!!!! Color me I just shut down ObjectDock. I give up. As much as I like the program, my system just cannot handle it. So DX is the way to go for me. And, of course WB and Sysmetrix.
What I learned here will give me the tools to repeat all this the next time it hangs. And, there *will* be a next time. Of that, I'm sure.
And, as Jafo pointed out, ICQ is supposed to alert when friends/family come online. That IS the point. And, sometimes I'm willing to sacrifice resources for a program's intended function. If I wasn't, I wouldn't bother with Wincustomize, Stardock, Rainlender, etc.
I just shut down ObjectDock. I give up. As much as I like the program, my system just cannot handle it. So DX is the way to go for me. And, of course WB and Sysmetrix.What I learned here will give me the tools to repeat all this the next time it hangs. And, there *will* be a next time. Of that, I'm sure.
And, as Jafo pointed out, ICQ is supposed to alert when friends/family come online. That IS the point. And, sometimes I'm willing to sacrifice resources for a program's intended function. If I wasn't, I wouldn't bother with Wincustomize, Stardock, Rainlender, etc.
Phoon
Reply #74 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:38 PM
Reply #74 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:38 PM
Now, allow my random thoughts to roam..
1 - Have you changed video drivers recently? If you installed the MS NVIDIA driver - replace it with Nvida's detonator driver, but ONLY if you have an NVIDA chipset card.
2 - Is it possible the video adapter is on the fritz?
Enough outta me...
1 - Have you changed video drivers recently? If you installed the MS NVIDIA driver - replace it with Nvida's detonator driver, but ONLY if you have an NVIDA chipset card.
2 - Is it possible the video adapter is on the fritz?
Enough outta me...
dabe
Reply #75 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:42 PM
Reply #75 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:42 PM
Phoon, I did update my nvidia driver a few weeks ago. And PERISH THE THOUGHT of my video card going on the fritz. I can't afford it right now.
But, I suppose if it did putz out on me, I'd just have to replace it with something better, wouldn't I? I should just stop dreaming. I *can't* afford it.
But, I suppose if it did putz out on me, I'd just have to replace it with something better, wouldn't I? I should just stop dreaming. I *can't* afford it.
CerebroJD
Reply #76 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:54 PM
Reply #76 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6:54 PM
1.2 MEGAhertz?! No wonder your having problems!
yrag
Reply #78 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 8:13 PM
Reply #78 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 8:13 PM
OK kids...what's say you save the critiques for your own stuff
dabe
Reply #79 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 9:04 PM
Reply #79 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 9:04 PM
Kong, I bet your watch *does* have more hertz.
OK OK OK GIGA I meant GIGA.
OK OK OK GIGA I meant GIGA.
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Reply #61 Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:31 AM
msmsgs.exe - I believe that is the microsoft messenger service which someone can use to send you unwanted popups. I use to get them all the time until I disabled it.
Icq.exe - this one is also unnecessary, and chews up system memory.
realsched.exe - this looks like a realplayer addition. They have been known to send info to the web. Sort of spyware.
qttask - another one that is troublesome to get rid of and unnecessary.
You can type msconfig in the run menu and go to the startup tab. Most of this stuff is actually loaded through your registry. Just take the check out of unneccessary programs to free up memory and protect privacy. Microsoft messenger is a little more difficult to get rid of. But, it can reek havok in outlook too. Then once you remove it, you still have to stop the service. Stopping the service is what will protect you. I hope this is useful.