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Running processes

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I am running XP Pro w/ a 233 mhz processor. I am constantly getting "not responding" errors and when I check, my CPU usage is at 100%. I know I need to upgrade, but cannot afford to do so right now. Can someone tell me how and what processes I can safely stop without interfering with normal operations. I seem to have an awful lot of processes running all the time.
I have plenty of harddrive space and plenty of Ram.
Thanks very much in advance for your help!!
Jeff

9 replies

by lizzy

Hi Jeff,
Can you Post a Comment to your question listing the running processes and applications? It might provide needed information to help you. One site to see to check on necessary\unnecessary running applications is:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm
(remove spaces from the URL when you paste into your browser)
Sometimes total CPU usage can be tied to a virus, so make sure that your anti-virus is installed and the definitions are up to date. Run a full scan of the disk.

by lizzy

gmt.exe is Gator spyware variant. This is not necessary. See Gator at this page:

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm

(remember, no spaces in any URL's)

dllhost.exe is "For Gilat Communications internet satellite systems - associated with SkyBlaster modem. Required if you have this system."

navapsvc.exe and navapw32.exe are Norton Antivirus Services that should be there.

LSASS.EXE is "the Local Security Authority Sub-System. Essentially, it's the file thatgives you WinNT/2K/XP. If it can't start you can't get in."

Explorer.exe (whatever version) is your windows. "Exploring..." would be Windows Explorer. This definitely needs to be there.

And there's this: "A service is an application that runs in the background, independent of any user session. It is not unlike the daemon processes one hears about on Linux. Microsoft currently defines services as: ?An executable object, installed in a registry, maintained by the Service Control Manager. The executable file associated with a service can be started at boot time by a boot program, or on demand by the Service Control Manager?. Many of the service names have been intercepted by the MS-marketing folks, so sometimes it's easier to refer tothe service by its short name." from this site:

http://hr.uoregon.edu/davidrl/windowsxp.html

svchost.exe: "You'll notice that many of the services run under the same executable, svchost.exe. This is a generic program that DLL-based services can be run from, gathering additional parameter values (like, which service to actually run) from the registry. Thus, if a DLL is listed under the Executable column, it's started from svchost.exe."

cisvc.exe: Indexing Service, Remote Procedure Call.

services.exe is the executable that is called for the event log service and the plug & play service.

by lizzy

Part 2:
"CMD Window Causes High CSRSS Memory Usage" at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q175788&

"Manually Disabling Startup Programs" at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/prmc_str_elqj.asp

Great site explaining services--"Windows XP Services Tweak Guide" at:

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/winxp_services/index.shtml

I couldn't find some of the other services you listed, but these will definitelypoint you in the right direction.
HTH

by lizzy

one more comment--
First advice is to get the Gator off of the system. It's a popular download that most users don't realize they're installing. It's like SaveNow and other downloads that are spyware that constantly poll to the internet. Who knowswhat they're sending?? Get rid of it. Also, there is a free program on the internet called AdAware that you can download to scan for other spyware.

by jmac0225

Thanks very much Lizzy,
You were a great help, and a wealth of information and resourses.
I greatly appreciate your time!
Jeff

by jmac0225

Some of the larger processes are: msmn.exe, SKSMAILD.EXE, cidaemon.exe, GMT.exe, Navapw32.exe, CMESys.exe, (multiple) DLLHOST.EXE, NAVAPSVC.EXE, CISVC.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE, (multiple) SVCHOST.EXE, LSASS.EXE, SERVICES.EXE, CSRSS.EXE, system.
I am current w/ antivirus. CPU usage seems to spike a lot, especially when opening links, or when popups appear. That's when It usually freezes.
Thanks! Jeff

by richard_barsby

Hi you do not say how much RAM you have in your system but lower than 256M will really slow down your PC.

Rich

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