Comp Slow? Speed and Mem Intake 101 for Noobs and Ace Users

For Windows users, the Task Manager is an excellent feature to monitor how much memory is being used. This information is only for XP users, however Task Manager should be on all versions of Windows. To display it, right Click on the taskbar and left click on the Task Manager option.

Memory is the fuel of the computer. If too much is being used, the computer slows down. When getting a comp(computer 4 short) watch the Flash Memory or Memory or Mem. I'm running 512MB now, so I have to watch the speed regularly. 1GB and higher produces good speed. Anyway, lets get to the components the Task Manager. I'm gonna only tell you what you need 2 know

The "Applications" tab displays what programs are running. It shows the programs either "Running" or "Not Responding". "Not Responding" means the program is malfunctioning or frozen. I just click on that program in the App(Applications) tab and press the button "End Task"; of which ends the program immediately. I don't bother the "Switch To" and "New Task" buttons.

The "Processes" tab shows what programs are running and how much memory each program is using. I only pay attention to the:

Image Name: The program name in the ".exe" format

User Name: The session that the programs run on (System, Local Service, and Network Service should be left alone) All other names should be logged off, lest you run the risk of a slow comp.

Mem Usage: Its only diplayed in K which is Kb. Memory is similar to the metric system of which it is displayed in Bytes(B), Kilobytes(Kb), Megabytes(Mb), Gigabytes(Gb), and Terabytes(Tb). Watch for the ones that are 50,000K and up, b/c they eating up memory. Internet Browsers, Video Games, File Downloaders, and AntiVirus programs are some examples of big programs that eat up a lot of memory, and can cause the comp to slow down.

The "Perfomance" Tab shows two usage levels. The "CPU(Centeral Processing Unit) Usage" level and the "PF(Page File)Usage"

CPU Usage is how much energy the computer uses to make processes. It is only going to use what is required, so if it is using 100% its using full power to continue all processes.

PF Usage is how much memory being used for the processes. Similar to "Mem Usage" it shows the max level in MB. When the meter goes over half, that's when the computer starts to slow. When it is full, the computer freezes entirely. So check that meter when your comp slows.

Finally if you look at the bottom of the Task Manager Window, you should see the number of Processes, CPU Usage, and Commit Charge(which is basically the PF Usage in numbers)

Thats basically it, because thats all I monitor. If you have any questions, comments, or more tips on this thread, please post. Glad to help out my noobs.