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General discussion

System Resources

by vkeith Jul 2, 2004 5:16AM PDT

Could someone please help me with subject. When I turn on my computer my SR is about 56%. Now I have outlook express and explorer opened and the resources is 31%. 56% is too low and the more I open and close the lower it goes. How do I find out the problem?
V

Discussion is locked

20 Posts
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Re: System Resources
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 2, 2004 5:49AM PDT
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Re: System Resources
by shakenama Jul 2, 2004 1:09PM PDT

To find out excactly what processes are running in the backround and using up resources try using Faber Toys.

Faber Toys is a very powerful system utility. It gives you a list of all running processes and lists of all modules loaded by those processes. It gives you the ability to terminate the processes running in the backround to free up your system resources.

It's free and can be downloaded here at http://www.faberbox.com/fabertoys.asp

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Re: System Resources
by vkeith Jul 3, 2004 6:22AM PDT

Thank you, I did download Faber utility. I apologize for my lack of computer knowledge. At the risk of exposing my ignorance, do I terminate a process and that will free memory and the program will load at startup next time? I have 29 processes, tell me how many should that number be. If I terminate several but find I need one I have terminated, will I be able to open still? Thanks again.

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Re: System Resources
by simoscha Jul 8, 2004 5:19PM PDT

The number of resources that are loaded on the pc, is relevant to the number of programmes installed and loaded on Windows boot proccess....
For example, in my pc now, the processes loaded right now are 71, and still the pc is running smoothly, Happy
It is very important to have a strong CPU, and enough RAM... also you should take into consideration the Virtual Memory of your system, which is very important in order for your pc to run smoothly...
I hope i have helped!!! Happy

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Re: System Resources
by The_Corona_Guy Jul 8, 2004 8:57PM PDT

If you need to free up system resources you can click on START then select RUN. In this command line type MSCONFIG. Another window will open and you select the STARTUP tab. This will show you all the programs that are loaded when your computer starts up.

You can click on any of the checkmarks to disable from being started up. After selecting ones like MSNMGR or YAHOO, etc, you click on APPLY then OK, then answer Y and your computer will restart itself.

Not only will your computer free up resources, but also load much faster than ever before!

I hope this helped...

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Re: System Resources
by highrocker Jul 8, 2004 9:51PM PDT
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm

Go to this website. Read up a bit if you aren't familiar with what you're doing and then go to the listing of startup programs. They are listed alphabetically. What you need to do to find out what is running when you start your computer is go to your start button/run/type in "msconfig"/go to the "startup" tab. This will show you everything that runs when you startup your PC. These things are what eat into your resources. You can then compare the items listed with those on the website I gave you. You can uncheck everything that the website says is not necessary. You will need to restart your computer afterward. You should see a considerable increase in your system resources once you have eliminated these unneccessary items. Good luck!
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(NT) (NT) Re: System Resources
by blueflame Jul 9, 2004 12:31AM PDT
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Re: System Resources
by sjmahala Jul 10, 2004 11:57AM PDT

In addition to going into MSCONFIG and disabling start up programs you don't need, you can also hold down Ctrl and Alt at the same time, then TAP delete. A small window will pop up and show you what is running in the background on your computer. You can highlight some of those and do an End Task on the ones you want to close. That should help with your resources. I learned this by having the same problem and contacting tech support. Hope this helps.

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Re: System Resources
by hgrogers1 Jul 11, 2004 3:00AM PDT

All replies to the "System Resources" thread are absolutely correct...but there is an easier way to set which programs will load and unload at Starup:

StartupCop Pro
Version 1.02-Release
(c)2003 PC Magazine
All Rights Reserved
Developed by AnalogX

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''Fee'' based.
by Cursorcowboy Jul 15, 2004 12:27AM PDT
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Re: System Resources
by martys Jul 12, 2004 4:38AM PDT

Using msconfig (start--run--msconfig) check out the startup tab to see what is running at startup. Disable everything that doesn't need to run. You must have a lot of things running in the background such as spyware and adware.

Get a good spyware program such as Ad-aware (free on the web) or Spybot and clean your machine of all the spyware running in the background.

Make sure you are running a good virus protection software program and that there is no worm or virus on your machine.

My experiences as a systems administrator have shown me these are the places to look when system resources start running low.

Hope this helps.

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Re: System Resources
by vkeith Jul 15, 2004 9:56AM PDT

I thank all of you who have replied and given me such great advise. I have run msconfig and have disabled all that I am aware of that I don't need. I have Norton 2002 and auto update. I do have spydot and regularly check. Today I did remove Gator based on someone's advise in this forum and I cannot believe the free resources 54-57 to 69%. I also use ZoneAlarm. I am thinking of downloading roboform, someone's advise, simply because Iuse so many different passwords I can't keep up with them. I do write them down--buttttttttt!!!!!! Much easier to have automatic fillin. Any more suggestions? Again thank you so much.

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Re: System Resources
by CharleyO Jul 15, 2004 12:15PM PDT

I would suggest not saving passwords with any kind of program ... or ... anywhere on your computer. That's just asking for trouble as those are easily stolen if the wrong malware/spyware gets on your computer. Sad

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Re: System Resources
by CharleyO Jul 15, 2004 12:18PM PDT

Oh, I forgot to mention. Norton in any version is a known resource hog. You might want to concider a different av program.

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Aol is a Big System Resource Hog
by pisces1954 Feb 21, 2009 2:00AM PST

So is Aol, but what can you do about it? I often have to disable Norton so I can work on my computer. The same thing happened when I had McAfee.

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What's eating up the System Resources?
by grandpaw7 Jul 15, 2004 12:08AM PDT

When I boot up, they are at 80% with Close Programs showing Explorer, McAgent, SysTray, McVsite, McVseson, Yankee Clipper and Iam (Call Wave).

When I close everything except Explorer and SysTray it goes to 90%.

When I go online with AOL, it drops to 72%.

Run>mscnfig>Startup has checked five McAfee items, SysTray, ScanReg, exec.exe, CallWave, Yankee Clipper and MS Works Update Detector (which pays no attention to my unchecks, and the same with exec.exe).

I'm just wondering if the foregoing is about what I should expect or if I might be able to do something to bring the figure up?

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It's called over-optimizing.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 15, 2004 12:14AM PDT

One of the issues we need to avoid is a penchant to try to overoptimize free resources. Windows 95/98/ME and its programs use resources. There is no escaping that. If your machine works, then you have enough free resources and you continue to use the machine.

Remember to only fix what's broken.

Bob

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Re: It's called over-optimizing.
by vkeith Jul 15, 2004 10:13AM PDT

It does work up to a point. I open with 54-57% performance but after opening and closing programs it finally uses up my resources and I crash. I have spydot that I use regularly and Norton that auto updates. I did remove Gator today and freed up to 69%!! What do you think of Roboform,as someone suggested, need something to help me with my passwords
Thanks for you help.

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For vkeith.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 16, 2004 10:47PM PDT

My answer was to another person in the thread so what I wrote doesn't apply to you.

Apparently your machine has PARASITES. As long as that is true, then the machine will suffer a resource shortage.

What are you doing to remove the pests?

Hint! Norton and Spybot are just part of treatment. Adaware, Cwshredder, Housecall and use of the Optimizing Windows at http://www.aumha.org/articles.htm are what most will have to accomplish. There is no single piece of software or one "do-this" to cure it.

Bob

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Thanks, Bob
by grandpaw7 Jul 16, 2004 7:57AM PDT

for the input. (I keep forgetting to subscribe so I'm sometimes late replying). grandpaw

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