HELP! Lattitude C600 Newbie not using network processes, safe to remove?

Question

I am a definite newbie so please forgive my lack of knowledge!    I obtained a Lattitude C600 recently.  I use my laptop for for email, bill paying, etc.    At times the CPU usage shows as 100% and the machine runs very slow.    My question is regarding all of the processes/applications listed in the task manager.  Is it necessary to load 44 Processes for my home user needs?  I do not log into a company network, or have access to any company server.    I would appreciate any and all help!

jwatt · Answer

mjrobntex,

The number of processes listed isn't particularly unusual. The fact that something other than the "System Idle Process" is using a high percentage of the processor is.

In the Task Manager, select the "Processes" tab, and then click on the "CPU" column. What are the first two or three processes listed?

Malware is often a possible suspect in situations like this. Try downloading, installing, and running Ad-Aware and Spybot as described in this article.

Perhaps they can detect and clean up problems causing the abnormal CPU usage.

Jim

mjrobntex · Answer

Jim,   Thanks a million for your reply.  I have viewed the Task Manager and the first three processes listed under CPU are System, FXSSVC.EXE, and VSSVC.EXE-- They all show 00.   I have previously installed AdAware and Spybot, which did help some.   However, I was wondering if there is any type of guide as to which processes are needed to run what....and also a guide to go by for the Priority assigned to it.  Does that make sense?    I inherited this laptop, which I love---so I am afraid to change anything due to my lack of knowledge, etc.   BUT--I have read enough to be dangerous I suppose, and that really is scarey!!   Maybe I don't need to change anything, but it sure does seem as though it ran much faster when I originally started using it.   Again, many thanks for any help/advice!!

jwatt · Answer

Thanks a million for your reply. I have viewed the Task Manager and the first three processes listed under CPU are System, FXSSVC.EXE, and VSSVC.EXE-- They all show 00.

mjrobntex,

You need to view that list with the processes using the highest percentage of processor time listed at the top. Click on the "CPU" column again and they'll be sorted in that order.

AnswersThatWork.com has a very complete list of processes and what they do, along with suggestions about whether they should be running or not. But until the cause of the slowdown is understood, it's not a good idea to make changes to the list of running processes or their priority. It's best to let the operating system control process priority.

How much memory does your C600 have? If it's less than 256K, XP will run slowly on it. In that case, "tuning" what applications and services are started when XP starts may be worthwhile.

Jim

mjrobntex · Answer

Hi Jim,

Once again thanks for your kind response and information. I have listed info re RAM below....

Any other thoughts??

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Version: 5.1.2600Service Pack: 2.0Total Physical Mem 320 MB

jwatt · Answer

mjrobntex,

320 mb should be enough for most common usage, like Web browsing/EMAIL/document processing. Did you get a chance to take another look at CPU utilization with the Task manager?

There are many Web sites that discuss XP performance tweaks. Here's one with some good ideas (like disabling the Indexing Service), and some not so good ones (like disabling the System Restore service). You might also want to post questions about XP performance tweaks in the Operating System Tuneups board.

Jim

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

HELP! Lattitude C600 Newbie not using network processes, safe to remove?

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