30 is not an excessive number (my system currently is running 40). You may be able to eliminate some of them using the information
here but it's highly unlikely that doing so would make any noticeable difference in your system's performance. When you look at processes in Task Manager you will note that the vast majority of them are using 0% of your CPU cycles.
well, it depends how many processes come from your hardware. windows needs about 10-20 processes (but comes with 30 or so running by default), and then 10 more for various hardware peices (like video card) and special software (like antivirus) is normal.
Things to do are
1. Go to add remove programs, remove programs you dont need.
2. Disable services that are a waste of time, two things to help with this are
www.theeldergeek.com who gives a good guide of what each service does so you know what to disable and also
http://www.xp-antispy.org/ which contains a simple tool for changing many of those common settings with a single click (the have a list of the most common services to disable, etc, make sure you dont just check all options, you might actually WANT automatic updates for example).
3. Only install usful drivers. If you dont absolutely need to set the mouse buttons to be different things (like having the middle mouse button act as if you are holding the shift key, etc), you dont need to install a special mouse driver (each mice company makes one, and they all take a service), the windows built in multi driver thats already running can take care of it. A video card driver though is a must.
4. Disconnect uneeded hardware, dont keep that game controller and webcam connected (and thus running, consuming electricity, system resources, and usually running a service, a serivice might still run if you disconnect them though) when you are not actually using them, thats the glory of firewire and usb, connect when needed without restart
I am going to respond to the original question in a different way. This response is not intended to insult or belittle anyone, but to state the facts as I see them. So here goes - If you need to ask the question, the answer is do nothing, you do not yet have knowledege to understand the consequences of changing the startup processes. The recommended site
http://www.theeldergeek.com/ is, in my opinion, neither complete nor correct.
indeed it is not complete, I thought I mentioned though to only use it for info about what the processes do and then make your own descision, again I must state this.
However learning NEVER comes to those who are afraid to try. Use your own computer, back everything up, and dont be afraid of breaking stuff, you will reformat and make a fresh install time after time again until you finally learn. But its the ONLY way to learn.
Traditionally scientists FIRST expiermented without any prejedice as to what the result will be, and then analized whatever resulted. Scientists today often have an agenda, they come up with this agenda, and then start making experiements to proove it. This is incorrect and goes against everything science means. (I am refering to the very people who invented science as we know, the great minds, neuton, gallilieo, etc.. also note that MOST of them got "honorary" doctorates for their work, they didnt actually go to a university to learn how to become "scientists")
But when the cigarrete company pays you to proove tabacoo isnt cancerous, or when you are payed to develop a certain drug, or when you are trying to proove that your specific religion is scientifically sound, then correct scientific procedure falls victem.
This is not always bad, in practical science application this method can be useful, such as when trying to develop cures for certain diseases. At others, detrimental.
Also, this is how I learned and it worked fine, reading is also valuable, but not all knowledge comes in a book. I also challenge you to become a weight lifter by reading books about it. Reading about the subject may inform you of proper procedure etc (and is he not reading about it right in this forum?), but actual doing is a MUST.
I am sorry but that is not the way to learn. First you read, next you analyze then you experiment. If you don't understand wha tis happening then you will not derive the correct conclusions for experiments. Scientists first formulate a hypothsis, then they create an experiment to validate it, lastly they run the experiment to determine if their theory holds water. That is the scientific way of doing things.
"However learning NEVER comes to those who are afraid to try. Use your own computer, back everything up, and dont be afraid of breaking stuff, you will reformat and make a fresh install time after time again until you finally learn. But its the ONLY way to learn."
Pardon me if I say this is utter nonsense and an irresponsible comment in a computer "Help" forum most frequented by those with problems they are unable to solve on their own. Denny's original remarks are (as usual) spot on as are msgale's remarks. I also have 40 running processes and mine is trimmed down to what I consider either necessities or, functions I would not care to do without. While there's certainly nothing wrong with experimentation per se, it should never be done with no concept of the consequences of the action. As far as being the only way to learn, this user still has an original machine running Windows 98 that has had more installs|uninstalls and "experiments" than you can count and it still runs as good as the day it was set up...and, has never been reformatted. The experience I have gleaned from formatting has been from helping hapless other users out of their own ill informed "experiments".
"Also, this is how I learned and it worked fine, reading is also valuable, but not all knowledge comes in a book. I also challenge you to become a weight lifter by reading books about it. Reading about the subject may inform you of proper procedure etc (and is he not reading about it right in this forum?), but actual doing is a MUST."
I don't think anyone said all knowledge comes from a book...however, your analogy is flawed. I think you've confused "trial and error" with the ability to make an informed decision...which is fine except, when you proffer it in the form of advice to others who do not have the knowledge or ability to do tell the difference. Spelling and grammar are however, most often learned from a book...for others, there are spellcheckers.
Currently I am running about fifty processes, the first thirty-one are the only ones that have used any measurable CPU time in the past four days, and of those thirty-one processes only eleven have used more than one minute of CPU time. Included in the eleven processes, is the system idle process, a background medical research task that runs instead of a screen saver and another is my nightly virus scanner. The point I am trying to make is even with about fifty processes most are using almost no processing resources, and if there is sufficient memory available (512 mbytes of more) they have no impact on performance. P.S. Everyone scientist I know, and I know many from my work life, that holds an advanced degree (M.S or P.H.D) got them the old fashion way, by earning them at an accredited University.
I agree that the misuse of science for a specific agenda is a terrible thing, but scientific method is far superior than it was years ago. It's difficult to see this when so many people are claiming to offer "scientific" evidence that supports their desired conclusion, which is why you shouldn't put too much stock in anything that isn't peer-reviewed and approved by independent sources, especially if it's done for the purpose of selling you something (including religion). It's got to be objectively testable and falsifiable or else it's not scientific.
Sorry to stray from the topic. I agree that these aren't too many processes, and I'd examine the CPU / memory usage of each to see which are the biggest offenders.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
October 22nd, 2004 14:00
30 is not an excessive number (my system currently is running 40). You may be able to eliminate some of them using the information here but it's highly unlikely that doing so would make any noticeable difference in your system's performance. When you look at processes in Task Manager you will note that the vast majority of them are using 0% of your CPU cycles.
taltamir
21 Posts
0
October 22nd, 2004 21:00
msgale
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
October 22nd, 2004 23:00
taltamir
21 Posts
0
October 23rd, 2004 00:00
indeed it is not complete, I thought I mentioned though to only use it for info about what the processes do and then make your own descision, again I must state this.
However learning NEVER comes to those who are afraid to try. Use your own computer, back everything up, and dont be afraid of breaking stuff, you will reformat and make a fresh install time after time again until you finally learn. But its the ONLY way to learn.
taltamir
21 Posts
0
October 23rd, 2004 01:00
Traditionally scientists FIRST expiermented without any prejedice as to what the result will be, and then analized whatever resulted. Scientists today often have an agenda, they come up with this agenda, and then start making experiements to proove it. This is incorrect and goes against everything science means. (I am refering to the very people who invented science as we know, the great minds, neuton, gallilieo, etc.. also note that MOST of them got "honorary" doctorates for their work, they didnt actually go to a university to learn how to become "scientists")
But when the cigarrete company pays you to proove tabacoo isnt cancerous, or when you are payed to develop a certain drug, or when you are trying to proove that your specific religion is scientifically sound, then correct scientific procedure falls victem.
This is not always bad, in practical science application this method can be useful, such as when trying to develop cures for certain diseases. At others, detrimental.
Also, this is how I learned and it worked fine, reading is also valuable, but not all knowledge comes in a book. I also challenge you to become a weight lifter by reading books about it. Reading about the subject may inform you of proper procedure etc (and is he not reading about it right in this forum?), but actual doing is a MUST.
Message Edited by taltamir on 10-22-2004 09:24 PM
msgale
2 Intern
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2.5K Posts
0
October 23rd, 2004 01:00
Dan Manley
1.4K Posts
0
October 23rd, 2004 02:00
taltamir...
"However learning NEVER comes to those who are afraid to try. Use your own computer, back everything up, and dont be afraid of breaking stuff, you will reformat and make a fresh install time after time again until you finally learn. But its the ONLY way to learn."
Pardon me if I say this is utter nonsense and an irresponsible comment in a computer "Help" forum most frequented by those with problems they are unable to solve on their own. Denny's original remarks are (as usual) spot on as are msgale's remarks. I also have 40 running processes and mine is trimmed down to what I consider either necessities or, functions I would not care to do without. While there's certainly nothing wrong with experimentation per se, it should never be done with no concept of the consequences of the action. As far as being the only way to learn, this user still has an original machine running Windows 98 that has had more installs|uninstalls and "experiments" than you can count and it still runs as good as the day it was set up...and, has never been reformatted. The experience I have gleaned from formatting has been from helping hapless other users out of their own ill informed "experiments".
I don't think anyone said all knowledge comes from a book...however, your analogy is flawed. I think you've confused "trial and error" with the ability to make an informed decision...which is fine except, when you proffer it in the form of advice to others who do not have the knowledge or ability to do tell the difference. Spelling and grammar are however, most often learned from a book...for others, there are spellcheckers.
msgale
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
October 23rd, 2004 03:00
Message Edited by msgale on 10-23-2004 01:47 AM
taltamir
21 Posts
0
October 23rd, 2004 04:00
And its not like I ONLY said he should experiement, I suggested experimentation, AFTER listing several reasonable steps to help with his problems.
100mph
1.2K Posts
0
October 24th, 2004 21:00
Clean Windows Startup and hidden Startup:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowsstartup.htm
Disable useless Windows Services:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowsservices.htm
Spyware/Virus Removal and Prevention:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/windowsxpsolutions.htm
(Links to online virus scans on the same page)
Good Luck!
Vargonian
1 Message
0
October 25th, 2004 21:00