Processes running

[1701E]

Normally I would Google this kinda thing, but it's always nice to have any help.  Currently I have to use an old IBM Thinkpad (My Desktop CPU died), and it has ~60 Processes running.  Even I know that's way too many, so I was hoping if anyone here knows any of the Processes that can be shut down safely (Picture to follow).  I'm not necessarily asking anyone to go out of their way to find out, but if anyone knows of any that are useless it would be a great help, hoping to cut this number in half at least.  Already bad enough that this thing is running Intel Pentium R 1.3GHz, 1.25GB Ram and a built in graphics.

[DREDIOCK]

Some you can shut off in MSConfig, and others in services you can shut off and/or change to "Manual"
I'll list a few I see off the top of my head. And Im sure there are follks that will spot even more. Beyond that. your best bet is to google any your unsure of.

And Then visit "http://www.blackviper.com/
 And click on "Windows Service Configurations!" on the left side of the page for your OS.
Though the one recommendations he makes I personally dont do is turning off system restore points.
Saved my bacon a few times with viruses/Trojans that were found but was unable to get rid of.
System restore to a point where it isnt there. Then turn off restore points. which deletes them all.
Turn restore points back on. And Violla, clean machine.
Sure beats reformatting.

All in all its a good guide though. with the operative word being "guide".

You seem to have Spybot AND Trojan hunter AND Adaware. Do you really need them all running in the background as well as AVG?
Your SERIOUS about your protection huh? LOL
I just leave my antivirus running and run other stuff manually on occasion just for insurance.
but i dont leave all running all the time.
But thats me

A few off the top of my head
WMplayer windows media player)set to manual
AOLSoftware (though this may be harder to keep turned off no matter what you do)
If you like AOL's content check out "AOL.com" And uninstal the software.
You get the same content and can even set it so AIM loads whenever you sign in. Only without the software bloat
ViewpointService Viewpoint -set to Manual
AIM6.exe AIM
Qtask.exe Quicktime.
IBMmessages (Looked this one up) ""ibmmessages" is not required to run at start up. Allows IBM to push messages onto users' computers. Quote: "The Access IBM Message Center can display messages to inform you about software and solutions available from IBM as well as messages from IBM eSupport""

All will still run if shut down and/or turned to manual in services when you want them to. (note when YOU want them to)
Though it means you may have to wait an extra 10 seconds for them to load. LOL

Alot there Im not sure of.
In messing with my sons laptop. some are probably proprietory to the laptop and you may want to leave alone.
Im sure someone who is even better at it them me can help you farther
But my best guess is. Google and black Viper are going to be your best friends for a few hours LOL

[Auger]

A couple more you can probably get rid of:

jusched.exe and jucheck.exe: These usually check to see if you have the latest version of Java. Unless you have to have the absolute latest version, turn them off.
TeaTimer.exe: WTF?!  According to Google it may be part of Spybot S&D.  No need to run it while playing AH.
firefox.exe: Hopefully it's not running while you're in AH.  Major resource hog, especially if you've got it on a site with dynamic content.
aawservice.exe: AdAware? Again, not needed while flying in AH.
MSBNTray.exe: Something to due with Microsoft Broadband Network.  If you connect over wireless or to a switch/firewall/cable modem, you can stop it. If you have one of those horrid USB network connections, get a real network card,
wmpnetwk.exe:  Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service. Definitely stop it while playing AH.

[Ghosth]

Google glary utilities.
Go to their process manager.

Anything you don't know, or understand, right mouse click, "google" and it will jump you to a page explaining what it is.
And likely hood that your system needs it, or if it could cause problems.

Also same thing with startup, clean up your startup and half of those processes won't load.

I have a couple of things running in the background, skype, threatfire, and am at 25 or less processes.

It can be done in Msconfig, but thats doing it the hard way.

[1701E]

Thanks for the help, i have manged to get it down to 47, but it seems a lot of them are 'needed' according to IBM/google.  As ya may have guessed (from the 'Robyn' as owner name) this is not my laptop, but i am stuck with it for a few days.  Alot of the things i am hesitant to close due to them being linked to things like Touchpad and such other Laptop specific things.  Not sure if this being closed would 'kill' the Touchpad or just options.

[Roscoroo]

you should cut that 47 in half and be close to what it should be. 19-25 processes is the most needed ,above that and you've got bloatware wasting space.

[drdeathx]

It is not wise to go to your administrative tools and start turning off processes UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

Here are some usefull links/guides to start you off. If you disable a service such as print spooler, you will not be able to print unless you enable it again. This goes for any programs that you may disable. A reboot WILL NOT RE-ENABLE THESE PROCESSES.

http://www.dead-eye.net/services.html

http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm


The best advise is disable any programs you or users do not need. Then install this program(Enditall2). It's free, quick download/install. When you boot your computer, run enditall2(kill all). Play your game. When you are finished, reboot your computer. All your programs will be running again. This will free up many resources in your cpu and it will run much faster... The way it was designed. If you have 60 processes running, think of the load you have on your cpu.  Windows xp will run on as little as 16 processes(maybe less). Correct me if I am wrong, Vista will run on as little as 25 processes.

Here is the link for enditall2:

http://www.docsdownloads.com/enditall-1.htm

DO NOT DISABLE ANYTHING IN MSCONFIG. IF YOU MAKE ANY MISTAKE YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BOOT YOUR COMPUTER.(Novice users)

Most persons do not understand when they download many things and install them, these programs run in the background without  the user knowing. That why 170IE has 60!!!!! processes running. This is like a 6 cylynder engine trying to pull a train.


Hope this explaination is adequate. I did not want to offend any advanced computer users.  Making common statements in a forum may make begginers believe thay can do this themselves without the proper info..

[drdeathx]

OOH by the way, most of your programs that say Robyn are not needed. Use the links I gave above.

[BaldEagl]

The list at Blackviper is very good.  He lists the Windows default, a tweaked "safe" set-up, a minimal set-up and something else IIRC.  It's also updated for SP3.

[EDIT]  Just looked over the list.  Most of that Robyn stuff is junk (Windows Media Player, AOL Instant Messanger, HP Updaters, etc., etc.) although there's a couple you might want to check on (ctfmon, expolrer and rundll32 for instance). 

[wrag]

You could also try FSautostart if you just want to turn em off for AH.

Install reboot run it and hold the mouse over the prg or srv and it often gives a recommendation.

It doesn't TURN them off exactly it sorta STOPS em while your in AH and then back on when your done.

So nothing you change while in FSautostart is permanent.

[1701E]

Well i have Googled all of the processes and it seems that due to this being an IBM Thinkpad laptop, many of them are intertwined with part of the functionality of it.  For instance 3 are tied into the 'mouse' and when i closed even one it stopped working.  Luckily this thing is very rarely used and so it does not need to be too fast.  Only have to deal with it till Wednesday (new AMD Athlon x2 4850e arrives ), thanks for the help.   

[drdeathx]

Yes... You have to find what your computer needs and what programs you use. Once you get it run enditall2 to finish the rest before you game. Glad to help.

[drdeathx]

Thanks for the thumbs up baldeagle!!!!     ^^^^5

[Bino]

The successor to FSautostart is called AlacrityPC.  (IMHO, a bad name for a good program.)  I've been using it for several months.  Highly recommended.  (Except for the name.)

More info here