Computer Help!! (Nerds needed!) *UPDATED WITH EVEN MORE PROBLEMS!!!*

[Mr. Anderson]

My brand spakin' new computer is having some problems. I had a freakin' gig of RAM, and it somehow cannot IE, iTunes, and AIM at the same time without straining itself. I've every test I can think of (Norton, Ad-aware, etc, etc). I think it might be the Processes (the things under the Crtl-Alt-Delete window). Can somebody tell me which processes are absolutley essential (besides Explorer, duh). I'm hoping it'll get my comp to run a little faster. Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Added: Well, I screwed up even MORE. My Task Manager was open, and I accidentally hit some keys, and the whole thing went away except for the Proccesse part. It doesn't even have an X at the top right. It's just a box with Proccesses in it. I can't change to the applications or anything. Is there a way to change this back?

[dd_mcdoodle]

I'm not much of a techie, but I know that explorer is essential. Sorry, but thats all the help I can give you.

[Steggy]

It all depends on what kinda shit they have preinstalled, like if you have onboard audio, bulit in nic, shit like that. If you could list some of the things I could let you know what you dont need. And with a gig of ram u should EASILY to launch anything. Quick question, what version of windows you running? I know ME doesnt even recognize 1 gig, and that it will cause a lot of stability problems. PM me if you need help badly, im sumwhat of a "nerd"

[thealternakid]

something to look at is easycleaner 2.0 by toniarts, which you can download for free here http://www.majorgeeks.com/download414.html
install this and go to the startup list to see what is programs start when the computer starts. if you run windows xp then every icon within the quick launch toolbar over by the clock saps ram from the pc.. if you take out some of the non essential items fromt the startup list like realplayer, msn messenger and stuff like that then your computer will be alot quicker, if you want to list the programs that are in the startup list of easycleaner, then i can tell you what to take out but most of the ones that arent critical should be easy to see, hope this helps

[Mr. Anderson]

I have NO programs running at startup. I'm running Windows XP Pro. The processes I have running:

taskmgr.exe
iPodservice.exe
SDNTC.exe
ctfmon.exe
CCEVTMGR.exe
spoolsv.exe
explorer.exe
ati2evxx.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
ati2evxx.exe
lsass.exe
services.exe
winlogon.exe
NOPDB.exe
csrss.exe
smss.exe
NPROTECT.exe
NAVAPSVC.exe
mdm.exe
GHOSTS~2.EXE
gearsec.exe
System
System Idle Process

Exactley like that, in exactley that order.

[PsyClerk]

Run AdAware and Spybot (after updating them).

If that doesn't work and you're running 2000/XP, you should be able to see what processes are taking up the most CPU time in the process list. Just click on the CPU column heading a couple of times in the Processes tab of Task Manager. (the first click sorts from lowest CPU time to highest, second click sorts from highest to lowest). Once you do that, the items at the top are the processes that are using the most resources. System Idle Process should be up there if nothing is running besides taskmgr.exe (Task Manager).

You can also click on performance and watch your CPU usage. You should be able to figure out when it's spiking (and thus slowing down).

[Lstorm34]

list your specs for your computer and also what window platform you are using. To see if it recognizes your ram go to my computer, then click on control panel, then click on system. now see what ram value is listed.

[PsyClerk]

Are you using Norton Speed Disk? If so...why? You have several Norton processes going.

And that ghosts~2.exe is adware I think.

[Steggy]

the only thing i dont know what it is of those processes is GHOSTS, is that sumthing you installed or what? Anyone know? Otherwise could possibly be a worm of some sort.

[Mr. Anderson]

I have no idea what half of that junk is, and yes, I'm running Speed Disk right now. My computer is recognizing all the ram too, I checked. I watch my CPU usage regularly, and it does spike, but I dont' know why. Should I delete the Ghost thing?

[Steggy]

Yes, if its something needed, itll just startup again with a prompt when u restart windows.

[captainfrizo]

It could be your processor. If you have a slow processor your computer will only be able to do so much regardless of the amount of ram inside it.

[Mr. Anderson]

Haha, I've got a screamin' computer. I know it's not my hardware. Specs:

Windows XP Pro
Pentium 4 3 Ghz
1024 RAM
ATI Radeon 9800

There is no way it's the computer. It's gotta be some spyware junk or built up files.

[thealternakid]

ghost is a norton property and i think is like windows systems restore, i have always had problems with norton stuff, i use the free antivirus AVG

[Steggy]

^ Same here, after norton pissed me off after always questioning my installing things, i quickly canned that pile.

[thealternakid]

well if you think it might be spyware i sugggest spybot sd or adaware or both, as well as easycleaner which you can clean your registry with. but other than that. i dont know, might wanna do a virus scan and stuff like that

[PsyClerk]

My mistake, ghosts2~.exe is some Norton thing. Though why it's running is beyond me. Ghost is a disk/partition cloning program...is this a custom built machine or a brand name?

Make sure Norton AV isn't scanning for viruses in the background (unlikely).

[Scrubking]

- Defrag your drives
- Remove unneeded progs from the lower right and startup folders

WARNING: For expert use only!
- remove other unessential stuff by going to www.blackviper.com

[Mr. Anderson]

Does anybody know if I can get rid of some of those processes?

[Scrubking]

Does anybody know if I can get rid of some of those processes?

Read my first post.

[thealternakid]

you can always shut down the norton processes and the ipod one
i have windows xp pro and the processes that i have are
svchost.exe
spoolsv.exe
svchost
ati2evxx
lsass
services
winlogin
crss
explorer
system
system idle

and that is all
and this is a brand new install of xp pro
so anything that isnt listed here i would say would be ok to terminate

[Mr. Anderson]

Yes, I start up with no programs, and I'm running Speed Disk right now. These processes just keep coming. I also have like 5 copies of the same thing running. Anything I can do?

[thealternakid]

the multiple copies of svchost cannot be shut down or you will have to reboot same thing with the ati processes as it is your graphics card

[Mr. Anderson]

Are you sure I can't shut down multiple copies? They take up most of the memory.

[bignick]

Are you sure I can't shut down multiple copies? They take up most of the memory.

I wouldnt do that. Search on google for windows system process list or something like that. Is this a refurb dell? or was that some one else?

[thealternakid]

in order to see what processes are running within svchost you can do this,

1. Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type CMD, and then press ENTER.
3. Type Tasklist /SVC, and then press ENTER.

[thealternakid]

yeah ending the svchost isnt good. windows didnt like that too much, i got a windows shutdown notice which sucks

[bignick]

in order to see what processes are running within svchost you can do this,

1. Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type CMD, and then press ENTER.
3. Type Tasklist /SVC, and then press ENTER.

nice. Do you know how to list the processes the system task is running? I have a pc that has %99 on system, and the solutions go from new power supply to bad drivers!!!

[Mr. Anderson]

Yeah, this is the refurb Dell guy.

[thealternakid]

that system spike in the taskmanager might be related to printers or anything plugged into any port, i dont know off the top of my head how to get the system processes to show, i am sure that there is a command but i dont know it, i would systematically start unplugging things to see where the cpu cycle time is going, just a thought i suppose

[jalu6]

running multiple instances of svchost.exe is perfectly normal. its just a generic name for when multiple .dlls are running.

apparenlty, some viruses/adware do sometimes go under that title to trick the computer, but its pretty rare. you can check this out for a little more info...
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/svchost.htm

now, i know this has been said before, but it really does sound like you have some sort of spyware/virus process running in your backround thats eating up your memory/processing power. try running adaware and Spybot- Search and destroy.

also, I use this nifty little app called WinPatrol to limit what apps run at startup or in the backround its good because you can either disable/enable them pretty easily to test whats affecting your computer. there is also an option to permanently remove them. plus its free...

http://www.winpatrol.com/

[thealternakid]

as for you mr. anderson you could just start ending tasks
i would shutdown anything that isnt needed ie speedisk and norton but do it one at a time to see if it gets any better

[magilacudy]

Do you have Service Pack 1 and critical updates? Also try taking off System Restore, sorry if that's been said before.

[Indiana]

Yes turn off system RESTORE it is a hog....

[Indiana]

You mentioned that it is slow to startup IE. How slow are we talking about?

[hutno]

To disable start up programs, check out this instructional guide
http://www.laptechs.net/mario/disable_startup.htm

[Mr. Anderson]

So yeah...one more problem. Help please.

[bignick]

So yeah...one more problem. Help please.

Can you still return it? I mean, this is what dell would tell you to do: insert systme restore disc. You could backup everything and do that.

[Mr. Anderson]

I could, but it would be a big problem for my mom. We got a deal because she does the computer store owners hair.

EDIT: Ahhh, problem solved. Thanks for the help guys. I'm glad to know I have SOME friends.

[WhipSmartBanky]

Is it wrong of me to expect someone with the internet handle of "Mr. Anderson" to just be a LITTLE more computer savvy?

Heh...sorry.

[spidey]

Added: Well, I screwed up even MORE. My Task Manager was open, and I accidentally hit some keys, and the whole thing went away except for the Proccesse part. It doesn't even have an X at the top right. It's just a box with Proccesses in it. I can't change to the applications or anything. Is there a way to change this back?

Double click the border

[Mr. Anderson]

Yeah, I figured it out. Thanks anyway.

[KingDox]

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm


has like what every background task i windows is. Also go to www.pcpitstop.com and run full tests.

[godhatesjustyou]

Added: Well, I screwed up even MORE. My Task Manager was open, and I accidentally hit some keys, and the whole thing went away except for the Proccesse part. It doesn't even have an X at the top right. It's just a box with Proccesses in it. I can't change to the applications or anything. Is there a way to change this back?

Double click the border

oh man, that happened to me soon after i got my computer. it took me, i kid you not, about 8 months before i figured out how to get it back..

[Mr. Anderson]

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm


has like what every background task i windows is. Also go to www.pcpitstop.com and run full tests.

I went to the first site, and it says NOPDB.exe can be turned off under Control Panels/Administrative Tools/Services, but which one is it?

[defender]

ghost is a norton property and i think is like windows systems restore, i have always had problems with norton stuff, i use the free antivirus AVG

it appears your norton has bit you in the butt...it feels good to be right...

like i said in the browser thread...symantec products are crap on resources and I refuse to ever install another symantec product


you can get the AVG for free

[PsyClerk]

I've used Norton AV for years and never had a problem. I don't like Norton Internet Security or System Works, but I know many people who have used one or the other (or both) just fine.