what's running

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doug S.
  • Start date Start date
D

Doug S.

i'm interested to find out what is running on my machine. when i sit down to
use it, sometimes there is something running in the backround and things are
real slow. it's probably some kind of scan of my system or something. i'd
like to know how to find out what it is and maybe stop it while i'm using my
pc. how do i find out whats running?
 
Ctrl+Alt+Del, Processess, is a simply method, of seeing what is consuming
CPU
However its not reccommended to end them there, unless you know exactly what
you are doing and the consequences.

If its an anti virus or malaware scan running, then that individual
application should have some options for configuring when it runs
 
Doug S. said:
i'm interested to find out what is running on my machine. when i sit down to
use it, sometimes there is something running in the backround and things are
real slow. it's probably some kind of scan of my system or something. i'd
like to know how to find out what it is and maybe stop it while i'm using my
pc. how do i find out whats running?
Click to expand...


AutoRuns for Windows v8.73
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/Autoruns.mspx

Process Explorer see here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/SystemInformation/ProcessExplorer.mspx

Perform these cleaning steps then proceed with the reset:

1... First, try to clean up your caches, Internet files and delete cookies
by doing this:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> Double click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options.
On the IE properties windows you will see these Tabs:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs |
Advanced
Under General Tab clear your History, Internet Files and Cookies.
Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing

[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
Then click on Programs Tab and click Manage Add-Ons and Disable all non
Verified Add-Ons (You should Renable them later one-by-one and see the
culprit and update it or remove it.
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
RootkitRevealer v1.71
By Bryce Cogswell and Mark Russinovich
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/RootkitRevealer.mspx


Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner (offline scanner) from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html
Lots of tools to download and disinfect your machine (offline scanner):
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Downloads/browseFreeRemovalTool/

After the scan run disk cleanup on your drive.
HTH.
nass
 
Doug

How much RAM memory?

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

You should be able to gather more information from Task Manager. With
the Processes tab open select View, Select, Columns and check the boxes
before Peak Memory Usage and Virtual Memory size. What are the figures
for the 4 processes using the largest amounts?

Do you leave your computer on 24/7?

Process Explorer provides more information than Task Manager.

Download Process Explorer.

For further information about Process Explorer see here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/SystemInformation/ProcessExplorer.mspx

A new addition to Process Explorer is that you can now right click on a
process and search Online for relevant information.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Traditionally Windows has done things for us automatically so we don't have
to be bothered but there are many times that I am bothered by an unability
to know what is happening in my system. Windows in the past has provided
very little or no way to know what it is doing. The problem is that then we
have little or no way to know if something is valid and innocent.

If you look at the processes and see iexplore.exe busy, it is probably
something being done by a web site that is valid but you can't be sure. You
just can't be sure. Also, explorer.exe is part of Windows and it
occasionally does maintenance for files. It might be busy doing something
and it is probably valid but you can't be sure. You just can't be sure. Also
you will see multiple instances of svchost.exe and they often get busy doing
something and they probably have a very valid reason to be busy but you
can't be sure. You just can't be sure.

If you can't find a good explanation for what is happening, then hopefully
you can trust your antivirus software. I hope you have that taken care of.
 
I think my last reply was to the wrong person. If so then it is a minor
detail but I apologize anyway.

I see that Process Explorer does give a clue about what each svchost does.
 
My comment at the bottom.


rittdk said:
Hey Doug,

Other than the traditional Ctrl + alt +dlte that we have used... there
is another program thats a handy tool to freeing up some of your
computer. Its called ENDITALL. (freeware VERY small file) There are
two versions of this software. Version one will show you the basic
programs running on your comp. The second version will show you the
basic and advanced programs running on your comp. BOTH will let you
protect and close any program listed. I found this tool Very help
full when i had tough times with a slow comp. I would recommend the
first version for the the reason if you kill one of the programs on
there with the second version that makes windows run... you may get the
familiar pop up to some... Windows will close in 30 seconds... pls
save files etc :|

rittdk
Click to expand...
I used EndItAll quite a while ago and it worked as described, but I don't
believe it's a free download any longer, is it? Ziff-Davis gave away many
helpful utilities (and I still have some) but I think a single download
today will cost about $8.

Ken Bland
 
This reply was not a reply to Doug. That is a minor detail but it does help
to try to indicate who you are replying to.
 
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