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Resolved A Question About The Task Manager

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by IDLERACER, 2012/02/20.

  1. 2012/02/20
    IDLERACER

    IDLERACER Inactive Thread Starter

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    This isn't an emergency, I just have a couple of questions. Although I've owned various PCs for the last 12 years, I've only recently become familiar with the Task Manager and have been observing it in action. When I start up my computer, (without connecting to the web) here is a list of all the programs that it says are running:

    SYSTEM:

    System Idle Process
    System
    PRISMXL.SYS
    smss.exe
    csrss.exe
    winlogon.exe
    services.exe
    lsass.exe
    svchost.exe
    svchost.exe
    svchost.exe
    AvastSvc.exe
    spoolsv.exe
    jqs.exe
    msiexec.exe

    Owner:

    shwiconEM.exe
    explorer.exe
    realsched.exe
    igfxtray.exe
    hkcmd.exe
    devldr32.exe
    CTHELPER.EXE
    CTNotify.exe
    point32.exe
    MotiveSB.exe
    ahqtb.exe
    QTTask.exe
    AvastUI.exe
    jusched.exe
    Mediadet.exe
    GoogleToolbarNotifier
    ctfmon.exe

    NETWORK SERVICE:

    svchost.exe
    svchost.exe

    LOCAL SERVICE:

    svchost.exe
    svchost.exe
    alg.exe


    I know that ideally "System Idle Process" should almost always be at 99% and that it's important that my anti-virus software be running (AvastSvc.exe and AvastUI.exe). What I'm wondering is, what is all that other stuff, and can I safely either get rid of, or re-set the priorities on any of them?

    The most annoying one is the msiexec.exe file. On the average, every hour or so I'll get some sort of "NEW---TMP.EXE" file which causes that one to swell up to 99%, and I have to wait a couple of minutes to let it finish doing whatever it's doing before I can resume watching (for instance) a YouTube video.

    I should mention that I do a complete virus check every day with both my Avast anti-virus software, and my Malwarebytes anti-malware software + run TFC once a week and frequently defrag as well, so my computer currently has a clean bill of health in that department.

    Thank you in advance for any suggestions. :cool:
     
  2. 2012/02/20
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    You can look up the processes on this page.

    The most common are listed on that page and you can look up the rest using the alphabet links at the top of that page.

    If you have questions once you have most, or all, defined to your satisfaction post back in this thread. There are plenty of experts on the various Windows processes here and I'm sure any questions you have on specific ones can be answered.

    EDIT: the msiexec.exe process is listed on the page that opens when you click the "e" in the alphabetic links at the top of the page.
     
    Last edited: 2012/02/21
    Miz,
    #2

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  4. 2012/02/20
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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  5. 2012/02/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi IDLERACER. Also I would recommend downloading and running Process Explorer.

    Save the folder to your desktop. Extract the contents of the folder and then run the procexp.exe program. When Process Explorer opens, you will be able to gather a lot more crucial information about what the processes are and what they are used for.
     
  6. 2012/02/21
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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  7. 2012/02/21
    Admin.

    Admin. Administrator Administrator Staff

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    That's a virus/worm/malware.

    Read this post, then post the requested log(s) in the Malware and Virus Removal forum.
     
  8. 2012/02/23
    IDLERACER

    IDLERACER Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am going to do all of this right now. Although I already ran a full "Malwarebytes" scan today (as I do every day), I just downloaded the latest version of it and will do a quick scan right now, follwed by GMER, then aswMBR and finally dds, then report the whole mess in the Malware and Virus Removal Forum in a couple of hours, or however long it takes. Thanks for the links to the instructions and all the downloads! :cool:
     
  9. 2012/03/16
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Resolved in Malware & Virus Removal forum
     

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