Ending processes in Task Manager

I have been experiencing performance problems with a game I recently got, Medal of Honor Allied Assault Breakthrough. The game was really choppy and sometimes even locked up. I contacted the manufacturer, Electronic Arts, and got tips for improving play. First I downloaded updated drivers for my video card. Then I went into Task Manager and ended processes running under my user name. EA said that the only two processes to keep running were Explorer and Systray. There were two other processes that I decided to keep running, which brings me to my question.

The two processes were Zone Alarm, which is my firewall, and Webshots, which is something my wife uses to get wallpaper and screenshots. I'm a little nervous about shutting down my firewall since I have a broadband connection, which I believe is always connected. I'm afraid that hackers or other nefarious sorts could access my computer while I'm playing the game. Are my concerns valid? As far as Webshots is concerned, I just don't know if shutting it down would mess up my desktop.

Oh, by the way, following EA's advice helped greatly. The game played much better.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

I'm glad you were nervous about shutting down your firewall. That was very dangerous advice they gave.

 

I'm wondering if this game (I gather it's fairly new?) would run better if you increased your RAM to 512. Other apps will run a little better as well.
By way of example, In my area here at work we have two Compaq Evo PC's of similar spec. (running W2K SP4+) One is a P4 2.0 and the other is a 2.4. The 2.0 has 512 MB RAM and the 2.4 Has 256. The 2.0 boots up and runs faster. Both have same Updates with the 2.0 loaded with a bit more software.

I'm a little worried when game manufacturers suggest closing default windows tasks to make their game useable, and I'm not talking about squeezing out a few extra frames here.

The increase in RAM may help in your case?

 

Paul, when I initially read the post, my first thought was another stick of memory would help, too. I agree with Newt, as well, that shutting off the firewall, despite their advice, is a dumb idea.

Johanna