Running AdAware - "20 running processes"?

When I perform a System Scan using Ad-Aware, under the "Summary" section there are a couple of entries I'm curious about: "Running Processes" and "Process Modules ".
This morning, the number of running processes showed up as 20, yet when I hit ctrl-alt-del, only eight programs showed up as running (explorer, Sgmain, Zlclient, Avgemc, Avgcc, Teatimer, Sgbhp, and Systray). What are these "processes" if they're not programs? And my Process Modules were 868 - what does that mean?
I know the bottom line is that no critical bugs are found, but can someone answer these questions for me anyway?
Thanks,
Rebecca

 

The running processes summary in Ad-aware should equate to what is running in the processes tab in the windows task manager.

Process Modules is a list of all the files such as DLL's (dynamic Link Library files) that are currently running to make the PC and applications run. Not sure why Ad-aware needs to tell us this?

 

Hi Rebecca,

Open Ad-aware and click the gear symbol at the top right of the page. You will see a directory path for the log files. Open that directory, then a log and you will see the running processes present when you scanned. If unsyre what any of them are, and Google doesn't help to identify them, feel free to post the log, or portions in question.

 

For the curious (rebecca ) who want more info on running process, DLL's and directories.

http://www.processlibrary.com/

 

Thank you both for the info!
I found the log in question, looked up all the "running processes" that were listed (using Paul's link), and everything appears copacetic.
868 Process Modules sounds a mite high to me -- is this something I should look into trying to whittle down (and if so, how?), or is 868 not as outrageous a number as it sounds?
Thanks,
Rebecca

 

Hi Rebbeca,

Just ran a scan - 1305 process modules, this is while I'm on line. 868 is not out of the ordinary, but am wondering why mine is so much higher; running 24 processes.

EDIT: Just remembered that you run WinME - I think. I'll run a scan on ME and if I get results much different from yours, I'll let you know. The 1305 is for XP.

Regards - Charles

 

Charles - I really hope your 1305 process modules & 24 processes isn't too high.

 

I'd have to say none of the number of modules previously listed is out of range. XP Pro here.

 

Hi Rebbeca,

Just to make this thread complete

Results of scan on WinME: 18 processes and 437 process modules.

Regards - Charles

 

Charlesvar - you're right, I am running WinME. So you've only got roughly half as many process modules running (on WinME) as I, but as long as I know there are people out there with numbers over 1000, I guess I won't go troubling myself over my "mere" 838!
Rebecca