Closing running programs

Many instances require users to stop all running programs etc. before downloading or installing some software programs. I can not seem to find the way to do that in XP. Using Control, Alt Delete, brings up a dialog box, but rarely is there anything listed in it, when in fact there are manythings happening in the background that you can view the interruptions during a scan or defrag process...Please advise..Thanks

 

Usually an installer that asks you to close any open applications does so just in case the installation runs out of memory. Some programmes require or suggest you close any antivirus prog. If you upgrade over a programme that is already running then you should close the running programme or the install will not proceed. I've never installed a programme that requires one of the background windows processes to be closed. If all the obvious windows are closed on the desktop then I would continue and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Thanks for the response. I am still wondering how to stop all the activity that causes interferences with scandisk and defrag. It seems as though something is constantly running in the background at all times. This makes it necessary to defrag in the safe mode. Although that is not a real problem to do that I am curious to find another way.

I was told once that there was some type of software that would allow you to temporarily halt this activity and then re-activate it on command. Unfortunately I failed to get the correct name for it

Maybe someone is familiar with it and would be kind enough to respon...

Thanks Paul

 

Xp's defrag is usually a little more robust with handling other progs running in the background. My suggestion would be to close all the programmes running in the taskbar (not the quick launch bar) and you may need to disable any antivirus programme running in the background, although I've never had a prob with Norton or McCafee, but many apparently have.
Try running CHKDSK from the start menu Run command to clear any disk errors first that can cause defrag to flame out.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Using Control, Alt Delete

The title should read finding Atl, Control, Delete in XP......
On several occasions my keyboard freezes up and the best way to handle is using Alt, Contol, Delete.
After trying everything I am left with no choice but to do a complete power shutdown and reboot.

If I had a means of shutting down programs that are stalling using the Alt, Contol, Delete it would make the issue smaller and the operater a happier camper....

Anyone have any idea where the program shutdown can be found???

LMH

 

Defrag should be run in safe mode: F8 key on bootup.

Chkdsk when asked for by the user is scheduled by XP on next bootup and is done in Safe Mode.

CTL - ALT - Delete brings up the Task Manager. All the processes and software running is listed under the Processes tab. Clicking on "Image Name ", the column heading, lists them in alphabetical order.

There is a "end process" button in the lower right hand corner. Highlight a process and click that button to end that process.

Regards - Charles

 

In XP when you open Task Manager with either Ctrl/Alt/Del or by right clicking on the Task Bar and choosing Task Manager, there should be four tabs at the top, Applications, Processes, Performance, Networking and Users.

The Applications tab lists the programs running.

If you don't have the four tabs, place your cursors on any edge of the Task Manager window and double click...they will appear. Double click again and they will disappear leaving only the list under the last selected tab visible.

 

the problem is when you get a complete lockup -- the key board and mouse will not respond so pressing c+a+d keys are no help because they do not respond and the only recourse is to reboot

 

Hello Miz,

"The Applications tab lists the programs running. "

Right, and this tab does not show all the processes and how much memory the programs use and all the other statistics under the various column headings.

Regards - Charles

 

I'm not clear on what the point is of doing Defrag in "normal" mode.

Canfield:

"I was told once that there was some type of software that would allow you to temporarily halt this activity and then re-activate it on command ".

Why? What's the point of downloading/using 3rd party software here when with less effort you can defrag in safe mode?

Regards - Charles

 

The Task Manager does not appear when I use the control, alt, delete. Keyboard and mouse are dead......
When using my previous Win 98 I could use contol, alt, delete to shut down the offender.
What is causing this and is there a way around a complete shutdown??

 

DiskKeeper??

Pete C

Okay, I give up...... what and where is DiskKeeper located? Is this a suggestion more/better defrag will improve the lock up problem???

I am sure you are correct with the Win98 stalled comment in relation to Contol, Alt, Delete.
No matter what you call it...... I need it in XP ....

Appreciate your response, maybe I can get to the bottom of this ...

Thanks
Lois

 

Hi Pete,

Disk Keeper makes sense, especially with all those partitions.

A program that mimics safe mode's functions does not, certainly not for the average home user.


Lois,

Not clear on the connection between lock-ups and defrag.

If you're having problems defragging, have you tried it in safe mode, and if not, why not?

Regards - Charles

 

Stalled XP

Charles,

No problem on the defrag......just at home base......confused when I read about the Control, Alt, Delete issue.

I see now that was not intended for me......

Sorry about that

 

If pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del doesn't bring up the windows task manager pretty quickly the problem is usually a system that is really busy. And if you wait it should pop up eventually. Might be well worth waiting for at least once just to see what is hogging system resources that way. Sounds like you have an application with a bad memory leak.

Defrag should run fine with the services/processes running. About the only thing you should need to stop in addition to applications would be any screen saver. I know that safe mode or stopping all running processes was needed to have scandisk & defrag run well in 9X but XP absolutely should not need that.

Something is not right with your system.
- how much physical memory?
- how large a pagefile (virtual memory)?
- how new a system? as in PII, PIII, PIV

I'd also suggest you do
- start~run~cmd then chkdsk x: /r (where X stands for any drive and you should do them all)
- start~run~sfc /scannow

 

Diskeeper

Lois - Diskeeper is a program that you have to download. It also is not free. Available from Executive Software at www.diskeeper.com download for $29.95 but it does have a free trial availability. It does a very good job, runs in background and you never really know it is there. Keeps frsagmentation level at about 1.0% which is far better than Microsoft's own defrag utility does.

Incidentally, when you download and install the pay version, it seems to delete Microsoft's defrag and inserts itself in its place.

Their tech support is the best I have ever seen.