Is my computer slow because im running 78 processes?

I currently and normally with one user logged on run 78 processes..
I recently only about 3 weeks ago reinstalled windows and it was running good for the first little while but now is back to how it was before..
I have a dell laptop which is only a bit over 1 year old which has a gig of ram..
The main problem i have is the time it takes to shutdown and start up..
Could someone please help or explain, THANKS

 

You can look up each entry in Task Manager's list starting on this page. Once you know what each one is, you can decide whether you need it running all the time. Some are, of course, necessary for XP to function.

You can also use Black Viper's guide (scroll down the page to the chart) to determine which, if any, of XP services you can safely disable or set to manual. When in doubt, use the setting in the "Safe" column.

 

Hi Scott99,
If I may, I would like to add to what Miz has posted...Certain virus programs like Norton are resource hogs and will also slow you down...What I would be interested in is, despite the 78 processes which can be a bit on the high side is "what is your CPU running at" ??? If the suggestions that Miz provided seem to complicated, another good method might be msconfig method as an added idea for you to consider...Keep us posted please, thanks.

 

..

hi, i havnt had a chance to try any of the methods yous have told me about yet, but i did check my CPU speed.. It changes from 1% to 7% when running IE and AutoCAD... also 78 processes are running at this time...
I will try some of those methods for disableing processes in a couple of hours and ill let you know.
Thanks for your help

 

Hi, scott99. Welcome to Windows BBS!

If you want to experiment with disabling unnecessary startups to try to speed up your boot time, here are some links.

Choose one of the following handy stand-alone utilities for controlling your startups. (You do not need to install the application.) I suggest you use one of these utilities instead of MSCONFIG to control your startups.

• Microsoft/Sysinternals Autoruns
• Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel

CAUTION: Be certain you do not disable any necessary startups. See the references below for details that will help you decide what is reportedly safe to disable.

Check out the following links to help you decide what startups you might want to disable.

• Pacman's Startups - Contents: (I suggest you read this "Contents" page for background information.)
  

Another resource (Miz already linked above) that may be helpful is

• AnswersThatWork: TASK LIST PROGRAMS (including WinNT4/2000/XP/2003/Vista Services)
  Keep in mind this database includes descriptions of memory-resident processes that are not necessarily automatically started when you boot your computer.

 

If the culprit does not seem to be a startup program...
Run Error Checking (chkdsk) on the drives.
Look at clearing out and reducing (drastically) the amount of space for Temporary Internet Files.
Look for updates for your drivers at Dell.
Look at logging your startup.
Watch the HDD LED, is it running frantically during a slow-down? Probably a file checking program.

Matt

 

You could try this:

http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier

mickzer.