[shargu]

Why are there 55 processes running on my pc all the time? When I try to shut some down I get a message that it will make my system unstable. Sometimes my machine sounds like it is taking off and I think it is from all these processes running.


Thanks

[mphenterprises]

Hi Shargu and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D




First, I have changed your Discussion title to give a clearer indication of your question. For future reference, please be as descriptive as possible in both the heading of your Discussion as well as the post itself.

Now, you have really only gave us half the story so far. The processes you currently running really only mean something based on other information like:

- CPU Usage
- Computer specifications
- Current applications you are running



For example, I am using my Lenovo T60 laptop. I currently have 84 processes; however, my computer is very cool, very quiet, and only using 3-4% of the CPU.

That being said, please provide the computer manufacturer and model number as well as the current CPU Usage as well as the current applications you have running. Also, please provide the security applications you have any the results of the latest security scans.

[shargu]

Thank you for your attempt to help. It is appreciated. I am running 3 to 4% CPU also. I have a desktop Dell Dimension 4700 with windows xp.

My security system is McAfee, which runs every night, and it has not show any issues in the reports. I also run Webroot every night and it doesnt show any isssues either.

I have for the last 3 days ran a small fan pointed at my computer because I thought it was too hot and it seems to help sometimes. When I get the most noise is after I have been playing my game for too long.

[mphenterprises]

Okay, now we are getting somewhere. :D




First, this computer comes standard with 512MBs of memory. This is pretty much a minimal amount and the video card of this computer more than likely shares the memory of the computer. McAfee is a resource hog. Very few members of this Community would recommend that you keep this application as your security. Also, the game that you play may be a major factor as to the fan working harder than normal.

So, knowing this, what we need to know is your current memory specifications as well as the game or games that you play. To find out the memory, do the following:

- Click on Start -> Control Panel -> System

- The memory specification will be listed at the bottom of the General tab



In addition to this, please provide the name of the game(s) that you play.

[shargu]

I have Pentium 4 2.80 GHz with 504 MB of Ram.

I do get a message once in awhile that the system is allocating more memory due to problems. Is this from MacAfee? If I dont use MacAfee anymore what do I use? That is what MSN, who is my provider, recommended so I just used it.

The game I play is off line. It is loaded to my computer, along with a bunch from this same company, It is called Realarcade and the game I play most is Luxor 3.

[mphenterprises]

shargu said:

Is this from MacAfee? That is what MSN, who is my provider, recommended so I just used it.

>
>



Well, it is too early to say but I would definitely lean towards that. MSN only recommends McAfee because there may be an agreement with between the two. McAfee is extremely resource intensive application. You only have a very minimal amount of memory. You need to conserve all you can.

Now, I do not believe the RealArcade games are your issue. I checked the system requirements for Luxor and you are within range; however, the fact that your computer heats up during game play tells me that there a resource issue (or lack thereof).

So, my suggestions are as follows:

- Uninstall McAfee and use a less intensive security application. You asked, "If I dont use McAfee anymore what do I use?" Well, that is a question for another Discussion. I would first advise you to review the recommendations of other members from within the Privacy & Security Community which is accessible by clicking the hyperlink. http://forums.pcworl...ftware/security If you do not find any information that suits your needs, please open up another Discussion from within that Community.

- Get more memory. Your computer can support a maximum of 4GBs of memory. For your computer needs, I would suggest an increase to 1.5GBs. (your current 512MB chip and either one (1) GB memory chip or two (2) 512MBs memory chips. Your computer can support the following memory: DDR2 PC2-4200, DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400.

Here is a list of memory chips that are compatible with your computer organized by best rating: (Click on the hyperlink to go to the list)

Compatible Memory for Dell Dimension 4700

[SpiritWind]

Hi :


There is a possibility that the McAfee and Webroot programs are "conflicting" with each


other, which IF true, could cause the problem you are describing . To check that


possibility, you should tell us the EXACT AND COMPLETE Name of BOTH programs .


There is One Possible "problem" that MAY involve the "Real Arcade" Game(s) you are


using and that involves from WHERE did you download them ? Do you have a program


called "Bit Torrent" ( or a similar Name ) on your computer and did you download them


using that program ?


P.S. It is rarely wise to use the Security program(s) recommended by an ISP ; there are


better and sometimes FREE Alternatives .

[shargu]

Thank you everyone for all this help.

I took the advise from mphenterprises and got rid of Macafee. I first downloaded Avast, after reading in PC World that it was good, recommended, and free to see if you like it. The fact that the company that makes Avast has been around for 20 years gave me some confidence in them. I then used another link from PC world to uninstall all of MacAfee. All that said and done the Avast program took one hour to run but didnt find problems.

I run two firewalls. One that came on my Dell and one that comes through Verizon. I hope that is enough.

I downloaded my real arcade games direct from real arcade. I paid for them over the three years I belonged to real arcade so I assumed they are safe??

I am going to give this all a few days to see what happens and then I will see if I need to purchase and install more memory.

I am very please and thankful for all the responses and help and hints.

[coastie65]

Hi and welcome to the forum. To further expand on what mph and spiritwind said, First you do need more memory as mph suggested. That message you are getting about allocating more memory tells me that most likely it is virtual memory, not actually physical memory. As far as McAfee goes, like Norton it is resource hungry and will take over the computer. There are some good free AV programs out there such as Avast! . Luxor is not an intensive game so I don't believe that is an issue. Mph has made some good suggestions as to memory, and I would definitely consider changing the AV to something else. Your CPU usage was OK. As spiritwind mentioned, there could be some issues between McAfee and Webroot. Again, I would consider changing from McAfee to something else. Personally, I am running Avast! anti virus and Webroot Spysweeper. I have Superantispyware for a backup to Webroot. coastie65

[mphenterprises]

shargu said:

I run two firewalls. One that came on my Dell and one that comes through Verizon. I hope that is enough.

Great job on all of the revisions. The only concern I have left is the quoted statement. You should never have two firewalls actively protecting your computer. Doing so can cause conflicts. I would advise uninstalling one of the two firewalls that you are using.

The memory issue is not going to go away. Removing McAfee is definitely a start but you will see a drastic improvement once you increase the memory. You do not have to do this right now but I would put it on the short list of things to do.

If you have any additional questions, please post.

[shargu]

Thanks to everyone. I have Avast and when I uninstalled MacAfee one of the firewalls went away. Why I dont know but it did so that is okay. I have not had any of the loud noises from the computer since yesterday when I did the uninstall of MacAfee. Nor have I had any messages that I was out of virtual memory. I am going to order the extra memory also. Thanks again for all the help.

[coastie65]

Hey mph, I am running the windows firewall in addition to the Verizon Firewall that is in the router with no apparant issues. When I added the McAfee firewall to the mix, I defifnitely had some issues :D and uninstalled that thing. Three firewalls was a bit much to say the least. The memory issues need to be dealt with as well. coastie

[mphenterprises]

Hi Coastie. :D




That is a slightly different situation. Routers have a built in hardware firewall. So using the router firewall along with a software firewall is fine. An issue only arises when a person uses two software firewalls.

[coastie65]

:^0 Yeah, as I found out. Who says there isn't such thing as "Too much of a good thing". :D coastie