To monitor and control applications and websites that you are visiting, it is key to understand Windows Task Manager. The easiest way to get it running (and it should be running at all times), is to hit "Ctrl" "Alt" "Del" keys at the same time. It will pop-up. Select "Start Task Manager" to see it (it has other options too). Once open, it has six tabs, "Applications" and "Processes" are the key ones (others will show you your computer's current performance among other things). Here's how to use "Processes":
1. In Task Manager, Click the tab at top that says "Processes"
2. A "Process" is a program that executes periodically or continuously. For example, when your Windows computer automatically downloads Windows updates, it is executing a "Process." Or when you issue a task, the System will execute a "svchost," an internal command, to perform that job (you can't stop these). However, you can delete many of these "Processes" from running (but be careful, very careful), if you know what it is/does, and don't like it running in the background all the time (these "Processes" eat up CPU cycles and slow down your computer). Most of these Processes are put there by the many programs you have loaded on your computer, and they may not work right if you delete them willy-nilly. However, many can be deleted safely, and some might be viruses. And the way to check each one is to go to "http://searchtasks.answersthatwork.com/index.html" (It's Free) Just look up your questionable process name alphabetically, and it will tell you what it means. If you will never use it, or don't trust it, then highlight that process and click "End process" and confirm by clicking "Yes." Good luck!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Critical Value of Windows Task Manager: Part 1
To monitor and control applications and websites that you are visiting, it is key to understand Windows Task Manager. The easiest way to get it running (and it should be running at all times), is to hit "Ctrl" "Alt" "Del" keys at the same time. It will pop-up. Select "Start Task Manager" to see it (it has other options too). Once open, it has six tabs, "Applications" and "Processes" are the key ones (others will show you your computer's current performance among other things). Here's how to use "Applications":
1. Applications - useful when an application (i.e. program or website link) is "Not Responding" or just taking too long and you want to cancel it, or you don't trust it it or like it and you want to cancel it ASAP. Simply click (highlight) that application or web link, then click "End Task" at the bottom of the screen, and that task will end immediately. If a program was "Not Responding" you have just stopped it. Try it at a later time (if a good program/link) and see if it loads properly. If you think it was a bad site/link, or may have been questionable or a virus, you have stopped it (but not deleted it if it loaded anything). Run a Virus Scan immediately if you are really concerned and see what it finds. Delete any viruses it finds, but write the name down first. Go back online and do some research on it to see what it might do. Go to "www.symantec.com" and look it up in their Virus Definitions section (free). Good luck!
1. Applications - useful when an application (i.e. program or website link) is "Not Responding" or just taking too long and you want to cancel it, or you don't trust it it or like it and you want to cancel it ASAP. Simply click (highlight) that application or web link, then click "End Task" at the bottom of the screen, and that task will end immediately. If a program was "Not Responding" you have just stopped it. Try it at a later time (if a good program/link) and see if it loads properly. If you think it was a bad site/link, or may have been questionable or a virus, you have stopped it (but not deleted it if it loaded anything). Run a Virus Scan immediately if you are really concerned and see what it finds. Delete any viruses it finds, but write the name down first. Go back online and do some research on it to see what it might do. Go to "www.symantec.com" and look it up in their Virus Definitions section (free). Good luck!
watch out for pop-ups and viruses when shopping
I just went online to buy some HP drivers for my HP printer. I went on the HP site and found what I wanted (I thought). However it wouldn't let me download it. So I called HP Customer Support and they said I had to order it from HP Tech Support. So I went back to HP Tech Support, found the driver, ordered it online with a visa credit card etc. However, here's the rub.
What I thought was an HP pop-up to order, was really a link to another site (business, entirely). So I got messed up. Luckily I didn't get a virus or malware, it was legit (I received the CD I ordered and it was OK).
This just points out the problem.
So when ordering or linking to a site always remember:
1. The link must say "www.HP (or whatever).com/techsupport (or whatever).
2. If it says "www.HPdrivers.com" or something other than "www.HP.com", it is not an HP site! (or whatever site you're looking for)
It may look like it but is subtly not, and its hard to find the clues that its not (usually the small print at the bottom)
So watch out!
What I thought was an HP pop-up to order, was really a link to another site (business, entirely). So I got messed up. Luckily I didn't get a virus or malware, it was legit (I received the CD I ordered and it was OK).
This just points out the problem.
So when ordering or linking to a site always remember:
1. The link must say "www.HP (or whatever).com/techsupport (or whatever).
2. If it says "www.HPdrivers.com" or something other than "www.HP.com", it is not an HP site! (or whatever site you're looking for)
It may look like it but is subtly not, and its hard to find the clues that its not (usually the small print at the bottom)
So watch out!
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