Optimizing memory usage and running tasks

[Zfactor]

I just finished tweaking my system because running processes were taking about 1/3 of my system RAM! I was able to reduce it from approx. 330meg to 210meg with this website and their shareware program. I did not know where to put this exactly, because it is not new software or anything. Also, I don't know if anybody already posted about this because the forum search feature doesn't seem to work for me.

At any rate, the website is called "Answers that Work" ( http://www.answersthatwork.com/ ) and it has a whole task list where you can look up some known processes and figure out whether or not you want to run it. To see the processes use the task manager and go to the "processes" tab. Many viruses disguise themselves as regular processes, and Answers That Work is a good way to find out if you had one but didnt know.

In the list, they tell you exactly what the process is, what program it is attached to, and how to shut it off if you so choose. They also have some free utilities, like one that allows you to turn off ActiveSync (the PDA synch software that PDAs with PocketPC use) and turn it on only when you want it. If you have ever used ActiveSync, you probably know how annoying it is that it always is running and sucking up your system memory.

They also have a shareware program called "The Ultimate Troubleshooter." What this program does is it shows you your list of your running processes, and suggests what you should do about them (e.g., leave it, stop it, or other). I have had a very successful experience with this program, and you can try it for a trial peroid. The cost of the program itself is 20 USD, and they have an option to choose your curriency (if you decide to purchase it).

Just thought I would tell you all about it in case you were not aware. IMO the program was well worth the money because I needed to free up my RAM, and I was able to free up over 100 meg of ram!

[Cpt James T. Kirk]

you can also check out black viper he has a list of things you can and cannot shut down there too.

[-pops-]

For information, Black Viper is located at http://www.blackviper.com/index.html

A few words of warning, though.

However reliable, safe and confidence-building the advice on those, and other "tweaker" sites may be, ALWAYS be very careful when you make any changes to the fundamentals of your computer and operating system. At the very least ensure that you have a System Restore point set. It would be preferable to have a full system backup though.

I have known computer systems that have been rendered inoperable by the unjudicious twiddling and tweaking following the advice from sites such as those referred to.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing the sites of giving wrong information, it's because the information is either misunderstood and carried out incorrectly or the problem with the computer is misunderstood and an inappropriate "cure" is applied. Being able to move back in time with a full backup is a boon should such a similar situation arise.

I have dealt with one instance where a computer would not even boot into Windows because of several tweaks being applied all at once without an understanding of what was being done so that, on next bootup, Windows was unable to find the files to load. In that instance, a System Restore was unsuitable as that relies on being able to load Windows in order to use it. Unfortunately, the user didn't have a backup of any kind so, in effect, the whole setup was lost.