Windows XP Tips for Task Manager - Tracking CPU Usage
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Continuing with our discussion of the fabulous Task Manager, this section will delve into CPU Usage, which can easily slow down the computer if the CPU is overworked. Just think of all the times when you try to open an application and nothing happens for an undetermined period of time. In fact, the whole time I've been writing this article there have been numerous occasions where the words I type don't show up on the monitor until 2-5 seconds after I type them. Oh woe is me! Whatever shall I do?
First of all, it's important to know that these freezes usually happen because Windows is waiting for some application (slow Internet connection, some program scanning the computer at that exact moment, or multiple programs trying to get at the hard drive at once) to complete its process. But for the purpose of this section, I'm referring to what happens when a program takes hold of the processor and rarely, if ever, releases it. This is called red lining and Task Manager can help you determine whether this is happening when your computer is freezing. If you want to find out, open the Task Manager and follow these instructions:
Click on the tab labeled Performance (the same visual showing the graphs and tables will appear).
Double click on any area near one of the graphs – a larger, more detailed version of the CPU Usage graphs will appear. If the usage history graph shows numerous and frequent hits at the top of the graph (100% mark), then I'm afraid your computer has become all too familiar with the red line zone and you'll need to look into terminating one or more programs. I hate to be the one to tell you this.
If you find yourself in the above situation, double click anywhere near the graphs in order to set the Task Manager back to normal view.
Click on the tab labeled Processes and then click on the column labeled CPU (click twice or until the list of running processes is shown from most CPU time to least)
At this point you can shut down any processes causing you to red line. The safest way to do this is by going to the program's File menu and choosing Exit or Close. If that doesn't work, you can try shutting it down in the Applications or Processes tab of the Task Manager – choose either End Task or End Process.
The best thing to do after this is restart the computer.
Next: Controlling Applications >>
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