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Troubleshooting
with the Windows XP Task Manager
Author: Eldon Martin
Updated: 1 Apr 2006
The
Windows Task Manager gives you a picture of what processes and programs
are currently running on your computer, as well has how much processor
(CPU) time and memory (RAM) each process is using. The Task
Manager can be helpful for troubleshooting performance problems and
certain types of error messages.
To launch the Task Manager, press CTRL+ALT+DEL (press these three keys
at one time). A window entitled Task Manager may appear, or
in some cases you may have to click the Task Manager button to make it
appear.
The Task Manager has several tabs along the top.
The processes tab is normally the most useful.
It lists all of the visible processes on the computer, along
with the CPU and memory usage of each. You can click on a
header such as CPU and Mem Usage to sort the processes by that
category. Click a heading a second time changes the sort order.
Therefore, by clicking the CPU once or twice, you can see the
processes using most of the CPU at the top of the list. You
can do the same with the Mem Usage column to see which programs are
hogging the most RAM.
If you're troubleshooting periodic slow performance or "low on
virtual memory" messages, the usual troubleshooting process would be
this:
- Launch Task Manager (with the programs you normally
use still running)
- Click the processes tab and click the CPU heading
once or twice so highest numbers are shown at the top of the
list.
- Make note of the results (the first five items on
the list are normally sufficient) or take a screen shot.
- Click the Mem Usage heading once or twice to make so the highest numbers are shown at the top of the list.
- Make note of results (first five) or take a screen
shot.
The above process should be performed when the comptuer is working
well, and again when the comptuer is running slow or causing problems.
Comparing the results will sometimes give clues as to what
program is to blame for the trouble. In many cases a
technician may be needed to interpret the results and suggest a course
of action.
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