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Section 8.2: Monitoring Processes

You can use the Processes tab to view a list of running processes and the total processor time and the amount of memory the process is using. The list that appears on the Processes tab includes all processes that run in their own address space and includes system services. Both the user and the system can initiate a process, but you can only end a process that has been initiated by a user.

Note: Some applications have more than one associated process. Therefore, when you use the Applications tab to close an application that is not responding, not all the associated processes will be closed. You should rather right click the application that is not responding, click Go To Process, then right click the highlighted process and click End Process Tree.

8.2.1: Using Process Measures to Identify Resource Usage

You can use the Process tab in Task Manager to identify the resources used by the applications that are running. Processes can be sorted by any measure, enabling you to view the processes in ascending or descending order for that particular measure.

8.2.2: Promoting and Demoting Process Priority

Each process running on a computer is assigned a base priority. The priority that a process is assigned determines the order in which it can gain access to system resources. Promoting the priority of a process can make it run faster. Demoting the priority of a process can make it run slower.

To view the base priority:

• Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE
• Click TASK MANAGER
• Click on the VIEW menu
• Click SELECT COLUMNS
• Select base priority check box
• Click OK

To change the priority assigned to a process:

• Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE
• Click TASK MANAGER
• Click on the process tab
• Right-click the process
• Point to SET PRIORITY
• Select the priority that you want to assign.