Introduction
We all logon mostly to a flavor of Windows NT + (32 bit operating system). With the architecture of these operating systems multithreaded and able to support multiple applications time-slicing for the CPU, we have a watch dog application called 'TaskManager'. Basically, TaskManager epicenters around application control, process control besides giving a summary information on memory usage, CPU usage, PageFile usage, Network Usage, Logged On Users list, Kernel Memory Details, Physical Memory details. Not all of them might be available for manipulation and a few might be subject to local system privileges and administrator rights.
The Limitations of Task Manager
While TaskManager itself lends a great helping hands to terminate 'Not Responding' applications and 'Erring Processes', it suffers from the setback that it does not provide granular access to each process details. Basically, I would like to see the file handles that are used by a process, number of threads opened by a process etc. If such a granular support is available, I can chose to unload the particular file instead of killing the entire process. This is in fact a double-edged sword. You can effectively use it to remove a virus that has attached to a system process and then remove it. Or by mistake you can kill a system file and then end up crashing your entire Windows.
Some Light At the End of the Tunnel
A quick search in your favorite search engine would reveal some applications like ProcessExplorer, FileMonitor, RegistryMonitor from Sysinternals.com. SysInternals is now part of Microsoft Technet and has a new name Windows SysInternals. You can locate the site from here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx
Reliable Beaconlight
I came across this nice utility called TaskManager Extension, which is also a opensource tool hosted in CodeProject.com. You can download it from here: http://www.codeproject.com/system/Task_Manager_Extension.asp. A few advantages of this tool are:
1) Attaches to your existing task manager.
2) Opensource. No risk of spyware, adware, shareware, malware etc.
3) No cost involved.
4) Granular control of Windows internals. No more restarting windows because of files locked by processes. Just unload them and manage them independantly.
5) Effective clearing up of viruses which are hooked to system processes.
6) Cleaner image on how much resources are consumed by a process.
7) Red Bold CPU Alert on processes which are CPU intensive.
That said, we also need to discuss in brief about a few limitations of this TaskManager Extension.
1) It is a bit advanced tool and you need to be careful regarding its use with Windows object. We just explained about its power as a double edged sword.
2)Still need to be ported for Vista OS.
Conclusion
I would say, TaskManager Extension is an inevitable tool for anyone current days. A learning of same pays well and makes Windows keep itself hale and healthy.
|
No responses found. Be the first to respond and make money from revenue sharing program.
|