Have you tried using the Process Tamer?

[sweater]

I have just downloaded and installed this software program coz it really have attracted my attention, here’s the description:

Process Tamer is a tiny (140k) and super efficient utility for Microsoft Windows XP/2K/NT that runs in your system tray and constantly monitors the cpu usage of other processes. When it sees a process that is overloading your cpu, it reduces the priority of that process temporarily, until its cpu usage returns to a reasonable level.

There are many times when a process will hog your cpu, such as when converting audio/video files, or working with compressed archives. Because these processes completely consume the cpu, your system becomes sluggish to respond and using the computer for other tasks becomes impossible while these processes are running.
Process Tamer solves this problem by identifying such these degenerate conditions and temporarily reducing the priority of the offending processes in order to allow your system to respond to other requests. Stop being a victim to an overloaded cpu - let Process Tamer keep your system responsive no matter what you're doing.

What can you say about this program? What’s your experience in using it? ::)
What’s your configuration? Coz I’m using Win XP Pro SP2 533FSB 256MB RAM.

As of now I’m trying the default settings. ;)

[RipVanTinkle]

Well, it is an excellent little free program from Donation Coders

http://www.donationcoders.com/

Not as configurable as Process Lasso but getting there.

http://www.bitsum.com/prosuper.asp

I've used Tamer in the past and was quite happy with it. Can't
remember the app that was causing the problem now but it
stopped my system from freezing. Small footprint and worth having
to-hand for sure.
Win2K 512MB

Donation Coders is a great wee site - check Skrommel's page :)

[sweater]

I have it now on my machine, and using the default setting... but I was wondering then... what programs should I let it to ignore? Coz I thought that if it lowers the priority of some programs then it would "diminished" the effectiveness of that particular process coz it was not using its full power to operate its executions on the system.

Is it okay if I am scanning w my e.g. anti-spyware that it'll lowers its power priority? or I have to set it ignore?

[Notok]

Lowering the priority just means that something else can interrupt it, so it's not completely monopolizing the CPU. At the most it will just make that process take longer to do whatever it's doing.

ProcessTamer has become invaluable to me :)

[sweater]

Have you also tried the Process Lasso? What's their main difference and w/c is better?

[Notok]

Yup, it's just a different interface for the most part. I liked ProcessTamer better, personally.

[RipVanTinkle]

I remember the reason I used Process Tamer now ;)
Seti often runs at 100% and doesn't allow anything
else to start or run. No idea why this happens at times
Whenever it happens I fire up PT

I prefer PT because it's Freeware & I love the Donation Coders site