Windows Security Center and Automatic Updates

[jm0307]

Dear members,

My elderly laptop tends to overheat from time to time, so I thought that scaling down processes might help to lower the temperature. I have 35 processes displayed in the Task Manager.

I was wondering whether Windows Security Center and Automatic Updates may be good candidates to start with. After looking in the Task Manager I cannot tell which processes are related to which applications unless the correlation is clear by the name of the process.

Thus, which processes are related to Windows Updates and the Security Center?

Are these resource hungry processes?

Would you recommend turning these off? ( I can manually download updates)

I hope that this is a question appropriate for Wilders. I performed a quick search in Google but found only instructions on how to turn off the Security Center, but nothing useful about whether the Security Center is resource hungry and which processes are involved.

Thanks and best wishes

[19monty64]

I have the SecurityCenter, Firewall and AutomaticUpdates turned off. I was unsure of this at first but decided to rely on my own security apps. and myself. Now I can't come up with a reason to ever turn them back on!!! http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm This site will better explain all the services windows runs and which ones can be safely shut-off.

[innerpeace]

Are you able to clean the dust/dirt from the laptop with a can of pressurized air. I've only done this with my desktop and have no idea if your able to get into what needs to be cleaned in a laptop. You might check your manual and see if it has instructions. What is the make and model of your computer? Cleaning the dust should help the machine run cooler. They also make a cooling unit that you can sit your laptop on. Running 35 processes isn't bad at all. I'm no expert, but if they are not using cpu, I don't think disabling services would help the temp. much.

Cheers, innerpeace

[the Tester]

I have Windows Security Center,Firewall,Automatic Updates,and Messenger all turned off.
The only time that poses a problem is when I go to the Windows Update site.
I have to enable Auto Update to do any updating.

[GlobalForce]

Hi again jm0307,

I'm with IP on this one. Cleanup physical detail's first, then go after processes.

http://www.wiscocomputing.com/articles/maintenance.htm

http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm


Two article's from Langa's column.

http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60300177&pgno=1&queryText=

http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472


Here the concept of "under-volting," plus a heatsink type item. Discretion as alway's .... advised.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=60914


Steve

[jm0307]

Hello 19Monty64, Innerpeace and the Tester,

Thanks for your suggestions.

Monty and the Tester: I have now disabled the Security Center and Autmoatic Updates from starting up, and it already has eliminated several processes from running.

Innerpeace: regarding thermal shutdowns, these are a well known issue with my laptop model. I have already reinstalled the BIOS as recommended by the manufacturer, and it was also suggested to scale down processes as this may help apparently towards reducing the temperature. I will try to get a hold of a can of pressurized air next, and if this fails, then I will look into those cooling units which you suggested.

Thanks again, and best wishes,

jm0307

[jm0307]

Hello GlobalForce,

Thanks for the links - I will have a look this evening.

Best wishes

[innerpeace]

Hi, here's a link to some of the cooling units. This should give you an idea of what they are. I don't have a laptop so I can't help with the specifics.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2030260319+1276817102&name=Cooler

Edit: Here is a recent thread on services that may help. http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=180646