Samker's Computer Forum - SCforum.info
Software & Hardware Mix: => Windows / PC => Topic started by: devnullius on 16. April 2012., 11:11:38
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With some edits, FROM: http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/chameleon-task-manager31/ (http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/chameleon-task-manager31/)
After setup, when asked if I want to Automatically optimize my pc, I answered no.
In general, when it comes to tuning, in the LOOOOONG run: Microsoft Windows knows best. But… Read on!
After program start, I have version 3.1.0.443.
The following optimizations are available with these options:
- (disabled) If CPU program > 30%, lower priority
- (disabled) If general CPU usages > 90%, lower priority
- (disabled) If RAM usage program => 100MB, optimize RAM
- (disabled) If RAM usage system => 90%, optimize all RAM
- (enabled) Use adaptive method to adjust RAM usage
- (disabled) If file cache => 0%, optimize file cache (0=auto)
- (disabled) If harddisk usage program >= 15MB/s, lower priority
- (disabled) (I put it back to Enabled) If frozen program is detected, give a warning in the screen corner(experimental, I expect problems with this – for what is a ‘crashed’ app anyway!)
Chameleon Task Manager has an option to replace the default Ctrl-Alt-Del's Windows Task Manager. I strongly advice not to do this. The classic Task Manager still is handy, if only because I know it by heart…
I know many (if not all) RAM optimization program will only cause problems. If only when actually optimizing the RAM, most programs will consume even MORE RAM (to calculate everything). Often, memory is just moved from RAM to Swapfile (pagefile). Harddisk activities are very slow, so this will even further criple your computer to a halt.
That said, I do like Chameleon’s option to adjust RAM usage. They take a smart approach, and for my Chrome it is quite nice to trim its memory usage once in a while – especially if that happens automatically and smart.
Most here will also have AnVir installed? AnVir is a great startup-guard. Also, it comes with CPU optimization that works very well (if process consumes too much CPU, AnVir will lower its usage). AnVir’s optimizations for CPU & Chameleon’s optimizations for RAM work very well together!
And this is where I will use Chameleon for: smart, non-agressive RAM optimization.
Is it good as a taskmanager? Hmmm… Not really. Not for the tech-savvy! There are better options out there. BUT it still is a very convenient taskmanager nonetheless.
Features/process:
- graph for CPU, HDD, RAM, PF (all with max. stats & current status)
- table with numbers for these graphs
- system performance: shows the current two top-processes (CPU/HDD/PF/RAM)
- loaded modules for a process
- sources (never seen something like this:|). Shows icons for a process and an XML Manifest (?)
- files opened by a process
- used registry keys
- References for a process – shows HEX memory address for all kinds of variables and files. Looks tech-savvy enough to me ; )
- logs for process
In Process Overview, one can quickly find a detailled description on the internet (Google | file.net | ProcessLibrary.com).
Further, Right Click on a process is still available for all your basic options (including quarantine, process settings/parameters, open file location, …). Sadly, to help newbies, there’s also a transparent floating bar for every process which shows the same options. It’s not a real nuisance, but it does block info from other processes. Up to you if you like this or not.
The program’s GUI supports Themes. By default, Aluminum is selected.
The program has two Tabs for Processes… ALL process-tab and Current processes tab: this tab ONLY shows the current active programs. This is convenient: for in one glance you can see if something is mis-behaving or not.
Alternatives?
- AnVir Task Manager (free/normal/pro)
Features list: http://www.anvir.com/task-manager-windows-startup.htm (http://www.anvir.com/task-manager-windows-startup.htm)
- Microsoft Sysinternals RAMMap (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ff700229 (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ff700229))
There’s a dual graph of memory usage when you open it, and I like the File Details tab on the end, you can sort by path or size, and expand each file to find what memory is allocated to it.
Techies only! Focus is for hands-on troubleshooting, not every day usage.
- Sysinternal’s Process Explorer (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653 (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653))
Ever wondered which program has a particular file or directory open? Now you can find out. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.
For techies only!
- DTaskManager Freeware http://dimio.altervista.org/eng/ (http://dimio.altervista.org/eng/) (site has many more tools – you might want to take a quick peek?)
NICE program, for anyone who feels comfortable with the default Windows Task Manager!
From their site: "forced termination" of any type of process, bypassing all permissions (it can also terminate running system processes) ++ suspend and reactivate a process (as in Linux). (UNIQUE FEATURE! For this allone, worthy installing!) ++ select more than one process at a time.
- Process Lasso will improve your PC's responsiveness and stability through process priority optimization and/or CPU affinity adjustments (http://bitsum.com/prolasso.php (http://bitsum.com/prolasso.php) - also Free version. Portable exists)
I still don’t know if that program makes things better or worse – but on my other computers, it’s still running…
Process Lasso is NOT yet another task manager. It is a process priority optimization, CPU affinity optimization, and system automation utility. Priority optimization, affinity optimization, core optimization, automated rules, automated power schemes, you name it and Process Lasso has it. Although most consider Lasso the ultimate process priority optimizer, it does so much more!
Comparisson Free vs. Pro? http://bitsum.com/howfree.php. (http://bitsum.com/howfree.php.) Free contains nagging :s
- Process QuickLink (by Uniblue) (http://www.processlibrary.com/quicklink/ (http://www.processlibrary.com/quicklink/))
Add-on for default Task Manager. Screenshots? http://uniblue-processquicklink.software.informer.com/screenshot/112657/. (http://uniblue-processquicklink.software.informer.com/screenshot/112657/.)
- Process Hacker (free) (portable: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/system_tools/system_information/process_hacker_portable.cfm (http://www.afterdawn.com/software/system_tools/system_information/process_hacker_portable.cfm))
Feature list + comparisson with Process Explorer, here: http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/. (http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/.)
- TaskManagerEx Task Manager Extension by Sergey Kolomenkin (http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/10462/Task-Manager-Extension-2-0 (http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/10462/Task-Manager-Extension-2-0)).
This program also has portable version. It is an extension to Windows Task Manager. Mainly, this program ads colour functionality. Also helps with debugging. Handy for tech-savvy & ordinary users...
- Auslogics Task Manager (http://www.fileinspect.com/task-manager/portable/ (http://www.fileinspect.com/task-manager/portable/))
All-round Windows Task Manager replacement. No features that really stand out for the tech-savvy, but it looks nice nonetheless. Program has 4 tabs: The program displays not only all running applications, but also CPU, RAM, Network and Disks usage by any selected application (MAIN feature why one would want to install this) ++ The program displays safety rating for each running process & you can quickly check each process on the Internet ++ Services tab ++ Locked files tab.
- System Explorer (http://systemexplorer.net/ (http://systemexplorer.net/))
TIP! Detailed information about Tasks, Processes, Modules, Startups, IE Addons, Uninstallers, Windows, Services, Drivers, Connections and Opened Files. Easy check of suspicious files via VirusTotal, Jotti service or our File Database. Easy monitoring of processes activities and System changes.
Usage graphs of important System resources. Tray Hint with detailed System and Battery status. WMI Browser and System Additional Info. Has portable version too.
Personally, I was SURPRISED to see how MUCH this program grew in the last few years. Definitely a keeper :)
- Task Manager Deluxe Portable (http://www.mitec.cz/tmx.html (http://www.mitec.cz/tmx.html))
Session viewer contains automatic session journal which logs every session login, logout, lock and status change. It is useful especially on terminal servers to watch how users connect and disconnect to their desktops. TMX offers browsing and administration of following domains: Proceses
Windows, Services, Sessions, Autoruns, Environment, System information and Performance.
Little known, but I'll keep it on the side. Just in case :)
- Process Revealer (http://www.logixoft.com/process-revealer-free-edition.html (http://www.logixoft.com/process-revealer-free-edition.html))
Process Revealer Free Edition is a free hidden process detector that reveals what does not appear in standard detection utilities like Windows Task Manager.
Convenient only when you suspect active virii or rootkits (which may or may not be detected).
- Process Eye (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/ProcessEye.shtml (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/ProcessEye.shtml))
ProcessEye Show the list of all running processes with their respective PID and location. Startups Service shows the list of programs that use common service to start with Windows, Startups Registry shows the list of programs that use common registry keys to start with Windows. Drivers List!! Shows the list of drivers with the respective file location, file publisher and the description of the driver! The application allows you to upload Process files to a web virus scanner. It enables you to kill, suspend and restart a Process. Loaded DLLs shows the list of non-Microsoft DLLs located in suspicious folders that are loaded in your system by all running processes. Hosts Editor. Loaded DLLs shows the list of non-Microsoft DLLs located in suspicious folders that are loaded in your system by all running processes.
Screenshots? http://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/ProcessEye-Screenshot-151828.html (http://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/ProcessEye-Screenshot-151828.html) .
- TCP Monitor (http://tcpmonitor.altervista.org/tcpeye-network-monitoring/ (http://tcpmonitor.altervista.org/tcpeye-network-monitoring/))
In short it helps you identify the program a specified process belongs to, giving you the possibility even to scan any suspicious process via VirusTotal. So it could be a great addition to a program like Anvir Task Manager! Main (only) focus of this program is network activity - yet another way to detect bottlenecks or malware.
- Xyvos System Explorer 1.0 (http://www.xyvos.com/tools.htm (http://www.xyvos.com/tools.htm))
To see running process, active TCP /UDP connections and Autorun entries from registry.
Commercial software without Free version:
- GoldGingko Software’s TaskMgrPro (30 day trial) (http://www.taskmgrpro.com/index.htm (http://www.taskmgrpro.com/index.htm))
Task Manager extension. Batch kill or resurrect processes, batch stop or start services, view all established TCP connections and all open ports, manage the Windows startup procedure, restart or hibernate at specified time, manage shared folders. If you can grab this program for free somewhere, you better grab it. Otherwise, you can use other tools that are free to achieve comparable results.
Specialized startup managers, also with process management:
- Starter (http://codestuff.tripod.com/products_starter.html (http://codestuff.tripod.com/products_starter.html))
Starter is yet another startup manager for Microsoft Windows. Secondary purpose is to list all the running processes with possibility to view extended process' information (such as used DLLs, memory usage, thread count, priorities etc.), and to terminate selected process (even a Windows NT service, having enough access rights). Another one is Windows' services (and drivers) manager with some extra features.
- WinPatrol (http://www.winpatrol.com/ (http://www.winpatrol.com/))
[[ EDIT: SEE 2 DAY SPECIAL for .99cent DEAL: http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,7578.new.html#new (http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,7578.new.html#new) ]]
This program, raved by many but me, is a direct competitor to AnVir Task Manager. It does not offer performance tuning - more it is ment to be a second line of defence against virii & malware.
Read more here: http://www.filecluster.com/reviews/102011/winpatrol-scotty-the-windows-watchdog-keeps-malware-on-a-tight-leash/ (http://www.filecluster.com/reviews/102011/winpatrol-scotty-the-windows-watchdog-keeps-malware-on-a-tight-leash/)
- Chameleon Startup Manager Free (http://www.chameleon-managers.com/windows-startup-manager/windows-startup-config.php (http://www.chameleon-managers.com/windows-startup-manager/windows-startup-config.php))
Very limited compared to pro version! Any number of Windows startup configs can be created and loaded at Windows startup or applied 'on-the-fly' without restarting Windows.
Chameleon DIS:
* no network information!???
* themes
* no Windows auto-start option. But AnVir shows 4 new startup entries
Chameleon PROS:
* very GOOD and DETAILED pagefile information (max, current, etc etc). Something I as an expert definitely miss!
* themes
* free today, 2012-04-16
Peace!
Devvie
~~~ notemail@facebook.com ~~~
Cuisvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore persevare
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All spelling mistakes are my own and may only be distributed under the GNU General Public License! – (© 95-1 by Coredump; 2-012 by DevNullius)
POST-EDIT: Also see http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8396.msg21446.html#msg21446 for a shorter list of alternatives... Also GOTD.
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I'm now going to test the laptop of a friend of mine - it's a netbook, with 1,5GB RAM and a 1,66GHz Intel Dual-Core.
Especially when Microsoft Update runs, the 60GB 'ipod' harddrive is a real bottleneck. I know from experience that adding 512MB of RAM would solve most problems. Microsoft Update consumes so much RAM (>500MB) because 'some' program (I still don't know which one :>) removes ALL information about installed updates. Microsoft Update really has to crawl through the OS to determine which updates are installed, and which ones are new :s
I consider this Vista x86 system THE perfect system to test Chameleon.
This laptop ALSO has the following two tuning programs installed:
- AnVir Task Manager (latest GAOTD)
- Process Lasso (latest GAOTD)
I'm using the following program settings:
* Chameleon:
Disabled are; All CPU options
Enabled are: If RAM of any program exceeds > 100MB ++ if overall RAM exceeds 90% ++ if File Cache exceeds 0% (auto) ++ if hard drive usage any program > 8MB/s ++ If frozen program is detected.
* AnVir Task Manager
Balance CPU Optimization is OFF. All startup-related defend options are on. SO, I use AnVir to guard startup entries only and NOT for performance tuning - here I will use Process Lasso for that.
* Process Lasso
A program for which I still don't know if it's a nuicanse or a blessing. I hope to find out with this system...
Settings? Profile = Pro-Balance Enabled. I also run the program to tune system services. The rest is by default: complicated stuff one should not quickly deviate on...
Till repost!
devnullius
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Bump to promote the newest addition to Grab 'n' Snatch...
Process Lasso: 1 license... http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8638.0.html
Karma!
devnullius
PS: I also promoted Process Lasso here http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8396.0.html and here http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8580.0.html . Information there will be put and re-edited in the main article one of these days... Probably the next GOTD ;)
PS: I know this thread talks about Chameleon and the other two about Process Lasso. I take them both as "one" program. And I will use THIS thread for all new giveaways. Which makes no sense, except to me ;p