Just to clarify... Under Windows Task Manager>Processes Tab> the 2-digit number is processes drain (currently in-use) on your RAM. It used to be that 512 RAM was sufficient-- now, bigger programs require up to 1Gig RAM. Ram is Random Access Memory, the memory that programs draw upon as they need it. Opening a program creates a large draw on RAM memory...or playing a game, etc. So processes reaching 80 (80%) means it is actively engaging 80% of your RAM memory (at near 90-100% your computer has hourglasses and won't run programs---until each program releases the RAM it is using). AOL's "accelerator" part of the program can sometimes draw a lot of the RAM-- meaning that AOL's commands and any other program open must start competing for available RAM. If you have one program drawing 80% and the System Idle Processes are drawing 10-15%, that means at most, you only have 5-10% RAM left available to handle any the RAM-needs or commands of any programs you try to use (including Windows). Ever try to open Windows Start > to go to All Programs, and it won't open?? That happens if all your RAM is in use. It finally opens when other programs release the RAM usage. Also, did you notice the long list of program-parts under Processes? Those are there, usually, based on what the User allows to be put into Start-Up. (Almost every program WANTS to be in Start-Up...they think Users can't make choices about what programs to put there..or they try to make it easier for Users to start programs. But, every icon in your System Tray (bar at bottom of PC screen, where the clock is), or every icon on your desk-top adds to the Start-Up drag time. When a computer starts, it "loads" the "exe" files for all those programs. You can block some from the Start-Up group without losing any functionality. You would just find them under Windows Start>All Programs>opens the list of programs. An easy example is Adobe Reader which might put icons on the System Tray (bottom bar) or on your desk-top. But you might only use the Reader once a month...so you really don't need it in the Start-Up group. Yes, it's scary to change stuff on your PC. Always ask a Tech to tell you how to UN-do steps, in case you change your mind later. It is easy to change the Start-Up Group (maybe your hubby can do this). And it will free up some RAM to use for active programs. All you do is put your mouse over START, let it open...then on the bottom right list is the word RUN. Type in the box msconfig and click enter key. That will open a big box with tabs across the top. One Tab says Start-Up. Click that tab-- it will show you a big long list of programs & exe files of parts of programs, with check-boxes beside each one. If a box is checked, it loads at Start-Up. If no check-mark, it does not load at start-up (but you can still access the program through Start>All Programs.). All you do is carefully READ each item. Pull the NAME tab at the top (pull to right) so you see the entire pathway (C:/Administrator/Programs/name of program/whatever-whatever.exe -- for example). Take a piece of paper and write down any programs in there that you don't usually use. Look in the "path" for names of those programs. UN-check something you don't use. (You can RE-check it if you change your mind). Click APPLY and click OK... it will say your computer needs to re-start, say OK. Let the computer re-start. Now, a box will pop up saying: "You have chosen Selective Start-Up...blah blah blah" and there's a check box for "do not show this message again". Click the check box for Do Not Show again. And use the computer as you normally would. NOTE: If you UN-check something in Start-Up Group that Windows NEEDS, Windows will automatically stick the program back in the active start-up group. The ONE you do NOT want to UNcheck is the Mouse! So, just make sure you identify each program you UNcheck and that you KNOW for sure what the program is before making any change. Rule of Thumb: leave checked Windows items, the mouse, and any Anti-Virus program... everything else is fair game. Also when installing, don't let programs put icons on your desktop or into Start Up group. I used to be unsure, like you, how to configure my PC. It's stuff you learn...white knuckles! But you do it, hold your breath, then realize it's okay, the world didn't blow up - LOL. The ONLY area you shouldn't mess with is the Registry!!! Even if a tech tells you to change the Registry, stop and ask if the Tech will come to your house to fix it if it messes up everything (techs will say NO, so you then say NO I'm not changing the Registry). And, some tech companies want to take "Remote Control" of your computer to "fix" a problem themselves (example Norton Symantec techs)--tell them NO--they messed up my PC really bad. Anyway, it will help if you free up RAM on your machine. Think about the steps I've written and decide. You should also run Desktop Wizard to clear out unused Desk Top Icons. Judy On 8/7/08, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: > Judy and Joan; > > I have been looking over everything you mentioned, and while I don't > understand it all, I can follow what you have advised me to look at. > > Looking at the CPU usage AOL seems to be using 10-15, constantly changing. > The main user is System Idle Process running between 80-90. The only thing I > have open right now is my AOL mail. No music, no games, no IE. Not sure > what System Idle Process is, but I think it means the computer is currently not > being asked to work to full capabilities. So I shouldn't be having problems > if I have 80% still available, correct? > > I'm very reluctant to change anything on my set up, hate when I have to > download an update to something, have near panic attacks when AOL changes the > welcome page. And was not fit to be lived with when everything crashed last > Dec. Fortunately, my husband knows a lot about external hard drives and ether > nets and all kinds of strange things and he bought me my new PC and got > everything restored. So now I am basically as sane as I ever was! But this AOL > thing drives me nuts, it always seems to be when I'm in the middle of writing > something and I lose it. I've begun writing everything on my MS word processor > and then copying it to my mail to send. That way I don't lose all my > wonderful thoughts. This old brain doesn't have too many left, so it can't afford > to lose any! And if I'm not writing to someone, I'm holding my grandson > while he plays some PBSKids game. At 2 !/2, he doesn't understand when the > computer just says goodbye and his picture comes up while he's in the middle of > something! > > Rootsweb is the best list manager anywhere on the web. The people are so > genuinely friendly and helpful. And AOL has always been my service provider > and I'm comfortable knowing my way around it. So I guess I'll just keep > signing on several times a day. > > Thanks again for all your assistance all the time.