Everyone who has used a computer regularly has experienced it from time to time. What would you do if programs consume too much CPU or too much memory usage, or too many programs have been started and your computer has become unresponsive? The mouse cursor still moves but no programs are responding, you cannot switch to other programs or even close them. You have even tried to start the Windows Task Manager and even that won’t work because it does not get enough attention from the scheduler to respond to your mouse clicks and keyboard presses. I bet your answer would be hit the reset button to restart Windows.
Hard resetting your computer using the reset button is always the last resort because by doing that, you could be corrupting files that are currently in use or even worst, Windows fails to start up. Before doing that, here is a free tool called AntiFreeze which offers a last recourse when you find your computer in a hung state.
AntiFreeze offers a last recourse when you find your computer in a hung state. As soon as you press the hotkey combination (Alt+Ctrl+WIN+Home) of AntiFreeze, AntiFreeze will suspend most of the running programs so they stop hogging your systems resources. Then it will start a special type of task manager, very much like the standard Windows task manager except that it is designed for the particular task of letting you get the system in a responsive state again. If a program has consumed lots of CPU time it is an indication it may have been responsible for locking up your system. You can terminate the offending program by clicking the ‘End Process’ button.
OK, AntiFreeze doesn’t work all the time as it will only work when:
One or more programs are doing very intensive tasks, they consume so much processor cycles that the system becomes unresponsive One or more programs consume so much memory that the swapping file is heavily used, overloading the system Programs are running with a scheduling priority which is so high that they consume all processor resources Too many programs are running at the same time and they all have to compete for attention from the processor
There are times when AntiFreeze will fail to work and you’ll have to hit the reset button. AntiFreeze is most likely not to work if your computer is hanging or becomes unresponsive due to hardware problem or when you see your mouse cursor stay at the same location even if you move your mouse. AntiFreeze runs at a high priority level to suspend running processes lower than AntiFreeze but if there are any kernel software or device driver that runs higher than AntiFreeze, then AntiFreeze wouldn’t work.
Although it’s not a perfect solution when your computer hangs or becomes unresponsive but I am willing to trade only 3MB of my computer’s memory for a chance to save my save or recover your work without hitting the reset button.
I am using XP, if I lock my computer by using windows +L key then how do I know how much time I locked my system, please advice
thanks Ray.. good one for tool..
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) monitors programs to verify whether they are using system memory securely. Unlike Windows 7, Windows XP’s DEP is only enabled for necessary operating system programs and services because not all software programs run smoothly with DEP. To enhance security, you can turn on DEP for all programs and then define exceptions for individual programs and services.
How to enable DEP for all programs
From the Control Panel, click System
Click the Advanced tab, then click under Performance
Click the Data Execution Prevention tab, select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select, and then click OK.
Save & Restart the computer for this change to take effect
Defining exceptions – If certain programs cause problems, define them as exceptions.
From the Control Panel, click System
Click the Advanced tab, then click under Performance
Click the Data Execution Prevention tab, then click
Search & select the program file you want to add as an exception, click Open, and then click OK.
Repeat Step #4 as needed
Save & Restart the computer for this change to take effect
greaaaaaat Ray, i love your posts!!!
process tamer, process lassso and more importantly, in windows xp “turn on DEPall programs except those i select” by going to the dEP , AND thus also provide some sort of these features.
I can’t get enuff!! :)
Thankyou verymuch RAY…. I am looking to this type of software for a long time…………………
Excellent…!!!
Thanx Ray. U are the man.
I dl and installed this prog on my windows vista 32 bit but i dont think it wroks.. again everytime windows blocks this prog from startup and i get an annoying promt. using the 3 hotkeys ctr=alt=windows =home makes my laptop freeze
ray any inputs for this problem?
i am going to uninstall this and try process tamer or lasso
hi Ray i love you for all the information you have provided to me i am so geateful.
i have a concern, i bought a brand new computer, when i try to connect it to internet, it does not give any sign that there is a modem connected to ther computer, even if i go to CONTROL PANEL- NETWORK CONNECTIONS, it shows that “X” sign indicating that the computer is not connedted to the modem.
My connection is via modem throgh a phone line, please help me Ray if you read this comment.
i did not install any softwares (registry cleaner, games …), and i do not have any external hardwere attached to the computer.
Very nice concept.
Been looking for something like this so long.
Unfortunately, AntiFreeze doesn’t work in my computer.
By the way — for those who are familiar — can Process Tamer and Process Governor safely run together, back-to-back?
On the other hand, I know SuperCharger and Process Governor can.
There are some instances where even mouse stops working. Will it work at that situation?
My low profile low speed PC needed this dearly
Thanx Ray
Crashes my XP Sp3 too everytime I press the hotkey. I have hard restart my laptop twice for this.. :(
Thanks Raymoond.
Its really a nice tool.
Thanks Raymond.
Its really a very useful tool.
I have created a better way to recover your system from hangs:
erwin.ried.cl/inc/image.php?imagen=img/articles/win_dwm_001/04.png&formato=html
It is a password protected (erwin.ried.cl/inc/image.php?imagen=img/articles/win_dwm_001/05.png&ancholimite=650&altolimite=1000) elevated taskmanager available in the CTRL+ALT+DEL security screen in Vista. That screen is an SYSTEM owned secure desktop (with higher priority than any other process in your machine)
Thanks Mr. Raymond, i will sure test it out and hopefully i’ll find it useful, regarding the feature, another big thanks again sir^^
thanks for the tips
thanks ray!!!
process tamer or process lasso?
Thank you for everything Raymond .
Thank you Raymond.
thnx Raymond
Thanks Raymond. It works well
Thank you Raymond!
Does it work OK on a really slow PC?
Process Lasso is amazing!
Thankx for this gr8 software.. Sir Raymond can you plz give solution to us in case when virus attack the pc and a and regedit or pocket kill box or autorun.exe or icesworn etc. tools are used to determine it but when they are caught the pc reset itself. the safe mode is also not working in that condition. Can we stop that reset without using live cd. I have solution but i want your opinion on this topic.
Regards
Vikas Jain
Your Fan.
can anyone tell me where the home button is.
ctrl+alt+del(thats all u need)
Programs like this suck and are likely to cause more trouble. A couple of apps that are solid and can help with process priority are Process Tamer and Process Lasso.
thnxxxxxxxx raymond ,,,,,, ;-)
u r again gr8 . no more words to say about Uuuu :-)
Thank you Raymond .
Iam using since 2 years this program ( Process Tamer ) and its good . But i dont know if its do the same thing or ???
for more info about Process Tamer
donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/proctamer/index.html
i cant find the WIN button on my laptop, pls tell me thk.
My laptop model is aspire 4930G
Great app!
Thanks!
Hi Raymond,
Can you please include on your posts the software version you test?
That information can be also useful when someone search the site and find a old post.
Suppose you say Software XYZ isn’t compatible with windows Vista, that can be true only for version x.x of that particular software.
Thanks raymond. its a useful tool. thanks a lot
Doesn’t work with Vista Home Premium 64 bit
thanks!! raymond~! ^^
Oh in my pc it makes it in crash always when i press Alt+Ctrl+WIN+Home ; is it compatible with windows xp service pack 3?
hey raymond, this has come in good use, this very morning my sytem started to hang after bringing it out of hibernation.
Great tip mate, thanks!
thanks raymond
Hey Ray thx….
Will surely help a lot…
cool! try to install it on my pc thanks ray :)
Ey Thanx Ray
Thanks a gr8 utility again from you I really need it badly
Nice program. Been using it for quite a while.
Nice one, Thank you Raymond. have a nice week end. :)