[timpad]

Whatever the task is, it doesn't show up in the Task Manager window (CNTRL, ALT, DEL).

Installed any new software/hardware lately?

Just want to be sure...does your task manager have a 'Processes' tab? Have you looked there?

If so and it's not there, have you tried the step by step boot process? This should be invoked if you hit F8 during startup. It might allow you to catch something in your boot sequence.

[Mike Fieschko]

I need to determine what tasks are active on my aging Pentium/Win95 box.

TaskInfo, a shareware program, displays what processes are running, how much CPU they're consuming, how much memory, etc.

The program also allows you to 'kill' (called 'terminate' in the program) processes.

I am not connected with the author or company, just a satisfied user.

For a unix/Linux user, it's nice to have a 'kill' command in MS-Windows.

[mikesmad]

The first thing I would suggest is a defrag of your disk drive. The more you use your PC the more fragmented your hard drive gets. The more fragmented the slower.

See how much free disk space you have also. Delete any files you do not need. You may not have enough swap file space.

If you have upgraded your software then you may need more memory. The newer the program the more memory you have. The old days of writing small code is long gone.

[balrog666]

Oops, also, tell us more. Win 95 version, IE version, HD size, have you examined the Zonealarm program access permission list? Etc.

[Mike Fieschko]

Something is consuming an inordinate amount of CPU time.

What indications are there that it's CPU time, that your CPU use is 100%?

[nutmeg]

bump

[fnord]

Try moving your virtual memory (swap drive) to your D: drive, if you have enough room. There is not enough room on your C: for this.

There are lots of other tools and tricks for speedup, but here is one with tons of info to chew on for now:

http://www.forrestandassociates.co.uk/pcforrest/windows.html

I will check when I get home and see if I have anything else to offer.

[Celtman]

      A fairly standard shotgun fix for this type of problem is to reinstall Windows.  Sometimes it works. 
      It's been a while since I installed Windows 95, but I believe it does ask for a swap file size and location.  If it does, put the swap file on your second drive, and make it equal is size to your RAM.
      The earlier suggestion that your disk drive is dying may be accurate, though.  A clue is that scandisk took forever. 
      As a second suggestion: Try swapping the master/slave jumpers on your two drives (assuming they are on the same cable.)  This will change all of your drive letters (your C drive will be on the 6 meg drive). You will have to reinstall Windows (and if you swap the drives, put your swap file on the newer drive), and you will probably have to reinstall programs as well, and rearrange your files.  Not a small thing, but it might keep your system going for a while.
      The idea is to put your system on the newer drive.