Preserved Topic: Is this bad?

I just caught Outlook running in the background, taking up 50% of the processor power and 100 MB RAM. (I noticed it because XP popped up a little box saying that it needed to increase the virtual memory.) Also, my laptop was making the little clicking noise it always makes when it's downloading (or perhaps uploading) something.

I'm scanning for virii right now and not finding anything, but... I dunno... this worries me.

So, heh, if you get an email from me around now, don't open it =)

You're telling me Outlook doesn't do that regularly?

I am indeed surprised.

Well I don't use Outlook, but when it's open all the time like that doesn't it check your email like every couple of minutes, and if you have a couple, or several email accounts that could take up a decent chunk or processor power. What processor do you have? 100MB of RAM seems like it may be a bit much, but hey like I said I dont use Outlook so I wouldn't know, and if it is checking like 3 email accounts and downloading all the new messages and attachments from them all every couple of minutes that could take up a lot.

behmer - Google Bomb, for my dad's site.
kewlster

No new emails though =)

I dunno; the virus scan finished with notihng detected, and Outlook doesn't seem to be doing it again. Maybe it was some sort of weird bug. Hmm.

Don't worry, it was just M$ reading all your emails. no biggie.

It happens to me reguarly. Normally caused by my double-clicking (instead of single clicking) the icon in the start menu or the quicklaunch bar. The first click - Outlook starts normally, the second click starts up another one which can't make a display (the window instance is already taken by #1) so it just sits there like a dummy clicking its heels at the expense of your ram and processor.

If it happens again, check also for any files with IMAP in their name. That can also be left hanging around by mis-starts of Outlook.

Nothing to worry about. All part of the wonderful world of Micrap$oft.

[This message has been edited by trib (edited 10-19-2002).]

Man, I just figured out something weird/cool today when I accidentally double clicked. In windows 2000 (probably some other windows versions as well) when you click start, if you double click programs it opens up the programs folder where all that stuff is. Just thought it was cool and wanted to share.

behmer - Google Bomb, for my dad's site.
kewlster

First things first, Outlook and other programs from Office family are not stupid. If you accidentally double-clicked on its icon, the second instance will be terminated and the first one will be brought to front. It won't stay in the background wasting CPU time...

Slime, as far as Outlook running in background is concerned, it's a normal thing (since your virus scan came up with nothing). In your case, it was probably compacting mail folders, because there was more than 20% of wasted space (you can control this in program options / maintenance).

Oh, and one more thing. Windows XP also uses idle time to automatically defrag hard drive(s). If you leave your computer for a few minutes, you'll notice that HDD led will start flashing constantly, indicating that something is happening with the HDD...

I dunno... I use Eudora... recommend it over Outlook anyday...


Code - CGI - links - DHTML - Javascript - Perl - programming - Magic - http://www.twistedport.com
ICQ: 67751342

I use web-based squirrelmail... it's just email after all.

The Bat! all the wayyyy!!

I also use squirrelmail web based mail AND Outlook Express.
The webmail is good only when I'm not near my computer. Squirrelmail is very simple and it doesn't allow you to answer in html format, although it reads in html format.
About compressing in the background, there can be a lot of stuff happening in the background, when using Windows. I like to take control over everything possible that can happen in the background so I disable all these tasks from the Task Scheduler and some smart little programs that run automatically without being in the Startup folder (they are in a 'Run' key, in the Registry).

I AM my computer's God, Lord, King, Ruler, Master and Boss. The computer is my slave and my servant. I HAVE THE POWER !! I DECIDE !! I COMMAND, the computer obeys. I give the orders. The computer follows. It is under MY control, my directions, my instructions, my desires, my wishes, my ...

Oops, sorry, I lost control of myself.....


P.S. - the "control" of Outlook's automatic compressing task is not in Task Scheduler, but inside the Outlook's own options.

[This message has been edited by viol (edited 10-19-2002).]