I am running:
Windows XP, Home Edition, Ver 2002, SP3

I would prefer to run as few processes as possible.
These are the ones running:
boinc.exe
boincmgr.exe
boinctray.exe
setiathome_6.03_windows_intelx86.exe

How can I run fewer processes?

That question is meant in the simplest form. I don't know details and do not want to learn about the details. I just want to help SETI while using as few resources as possible.

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BOINC.EXE is the core client and controls all work fetch and scheduling
BOINCMGR.EXE is the BOINC Manager, the graphical interface for BOINC.EXE
BOINCTRAY.EXE checks for user movement (keyboard & mouse) to adhere to preferences such as "Suspend work if no keyboard or mouse activity in X minutes"


All the above processes take up virtually no CPU power. BOINC.EXE only uses CPU power when a task finishes or the scheduler needs to switch tasks. BOINCMGR.EXE only takes up CPU power if you have it open; if it sits in your system tray, it takes no CPU power. BOINCTRAY is only a detection program and does not require much CPU power at all.

setiathome_6.03_windows_intelx86.exe is the actual crunching application that is required to process SETI@Home Enhanced MultiBeam workunits. There is another application that you may receive: AstroPulse. This is another science app that must be run in order to process AstroPulse workunits.

How can I run fewer processes?

That question is meant in the simplest form. I don't know details and do not want to learn about the details. I just want to help SETI while using as few resources as possible.

How can you learn what processes to get rid of if you don't learn what they are for?

Idle programs use very little system resources, so you shouldn't concern yourself over them. Their RAM footprint is also negligible on any system running the minimum specs for XP, Vista or 7, so also no real concern should be given here.


I'd say you're already running as few processes as necessary. If you run BOINC.EXE as a system service, and you don't have the preference mentioned above, then you can easily get rid of BOINCTRAY.EXE and BOINCMGR.EXE. BOINC.EXE and the science apps are absolute must haves.

BOINC is split into several processes.

http://www.boinc-wiki.info/BOINC_Application_Owner%27s_Manual
or
http://www.boinc-wiki.info/BOINC_Client_Software

The BOINC Client Software is normally accessed by the Participant as a package that will run on their computer. The software supports various Platforms (Operating System and CPU Type combinations) and consists of executable program images possibly with a debugging "symbol" file (on Microsoft Windows® this is a file ending in the extension "PDB").
BOINC Client Software Components

These components of the BOINC Client Software are installed directly on the Participants computer.
BOINC Daemon - on Linux, Solaris Operating Environment, and Apple Mac OS X computers it is a "true" UNIX-style Daemon, on Microsoft Windows® it is a service.
BOINC Manager - the Graphical User Interface
BOINC Screen Saver - If the OS supports it.
These components of the BOINC Client Software are either infered or downloaded seperately.
BOINC Client API - The interface between the BOINC Client Software and the Science Application
Science Applications - varies depending on what BOINC Projects the Participant has joined.

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I agree that you are using as few processes as necessary. The only one that will use any appreciable amount of resources is setiathome_6.03_windows_intelx86.exe, which is the one that really really matters, because it's doing the science. If your computer is running slower than you'd like, you can either adjust your SETI preferences to use fewer resources (eg, run only when you are not using the computer, or use only a certain amount of your CPU, etc) or find out what other things might be using resources (perhaps viruses, or even the virus protection software itself...)

It was brought to my attention via Priave Message that you can run BOINC.EXE by itself without running as a system service. I knew of this but I keep forgetting about it.


BOINC.EXE - Must have
BOINCMGR.EXE - Graphical interface to control BOINC
BOINCTRAY.EXE - Required to detect key presses or mouse movement for preferences

SETI@Home app - Must have

Outstanding !!

I knew that personal responses would be my best bet and I thank you all !

My solution seemed to be to accept the 4 processes since I could not get SETI to run automatically without them.

I did, however, adjust how MUCH memory and WHEN it is used within the BOINC Manager. Which is an excellent and convenient option.

My problem is having a low tech computer which is why I was not participating in SETI for such a long time. But, with the BOINC settings all is well.

Thank you all !

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Outstanding !!

I knew that personal responses would be my best bet and I thank you all !

My solution seemed to be to accept the 4 processes since I could not get SETI to run automatically without them.

I did, however, adjust how MUCH memory and WHEN it is used within the BOINC Manager. Which is an excellent and convenient option.

My problem is having a low tech computer which is why I was not participating in SETI for such a long time. But, with the BOINC settings all is well.

Thank you all !

I once had BOINC running on a 90MHz Pentium until the magic smoke left the CPU. I have heard of someone that had a 60MHz Pentium running BOINC...

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BOINC WIKI