Security Task Manager

[DarkHououmon]

I recently tried this program, just to see what it would say about my computer's processes. But at some point, not sure when, both MSN and AIM froze. So I close them down and try to reopen them. AIM froze upon log on and MSN wouldn't log me in. So I try to delete Security Task Manager but I cannot open up Windows Explorer at all. So I unplug my external harddrive (a habit of mine when I think something is wrong) and reboot the computer. It loads up and I can now log into AIM and MSN just fine, but it then wouldn't read the external. The external's light was still on when it was unplugged, which I thought was unusual. I unplug it from the wall to force it to shut off, then plugged it back in and it starts to run.

Everything's fine now. Nothing was erased from the external and the computer seems to run just fine. I have removed Security Task Manager from the computer because I suspect that it was the reason why AIM, MSN, and the external froze.

Does anyone know for sure that this is what happened, or if something else might have caused the freezings?

[landbeforetimelover]

If you're using Vista, do yourself a favor and don't try to tweak it with programs like that.  It's unstable enough just as it is.  

If you're using XP, I'd say your external HD isn't so happy.  If it's not a portable HD (you'd know if it was because it would be really small and you wouldn't have to plug it into the wall), you shouldn't unplug it when the computer is on.  If you really need to unplug it, just shut down the computer first.  

Make sure you're using your external HD for backup purposes only and not doing things such as installing programs on it and/or playing videos that are stored on there.  It'll help to extend the life of the drive and it'll help you to avoid problems with programs, inaccessible files, and crashes.

[DarkHououmon]

I'm doubtful about that. For one thing, this is the only time the external had actually frozen. It's still accessible. All the files on it still work. And yes, I am using it to keep my files on. That was the purpose of getting an external: storing my files on there so they are not on the main computer.

[Littlefoot]

Sometimes programs like this one make kinda mess in computers all depends, it maybe stops some process your computer needed to work properly and that's why you got the freeze.

About external HDDs, is not necessary to turn off your computer or use the unplug utility some externals or windows options. I have really old external HDDs that  I plug and unplug several times (in a work day I can say 80 -100 times) and they work perfectly. I have one 500GB External SATA that I use to run games and works like a charm fast reliable and I love it, I do the same thing plug and unplug it in everywhere lol nothing happens (the secure unplug tingly is a myth).

[landbeforetimelover]

Yeah, I know you don't have to "safely remove hardware" anymore like you had to do back in the days of windows 95 & 98, and you probably won't hurt the drive by unplugging it with the computer on, but then again, it depends on what applications you use.  I know for a fact that Office '07 writes crap to your external hard drives without your permission during installation and if you just unplugged your external HD during that time, you could cause serious damage to your computer, Office '07, and the external HD.  Change your settings to see hidden files and folders and take a look at your external HD.  I'm sure you'll find a lot of things such as adobe recycled files and tons of crap you didn't even put on there.  That's why it's bad to just unplug a device that's usually plugged in all the time.  It becomes essentially a part of the computer after a while and computers don't take kindly to their parts being ripped out while they're on. <_<

[Petrie.]

That's not a good program to be using.  I forgot the name of it, but there is a good alternative to the Windows Task manager, if that really isn't enough for you.