W2K ending processes that max out CPU usage.

[mrcookieface]

I use a program that sometimes goes into an endless loop and starts using all available CPU cycles. When this happens I use Windows Task Manager to end the process. Sometimes though, task manager cant get enough CPU time to end the process and the machine needs to be restarted manually. When I press Ctrl+Alt+Del to bring up the Windows Security window, from which I select the task manager, I notice that the computer stops the program from using all the CPU cycles and the mouse becomes usable while that window is open. As soon as I click on task manager and the Task Manager window pops up, all the processes start running again and freeze up the computer.

Is there any way to invoke the state which exists when the "Windows Security" window is open so a process can be terminated, or is there any way to get windows to prioritize the Task Manager over the process which is using up all the CPU cycles?

I have tried researching this on the internet, but found nothing. I read about the KILL command line utility (available with the Windows Resource Kit) but I cannot run this command, so I am assuming that the resource kit was not installed on my machine.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[bcastner]

1. Download Resource Kit components:

http://www.petri.co.il/download_free_reskit_tools.htm

2. Freeware alternative: Sysinternals PsTools:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/pstools.shtml

See also their "Process Explorer".

3. Alternative to Task Manager: Command line process explorer/suspender/killer:

http://www.beyondlogic.org/consulting/processutil/processutil.htm