Does removing uneeded processes make a more stable machine?

[greyeyezz]

I say yes. Less potential for conflicts with software/drivers/system.

Example: New X800GTO, updated to 6.3 cats. Rig wouldn't come out of hibernation. I always use hiber when away from pc for a few hours. Did some googling. Culprit- ati hotkey poller or ati smart. Disabled both. Got my hibernation back, i'm happy.

I've always run my systems with the bare minimum of processes, always had rock stable XP machines. New rig's going on 14 months and never seen a blue screen yet.

 

[nweaver]

not always true though...

number of processes should have little to do with stability, I have a linux box natting, running HTTP, FTP, SSH, HTTP, DHCP, DNS, and shines my shoes....and it's rock solid stable.

 

[Nothinman]

Bad processes are bad processes, the number of processes has no effect on whether you have bad processes or not.

 

[kobymu]

I dont know about the stability but i kill unknow processes the secound I spot them for security reasons, and btw [nitpicking node] you'r example doesnt fall into the classical definition of a stability issue, hi thats a nice big flamethrower you got there...[/nitpicking node]