Weird issue with system performance

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

Hi,
My computer's processor utilization keep shooting up every 10 seconds. The
key program taking the resources is the "System Idle Process". I've scanned
the machine for spyware, virus, etc - never found anything wrong with it.
I've defragmented it, and have plenty of RAM (1 gig).... This is driving me
crazy, and I cannot pinpoint what's wrong with it.

Help is appreciate.
Cheers,
Javier

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

Javier <jbastante@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>My computer's processor utilization keep shooting up every 10 seconds. The
>key program taking the resources is the "System Idle Process". I've scanned
>the machine for spyware, virus, etc - never found anything wrong with it.
>I've defragmented it, and have plenty of RAM (1 gig).... This is driving me
>crazy, and I cannot pinpoint what's wrong with it.
>

System Idle time is not included in the processor utilization reported
on the performance tab.

Something else is causing the spikes in your processor usage.

Launch the Task Manager and go to the Process tab.
Click twice on the CPU column header to sort the list in descending
order by CPU usage.
Watch the list for several minutes - the items will change as various
tasks change their actual CPU usage. Your culprit should show up at
the top of the list, supplanting the System Idle process which is
usually at the top.

As David Candy explained, the System Idle process is dummy entry that
is put in there so that total of the process list adds up to 100%.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm