"System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

[Guest A Baffled User]

My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with 512 MB of

RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using the machine in

exactly the same way I always have. It takes an extremely long time to

switch between programs that are running when I click on the buttons on the

taskbar. Programs that are already running emerge slowly on the screen

rather than appear instantly as they always have in the past.

 

I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT + DELETE,

and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken up by System

Idle Process. Is that normal?

 

When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no business

"running," if indeed they are:

c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for example,

when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe, appearing

TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't even attached to

my computer;

c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes, etc.,

etc., etc.

 

Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the culprit

down and get rid of it?

 

Many thanks!

 

Joan

[Guest Holz]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

 

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:08:27 -0400

"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote:

> Is that normal?

 

Yes, it is by design. Google the term and see what you come up with.

 

--

Jerry Maguire: Help me... help you. Help me, help you.

;-)

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with 512 MB

> of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using the machine

> in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an extremely long time to

> switch between programs that are running when I click on the buttons on

> the taskbar. Programs that are already running emerge slowly on the screen

> rather than appear instantly as they always have in the past.

>

> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT + DELETE,

> and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken up by System

> Idle Process. Is that normal?

 

When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

most of the time, would you consider him to be working

flat-out or would you think he's idle?

 

Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

[Guest Holz]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

 

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:52:58 +0100

"Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>

>Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

 

I LOVE IT!!!!

 

--

Jerry Maguire: Help me... help you. Help me, help you.

;-)

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

Gives new meaning to "bit-twiddling", doesn't it?

 

"Holz" <holz@my-laptop.nowhere> wrote in message

news:20080320160506.298875c8@IT01.ladco.local...

>

>

> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:52:58 +0100

> "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

>>When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>>most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>>flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>

>>Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>

> I LOVE IT!!!!

>

> --

> Jerry Maguire: Help me... help you. Help me, help you.

> ;-)

>

[Guest A Baffled User]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

> news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with 512 MB

>> of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using the machine

>> in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an extremely long time to

>> switch between programs that are running when I click on the buttons on

>> the taskbar. Programs that are already running emerge slowly on the

>> screen rather than appear instantly as they always have in the past.

>>

>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT + DELETE,

>> and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken up by System

>> Idle Process. Is that normal?

>

> When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

> most of the time, would you consider him to be working

> flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>

> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>

 

This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my computer has

become so sluggish.

[Guest Daave]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

A Baffled User wrote:

> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

> they always have in the past.

>

> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

 

As others have said, yes, this is normal.

> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no business

> "running," if indeed they are:

> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for

> example, when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe,

> appearing TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't

> even attached to my computer;

> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes,

> etc., etc., etc.

 

Are you *sure* you don't have Real Player on your machine? Sounds like

you do. :-) You're on the right track: One of the things that slows down

PCs is unnecessary processes running in the background. Some of these

processes use considerably more resources/memory than others. Your best

bet is to use Google and these sites to gather information as to what

they are and how best to disable them:

 

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html and

http://www.answersthatwork.com (and click on the Task List button).

 

Using XP's MSCONFIG is good to see what is running each time you boot

up. Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) will give you information as

to which processes are currently running.

> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the

> culprit down and get rid of it?

 

As mentioned above, Task Manager can give you this kind of information.

For more thorough information, I recommend you run Process Explorer:

 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

 

You may also want to run AutoRuns (which is *much* more detailed than

Msconfig):

 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

 

I have to ask what is the malware status of your PC? Malicious software

(viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) is the number one cause of slow

computers.

 

In the event a read error caused your hard drive access to change from

Ultra DMA to PIO mode, reset it:

 

http://technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

[Guest Zilbandy]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:31:59 -0400, "A Baffled User"

<vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote:

>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>

>

>This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my computer has

>become so sluggish.

 

Have you checked for malware recently? Spybot Search and Destroy, and

Ad-Aware 2007 can be downloaded and used for free. Also, make sure

your virus program is up to date and run it.

 

--

Zilbandy

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

news:O9n46ruiIHA.5412@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

> news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>> news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with 512

>>> MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using the

>>> machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an extremely

>>> long time to switch between programs that are running when I click on

>>> the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already running emerge

>>> slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as they always have in

>>> the past.

>>>

>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken up

>>> by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>

>> When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>> most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>> flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>

>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>

>

> This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my computer

> has become so sluggish.

 

Now that you know what the "System Idle Process" is, you should

have a closer look at your processor loading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc,

then click the Performance tab so that you can see the CPU loading

chart. Now perform a few of the functions that you claim are sluggish,

then have another look at the chart. Does it remain consistently low

or does it show extended peaks in excess of 90%?

[Guest A Baffled User]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:eayNiEziIHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>

> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

> news:O9n46ruiIHA.5412@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>> news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>> news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with 512

>>>> MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using the

>>>> machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an extremely

>>>> long time to switch between programs that are running when I click on

>>>> the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already running emerge

>>>> slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as they always have

>>>> in the past.

>>>>

>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken up

>>>> by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>

>>> When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>>> most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>>> flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>>

>>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>>

>>

>> This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my computer

>> has become so sluggish.

>

> Now that you know what the "System Idle Process" is, you should

> have a closer look at your processor loading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc,

> then click the Performance tab so that you can see the CPU loading

> chart. Now perform a few of the functions that you claim are sluggish,

> then have another look at the chart. Does it remain consistently low

> or does it show extended peaks in excess of 90%?

>

 

Thanks. When I press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, the computer cycles back and forth

through the programs that are running--i.e., for example, from Outlook News

Reader to Word Document 1, to Netscape, and back the other way. Nothing

related to showing a process occurs.

[Guest A Baffled User]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"Zilbandy" <zilbandy@comcastREMOVETHIS.net> wrote in message

news:21t6u31omjek74h76d8caebkd1kh8bmiq4@4ax.com...

> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:31:59 -0400, "A Baffled User"

> <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote:

>

>>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>>

>>

>>This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my computer

>>has

>>become so sluggish.

>

> Have you checked for malware recently? Spybot Search and Destroy, and

> Ad-Aware 2007 can be downloaded and used for free. Also, make sure

> your virus program is up to date and run it.

>

> --

> Zilbandy

 

Thanks. Yes, I do the Ad-Aware thing regularly and am always up to date on

my antivirus DATs.

[Guest A Baffled User]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

news:uxL8dcwiIHA.1944@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>A Baffled User wrote:

>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

>> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

>> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

>> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

>> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

>> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

>> they always have in the past.

>>

>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>

> As others have said, yes, this is normal.

>

>> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

>> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no business

>> "running," if indeed they are:

>> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for

>> example, when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

>> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe,

>> appearing TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't

>> even attached to my computer;

>> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes,

>> etc., etc., etc.

>

> Are you *sure* you don't have Real Player on your machine? Sounds like

> you do. :-) You're on the right track: One of the things that slows down

> PCs is unnecessary processes running in the background. Some of these

> processes use considerably more resources/memory than others. Your best

> bet is to use Google and these sites to gather information as to what

> they are and how best to disable them:

>

> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

> http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html and

> http://www.answersthatwork.com (and click on the Task List button).

>

> Using XP's MSCONFIG is good to see what is running each time you boot

> up. Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) will give you information as

> to which processes are currently running.

>

>> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the

>> culprit down and get rid of it?

>

> As mentioned above, Task Manager can give you this kind of information.

> For more thorough information, I recommend you run Process Explorer:

>

> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

>

> You may also want to run AutoRuns (which is *much* more detailed than

> Msconfig):

>

> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>

> I have to ask what is the malware status of your PC? Malicious software

> (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) is the number one cause of slow

> computers.

>

> In the event a read error caused your hard drive access to change from

> Ultra DMA to PIO mode, reset it:

>

> http://technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>

>

Many thanks, Daave, for all these links. I will try them all. I used to have

and use RealPlayer, but I removed it several months ago, after an update

seemed to cause the computer to run very slowly. I do malware removal

regularly and update antivirus daily.

[Guest Daave]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

A Baffled User wrote:

> Many thanks, Daave, for all these links. I will try them all. I used

> to have and use RealPlayer, but I removed it several months ago,

> after an update seemed to cause the computer to run very slowly.

> I do malware removal regularly and update antivirus daily.

 

What method did you use to remove Real Player?

 

I read in another post you regularly use AdAware and Spybot S&D. That is

good (however, the possibility -- albeit low -- always exists that some

malware snuck in nonetheless). What do you use for antivirus?

[Guest Daave]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

A Baffled User wrote:

> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

> news:uxL8dcwiIHA.1944@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> A Baffled User wrote:

>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

>>> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

>>> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

>>> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

>>> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

>>> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

>>> they always have in the past.

>>>

>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>

>> As others have said, yes, this is normal.

>>

>>> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

>>> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no

>>> business "running," if indeed they are:

>>> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for

>>> example, when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

>>> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe,

>>> appearing TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive

>>> isn't

>>> even attached to my computer;

>>> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running

>>> iTunes,

>>> etc., etc., etc.

>>

>> Are you *sure* you don't have Real Player on your machine? Sounds

>> like

>> you do. :-) You're on the right track: One of the things that slows

>> down

>> PCs is unnecessary processes running in the background. Some of these

>> processes use considerably more resources/memory than others. Your

>> best

>> bet is to use Google and these sites to gather information as to what

>> they are and how best to disable them:

>>

>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>> http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html and

>> http://www.answersthatwork.com (and click on the Task List button).

>>

>> Using XP's MSCONFIG is good to see what is running each time you

>> boot

>> up. Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) will give you information

>> as

>> to which processes are currently running.

>>

>>> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the

>>> culprit down and get rid of it?

>>

>> As mentioned above, Task Manager can give you this kind of

>> information.

>> For more thorough information, I recommend you run Process Explorer:

>>

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

>>

>> You may also want to run AutoRuns (which is *much* more detailed than

>> Msconfig):

>>

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>

>> I have to ask what is the malware status of your PC? Malicious

>> software (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) is the number one

>> cause of slow

>> computers.

>>

>> In the event a read error caused your hard drive access to change

>> from

>> Ultra DMA to PIO mode, reset it:

>>

>>

http://technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>

>>

> Many thanks, Daave, for all these links. I will try them all.

 

You're welcome. I'm also curious how much you are using the pagefile.

Please perform the following:

 

When you are in Task Manager/Performance, look in the lower left-hand

corner. You should see three figures under Commit Charge (K): Total,

Limit, and Peak. What are they? Record these figures shortly after a

reboot and then again, after you have been using the PC for a while and

you notice sluggishness.

 

I know you have 512 MB of RAM. If your Total or Peak figures exceed

the amount of RAM you have, there is a good chance you are relying on

the pagefile, which will certainly cause sluggishness.

 

For a more accurate assessment, you may run Page File Monitor for

Windows XP:

 

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

[Guest Unknown]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

When did you last run disc cleanup?

"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

news:Ok7MM50iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

> news:uxL8dcwiIHA.1944@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>A Baffled User wrote:

>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

>>> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

>>> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

>>> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

>>> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

>>> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

>>> they always have in the past.

>>>

>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>

>> As others have said, yes, this is normal.

>>

>>> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

>>> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no business

>>> "running," if indeed they are:

>>> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for

>>> example, when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

>>> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe,

>>> appearing TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't

>>> even attached to my computer;

>>> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes,

>>> etc., etc., etc.

>>

>> Are you *sure* you don't have Real Player on your machine? Sounds like

>> you do. :-) You're on the right track: One of the things that slows down

>> PCs is unnecessary processes running in the background. Some of these

>> processes use considerably more resources/memory than others. Your best

>> bet is to use Google and these sites to gather information as to what

>> they are and how best to disable them:

>>

>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>> http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html and

>> http://www.answersthatwork.com (and click on the Task List button).

>>

>> Using XP's MSCONFIG is good to see what is running each time you boot

>> up. Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) will give you information as

>> to which processes are currently running.

>>

>>> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the

>>> culprit down and get rid of it?

>>

>> As mentioned above, Task Manager can give you this kind of information.

>> For more thorough information, I recommend you run Process Explorer:

>>

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

>>

>> You may also want to run AutoRuns (which is *much* more detailed than

>> Msconfig):

>>

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>

>> I have to ask what is the malware status of your PC? Malicious software

>> (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) is the number one cause of slow

>> computers.

>>

>> In the event a read error caused your hard drive access to change from

>> Ultra DMA to PIO mode, reset it:

>>

>> http://technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>

>>

> Many thanks, Daave, for all these links. I will try them all. I used to

> have and use RealPlayer, but I removed it several months ago, after an

> update seemed to cause the computer to run very slowly. I do malware

> removal regularly and update antivirus daily.

>

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

news:uMp0V20iIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

> news:eayNiEziIHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>> news:O9n46ruiIHA.5412@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>>> news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>>> news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with 512

>>>>> MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using the

>>>>> machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an extremely

>>>>> long time to switch between programs that are running when I click on

>>>>> the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already running emerge

>>>>> slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as they always have

>>>>> in the past.

>>>>>

>>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>>>>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>>

>>>> When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>>>> most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>>>> flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>>>

>>>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>>>

>>>

>>> This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my computer

>>> has become so sluggish.

>>

>> Now that you know what the "System Idle Process" is, you should

>> have a closer look at your processor loading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc,

>> then click the Performance tab so that you can see the CPU loading

>> chart. Now perform a few of the functions that you claim are sluggish,

>> then have another look at the chart. Does it remain consistently low

>> or does it show extended peaks in excess of 90%?

>>

>

> Thanks. When I press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, the computer cycles back and forth

> through the programs that are running--i.e., for example, from Outlook

> News Reader to Word Document 1, to Netscape, and back the other way.

> Nothing related to showing a process occurs.

 

You forgot to click the "Performance" tab!

[Guest Daave]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

Pegasus (MVP) wrote:

> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

> news:uMp0V20iIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>> news:eayNiEziIHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>> news:O9n46ruiIHA.5412@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>>>> news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>>

>>>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>>>> news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2

>>>>>> with 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I

>>>>>> am using the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It

>>>>>> takes an extremely long time to switch between programs that are

>>>>>> running when I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs

>>>>>> that are already running emerge slowly on the screen rather than

>>>>>> appear instantly as they always have in the past.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be

>>>>>> taken up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>>>

>>>>> When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>>>>> most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>>>>> flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>>>>

>>>>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>> This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my

>>>> computer has become so sluggish.

>>>

>>> Now that you know what the "System Idle Process" is, you should

>>> have a closer look at your processor loading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc,

>>> then click the Performance tab so that you can see the CPU loading

>>> chart. Now perform a few of the functions that you claim are

>>> sluggish, then have another look at the chart. Does it remain

>>> consistently low

>>> or does it show extended peaks in excess of 90%?

>>>

>>

>> Thanks. When I press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, the computer cycles back and

>> forth through the programs that are running--i.e., for example, from

>> Outlook News Reader to Word Document 1, to Netscape, and back the

>> other way. Nothing related to showing a process occurs.

>

> You forgot to click the "Performance" tab!

 

Ctrl+Shift+Esc doesn't bring up Task Manager. That key combination is

the equivalent of clicking on the Start button. I assume you meant

Ctrl+Alt+Del, and OP already knows that this is what brings up Task

Manager.

[Guest John John]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

Daave wrote:

> Pegasus (MVP) wrote:

>

>>"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>news:uMp0V20iIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>

>>>"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>>>news:eayNiEziIHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>>>"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>>>news:O9n46ruiIHA.5412@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>>>"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>>>>>news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>>

>>>>>>"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>>>>>news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>>

>>>>>>>My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2

>>>>>>>with 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I

>>>>>>>am using the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It

>>>>>>>takes an extremely long time to switch between programs that are

>>>>>>>running when I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs

>>>>>>>that are already running emerge slowly on the screen rather than

>>>>>>>appear instantly as they always have in the past.

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>>>>>DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be

>>>>>>>taken up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>>>>

>>>>>>When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>>>>>>most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>>>>>>flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>>>>>

>>>>>>Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my

>>>>>computer has become so sluggish.

>>>>

>>>>Now that you know what the "System Idle Process" is, you should

>>>>have a closer look at your processor loading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc,

>>>>then click the Performance tab so that you can see the CPU loading

>>>>chart. Now perform a few of the functions that you claim are

>>>>sluggish, then have another look at the chart. Does it remain

>>>>consistently low

>>>>or does it show extended peaks in excess of 90%?

>>>>

>>>

>>>Thanks. When I press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, the computer cycles back and

>>>forth through the programs that are running--i.e., for example, from

>>>Outlook News Reader to Word Document 1, to Netscape, and back the

>>>other way. Nothing related to showing a process occurs.

>>

>>You forgot to click the "Performance" tab!

>

>

> Ctrl+Shift+Esc doesn't bring up Task Manager. That key combination is

> the equivalent of clicking on the Start button. I assume you meant

> Ctrl+Alt+Del, and OP already knows that this is what brings up Task

> Manager.

 

Did you actually try the Ctrl+Shift+Esc sequence, Daave?

 

John

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

news:%235mFyQ3iIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Pegasus (MVP) wrote:

>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>> news:uMp0V20iIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>>> news:eayNiEziIHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>>> news:O9n46ruiIHA.5412@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>>

>>>>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>>>>> news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>>>

>>>>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>>>>> news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2

>>>>>>> with 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I

>>>>>>> am using the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It

>>>>>>> takes an extremely long time to switch between programs that are

>>>>>>> running when I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs

>>>>>>> that are already running emerge slowly on the screen rather than

>>>>>>> appear instantly as they always have in the past.

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be

>>>>>>> taken up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>>>>

>>>>>> When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>>>>>> most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>>>>>> flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>> This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my

>>>>> computer has become so sluggish.

>>>>

>>>> Now that you know what the "System Idle Process" is, you should

>>>> have a closer look at your processor loading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc,

>>>> then click the Performance tab so that you can see the CPU loading

>>>> chart. Now perform a few of the functions that you claim are

>>>> sluggish, then have another look at the chart. Does it remain

>>>> consistently low

>>>> or does it show extended peaks in excess of 90%?

>>>>

>>>

>>> Thanks. When I press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, the computer cycles back and

>>> forth through the programs that are running--i.e., for example, from

>>> Outlook News Reader to Word Document 1, to Netscape, and back the

>>> other way. Nothing related to showing a process occurs.

>>

>> You forgot to click the "Performance" tab!

>

> Ctrl+Shift+Esc doesn't bring up Task Manager. That key combination is

> the equivalent of clicking on the Start button. I assume you meant

> Ctrl+Alt+Del, and OP already knows that this is what brings up Task

> Manager.

>

 

We're both partly right and partly wrong. Ctrl+Shift+Esc does

bring up the Task Manager, but only on machines that use the

"Classic Start Menu" (which is not the installation default).

I forgot about this little detail.

[Guest A Baffled User]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:%23ngXS52iIHA.5088@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

> news:uMp0V20iIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>> news:eayNiEziIHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>> news:O9n46ruiIHA.5412@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>>>> news:OF7Ll0tiIHA.3740@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>>

>>>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>>>> news:%235JUtbtiIHA.4536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

>>>>>> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

>>>>>> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

>>>>>> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

>>>>>> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

>>>>>> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

>>>>>> they always have in the past.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>>>>>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>>>

>>>>> When you say of someone that he's twiddling his thumbs

>>>>> most of the time, would you consider him to be working

>>>>> flat-out or would you think he's idle?

>>>>>

>>>>> Your PC is twiddling its thumbs 98% of the time!

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>> This may be humorous, but it doesn't help me figure out why my computer

>>>> has become so sluggish.

>>>

>>> Now that you know what the "System Idle Process" is, you should

>>> have a closer look at your processor loading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc,

>>> then click the Performance tab so that you can see the CPU loading

>>> chart. Now perform a few of the functions that you claim are sluggish,

>>> then have another look at the chart. Does it remain consistently low

>>> or does it show extended peaks in excess of 90%?

>>>

>>

>> Thanks. When I press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, the computer cycles back and forth

>> through the programs that are running--i.e., for example, from Outlook

>> News Reader to Word Document 1, to Netscape, and back the other way.

>> Nothing related to showing a process occurs.

>

> You forgot to click the "Performance" tab!

>

Sorry--got it!

[Guest A Baffled User]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

I run disc cleanup, Windows One Click, defrag (if necessary), Ad-Aware every

week.

 

"Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

news:LNPEj.34165$J41.29747@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...

> When did you last run disc cleanup?

> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

> news:Ok7MM50iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

>> news:uxL8dcwiIHA.1944@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>A Baffled User wrote:

>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

>>>> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

>>>> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

>>>> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

>>>> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

>>>> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

>>>> they always have in the past.

>>>>

>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>>>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>

>>> As others have said, yes, this is normal.

>>>

>>>> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

>>>> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no business

>>>> "running," if indeed they are:

>>>> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for

>>>> example, when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

>>>> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe,

>>>> appearing TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't

>>>> even attached to my computer;

>>>> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes,

>>>> etc., etc., etc.

>>>

>>> Are you *sure* you don't have Real Player on your machine? Sounds like

>>> you do. :-) You're on the right track: One of the things that slows down

>>> PCs is unnecessary processes running in the background. Some of these

>>> processes use considerably more resources/memory than others. Your best

>>> bet is to use Google and these sites to gather information as to what

>>> they are and how best to disable them:

>>>

>>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>>> http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html and

>>> http://www.answersthatwork.com (and click on the Task List button).

>>>

>>> Using XP's MSCONFIG is good to see what is running each time you boot

>>> up. Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) will give you information as

>>> to which processes are currently running.

>>>

>>>> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the

>>>> culprit down and get rid of it?

>>>

>>> As mentioned above, Task Manager can give you this kind of information.

>>> For more thorough information, I recommend you run Process Explorer:

>>>

>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

>>>

>>> You may also want to run AutoRuns (which is *much* more detailed than

>>> Msconfig):

>>>

>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>>

>>> I have to ask what is the malware status of your PC? Malicious software

>>> (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) is the number one cause of slow

>>> computers.

>>>

>>> In the event a read error caused your hard drive access to change from

>>> Ultra DMA to PIO mode, reset it:

>>>

>>> http://technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>>

>>>

>> Many thanks, Daave, for all these links. I will try them all. I used to

>> have and use RealPlayer, but I removed it several months ago, after an

>> update seemed to cause the computer to run very slowly. I do malware

>> removal regularly and update antivirus daily.

>>

>

>

[Guest Unknown]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

Edit your startup. Click start---run---type in msconfig and remove X's

from items not needed at startup.

"A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

news:O141iGBjIHA.4868@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>I run disc cleanup, Windows One Click, defrag (if necessary), Ad-Aware

>every week.

>

> "Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

> news:LNPEj.34165$J41.29747@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...

>> When did you last run disc cleanup?

>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>> news:Ok7MM50iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

>>> news:uxL8dcwiIHA.1944@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>A Baffled User wrote:

>>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

>>>>> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

>>>>> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

>>>>> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

>>>>> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

>>>>> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

>>>>> they always have in the past.

>>>>>

>>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>>>>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>>

>>>> As others have said, yes, this is normal.

>>>>

>>>>> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

>>>>> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no business

>>>>> "running," if indeed they are:

>>>>> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for

>>>>> example, when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

>>>>> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe,

>>>>> appearing TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't

>>>>> even attached to my computer;

>>>>> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes,

>>>>> etc., etc., etc.

>>>>

>>>> Are you *sure* you don't have Real Player on your machine? Sounds like

>>>> you do. :-) You're on the right track: One of the things that slows

>>>> down

>>>> PCs is unnecessary processes running in the background. Some of these

>>>> processes use considerably more resources/memory than others. Your best

>>>> bet is to use Google and these sites to gather information as to what

>>>> they are and how best to disable them:

>>>>

>>>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>>>> http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html and

>>>> http://www.answersthatwork.com (and click on the Task List button).

>>>>

>>>> Using XP's MSCONFIG is good to see what is running each time you boot

>>>> up. Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) will give you information as

>>>> to which processes are currently running.

>>>>

>>>>> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the

>>>>> culprit down and get rid of it?

>>>>

>>>> As mentioned above, Task Manager can give you this kind of information.

>>>> For more thorough information, I recommend you run Process Explorer:

>>>>

>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

>>>>

>>>> You may also want to run AutoRuns (which is *much* more detailed than

>>>> Msconfig):

>>>>

>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>>>

>>>> I have to ask what is the malware status of your PC? Malicious software

>>>> (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) is the number one cause of

>>>> slow

>>>> computers.

>>>>

>>>> In the event a read error caused your hard drive access to change from

>>>> Ultra DMA to PIO mode, reset it:

>>>>

>>>> http://technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>>>

>>>>

>>> Many thanks, Daave, for all these links. I will try them all. I used to

>>> have and use RealPlayer, but I removed it several months ago, after an

>>> update seemed to cause the computer to run very slowly. I do malware

>>> removal regularly and update antivirus daily.

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Marko Jotic]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

Pegasus (MVP) wrote:

>

> We're both partly right and partly wrong. Ctrl+Shift+Esc does

> bring up the Task Manager, but only on machines that use the

> "Classic Start Menu" (which is not the installation default).

> I forgot about this little detail.

>

>

 

you can also right click on the task bar to selact it

 

 

--

Marko Jotic

"Common sense is anything but common".

From the notebooks of Lazarus Long. Robert A. Heinlein.

Handmade knives, antique designs, exotic materials at

http://www.knifeforging.com/

[Guest A Baffled User]

Re: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

Oh my God, there was a ton of stuff in there that I don't think needs to be!

We'll see how things work when I restart... Thanks!!

 

Joan

 

"Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

news:4AaFj.16002$5K1.5378@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net...

> Edit your startup. Click start---run---type in msconfig and remove X's

> from items not needed at startup.

> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

> news:O141iGBjIHA.4868@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>I run disc cleanup, Windows One Click, defrag (if necessary), Ad-Aware

>>every week.

>>

>> "Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message

>> news:LNPEj.34165$J41.29747@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...

>>> When did you last run disc cleanup?

>>> "A Baffled User" <vze265vd@verizon.net> wrote in message

>>> news:Ok7MM50iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

>>>> news:uxL8dcwiIHA.1944@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>>A Baffled User wrote:

>>>>>> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with

>>>>>> 512 MB of RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using

>>>>>> the machine in exactly the same way I always have. It takes an

>>>>>> extremely long time to switch between programs that are running when

>>>>>> I click on the buttons on the taskbar. Programs that are already

>>>>>> running emerge slowly on the screen rather than appear instantly as

>>>>>> they always have in the past.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT +

>>>>>> DELETE, and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken

>>>>>> up by System Idle Process. Is that normal?

>>>>>

>>>>> As others have said, yes, this is normal.

>>>>>

>>>>>> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

>>>>>> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no

>>>>>> business

>>>>>> "running," if indeed they are:

>>>>>> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for

>>>>>> example, when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

>>>>>> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe,

>>>>>> appearing TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't

>>>>>> even attached to my computer;

>>>>>> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes,

>>>>>> etc., etc., etc.

>>>>>

>>>>> Are you *sure* you don't have Real Player on your machine? Sounds like

>>>>> you do. :-) You're on the right track: One of the things that slows

>>>>> down

>>>>> PCs is unnecessary processes running in the background. Some of these

>>>>> processes use considerably more resources/memory than others. Your

>>>>> best

>>>>> bet is to use Google and these sites to gather information as to what

>>>>> they are and how best to disable them:

>>>>>

>>>>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>>>>> http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html and

>>>>> http://www.answersthatwork.com (and click on the Task List button).

>>>>>

>>>>> Using XP's MSCONFIG is good to see what is running each time you boot

>>>>> up. Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) will give you information as

>>>>> to which processes are currently running.

>>>>>

>>>>>> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the

>>>>>> culprit down and get rid of it?

>>>>>

>>>>> As mentioned above, Task Manager can give you this kind of

>>>>> information.

>>>>> For more thorough information, I recommend you run Process Explorer:

>>>>>

>>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

>>>>>

>>>>> You may also want to run AutoRuns (which is *much* more detailed than

>>>>> Msconfig):

>>>>>

>>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>>>>

>>>>> I have to ask what is the malware status of your PC? Malicious

>>>>> software

>>>>> (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) is the number one cause of

>>>>> slow

>>>>> computers.

>>>>>

>>>>> In the event a read error caused your hard drive access to change from

>>>>> Ultra DMA to PIO mode, reset it:

>>>>>

>>>>> http://technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>> Many thanks, Daave, for all these links. I will try them all. I used to

>>>> have and use RealPlayer, but I removed it several months ago, after an

>>>> update seemed to cause the computer to run very slowly. I do malware

>>>> removal regularly and update antivirus daily.

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Barkimmy]

RE: "System Idle Process" Using 98% of Resources???

 

"A Baffled User" wrote:

> My HP Pavilion notebook computer, running Windows XP Home SP2 with 512 MB of

> RAM, has been incredibly sluggish lately though I am using the machine in

> exactly the same way I always have. It takes an extremely long time to

> switch between programs that are running when I click on the buttons on the

> taskbar. Programs that are already running emerge slowly on the screen

> rather than appear instantly as they always have in the past.

>

> I just looked at the processes that are running, via CTRL + ALT + DELETE,

> and 93 to 98 percent of resources are said there to be taken up by System

> Idle Process. Is that normal?

>

> When I go to System>System Tools>System Information>Software

> Environment>Running Tasks, I find tons of things that have no business

> "running," if indeed they are:

> c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe, for example,

> when I don't even have RealPlayer on my machine;

> c:\program files\common files\seagate\schedule2\schedhlp.exe, appearing

> TWICE, as another example, when my Seagate hard drive isn't even attached to

> my computer;

> c:\program file\itunes\ituneshelper.exe, when I'm not running iTunes, etc.,

> etc., etc.

>

> Something is sucking up my available resources. How can I track the culprit

> down and get rid of it?

>

> Many thanks!

>

> Joan

 

 

I have Windows XP Home, SP2. Pentium III and 1.5 Gig.Ram

 

I know exactly what she is talking about. Mine has been doing the same thing

and then some. When the CPU usage graph shows 2-6% of resources being used

and the System Idle Process is at 98%, that is normal. When the CPU usage

graph shows 98 - 100% resources being used and Processes show System Idle

Process is using 98% of resources being used. That is a massive drain. The

graph spikes full if I start any process, i.e. open or close window or even

just move the mouse. I also noticed the numbers in the Commit Charge area

continue to climb til they near the limit number. Then I start to get error

dialogue boxes stacking up on the desktop. They say "out of resources" and

"canvas does not allow draw". By then, they just keep stacking up until I

restart. I am not sure if the crashing boxes on my desktop are related to the

Commit Charge not releasing the memory.

 

 

Comparing the crash times to events in the Event Viewer led me to install

Spybot and Windows Defender. I have them scan daily and keep both active at

all times. I found one will catch something the other missed and vise-versa.

Defender is good for observing any system changes that need my attention and

Spybot catches the bad files better and gives information on ones on my

system. I have several. Three that are like ctfmon.exe. The real file is a

language controller for Office XP. I have Office 2000 so not sure why on my

system to start with. I don't need the file, using only English. But, I can't

get rid of it either. If I delete or remove it, it just comes back. If I

disable it, it just becomes enabled again. Meantime, the other three trapse

around my file system using up resources. Fake or real, if I try to delete

any of them, they come back before I can get them all. I was about to try and

track down the H_Key for real one and get rid of it that way. I also have two

that are trying to look like Jusched.exe which is the Java Updater. One of

those also uses the file name scvhost.exe which makes it impossible to track

down unless it tries to go into the wrong file too. The Ctfmon.exe fakes can

be identified from the real one. If it is not in Windows\System32\ file it is

probably a worm.

 

Someone send me a virtual whip and chair, I am going back in. Any help

please???

 

Barkimmy

 

 

--

When you have 15 grandchildren you don''t let a persnickity obnoxious

computer get you down. There are times I wish I could just reboot the kids,

though.

 

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