100% CPU Usage - it beeps and flashes

[Guest]

Hi, my computer is a Sony VAIO (PCV series) and I am using the Microsoft
Windows XP Home Edition. My problem is that whenever the CPU goes over 98%,
the computer's hard drive makes a continuous high beep, and the lights on the
front of the hard drive flash on and off. It often happens when I use high
memory programs or run many programs at once, such as msn messenger and
windows media player. The sound and the flashing goes on until I exit the
programs or when the CPU goes below 95% or so. I don't think that it can be
spyware or viruses etc because I regulary run scans using ZoneAlarm Security
Suite, Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spy Catcher. I also use the scan disk clean
up and the disk defragmenter regulary. If someone could give me advice on
how to stop the beeping and flashing whenever the CPU usage is high, I would
be really grateful.

 

[DL]

How much free space do you have on your hd?
Maybe also a heat problem, are your vents blocked with fluff?

 

[Guest]

I have 9.39GB free on the C drive, and 79.9GB on the D drive, so I don't
think it's a memory thing. However the heat could be an issue - so thanks for
that

 

[DL]

PS You checked Media Player for any updates?
I've never had such cpu usage runing media player + 3 office apps

 

[Enkidu]

Hi Hannah,

C: and D: drives (and any others you may have) are disks. Memory is RAM
and is typically 128MB or 512MB or similar numbers.

Disk is for long term storage and you can browse it using Windows
Explorer. RAM is for short term storage and you cannot access it directly.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Enkidu]

Hi, my computer is a Sony VAIO (PCV series) and I am using the
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. My problem is that whenever the
CPU goes over 98%, the computer's hard drive makes a continuous high
beep, and the lights on the front of the hard drive flash on and off.
It often happens when I use high memory programs or run many programs
at once, such as msn messenger and windows media player. The sound
and the flashing goes on until I exit the programs or when the CPU
goes below 95% or so. I don't think that it can be spyware or viruses
etc because I regulary run scans using ZoneAlarm Security Suite,
Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spy Catcher. I also use the scan disk clean
up and the disk defragmenter regulary. If someone could give me
advice on how to stop the beeping and flashing whenever the CPU usage
is high, I would be really grateful.

That is a very high usage, and even WMP and MSN shouldn't push you up
that high. How are you measuring the CPU usage? If you know how to start
up System Monitor you should be able to see what task is using your CPU.

Cheers,

Cliff