SLOW CPU Usage...help make it faster

[Robie]

My computer lately has been very slow. i have
defragmented recently and i do it every month. But my
CPU Usage in the Windows task Manager shows slow
performance. here is a little info to help:
CPU Usage
@ 2% normal
when i drag a window it jumps from location to location,
and the CPU goes to 85%-98%. the same thing happens when
i scroll down in a window or in explorer.
PF Usage
is @223MB...is that normal?

So what can i do to make the windows move smooth again?

Thank you for your help,
Robie

 

[CHAUD]

Check for spyware/adware/viruses, or reformat.

 

[Rock]

Run these programs to check for spyware/malware. After installing
update them, then boot into safe mode and run them. You should update
and run them weekly.

Cwshredder
http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

Ad-aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10247783.html

After your system is clean use these programs to help keep it clean:

Spywareblaster
www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Spywareguard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html

IE-SPYAD
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm

 

[Alex Nichol]

My computer lately has been very slow. i have
defragmented recently and i do it every month. But my
CPU Usage in the Windows task Manager shows slow
performance. here is a little info to help:
CPU Usage
@ 2% normal
when i drag a window it jumps from location to location,
and the CPU goes to 85%-98%. the same thing happens when
i scroll down in a window or in explorer.

Such things do cause a sharp peak in CPU use; provided it goes down
again, there is no need to worry.. For the jumping scroll you might
use Use TweakUI - one of the XP Powertoys from (if you have installed XP
SP1)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

If you have not installed SP1, the earlier version can be found at
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

Once installed you will find it in Start - All Programs - Powertoys for
Windows XP

Check its Explorer page has 'Enable smooth scolling' checked.

PF Usage
is @223MB...is that normal?

Yes. This is really 'potential' use of the file; pages that programs
have asked to be allocated but have not brought into use get assigned so
they show this way in PF use, rather than lock out RAM. 200 or 300 MB
of this is quite easy to get to. Read more at my page
www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm