Unexplained high processor usage

[Ferdy]

WIN XP SP2
512K Ram

I've been checking on performance through task manager, and can't figure out
why my processor usage goes to 50-60% every 10 or 15 seconds and stays there
for 10 seconds or so, then drops back down to 0%, over and over again.

This happens when no applications are shown in the applications tab. I've
also checked on the running processes, and they are all showing idle.

Anyone have any clue why I'm getting these spikes. and what may be causing
them?

TIA

 

[Woody]

do you use any trend micro products like pc cillan ? this has hit several
people i know .

http://www.trendmicro.com/en/support/pattern594/overview.htm

 

[Menno Hershberger]

WIN XP SP2
512K Ram

I've been checking on performance through task manager, and can't
figure out why my processor usage goes to 50-60% every 10 or 15
seconds and stays there for 10 seconds or so, then drops back down to
0%, over and over again.

This happens when no applications are shown in the applications tab.
I've also checked on the running processes, and they are all showing
idle.

Anyone have any clue why I'm getting these spikes. and what may be
causing them?

Also you might try turning indexing off and see if it makes a difference.
Right click C: drive in My Computer or Windows Explorer, pick Properties.
One the General Tab click on the Disk Cleanup button. Uncheck "Catalog
files for the Content Indexer".
The indexer typically runs when you're idle.

 

[Ferdy]

Thanks for the reply--but no, none of these products running---

 

[Ferdy]

Thanks Menno, but I don't have a disk cleanup button under the general tab
of properties?

 

[Rock]

Thanks Menno, but I don't have a disk cleanup button under the general tab
of properties?

Open My Computer, right click on the C: drive icon, left click on
properties. At the bottom of that window untic the box for "Allow
Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching". Ok out.

If that doesn't stop the problem, have you done a thorough scan for
malware lately in safe mode using a combination programs?

 

[Menno Hershberger]

Thanks Menno, but I don't have a disk cleanup button under the
general tab of properties?





Open My Computer, right click on the C: drive icon, left click on
properties. At the bottom of that window untic the box for "Allow
Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching". Ok out.

I've seen it both ways... wonder if it's a difference between Home and
Professional editions? Or some other setting. Mine is XP-Pro-SP2.
http://www.mewnlite.com/diskcleanup.gif

 

[Rock]

I've seen it both ways... wonder if it's a difference between Home and
Professional editions? Or some other setting. Mine is XP-Pro-SP2.
http://www.mewnlite.com/diskcleanup.gif

XP Pro SP2 as well. I have the same display after disk clean up but in
the left hand display also have two check boxes at the bottom. Compress
Drive to save disk space being the upper one, and the Index one at the
bottom. I don't think unchecking "Catalog files for the Content
Indexer" actually turns off indexing.