My computer is running slow today, System Idle Process is taking about 98% of CPU power.?

Question

What can be done to increase speed, and reduce amount of power this process is taking? Thanks. And I'm using the worst OS, WinXP.

Answer 1

Well, how many processes do you have running in the background? Maybe you should get rid of some. Also, system idle does take A LOT of CPU power when you go to task manager.

You may also want to get spybot and adaware and run those programs to remove unwanted mal-ware from your PC which may be causing it to run slower. If you have an anti-virus program run that too.

If your computer is still running exceptionally slow, get HijackThis and post a log on a hijackthis forum which computer geeks will read and try to help you with any problems.

Answer 2

Ignore the system idle and concentrate on the real problem, if this is a recent issue as you indicate, then think over what you have done over the last few days. Have you added any programs that include a lot of background activity, like just about anything published by HP. If not, then consider you may have inadvertantly picked up some spyware, scan your system using the normal free tools ( http://360.yahoo.com/wektech for some links to free tools). You should also take a good look at what is starting when you boot your system, there are several startup managers available including msconfig from the windows run prompt. I use the one bundled with spybot as it is very functional and free.

Answer 3

Sorry Pal,
Take tjhese few good steps and it may help you to build up the speed of system.
I assume you have P-IV or its contemperory class processor with 256 MB RAM. And say a hardisk of 40 GB with RPM 7200 +.

If not then also try following these steps
1. Remove / uninstall all those programs from add/remove programs of controls panel option. Tip- it is normally marked how frequently u use them.
2. Clean your desktop to the maximum
3. follow start->run type msconfig go to startup tab of new window opened
4. Disable all programs which you feel you donot require to start on startup of your system.
5. Similarly go to start->all program -> startup and clean it from the junk which you think not required.
6. click my computer right click your disk C: ask for maintenace wizard and defrag your hard disk(other option to reach there - > right click my computer click manage and go to diskmanagement start defrag your hard disk). sit cool and wait
7. if still you are with the xp only try installing service pack 2.
8. Other core steps will follow if you still feel that the above mentioned steps didn't contribute in making you convinced that XP is not bogus.

All the best.

Answer 4

1. what's wrong with your hardware? Memory card RAM ?
for WinXP minimum confortable is 256 RAM & Processor 800 Mhz

2. Softaware, check if there were a virus or worms,
update your antivirus.. well but if it's too damn slow... to scan your hard drive than
just make a back up on flash disk, or external hard drive, then format & make a new install from your WinXP CD

3. Pray it works ;D

Answer 5

The System Idle Process just means that the processor isn't really doing much of anything right now. It's normal for it to be in the 90s when you're not doing anything with your computer.

Answer 6

You can speed up your pc and get rid of viruses, worms and trojans by cleaning up your register. A good free program is CCleaner. Link here http://bitly.com/UrAPHN
It's the best choice.
Best

Answer 7

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Computer Slow

Download and then run startup.exe (FREEWARE) at:

http://www.mlin.net/startupcpl.shtml......

Can't live without it and windows...

Then disable and/or uninstall whatever u don't need.

Other things to try:

1 - Disk Cleanup (removal of temp files, cookies, etc.)
2 - Defrag
3 - Registry Cleanup (CAN BE VERY RISKY!)

ALL ELSE FAILS - RELOAD YOUR O/S (WINDOWS) AND THEN REINSTALL ALL OTHER PROGRAMS YOU NEED/USE!

Joe...

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Computer Virus/Spyware/Adware/Malware/etc

All FREE...

Download and then run Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Classic at:

http://www.free-av.com/

Download and then run Spybot - Search & Destroy at:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

Download and then run Ad-Aware SE Personal at:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Joe...

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Answer 8

That's a good thing - it means your computer is doing nothing...

Answer 9

U need to Defragment files then run spyware deleter

Answer 10

Ctrl+alt+delete, close any programs that you dont need running.
or you can reboot and hope it helps.