Computer cpu activity?

Question

Ive noticed that after i leave my PC idle for a while, the cpu begins to become busy for no reason. This slows down the computer, and it becomes less responsive for a while. I also noticed that refreshing the desktop sometimes helps this. I am fairly experienced with computers, and i could not find out why this happens. I checked all my running processes, and googled them, and couldnt find anything out of the ordinary. BTW...i dont use hibernate or standby mode, so im sure that thats not the problem.
Any explanation or possible solution would be greatly appreciated. =]

Windows xp home pack 2
amd athlon 64 3200
512mb ram

I understand that cpus are always processing information, but when the pc is idle, the cpu shouldnt become so busy to the point where i cant even open my web-browser. The CPU starts to process audibly (when it usually doesnt)

Answer 1

There are several background applications that run on most PCs.
These are usually designed to activate when there has bee no activity on the PC for a given time.....this way they do not slow down the PC while you are using it.

These may include AV background scanners (either third party or Microsoft Defender), defrag utilities such as diskeeper, or even Windows resident file optimization tools.

I too would fall suspicious in the past & learned to immediately run Task Manager evey time it happened.

Looking under "processes" & CPU usage I could see that they were harmless system tools just doing their job.

My PC still does this but so long as I have good security via AV & anti spyware plus two firewalls I've learned not to worry about it.

I suggest you do a regular scan for malware & not to worry about it either.

regards,
Philip T

Answer 2

There could be active spywear or addwear on your system. If your HDD starts to "page" when idle that usually means that some software is actively "looking" and your HDD does not know the difference.

The other option may be TSR's - Terminate and Stay Resident. These are applications that won't show up in your Task Manager because they run behind the scene but still utilize resources on your box. XP has allot of TSRs, that why it is the "user friendly" software because it basically does so much for you without you even knowing.

Answer 3

need more input on os and all data on system but for what its worth pc are always processing info as to what it is doing to any open programs such as refreshing for any new data pertaining to it from either micrsoft or websites that u have downloaded such as ie games and such