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Erratic Processor Behavior

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UltimateDriver

Technical User
Feb 25, 2003
6
US
I'm using an old Compaq Deskpro, at it's running with a Pentium II 450 Mhz Processor w/100 Mhz FSB, 384 Mb RAM, 9.30 GB HD, Windows 98 Second Edition.

Sometimes, it will load the programs slower than usual. I first noticed this while loading Paint Shop Pro 7. It usually loads this image editing program in under 5 seconds. Sometimes, it will take it 5-7 seconds. (I have a cursor with a little timer on it, he he).

So, I decided to check my processor usage, under System Monitor, and its behaving erratically. I have it set to take a reading every second, and for 4 seconds, there is no processor usage. Suddenly, 34%, then 59%, then 76%, then 80%. When my computer is idle, and EVERY program except for Systray and Explorer are turned off, it will still consume about 65-75% of my processor. Now, this computer NEVER did this before. I bought this one used about 5 months ago, and its processor usage was around 4-5%.

The computer I am currently using at the school, is a Compaq Deskpro, with a 733 Mhz PIII w/133 Mhz FSB, 128 Mb RAM, running Windows 98 Second Edition. It consumes about 12-24% of its processor, but these are running on a network, and have many firewalls, antivirus programs, and Novell client things, so that's acceptable, isn't it?

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to why my computer does this?

Sorry for the long post ;)
 
D/L Ad-aware 6.0, and run it to delete any spyware.

If that does not help, then you may have to back up all critical files, reformat the HD, and reinstall Windows and everything else.
This almost always solves the problem you're having.

 
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