Processor Spikes

Hi all.
I've noticed lately in my administrator acct. (Windows XP SP2) that the
hourglass shows up next to the pointer frequently, even when I'm doing
nothing with the computer. Doesn't do it in my limited acct. I checked the
performance chart and it shows frequent spikes in processor % going anywhere
from 20% to 50%. This happens every minute or so but is not completely
regular in timing.
I've had the computer (my first ) for 10 months and it hasn't done this
until the last month or so. It is a Sharp AL27 notebook. All fixes are up
to date. I use McAfee virus scan and Microsoft AntiSpyware. Also Adaware
SE.
I notice also that AntiSpyware allows 3 toolbars to be installed every time
I log into Administrator acct. These are from my internet provider, NetZero,
I think. Doesn't do it in limited acct. which is the one I usually use for
internet.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. :-)

Task Manager is useful but you could look at another freeware utility
Process Explorer, which provides similar information but adds that
little bit extra towards seeing what the running processes represent.

For further information about Process Explorer see here:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/fr.../procexp.shtml

To ascertain which service is causing the problem select the
image name producing the high CPU usage, right click,
select Properties, Services. Note there are the full names and some
explanation of what each service does.

You will find further information on Services here:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

To trace the particular Service involved you need to turn off each
service in turn and then restore it noting what effect it has on CPU
usage. However, you need to take care and watch what other Services are
dependent on that service. When you click on the Dependencies tab allow
it a little time to display the information.


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hoolander" <Hoolander@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0EFFED09-452A-482D-B456-0994979E5C2A@microsoft.com...
> Hi all.
> I've noticed lately in my administrator acct. (Windows XP SP2) that the
> hourglass shows up next to the pointer frequently, even when I'm doing
> nothing with the computer. Doesn't do it in my limited acct. I checked
> the
> performance chart and it shows frequent spikes in processor % going
> anywhere
> from 20% to 50%. This happens every minute or so but is not completely
> regular in timing.
> I've had the computer (my first ) for 10 months and it hasn't done this
> until the last month or so. It is a Sharp AL27 notebook. All fixes are
> up
> to date. I use McAfee virus scan and Microsoft AntiSpyware. Also Adaware
> SE.
> I notice also that AntiSpyware allows 3 toolbars to be installed every
> time
> I log into Administrator acct. These are from my internet provider,
> NetZero,
> I think. Doesn't do it in limited acct. which is the one I usually use
> for
> internet.
> Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. :-)

Can you believe it? Now it's not doing it! Seems to have fixed itself. :-)
Administrator acct. seems to run faster now too.
Thanks, Gerry for your quick response.

"Hoolander" wrote:

> Hi all.
> I've noticed lately in my administrator acct. (Windows XP SP2) that the
> hourglass shows up next to the pointer frequently, even when I'm doing
> nothing with the computer. Doesn't do it in my limited acct. I checked the
> performance chart and it shows frequent spikes in processor % going anywhere
> from 20% to 50%. This happens every minute or so but is not completely
> regular in timing.
> I've had the computer (my first ) for 10 months and it hasn't done this
> until the last month or so. It is a Sharp AL27 notebook. All fixes are up
> to date. I use McAfee virus scan and Microsoft AntiSpyware. Also Adaware
> SE.
> I notice also that AntiSpyware allows 3 toolbars to be installed every time
> I log into Administrator acct. These are from my internet provider, NetZero,
> I think. Doesn't do it in limited acct. which is the one I usually use for
> internet.
> Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. :-)