100% memory utilization problem 1

[mediamavin]

i have XP home edition(upgraded from millienuem) installed on a dell dimension 4100 with 256k of memory.

usually it runs fine-but 2-3x a week, usually after siting unused for awhile, my memory some how gets fully utilized. if i shut down for an hr or so the problem clears up(reboooting or totally shuting down of a minute doesnt work)

when i chk windows task manager i find that the item called "system idle process" is using 70-90 cpu and the cpu usage is at 60-90%.

any suggestions??
bernie

 

[linney]

System Idle Process is a recording of unused CPU cycles. This is the amount of free resources available to the CPU at that point in time. As you load software this will reduce the reading under System Idle Process and show a reading under the software currently running.

I don't fully understand your reference to ( "system idle process" is using 70-90 cpu and the cpu usage is at 60-90%.) If your CPU was using 60 - 90% then the System Idle Process should show a very low figure.

Have you checked for unrequired services (such as Indexing) that will run in the background at times and use up CPU cycles. Check this site for a list of services you may not require. Also see if you have unrequired programs running at Start Up.

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

 

[mediamavin]

"system idle process" is the name listed in the task mgr window under the column head "image name". in the colunm labeled "cpu" its showning 70-90 cpu. in the footer its showing 60-90% cpu usage.

yes i think i have turned off most things in startup that arent required. but will chk again.

what do you mean by " unrequired services (such as Indexing)" and where can i find the listing?

i will chk the web site u suggest also.
thanks,
bernie

 

[linney]

Right click My Computer select Manage/Services and Applications/Services. This will give you a list of services running on your computer. After you have checked that web site and decided on those that you require to have running you may right click on any individual service and disable them.

I understand you original question a bit more now but must confess as to being not sure of the answer. At a guess I would say CPU usage at the bottom of Task Manager is memory usage as opposed to cycle usage under the Image list. Perhaps a more technical minded person will help us both. You will find more information on CPU usage and Task Manager at the following link.

http://groups.google.com/groups?sourceid=navclient&q="Task+Manager"+CPU+usage+windows+xp

 

[mediamavin]

thks for your help. the blkviper site was very useful. did what they suggested and my os is in remission (at least for now).