System Idle Process at 96%- pc running slow 1

[GellyBelly]

I have XP Prof. My PC is running very slow. I look at the task manager and find the "System idle process" using 96% CPU usage, that is, if I am reading it correctly. Can anyone tell me what could be happenning here.

Thanks

 

[Andyleates]

Has it suddenly started running slowly, or has it been gradual over time?

Make sure you have up to date virus and spyware protection as well...

Andy Leates MCSE CCNA MCP+I

 

[Frank4d]

System Idle Process is the time your CPU is doing almost nothing... so 96% is pretty good and is not indicative of a problem. 99% would be better.

Have you defragged your hard drives recently?

 

[GellyBelly]

Thanks for your replies. I would never have thought 96% is a good thing. I will look for virus and spyware issues that may be haunting me. Thanks again. Gerry

 

[micker377]

I would never have thought 96% is a good thing"

The reason it's a "good thing" is that it means your CPU is not busy at the time. Everything you see in "processes", is a program doing something EXCEPT "system idle". The more idle time, the more your CPU is open to accept new "orders".

 

[bcastner]

I think those idle cycles should be given to a Distributed Computing project, such as Folding, United Devices, Seti or something else worthwhile.