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Why my CPU Usage is always high even when the "System Idle Process" uses more than 90% of CPU?

Anonymous
2010-04-21T04:57:26+00:00

I am using Thinkpad X61 with Windows XP SP3.

I found my CPU usage is always very high (more than 50%), shown in the performance tab in the windows task manager. However, if I look at the "Processes" tab, none of the programs are using CPU and the "system Idle process" uses more than 90% of CPU. I know for my other computers, in "system Idle process" uses more than 90% of CPU, the real CPU usage should be less than 10%.

Is there any fix for this? I tried to scan viruses, it was clean based on Norton Internet Security. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-10T12:39:04+00:00

    Go into power options and select "change when the computer sleeps"

        Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options\Edit Plan Settings

    and select "never." 

    If you wish to prove this workaround:

    • reboot
    • start taskmgr, (C:\Windows\System32\taskmgr.exe)
    • select performance tab. CPU usage should be low - around 1-2%.
    • leave it running with the performance trace showing, and
    • let the computer go to sleep.
    • Then hit a key or click the mouse to wake it up.

    If you have the same issue as I, you will see the cpu usage shoot up to 100% and stay there until you reboot.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2011-09-22T13:09:53+00:00

    I'm having a similar issue. CPU Usage runs over 50% amongst System Idle Process displayed between 80% -99%. I've browsed a few websites, ran a virus scan in normal windows mode, no viruses found. I recently re-installed my windows. I have a Windows XP Home Edition, it gone wrong, had Norton Internet Security, removed it, gone forth a offer from my internet service for their antivirus. (UPC SmartGuard), it works proper, but the issue is still giong on without any virus found, the anti-virus itself won't start up on safe mode. I'm looking forward to keep this computer, any suggestions?

    PC specs far from what I know are. :

    Intel Pentium Dual CPU

    E2160 @ 1.80GHz

    1,80 GHz, 2.00 GB of RAM.

    P5B SE Asus motherboard.

    Nvidia 8600 GT 512 RAM

    Microsoft Windows XP

    Home Edition

    Version 2002

    Service Pack 3

    What should I do?

    All the respect, George.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-08-24T23:15:21+00:00

    Try running the machine without the battery, might be a hardware issue. I had a similar issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-04-21T11:37:26+00:00

    Use Process Explorer to check CPU usage. I wonder if you're experiencing high CPU usage due to interrupts or DPCs (as Malkeleah alluded to one manifestation of, with #8) .  Post back with results.

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  5. Anonymous
    2010-04-21T11:15:02+00:00

    "Idle" means "doing nothing". If your computer is slow, it is for another reason. Some reasons for computer slowness:

    1. Computer hasn't been maintained - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Maintenance
    2. Computer is infected with malware - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
    3. Hard drive is too full. Remove unnecessary stuff, uninstall unused programs. Don't forget to back up!

    http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Backing_Up

    1. Flaky third-party software. Toolbars and add-ons are particular culprits in this area. Uninstall toolbars (Google, Yahoo, ISP-branded, etc.) and look carefully at what add-ons are in use in your browser(s).
    2. Computer has too many unnecessary programs/processes running in the background. Manage your Startup:

    For XP - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

    The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

    For Vista/Windows7 - Start Orb>Search box>type: msconfig and when it appears in the Results box above, right-click and choose "Run as Administrator". Autoruns is also very useful.

    1. User is running a bloated/invasive antivirus program such as ones from Norton and McAfee. Replace with a better program. I recommend either NOD32 (commercial) or Avast (free). Avira is also good but the free version has an unpleasant nag screen (Google for instructions as to how to disable this). User may also be running more than one real-time antivirus/firewall/security program.
    2. User has installed new programs that are processor and/or memory-intensive (Photoshop, AutoCAD, Mathmatica or the like) and doesn't have the necessary hardware power.
    3. Hard drive is failing and is in PIO Mode. This is very dramatically slow (like being back in 1985). See Hans-Georg Michna's information here - http://winhlp.com/?q=node/10

    In addition to the above, also see http://miekiemoes.blogspot.com/2008/02/help-my-computer-is-slow.html

    Note: If computer has always been slow, in addition to items above user may have purchased a machine with a less powerful processor and not enough RAM (memory). For normal computer use, 512MB-1GB is usually sufficient for XP; Vista should have a minimum of 2GB; Windows 7 is less demanding than Vista but the minimum of 2GB should also be used.

    MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

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