There is definitely something going on there, because those are regular spikes. If you watch the process list for a while, one of the processes should briefly display 100 CPU usage when it spikes (not system idle process). This is the one that is causing problems. Make sure you choose to display processes from all users. If none of the processes in the list ever spike, it is probably Windows itself that is doing this. Try some of these suggestions if this is the case:
- Boot into safe mode
- Uninstall recent drivers
- Do a Windows Update
- Check for viruses
- Check for adware (try AdAware)
- Reinstall windows
Is this Windows XP Home Edition or Professional?
If you do isolate which process it is, you can select the process priority from task manager. Set it to the lowest as a temporary solution.
__________________
With our extreme gelatinous apology,
We beg to inform your Imperial Majesty,
Unto whom be dominion and power and glory,
There still remains that strange precipitate
Which has the quality to resist
Our oldest and most trusted catalyst.
It is a substance we cannot cremate
By temperatures known to our Laboratory.
~ E.J. Pratt
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