Well, when I open up Task Manager (windows 2000), one of the processes running all the time is System Idle Process. Well, sometimes, seemingly randomly, my computer starts running really hot, gets really loud, and runs extremely slow, because System Idle Process takes up to 100% of all the computer power, forcing me to restart to remedy. How do I stop this from happening?

No, you have it all wrong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System Idle Process is actually a measure of processing power *not* being used

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's the power that's idling and it will add up with active processes to make 100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly the lower the worse ;)

yeah, if system idle process is 100% it means that no processor power is being used on any other applications.

Well, then why does my computer get louder and slower when the System Idle Process gets really high? I have to reboot the computer the noise gets so loud.

Well, then why does my computer get louder and slower when the System Idle Process gets really high? I have to reboot the computer the noise gets so loud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe the harddrive is making the noise? The being slower would indicate your HD is having problems - try defragmenting it and checking it for errors (both things can be done with standard software which came with your windows install)

The System Idle Process is a measure of the CPU time not used by any other application, as it was said earlier in this topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using the hard disk doesn't use up any CPU, thus that time goes into the System Idle Process. And sometimes your computer needs to write some things on your hard disk if you don't have enough free RAM (memory). Reading this memory back will cause slowdowns, and lots of moving for your hard disk's reading heads, which causes the noise, I assume.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To reduce the distance that your hard disk must move to read back this memory, use the Windows Disk Defragmenter (My Computer > [right-click on C:] > Tools > Defragment now).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example: If you have 312 MB of applications running, and only 256 MB of RAM, 56 MB (312-256) will go to the hard disk. When you use the applications whose memory was flushed, it will be read back, and the memory of some other process goes to the hard disk. (Ping-pong, anyone? :P)