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What Does the Message "Exceeds Normal CPU Usage" Mean on Windows XP?

Your computer's CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is where all the operations of your computer take place. Its usage is dependent on the amount of things you have running on your computer at any given time.

  1. The CPU

    • CPU stands for the Central Processing Unit, or "processor" for short. It is commonly described as the "brains" of the computer, as it executes instructions and performs math and logic operations.

    CPU Manufacturers

    • There are two main CPU companies for Windows computers. Intel is the largest, while AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) is its less expensive but slightly less powerful rival.

    Checking CPU Usage

    • You can check the percentage of your CPU in use at any time by pulling up the "Windows Task Manager." Press "Ctrl+Alt+Del" and select the "Performance" tab. The CPU usage will be shown in the graph in the upper left corner.

    Normal CPU Usage

    • The percentage of your CPU in use depends on how many programs and processes your computer is running. When you just have a word processor or a web browser open, your CPU should not usually be higher than 5 percent. If you are running a graphics-intensive game, on the other hand, it is not uncommon for your CPU to be above 95 percent.

    Excess Usage

    • The "Exceeds Normal CPU Usage" warning means that the programs you have open are contributing to a CPU usage of 100 percent and pushing it. Some programs may be too memory-intensive for your computer to handle. When your CPU hits 100 percent, it is common for your computer to experience freezes and crashes.

    Troubleshooting Excess Usage

    • If you think your computer should be able to handle everything you have running, it may be running too many processes in the background. Open up the task manager by pressing "Ctrl+Alt+Del" and select the "Processes" tab to see a list of all of them. Select the ones you don't think you need and press the "End Process" button to close them. However, higher than normal CPU usage can be caused by a number of factors. See the Resources section for a link to a list of many common problems.

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