My main computer in my house is a build oldie, well not that old, perhaps 2 to 3 years.

i run

Windows XP PRofessional SP2
1.99 GHZ / AMD ATHLON XP 2400+
1 110 GB SATA HD
1 60 GB IDE HD
1 GIG RAM (x2 512mb - PC 2100)
Dual screens (22'' each) CRT


When I play music, It always likes to "Skip" then go right back where it was. I tried a fresh install, was thinking its a memory Issue. I however did notice that the System process or syetem idle was quite high, On standard idle the machine CPU usage is at - varies from 19% to 40% (with no windows open) Is this normal.. this only seems to happen on this computer i have.


Any solutions, or suggestions are greatly appreciated

Hi Keith. This is a good question, and thanks for providing all the information about your PC. It really helps in trying to get an idea of what the issues may be. For your 2 questions, I have one of them, and I'm sure other members here can assist in answering the second music issue.

Your CPU usage statistics will vary, even without having open windows. Mine runs anywhere from 2% to 44%, and then back to 10%. Something to keep in mind would be software that may be updating, or checking for updates, running in the backround.

You can control what processes are running in the backround by shutting down unnecessary boot programs at MSCONFIG <Start, Run, "msconfig" without the quotes, and clicking on the Startup tab>.

Examples of software that will be in this list include Adobe Updaters, Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware updates, Nero updaters, etc. And many of these programs are designed to check for updates when your system is "idle". In addition, even simple mouse-movements will cause the CPU charge to increase.

As for music that skips, I need better idea, or more info. What media player are you using (Windows Media Player, Nero, Roxio, Real, etc.)? Are the player options set to AutoDetect your Internet Connection speed? Is the music on CD, on file, or streaming from the Net?

Thanks again for the post, and we look forward to serving & helping one another.

All the updates are setup, and I have auto updates shutoff. The music is on my secondary hardrive, which i forgot to metion.

Windows Media Player 10, I noticed it only does t in that program, I tried Itunes, but that messed up all of my tracks and converted everything to Md4?

Appreciate the sincere response.

__________________
Keith Almli II - Pc Mechanix Networks, President
http://www.pcmxsolutions.com
http://www.keithalmli.com

My wife and I have looked over this issue (she is also a technician). We do recall encountering an issue with Windows Media Player where the media was skipping, choppy, and unstable. We could never figure out what was it's cause, but we haven't had the issue any time lately.

We also use Windows Media Player 10, with out any issues.

Here are our current settings that you may want to duplicate, and see if it has any effect of the performance of Media Player with your PC:

Tools > Options > Player tab
Everything is unchecked except for ...
Automatic Updates > Once a month
Player Settings > Enable picture support for devices

Tools > Options > Rip Music tab
Every thing is unchecked ...
Rip Settings > mp3 format
Audio quality is set at 115 MB per CD (256 Kbsps)

Tools > Options > Devices tab
The window here shows both of our CD drives, Display, and speakers

Tools > Options > Performance tab
the following options are ticked ...
Detect Connection Speed and Use Default Buffering

Tools > Options > Library tab
everything is unchecked, except ...
Skip files smaller than:
Audio files: 100 kb
Video Files 500 kb

Tools > Options > Plug-ins tab
Backround category > everything is unchecked

Tools > Options > privacy tab
Everything is unchecked ...
(clear history and clear cache may help)

Tools > Options > Security tab
Everything is unchecked

Tools > Options > File Types tab
All file-types are checked and enabled

Tools > Options > DVD tab
Everything is set to Default

Tools > Options > Network tab
Streaming protocols > Only four (4) options are checked: Multicast, UDP, TCP, and HTTP. "Use Ports ... " is unchecked.
Streaming proxy settings > Protocol / Proxy "none" on all.

That should about do it, I hope. Please post back and let us know if any of these settings have helped.

Thanks ...

Thank for again, for your sincere reply.

I did all that you have stated, And seems to run abit smoother, we will look / wait to report back to you. As things seem ok now, but then again then something always happens

Thanks alot.

__________________
Keith Almli II - Pc Mechanix Networks, President
http://www.pcmxsolutions.com
http://www.keithalmli.com

Keith, glad to hear that the post of my individual settings (below) in Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 helped. That's what we're for ... to help one another the best we can.

If one member doesn't have the solution, someone else will. We share ... and we learn. Please remember that the more details we can provide each other, the better we can help one another. This applies to both posts for help, and responses to help requests.