The only reference I found for CPUIDLE on the 'net was that it's a software cooling utility.  Not sure if it's a virus.  The SRVANY.exe doesn't appear on the web as a known trojan/worm/virus/malware either.  Not sure.  Uh.  Get a third opinion.  Haha. 

djandmmj      What have you unleashed my friend?

SRVANY is a tool included in the Microsoft Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003 Resource Kit and which enables the user to run normal Windows applications as services.

Recommendation :
SRVANY will only be found in the Task List if it was specifically installed to support normal Windows apps running as services.  You should therefore leave it running unless you are an advanced user and you know how to check whether SRVANY is needed or not.

Did you download the updated resource kit from the msoft windows update site?  There was one available but not a critical update about 1 or 2 months ago.

MENTOR00.................."It worked fine until I fixed it."
100% OEM....Dimension 8250 ...BIOS A04, Office XP Pro, XP Pro sp-1, 1.5 rdram 1066, 200hd,1800fp, IBM 8514, IBM Model 70, audigy2, ada 995's, 9700pro, HP d145, Laserjet III, 16x Lite-on 163, 4x Nec 1100a.

Message Edited by mentor00 on 11-30-2003 10:15 PM

Good catch! Was the system upgraded from Windows 98? "cpuidle" is a tool that was written to prevent processors, especially those in laptops, from overheating when idle. It was needed in systems *not* based on the NT system architecture, such as Win98. No system later than Win98 requires it, because the idle state is handled correctly by the operating system. That includes NT, Win2000, XP, and Win2003.

"srvany" was a utility written to allow programs such as "cpuidle" to run as a "service", meaning that programs launched via "srvany" would run prior to anyone logging in, and would continue to run after someone logs out.

None of that's needed for XP. It's not a virus, but it most assuredly doesn't need to run.

(edit) I noticed that the  CPUIdle Web site claims that the program is useful for XP. I frankly don't know why, but the author of cpuidle has devoted a lot more time to researching problems associated with processor overheating than I have!

Jim

Message Edited by jimw on 12-01-2003 12:01 AM

Hello again - The system is still perking along just great without cpuidle. To answer your comments.... No, the system was never upgraded; its a Dimension 8200 with XP as its original OS and with no modifications. (I'm catching on slowly to forum etiquette, so please excuse that I haven't posted all the details of my PC) Mentor, I'm certainly not an advanced user. Basically just a recreational and business user, who was hoping that XP would allow me to be more passive than with earlier systems... surprise!

I don't recall getting a resource kit from the Microsoft site. All I've downloaded to my knowledge are security patches - but with MSFT you never really know whats been intruded into your system, do you? One thing I've noticed is that since disabling cpuidle, another app, System Idle Process, runs all the time... but its so small it has no impact. Is this the part of XP that jimw mentioned made cpuidle unnecessary?

Thanks, all.

One thing I've noticed is that since disabling cpuidle, another app, System Idle Process, runs all the time... but its so small it has no impact. Is this the part of XP that jimw mentioned made cpuidle unnecessary?

Yep. I still wonder how cpuidle and srvany got on the machine!

Jim

ChrisRLG   Thank you very much!   It was 'Ad' or 'Malware'. 

I used SpyBot, and my Inspiron is largely working as it should after 12 months of nightmares.

Unfortunately too late for my brand-new stress relieving desktop which arrived yesterday!!

The Chef,

For both of your machines, follow the links below to my site and the malware section.

Install :-
Spywareblaster - set a kill bit to stop installs of bad activeX controls on websites
Spywareguard - runs like your AV to stop infections and browser hijacks

Look on google.com for ie-spyad.exe and download and install that, it will stop your browser from going to over 5000 bad sites and an optional 900+ porn sites (Parents of teenagers - take note)

All the above are free or donation ware (donate if you like the product)

djandmmj....sys idle proc is the normal xp processor idle setting.  Leave it alone.  It's usually about 99 on the cpu scale when you stop and stare at it.  Wiggle your mouse around and you'll see it change.  Sounds like you're back in the drivers seat.

Good luck!    MENTOR00.................."It worked fine until I fixed it."
100% OEM....Dimension 8250 ...BIOS A04, Office XP Pro, XP Pro sp-1, 1.5 rdram 1066, 200hd,1800fp, IBM 8514, IBM Model 70, audigy2, ada 995's, 9700pro, HP d145, Laserjet III, 16x Lite-on 163, 4x Nec 1100a.

I had the same problem with my Dell 8250 which was ordered with XP Home, 512 MB RDRAM, and 120GB hard drive. I also have an online subscription to McAfee for protection. I tried everything that I found in support files and forums. I get along well using my computer, but don't really understand all the technical mumbo-jumbo.

At any rate, I downloaded SpyBot and AdAware and ran them. They found some stuff and I removed it, but nothing helped the slow performance until I opened Task Manager (Crtl/Alt/Delete) and chose "end process" while right-clicking each process one-by-one. It took some time, but one particular click ended my nightmare machine: "End Process" on "MpfTray.exe" which temporarily ended my McAfee Personal Firewall protection. That one step alone fixed all the problems, including slow applications and games, slow internet, slow printer, freezes, etc. Once I was satisfied that was my solution, I took McAfee Personal Firewall off the startup menu. (Otherwise you can manually disable it from the McAfee icon.)

I am currently trying to contact McAfee about fixing the problem with their Personal Firewall (or giving me a clue), but encountered a problem with their online support form - it won't let me submit because it continually erases my phone number when I hit the submit button. I e-mailed their webmaster. Ugh!!!

I have to say: I'd rather let other people use my computer than not even be able to use it myself. (And I was to the point of frustration that I didn't even want to use the computer.) I don't know if this will help anyone else, but I am much less stressed out now. Good luck!!!