I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up my drive
activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I move
the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it still
happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway I know that data is not
being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
screensaver is up?

Thanks.

r. wales wrote:
> I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up my drive
> activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I move
> the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it still
> happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that data is not
> being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
> screensaver is up?
>
> Thanks.

It's probably the "System Idle Process"..

--
Joe =o)

Why would the "Idle Process" be forcing drive activity? Without the
screensaver working and with me watching the task mgr, when system idle
process is at 98% there is very little drive activity if any at all. It
seems to me that something is accessing the hd, but I don't know what it
would be or how to find out when it stops as soon as the screensaver shuts
down.

"Elmo" wrote:

> r. wales wrote:
> > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up my drive
> > activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I move
> > the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it still
> > happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that data is not
> > being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
> > screensaver is up?
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> It's probably the "System Idle Process"..
>
> --
> Joe =o)
>

Where did you get the screensaver? Downloaded off the internet?

"r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C713BCB4-F3A4-43C6-B5D3-2CF08D196C10@microsoft.com...
| Why would the "Idle Process" be forcing drive activity? Without the
| screensaver working and with me watching the task mgr, when system idle
| process is at 98% there is very little drive activity if any at all. It
| seems to me that something is accessing the hd, but I don't know what it
| would be or how to find out when it stops as soon as the screensaver shuts
| down.
|
| "Elmo" wrote:
|
| > r. wales wrote:
| > > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up
my drive
| > > activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I
move
| > > the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I
find out
| > > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it
still
| > > happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that
data is not
| > > being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
| > > screensaver is up?
| > >
| > > Thanks.
| >
| > It's probably the "System Idle Process"..
| >
| > --
| > Joe =o)
| >

"r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9696259F-1EA2-4099-9D20-46CD5490DD34@microsoft.com
> I have noticed recently that on occassion while my
> screensaver is up my drive activity light will be on almost
> constantly (not every time). When I move the mouse and the
> screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers
> and it still happens. In watching my firewall, router and
> gateway I know that data is not being sent out. Is there a
> way to track what is going on when the screensaver is up?
>
> Thanks.

You might want to do a little research on what's called the
"Windows XP System Idle Task Scheduler". When you're computer
is idle Windows will perform a number of housekeeping tasks.
One of those is the creation of automatic restore points.

Also, if you have the Indexing Service enabled in Search it
will run when Windows is idle. Right click your C drive in My
Computer and select Properties from the menu. On the General
page, is "Allow Indexing Service to index this drive for faster
searching" checked?

All of these activities will cause the hard drive light to
blink while the screensaver is displayed.

Here are a few articles that while not exactly applying to your
situation they do provide information you may find helpful in
understanding what's going on in the background.

Windows XP does not enter standby after the exact period that
is configured in the Power Options profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899975

Computer does not enter standby mode if Power Options profile
is set to standby after 45 or more minutes
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310601

Hard Disks Do Not Turn Off After Your Computer Has Been Idle
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313300

Here's a utility you can leave running to see what may be going
on in the background.

FileMon for Windows v7.04
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/filemon.mspx

Good luck

Nepatsfan

Nope, its a Windows stock; my picture slideshow. I started down this road,
too, so I switched to flying windows and still observed the same behavior.
It is truly puzzling.

"Tom Willett" wrote:

> Where did you get the screensaver? Downloaded off the internet?
>
> "r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C713BCB4-F3A4-43C6-B5D3-2CF08D196C10@microsoft.com...
> | Why would the "Idle Process" be forcing drive activity? Without the
> | screensaver working and with me watching the task mgr, when system idle
> | process is at 98% there is very little drive activity if any at all. It
> | seems to me that something is accessing the hd, but I don't know what it
> | would be or how to find out when it stops as soon as the screensaver shuts
> | down.
> |
> | "Elmo" wrote:
> |
> | > r. wales wrote:
> | > > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up
> my drive
> | > > activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I
> move
> | > > the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I
> find out
> | > > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it
> still
> | > > happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that
> data is not
> | > > being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
> | > > screensaver is up?
> | > >
> | > > Thanks.
> | >
> | > It's probably the "System Idle Process"..
> | >
> | > --
> | > Joe =o)
> | >
>
>
>

That looks like the road I need to walk down. Thanks a heap! And thanks to
all who took an interest and shared your thoughts.

Have a great New Year!

"Nepatsfan" wrote:

> "r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9696259F-1EA2-4099-9D20-46CD5490DD34@microsoft.com
> > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my
> > screensaver is up my drive activity light will be on almost
> > constantly (not every time). When I move the mouse and the
> > screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers
> > and it still happens. In watching my firewall, router and
> > gateway I know that data is not being sent out. Is there a
> > way to track what is going on when the screensaver is up?
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> You might want to do a little research on what's called the
> "Windows XP System Idle Task Scheduler". When you're computer
> is idle Windows will perform a number of housekeeping tasks.
> One of those is the creation of automatic restore points.
>
> Also, if you have the Indexing Service enabled in Search it
> will run when Windows is idle. Right click your C drive in My
> Computer and select Properties from the menu. On the General
> page, is "Allow Indexing Service to index this drive for faster
> searching" checked?
>
> All of these activities will cause the hard drive light to
> blink while the screensaver is displayed.
>
> Here are a few articles that while not exactly applying to your
> situation they do provide information you may find helpful in
> understanding what's going on in the background.
>
> Windows XP does not enter standby after the exact period that
> is configured in the Power Options profile
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899975
>
> Computer does not enter standby mode if Power Options profile
> is set to standby after 45 or more minutes
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310601
>
> Hard Disks Do Not Turn Off After Your Computer Has Been Idle
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313300
>
> Here's a utility you can leave running to see what may be going
> on in the background.
>
> FileMon for Windows v7.04
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/filemon.mspx
>
> Good luck
>
> Nepatsfan
>
>
>

r. wales wrote:
> I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up my drive
> activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I move
> the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it still
> happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that data is not
> being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
> screensaver is up?
>
> Thanks.

It's probably the "System Idle Process"..

--
Joe =o)

Why would the "Idle Process" be forcing drive activity? Without the
screensaver working and with me watching the task mgr, when system idle
process is at 98% there is very little drive activity if any at all. It
seems to me that something is accessing the hd, but I don't know what it
would be or how to find out when it stops as soon as the screensaver shuts
down.

"Elmo" wrote:

> r. wales wrote:
> > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up my drive
> > activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I move
> > the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it still
> > happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that data is not
> > being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
> > screensaver is up?
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> It's probably the "System Idle Process"..
>
> --
> Joe =o)
>

Where did you get the screensaver? Downloaded off the internet?

"r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C713BCB4-F3A4-43C6-B5D3-2CF08D196C10@microsoft.com...
| Why would the "Idle Process" be forcing drive activity? Without the
| screensaver working and with me watching the task mgr, when system idle
| process is at 98% there is very little drive activity if any at all. It
| seems to me that something is accessing the hd, but I don't know what it
| would be or how to find out when it stops as soon as the screensaver shuts
| down.
|
| "Elmo" wrote:
|
| > r. wales wrote:
| > > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up
my drive
| > > activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I
move
| > > the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I
find out
| > > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it
still
| > > happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that
data is not
| > > being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
| > > screensaver is up?
| > >
| > > Thanks.
| >
| > It's probably the "System Idle Process"..
| >
| > --
| > Joe =o)
| >

You're welcome.

Nepatsfan

"r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E48ED1C2-5E36-4AB4-9D5F-975F14AAF887@microsoft.com
> That looks like the road I need to walk down. Thanks a
> heap! And thanks to all who took an interest and shared
> your thoughts.
>
> Have a great New Year!
>
> "Nepatsfan" wrote:
>
>> "r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:9696259F-1EA2-4099-9D20-46CD5490DD34@microsoft.com
>>> I have noticed recently that on occassion while my
>>> screensaver is up my drive activity light will be on almost
>>> constantly (not every time). When I move the mouse and the
>>> screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
>>> what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers
>>> and it still happens. In watching my firewall, router and
>>> gateway I know that data is not being sent out. Is there a
>>> way to track what is going on when the screensaver is up?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> You might want to do a little research on what's called the
>> "Windows XP System Idle Task Scheduler". When you're
>> computer is idle Windows will perform a number of
>> housekeeping tasks. One of those is the creation of
>> automatic restore points.
>>
>> Also, if you have the Indexing Service enabled in Search it
>> will run when Windows is idle. Right click your C drive in
>> My Computer and select Properties from the menu. On the
>> General page, is "Allow Indexing Service to index this
>> drive for faster searching" checked?
>>
>> All of these activities will cause the hard drive light to
>> blink while the screensaver is displayed.
>>
>> Here are a few articles that while not exactly applying to
>> your situation they do provide information you may find
>> helpful in understanding what's going on in the background.
>>
>> Windows XP does not enter standby after the exact period
>> that is configured in the Power Options profile
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899975
>>
>> Computer does not enter standby mode if Power Options
>> profile is set to standby after 45 or more minutes
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310601
>>
>> Hard Disks Do Not Turn Off After Your Computer Has Been Idle
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313300
>>
>> Here's a utility you can leave running to see what may be
>> going on in the background.
>>
>> FileMon for Windows v7.04
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/filemon.mspx
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>> Nepatsfan

"r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9696259F-1EA2-4099-9D20-46CD5490DD34@microsoft.com
> I have noticed recently that on occassion while my
> screensaver is up my drive activity light will be on almost
> constantly (not every time). When I move the mouse and the
> screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers
> and it still happens. In watching my firewall, router and
> gateway I know that data is not being sent out. Is there a
> way to track what is going on when the screensaver is up?
>
> Thanks.

You might want to do a little research on what's called the
"Windows XP System Idle Task Scheduler". When you're computer
is idle Windows will perform a number of housekeeping tasks.
One of those is the creation of automatic restore points.

Also, if you have the Indexing Service enabled in Search it
will run when Windows is idle. Right click your C drive in My
Computer and select Properties from the menu. On the General
page, is "Allow Indexing Service to index this drive for faster
searching" checked?

All of these activities will cause the hard drive light to
blink while the screensaver is displayed.

Here are a few articles that while not exactly applying to your
situation they do provide information you may find helpful in
understanding what's going on in the background.

Windows XP does not enter standby after the exact period that
is configured in the Power Options profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899975

Computer does not enter standby mode if Power Options profile
is set to standby after 45 or more minutes
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310601

Hard Disks Do Not Turn Off After Your Computer Has Been Idle
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313300

Here's a utility you can leave running to see what may be going
on in the background.

FileMon for Windows v7.04
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/filemon.mspx

Good luck

Nepatsfan

Nope, its a Windows stock; my picture slideshow. I started down this road,
too, so I switched to flying windows and still observed the same behavior.
It is truly puzzling.

"Tom Willett" wrote:

> Where did you get the screensaver? Downloaded off the internet?
>
> "r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C713BCB4-F3A4-43C6-B5D3-2CF08D196C10@microsoft.com...
> | Why would the "Idle Process" be forcing drive activity? Without the
> | screensaver working and with me watching the task mgr, when system idle
> | process is at 98% there is very little drive activity if any at all. It
> | seems to me that something is accessing the hd, but I don't know what it
> | would be or how to find out when it stops as soon as the screensaver shuts
> | down.
> |
> | "Elmo" wrote:
> |
> | > r. wales wrote:
> | > > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my screensaver is up
> my drive
> | > > activity light will be on almost constantly (not every time). When I
> move
> | > > the mouse and the screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I
> find out
> | > > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers and it
> still
> | > > happens. In watching my firewall, router and gateway; I know that
> data is not
> | > > being sent out. Is there a way to track what is going on when the
> | > > screensaver is up?
> | > >
> | > > Thanks.
> | >
> | > It's probably the "System Idle Process"..
> | >
> | > --
> | > Joe =o)
> | >
>
>
>

That looks like the road I need to walk down. Thanks a heap! And thanks to
all who took an interest and shared your thoughts.

Have a great New Year!

"Nepatsfan" wrote:

> "r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9696259F-1EA2-4099-9D20-46CD5490DD34@microsoft.com
> > I have noticed recently that on occassion while my
> > screensaver is up my drive activity light will be on almost
> > constantly (not every time). When I move the mouse and the
> > screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
> > what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers
> > and it still happens. In watching my firewall, router and
> > gateway I know that data is not being sent out. Is there a
> > way to track what is going on when the screensaver is up?
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> You might want to do a little research on what's called the
> "Windows XP System Idle Task Scheduler". When you're computer
> is idle Windows will perform a number of housekeeping tasks.
> One of those is the creation of automatic restore points.
>
> Also, if you have the Indexing Service enabled in Search it
> will run when Windows is idle. Right click your C drive in My
> Computer and select Properties from the menu. On the General
> page, is "Allow Indexing Service to index this drive for faster
> searching" checked?
>
> All of these activities will cause the hard drive light to
> blink while the screensaver is displayed.
>
> Here are a few articles that while not exactly applying to your
> situation they do provide information you may find helpful in
> understanding what's going on in the background.
>
> Windows XP does not enter standby after the exact period that
> is configured in the Power Options profile
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899975
>
> Computer does not enter standby mode if Power Options profile
> is set to standby after 45 or more minutes
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310601
>
> Hard Disks Do Not Turn Off After Your Computer Has Been Idle
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313300
>
> Here's a utility you can leave running to see what may be going
> on in the background.
>
> FileMon for Windows v7.04
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/filemon.mspx
>
> Good luck
>
> Nepatsfan
>
>
>

You're welcome.

Nepatsfan

"r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E48ED1C2-5E36-4AB4-9D5F-975F14AAF887@microsoft.com
> That looks like the road I need to walk down. Thanks a
> heap! And thanks to all who took an interest and shared
> your thoughts.
>
> Have a great New Year!
>
> "Nepatsfan" wrote:
>
>> "r. wales" <rwales@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:9696259F-1EA2-4099-9D20-46CD5490DD34@microsoft.com
>>> I have noticed recently that on occassion while my
>>> screensaver is up my drive activity light will be on almost
>>> constantly (not every time). When I move the mouse and the
>>> screensaver shuts off, activity stops. How can I find out
>>> what is causing the activity? I have changed screensavers
>>> and it still happens. In watching my firewall, router and
>>> gateway I know that data is not being sent out. Is there a
>>> way to track what is going on when the screensaver is up?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> You might want to do a little research on what's called the
>> "Windows XP System Idle Task Scheduler". When you're
>> computer is idle Windows will perform a number of
>> housekeeping tasks. One of those is the creation of
>> automatic restore points.
>>
>> Also, if you have the Indexing Service enabled in Search it
>> will run when Windows is idle. Right click your C drive in
>> My Computer and select Properties from the menu. On the
>> General page, is "Allow Indexing Service to index this
>> drive for faster searching" checked?
>>
>> All of these activities will cause the hard drive light to
>> blink while the screensaver is displayed.
>>
>> Here are a few articles that while not exactly applying to
>> your situation they do provide information you may find
>> helpful in understanding what's going on in the background.
>>
>> Windows XP does not enter standby after the exact period
>> that is configured in the Power Options profile
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899975
>>
>> Computer does not enter standby mode if Power Options
>> profile is set to standby after 45 or more minutes
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310601
>>
>> Hard Disks Do Not Turn Off After Your Computer Has Been Idle
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313300
>>
>> Here's a utility you can leave running to see what may be
>> going on in the background.
>>
>> FileMon for Windows v7.04
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/filemon.mspx
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>> Nepatsfan