my computer has the hiccoughs?

[bigalt]

On my work computer running win2k, which I don't have much control over what gets installed, seems to have the hiccoughs.

If you look at the cpu usage graph it goes through these bouts of spiking ever 5 or 10 seconds for just a fraction of a second, freezing the computer. If i'm playing music it skips, and if i'm typing something a couple letters will get left out.

I'm stared at my list of processes for minutes on end (usually when i do this it doesn't hiccough, but i've caught it a few times) but none of the processes' cpu usage seems to jump up, perhaps because the computer is frozen for that time so doesn't update it.

can anyone think of likely culprits?

 

[SwampsterFL]

It is checking on something, or something on your LAN is poleing it. You say you have little control over what is installed? Does that mean you have a department or person who is in charge of maintenance? If so, then you will be stepping on toes if you don't go through him first.

 

[bigalt]

The computer is in a lab with multiple users, and everyone installs the programs they need. I should say rather that I have little awareness, not little control. I'm at liberty to do whatever to make it run properly.

Do you think you could elaborate on your guesses, or how I could explore them further?

 

[bigalt]

i downloaded and installed zonealarm, which isn't detecting any traffic incoming or outgoing while the hiccups continue. any thoughts?