WD97: Word Uses 100 percent of the CPU During Typing (171068)

SYMPTOMS

While you are working in Microsoft Word 97, a central processing unit (CPU) usage monitor may show the CPU running at near 100 percent on some computers.

This symptom occurs even while you are performing operations that are not perceived as CPU intensive, such as typing, running the proofing tools, or other similar common word processing tasks.

CAUSE

The Word 97 program generates many low-priority requests which keep the CPU at near 100-percent usage. Note, however, that because these requests are low-priority, they will yield CPU time to any process that requests it. Therefore, this behavior will not affect your computer's performance.

WORKAROUND

Word 97 Service Release 1 (SR-1) does correct some causes of 100-percent CPU usage and will prevent 100-percent CPU usage from happening in some cases.

For additional information about SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

172475 OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-1

If you are running the Intel Power Monitor software, you can force Word to cut back on CPU usage by using the Fix button on the Intel Power Monitor.

MORE INFORMATION

Running at 100-percent CPU usage does not make Word or other programs run slowly, because Microsoft Windows will preempt Word and give CPU time to other programs.

If you are running Word 97 on a laptop computer, your computer may consume less power if you use Microsoft Word 97, Service Release 1. This version of Word allows the CPU in your computer to return to an idle state more quickly, thus conserving battery power.

NOTE: Word will still hit 100-percent CPU usage when performing complex tasks.

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