If you've started to notice that CSRSS.EXE is eating up all of your processor time, and even the simple task of dragging your mouse has become lagged, read ahead!

CSRSS.EXE, the client server service that has become a core part of Windows2000 and XP is *very* dependent on the power management scheme set in your control panel. If you set power management to 'Max Battery', or anything except 'Always On', CSRSS.EXE can become plagued, actually doing the reverse of what it should do.

Soooo, to fix this...

Pop into the 'Power Options' applet by clicking Start/Control Panel/Power Options.
In the 'Power Schemes' pulldown, select 'Always On'.
Click OK.
For posterity, reboot the system.

Once restarted, your 2000/XP startup should whizz by instead of trodding along, and when your desktop is up, CSRSS.EXE should behave well (consuming less than 5% CPU), and your mouse should once again be responsive!

What creates this havoc? Many computer manufacturers install power management software on notebook and portable devices for your benefit, but unknowingly these *can* (not always, seemingly) have this effect.

Rule of thumb... if you need to save battery on your portable, lower the LCD brightness (if you can) and set the monitor and hard drive to turn off after 10 minutes of idle time (in the Power Options applet).

Happy speedy mobile motoring!