Computer running slow when iTunes is converting

Question

It hasn't always happened, but just recently when I convert a CD into iTunes my computer stutters, i.e. the mouse pointer skips, songs skip eratically if they're playing and the CPU usage goes through the roof. What's wrong, and what can I do?

Answer 1

I know it isnt the answer you want, but there is nothing 'wrong'. You are very likely to see this on 'modest' powered computers. Ripping and converting an entire CD is a computing intensive process, and unless you have a very high powered high end machine, you will probably see symptoms of the machine working it's tail off to complete the job as you described.
I'd first reccomend closing any programs you arent actually using (like the 10 thousand things most people usually have running down there where the clock is). This will free up some processing power to help the conversion go faster, and to leave a litle extra for what ever else it is you are working on.
If you are up for it, you might want to do some research into ways you want to upgrade the computer. I hate to reccoment this to anyone, but you will be suprised at the boost you can get out of something like putting in some memory. The obvious tradeoff there is that they dont usually give away memory for free.
Or plan a CD rip for a better time. Drop in the disk when you are going to be away from the computer for a while, or going to bed, and when you get up, it will be done.