CPU usage 100%

I'm hoping someone could help me. I only have to look at my mouse button and the CPU fires up to 100% usage

I have run my virus checker (Norton); I have repeatedly run Adware and Spyware and also have a spyblocker installed. Looking at Task Manager it doesn't seem to matter what program I run, it still happens. Music is just impossible. Opening a browser or e-mail programs takes ages. I have uninstalled XP SP2 and that has improved things enough that I can actually now use the machine, but it still isn't good.

Hardware changes since this happened...none. Software....XP SP2 (now uninstalled); maybe a screen saver but nothing major. It's been ongoing and getting worse for sometime now so I forget. Before it was blue screening at reboot and I couldn't get in. That cleared by uninstalling XP SP2, but I have come to a block on this CPU problem.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. I realise there is a whole host of possibilities but don't really want to run out buying RAM and new processors just to see. Techies at work looked at the Belarc tech spec and said it should be fine. But it's not.

I did my Computer A level 20 years ago so am very rusty...please be gentle with me hehe.

 

Hi Halo and thanks.

The System Idle Process, as it should be, until I run something and then it just seems to eat CPU. Surfing with Firefox and a couple of tabs open really goes slow. Open a music player of some type and you can forget it. Opening Firefox and T'bird seems to take for ever. Other times you blink and it's done.

I have RAM Idle Pro in the task bar....you do anythig and the CPU hits 100.

You help is greatly appreciated.

*Lev*

 

Go see my response at this post may it will help.....

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=49837

 

Thanks Clark-Kent. Your help is greatly appreciated.

I am running about 33 process and went to the processlibrary link you gave in a previous post. Very interesting, learnt a lot, but sadly all my processes seem ok.

Maybe I am expecting too much from an older PC? It used to be ok though. Spec, if this helps, is (no laughing now, ok):-

Technically it is a P3 but was a home build.

Board: <> I440BX-W977(BX133-RAID/BE6-II v2.0)

Processor: 367 megahertz Intel Pentium III
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache

512 Megabytes Installed Memory

82.34 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
54.14 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 (build 2600)

Any advice very much appreciated. Thanks in advance guys.

*Lev*

 

WOW a 367 megahertz computer...And no i am not laughing

There your problem right there.

I think the minimum spec for Windows XP is P3 800 megahertz...

 

No, the minimum spec for XP is P-II 233MHz with 64Mb of RAM. My computer isn't much better than Levs, P-III 450MHz with a mere 128MB of RAM, running XP SP1 no problems at all, movies, music CD burning, whatever.

Lev, have you tried using a registry cleaning program and a good disk cleaning program, like CrapCleaner? Might just be a bunch of 'loose ends' left over from older programs cluttering things up.

Oh, almost forgot, have you tried a checkdisk & defrag as well? It's sometimes surprising how effective they can be.

 

Ho i was wrong for the minimum spec.

PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx

Hope i am not to late !!!

 

Lev,
You didn't mention which version of Norton that you are using, or whether it is a standalone application or part of a suite. As for the SP2 installation, I have found the Windows firewall to be a problem, such as you describe. Other members will probably disagree with me on the firewall issue.
If I were you, I would go to the Spyware forum on MajorGeeks, read the sticky notes at the top of the page, and follow their removal/detection procedure. To me, it seems that you have too many processes running at startup.
There are several freeware alternatives to Norton offered on MajorGeeks download page. I personally prefer Avast, as it updates frequently and automatically, and Sygate for a firewall app. I prefer Sygate over ZoneAlarm, because of the lack of the cartoon interface, and that I have had PC's that ZA wouldn't work with.
These are only my thoughts and hope that they may help~

 

Thanks Novice, Clark-Kent and Wavetar.

Clark- you're not too late. I didn't rush out and buy a new PC

Wavetar - I've disk cleaned and defragged, but will give CrapCleaner a go.

Novice - I'm running Norton Antivirus and Ghost 2003. Ghost is in the taskbar...does it need to be? I'm sorry I don;t understand what you mean by stand alone or a suite, and I'm not certain why you feel Norton could be an issue. My lack of understanding, sorry, but would appreciate further info please! I've already uninstalled SP2 which made it slightly better, and my firewall is Zonealarm. I will check out the Spyware Forum, thanks for that.

Keep the suggestions flowing in please guys - I really appreciate all your help. Update soon.

*Lev*

 

Lev,
I mentioned Norton because of the slowness of your machine, and that Norton is a resource hog in comparison to other antivirus applications. Stand alone or suite - I was curious as to whether Norton AV was installed by itself or part of a Norton suite like System Works. I have the 2003 System Works suite, which includes Ghost, althought I don't use it. I wouldn't have Ghost running at startup if it were me.

As for the spyware apps, the two that I use and trust most are AdAwareSE and Spybot SearchandDestroy. Make sure that you have the most current releases of both and check for updates before running them. Hope that helps!

I actually like your computer specs, and see no problem with them either. I'm typing on a 500 mhz Celeron at the moment. Best wishes with your computer problem and keep posting. I'm sure that some member will come up with a solution or fix for your problem

 

Thanks Novice..you are boosting my confidence and determination to get this sorted!

OK..I understand now. Norton AV and Ghost are stand alone, and I will disable the Ghost on taskbar.

Spy apps...ai also have Adware and Spybot S&D (updated regularly) and I also run SpywareGuard with the live update (in taskbar).

I've just done the registry clean with Easy Cleaner, WashandGo and CrapCleaner. CCLeaner is so cool !! My PC amazingly enough had more issues than I do!!

I'm now starting to work through the sticky notes on the Spyware Forum.

Thanks for the compliment re my computer spec! I'll pass it on I am actually in the process of moving to the US and was wondering if it was actually worth keeping this PC in light of all this. I think you have just convinced me to keep working at it. Thanks!!!

More later.

*Lev*

 

Just a thought, if the 'slow down' issue only started after installing SP2, then it's possible some system files became corrupted. After you finish with your other checks, if the computer is still slow it wouldn't hurt to run 'system file checker'.

To do this, open a command window & type in "sfc.exe /scanonce". This will cause XP to do a check of all critical system files when you reboot. You will need your XP install CD for this. If it finds any corrupted files, it will replace them with good files from the CD.

Good luck with getting things going!

 

HAHA I am having such fun! My PC is now cleaner than my kitchen!

OK...from the Spyware Specific Forum I have followed the stick note on Spyware, Trojan and Virus Removal to the letter.

The only thing found was by Trend Micro Online Virus Scan which found "Joke Flipped". Maybe it will work better now I don't have to stand on my head to use the PC *grins*

HSRemove got rid of 8 items but gave me no feedback as to what they might have been.

Wavetar - I hear what you are saying and thanks. My music CD playing has always been an issue since a techie friend upgraded my PC from 98 to XP. The music stutters and plays slow, with continued 100% CPU usage showing no matter what audio software. The constant 100% when using any software was a more recent thing. I can't say for sure it was SP2 related, but my PC went into constant reboot and blue screening when this had been installed after a couple of months, so I uninstalled it. I'm not certain this will solve it.

Still plodding through sticky notes. Thanks for all your help everyone....any more thoughts please let me know. I'm not letting this go yet!! Hehe.

*Lev*

 

I seem to have come to a grinding halt. I was reading the Spyware Specific Forum and noticed a guy called UK Steve had the same problem of 100% CPU usage. It doesn't seem to matter what software I open. It uses 100%.

He did a HJT and seems to have sorted his problem. I understand what HJT does but have never used it and do not feel confident in anaylising the results. Is this something appropriate to my issue anyway? Is it time to move my issue to that forum? If the answers are yes and yes is anyone feeling up to supporting and advising me through this please? (Yes, it can wait until after Christmas).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

*Lev*

 

Lev,
Seeing that you have followed all the advice given and your probem still persists, I would say that it is time to move your post into the Spyware section. I'm sure that you will find someone that will be willing to walk you through the HJTapplication.

 

Thanks Novice..that's what I was thinking.

Thanks to all who have helped me get this far. It has been appreciated greatly. Have a fantastic Christmas guys.

*Lev*

 

Don't forget the difference in voltage between UK and USA and the plug design, of course. 240v versus 110v. Bazza

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Thanks Bazza. I have a friend who moved from the US to the UK. He said all he needed to do was buy a 240V power supply when he got to England and his PC was fine. I am presuming I do the same but in reverse with the 110V, and the plug socket will be right as I'd buy the power supply in the US.

If anyone has expereince to the contrary I'd be very interested to hear.

*Lev*

 

Yep, changing the power supply should do the trick. Check the monitor out, also, if you take it. Bazza

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Good point and I already have and was pleasantly surprised. Apparently the monitor (LG L1510S flat screen) and printer (HP 990 cxi) have some wonderful gadgetry which auto detect whether you are hooking up to 240 or 110, so should be compatible in both countries.

Having found that out I checked everything electrical in the house hehe. Seems my cell phone is too. Cool huh

Thanks for the advice.

*Lev*

 

Seems like you have it all under control. Best of luck with your move . Your brollie won't get much use, depending on where you settle on the West Coast. Bazza

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