Cpu Usage goes to 50% or more

System Specs:

Windows XP
Dell Inspiron E1705
2 gig ram
Core 2 Duo, 2.00 ghz

My cpu usage is stuck at about 50% constantly. I go into task manager and see that rundll32.exe is causing my computer to slow down. I end task that, and then PCMservice.exe jumps to 50%. I have run many different spyware programs, and anti-virus programs, but it doesn't seem to help. When I first boot up the system I have no problems, but then after some time, it appears, and will stay there until I restart. I have run HijackThis. Here is the log:


Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! THANKS!

 

I have an AMD 64 X2 2gh proc. 3gb ram. running Vista Ultimate 64-bit, this system runs great. I had win xp home before vista. I installed a program on XP and after rebooting the program was using up alot of the system resorces.
I think you may have a program that is causing this problem. What was the last program you installed before you noticed this problem?? Maybe you need to un-install that particular program.

 

I don't even remember the last program I installed. Recent programs are avast! Antivirus, STEAM, Open Office.

 

Craig: Please read and follow the instructions of this link http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=38752 before posting HJT logs, which incidentally should be posted in the Malware Forum.

PCMservice.exe is part of the Dell media software experience and not a problem in itself. Please do not terminate or delete this. Someone with greater Dell experience will hopefully be able to advise you on how to resolve this error soon.

 

Avast doesn't use much resources, Steam uses a little but not 50% at idle or even if it is downloading updates. You can try running msconfig.
Go to the start menu, run and type in msconfig. When the window pops up go to make sure the normal start up button is checked. Go to the startup tab and take a look at the programs that run at start up. Uncheck all except the anti virus, spy ware, & firewall programs. You may have to restart windows.
One by one do the same as above, but turn on a program, and see which one is giving you this problem. Once you've done this you can figure out which one is the problem and un-install it.

 

I went to the link Lev posted http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=38752 you may want to look at his before trying my method.

 

You said you just installed avast! Antivirus but you still have Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal showing up in your HJT log.

If your going to keep avast you should clear out all Kaspersky files and folders. This could cause some of your problems.

 

Alright, well I'm going through and doing all the steps in the Read & Run me First. I missed that thread earlier! Sorry about that. Hopefully this will fix some problems, if not, I'll let you know.

 

Thanks Chaslang - the reason I advised that was because I wasn't sure and wanted a more expert opinion on it than mine before it got deleted

 

Problem still occurs after I did everything on the other thread. I have included another HijackThis log file. Hopefully you guys can see something in there. I think I have fixed most of the stuff you mentioned. I took quite a few programs off of my startup, and got rid of all the kaspersky stuff. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

You still haven't got rid of the PCMservice.exe as strongly suggested by Chaslang in post #11. This could still be the root of your issues.

 

Yeah, that is something that is from Dell though. When I end task it, just because it is causing high CPU usage, my system stops functioning. I don't think it would be smart to remove it.

 

It is just Dell media junk...did you read the link Chaslang posted? Even on the Dell site advice is being given to uninstall this. Chaslang knows his beans

 

Alright, well what is the easiest way to remove it? I don't see it on the add/remove. Are you sure this will solve my problem?