Hi All,

Trying to figure out why the CPU usage is always between 80 to 100% even
though no program is running. It has sp3 installed and 2GB of memory. Is
there any software out there that can help me to pin point the problem.

I used McAfee and no virus was found.

Thanks,

Joe

TaskMgr can display the data you're interested in. Click Start, Run (Type)
TaskMgr [Enter]. When open click the Processes (TAB). The CPU Time
column should be enabled. Monitor that to see what is taking the largest
portion of CPU activity. You can also click the CPU Time header to have
it display the usage by that parameter. ( Highest to lowest ) Click it
twice.
Ignore the "System Idle Process". That's a computer equivalent to drumming
it's fingers - nothing to do.

"JoeP" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi All,
>
> Trying to figure out why the CPU usage is always between 80 to 100% even
> though no program is running. It has sp3 installed and 2GB of memory. Is
> there any software out there that can help me to pin point the problem.
>
> I used McAfee and no virus was found.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Joe
>

It could be a sub-process or application that's running in the background
and taking all
the CPU resources.

To find and display what could be the problem try Process Explorer:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...sExplorer.mspx

Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:
In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the
'Show Lower Pane' options.
Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)
In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.
Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage
(Highest to Lowest).

Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with some
detailed info.
Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.
Then click on that process to highlight it,
Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed select:
Search Online
This should display what out there on the web about that process.
You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed
'Properties' window.
Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and
Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub processes),
in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on the
Graph just below the Menu bar.
This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger display
of all three graphs.
Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what
process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

Another tool available is: What's Running
http://www.whatsrunning.net/whatsrunning/main.aspx

JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"JoeP" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi All,
>
> Trying to figure out why the CPU usage is always between 80 to 100% even
> though no program is running. It has sp3 installed and 2GB of memory. Is
> there any software out there that can help me to pin point the problem.
>
> I used McAfee and no virus was found.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Joe
>

I appreciate the replies.

Thanks.

"JoeP" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi All,
>
> Trying to figure out why the CPU usage is always between 80 to 100% even
> though no program is running. It has sp3 installed and 2GB of memory. Is
> there any software out there that can help me to pin point the problem.
>
> I used McAfee and no virus was found.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Joe
>

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

> I used McAfee and no virus was found.

That doesn't mean squat, I'm afraid. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware,
including posting your hijackthis log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_R...:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjunction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or another appropriate forum for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

JoeP wrote:
> Trying to figure out why the CPU usage is always between 80 to 100% even
> though no program is running. It has sp3 installed and 2GB of memory. Is
> there any software out there that can help me to pin point the problem.
>
> I used McAfee and no virus was found.

Updated link to Process Explorer:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx

JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"JS" <@> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> It could be a sub-process or application that's running in the background
> and taking all
> the CPU resources.
>
> To find and display what could be the problem try Process Explorer:
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...sExplorer.mspx
>
> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:
> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the
> 'Show Lower Pane' options.
> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)
> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.
> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage
> (Highest to Lowest).
>
> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with some
> detailed info.
> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.
> Then click on that process to highlight it,
> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed
> select: Search Online
> This should display what out there on the web about that process.
> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed
> 'Properties' window.
> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and
> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub
> processes),
> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.
>
> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on the
> Graph just below the Menu bar.
> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger display
> of all three graphs.
> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what
> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.
>
> Another tool available is: What's Running
> http://www.whatsrunning.net/whatsrunning/main.aspx
>
> JS
> http://www.pagestart.com
>
>
> "JoeP" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Trying to figure out why the CPU usage is always between 80 to 100% even
>> though no program is running. It has sp3 installed and 2GB of memory. Is
>> there any software out there that can help me to pin point the problem.
>>
>> I used McAfee and no virus was found.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Joe
>>
>
>