I appear to have a spyware problem, where it automatically caps out sytem
utilization at 100%. The problem is that it is not a specific process, but
rather if I kill a process that is maxing out the next process becomes 99%
utilized. This occurs even when I run in safe mode. I am running microsoft xp
home and don't know what to do. I cannot run any software that may get rid of
it such as spybot or ad-aware as these become the 100% utiliized processes
but never actually run. Does anyone have an idea short of reformatting?

If you restart Windows in Safe mode, by pressing the f8 Function key before
the initial Windows screen appears, does this still happen?

Possible courses of action:
In safe mode, scan with both Microsoft Antispyware and your updated antivirus.

Consider starting in Safe Mode with Networking, and doing a complete scan at:

http://safety.live.com

(this is Microsoft's most current set of antivirus definitions, and scanner)

If you are in the U.S. or canada, you can call 1-866-pcsafety for free help
from Microsoft PSS staff with virus or security patch issues. In other parts
of the world, equivalent help is available, but the phone call may not be
free. Call the local Microsoft office, or the number for paid support in
your locale, and ask for the free support for virus or security patch issues.

"Kevin" wrote:

> I appear to have a spyware problem, where it automatically caps out sytem
> utilization at 100%. The problem is that it is not a specific process, but
> rather if I kill a process that is maxing out the next process becomes 99%
> utilized. This occurs even when I run in safe mode. I am running microsoft xp
> home and don't know what to do. I cannot run any software that may get rid of
> it such as spybot or ad-aware as these become the 100% utiliized processes
> but never actually run. Does anyone have an idea short of reformatting?