100% CPU usage in XP

[Nisar Butt]

After a year of happily running XP with SP1 and selective
updates, it has started to consume 100% CPU and behave
very unstable manner, often freezing up so I have to
reboot.

Even when I am not doing any work at all, CPU usage is
100%!! svchost.exe, winamp.exe, ns.exe,
smsls.exewmmon32.exe seem to be running, although I am
not doing anything and no programs are open...

I have an array of spyware and ad-aware installed that I
update & run regularly, no use this time....help
please....

Nisar

 

[rollsroys]

hi
i got somehow the same problem, but after analysing with
the task manager i found out that it's the explorer that
uses all the cpu (in my case at least). if you've got an
answer/solution, i'd appreciate if you could forward it
to me.
thx
rr

 

[Maciej M.]

I also had this problem - i think it arose from having two messenger
applications running simultaneously.
CPU usage is back to normal after deactivating MSN Messenger (v.6.2).

greetz

 

[null]

After a year of happily running XP with SP1 and selective
updates, it has started to consume 100% CPU and behave
very unstable manner, often freezing up so I have to
reboot.

Even when I am not doing any work at all, CPU usage is
100%!! svchost.exe, winamp.exe, ns.exe,
smsls.exewmmon32.exe seem to be running, although I am
not doing anything and no programs are open...

I have an array of spyware and ad-aware installed that I
update & run regularly, no use this time....help
please....

Nisar

Have you run a full virus scan with updated virus definitions?

Have you checked what's starting up when you first login to XP?

--
The reader should exercise normal caution and backup the Registry and
data files regularly, and especially before making any changes to their
PC, as well as performing regular virus and spyware scans. I am not
liable for problems or mishaps that occur from the reader using advice
posted here. No warranty, express or implied, is given with the posting
of this message.

 

[Dhoff]

I had a similar problem going on. I went into MSCONFIG (selecting
Start|Run, and typing in msconfig|click OK). Once there, select
Selective Startup on the General tab. Next go to the Startup tab and
uncheck NS.exe, along with any other programs you do not wish to start
automatically. I did this and noticed tremendous improvement.

P.S. I do not even have Netscape installed on my comp and I still had
this NS.exe eating up half of my CPU. It might be some sort of virus.

Hope this helps....