100% cpu usage: programs not opening, not working..HELP

[Guest]

Hello all,
I've been having a problem with my new Acer laptop: a great many programs
just refuse to open when I double click on them. This includes Adobe Acrobat
Reader, which I have already installed, as well as numerous Setup programs
for ZoneAlarm, among others. When I do double click on them, nothing happens,
but when I check on Windows Task Manager, the program I am trying to open is
listed under 'processes' and usually takes up 95-100% of the CPU power, and
stays that way for a LONG time.

Also, things like MSN Messenger go through the same process when I am trying
to use them (maybe after 5minutes of use, or for example when someone tries
to send a file transfer my way): their window goes white, the CPU usage
rockets up to 100%, and the only way I can get my computer back is by closing
that process through Windows Task Manager. I can't read any messages in
Outlook Express as the 'preview pane' or whatever it is triggers this effect
too.

This problem is also seen in Safe Mode, and I've run a virus scan in safe
mode and nada, nothing found. My laptop is stock and new, I haven't changed
any settings..



If anyone has any idea why this is happening, please write me back either
here or at rocaveli [at] gmail .com


Pentium M 760 - 2.0GHz
ATI Mobility Radeon X700 128MB
100GB HDD Serial ATA
1GB DDR2 533 Dual Channel
Windows XP Pro
Acer TravelMate 8100

 

[AmericanTechie]

Hello all,
I've been having a problem with my new Acer laptop: a great many programs
just refuse to open when I double click on them. This includes Adobe Acrobat
Reader, which I have already installed, as well as numerous Setup programs
for ZoneAlarm, among others. When I do double click on them, nothing happens,
but when I check on Windows Task Manager, the program I am trying to open is
listed under 'processes' and usually takes up 95-100% of the CPU power, and
stays that way for a LONG time.

Also, things like MSN Messenger go through the same process when I am trying
to use them (maybe after 5minutes of use, or for example when someone tries
to send a file transfer my way): their window goes white, the CPU usage
rockets up to 100%, and the only way I can get my computer back is by closing
that process through Windows Task Manager. I can't read any messages in
Outlook Express as the 'preview pane' or whatever it is triggers this effect
too.

This problem is also seen in Safe Mode, and I've run a virus scan in safe
mode and nada, nothing found. My laptop is stock and new, I haven't changed
any settings..



If anyone has any idea why this is happening, please write me back either
here or at rocaveli [at] gmail .com


Pentium M 760 - 2.0GHz
ATI Mobility Radeon X700 128MB
100GB HDD Serial ATA
1GB DDR2 533 Dual Channel
Windows XP Pro
Acer TravelMate 8100

Has this always been a problem? If no then how long has it been a
problem? What types of changes did you make to the computer leading up
to the problem? When you boot into safemode also make sure that all
non-essential devices are not plugged in, such as a USB mouse and any
PCMCIA cards. This might sound funky, but I would also try booting into
a different user account in safemode. For instance, if you are booting
into your regular account, then try the admin account. If you are using
the admin and have no other user accounts, then create one, reboot into
safemode, and then try the new user account. Sometimes a user account
can go screwy. Otherwise give us a little more info on the history.

 

[Plato]

I've been having a problem with my new Acer laptop: a great many programs
just refuse to open when I double click on them. This includes Adobe Acrobat

Time for a tuneup.