100% cpu usage

[carl43m]

I have been having issues when running my XP laptop. I constantly see
Iexplore.exe using 90% to 100% of my cpu. I had 1GB of ram. This happens
even if I have not been running any other programs--just one browser window
open. The usage goes down for a bit and then spikes up again. Today I
bought another GB of ram bring the pc up to 2 GB. Even though I have doubled
the Ram I still see these 100% spikes. I closed the browser and was just
running a video game and it spiked up and down to 100%. I have tried
googeling this issue but found nothing. One person was having a similar
problem and thought their fan was broken and the cpu was using a lot of
process capability. But nothing conclusive. I have zone alarm which is a
good security suite and it has not identified any issues virus or malware. I
went to my desktop which has vista and ran the same video game and had my
browser open and cpu usage never went above 14%. Granted I have 4GB of Ram
on the vista machine but 15% of 4GB is only .6 GB and and I have 2GB on the
laptop.

Does anyone have any suggestion? I had heard that possibly there might be
some services running in the background that I may not need but I have no
idea how to find them or then to figure out which ones are needed.
Thanks.
Carl

 

[peter]

another way to look at this:
your not wasting your CPU cycles by them sitting idle and doing nothing.
..your using 100% of what you paid for

Bet the processor on the Vista Machine is more powerful than the one on the
Laptop.
would you care to give us some specs???

peter

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when posting to
this newsgroup. In this case, also state your IE version.

Is the computer fully-patched at Windows Update and is Automatic Updates
enabled & working?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

 

[mikeyhsd]

why not just do the simple thing and check Task Manager to see what is using the cpu cycles.

no one from here can do that for you.

(e-mail address removed)



I have been having issues when running my XP laptop. I constantly see
Iexplore.exe using 90% to 100% of my cpu. I had 1GB of ram. This happens
even if I have not been running any other programs--just one browser window
open. The usage goes down for a bit and then spikes up again. Today I
bought another GB of ram bring the pc up to 2 GB. Even though I have doubled
the Ram I still see these 100% spikes. I closed the browser and was just
running a video game and it spiked up and down to 100%. I have tried
googeling this issue but found nothing. One person was having a similar
problem and thought their fan was broken and the cpu was using a lot of
process capability. But nothing conclusive. I have zone alarm which is a
good security suite and it has not identified any issues virus or malware. I
went to my desktop which has vista and ran the same video game and had my
browser open and cpu usage never went above 14%. Granted I have 4GB of Ram
on the vista machine but 15% of 4GB is only .6 GB and and I have 2GB on the
laptop.

Does anyone have any suggestion? I had heard that possibly there might be
some services running in the background that I may not need but I have no
idea how to find them or then to figure out which ones are needed.
Thanks.
Carl

 

[carl43m]

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in 2GB Ram
and the same thing still happens).

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA
Subscription is up to date
I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I keep
updates current--except for windows SP3. I had installed that 8 months ago
and I could no longer access the internet. Noone at microsoft could help me
so they suggested I uninstall it and do a restore and then the pc worked fine
again.

I do look at taskmaster at it is always Iexplore.exe that is eating up the
CPU usage.

up to 100%, down to 5% down to 2% back up to 98%--it is chaotic.

Zone Alarm is on always and a full system scan for virus and spyware once a
week.

If there is any other information needed just give a shout.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of the previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

Repost: Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3.

NB #1: If SP3 isn't installed by April of next year, your computer will not
be offered ANY further critical security updates and you will NOT be able to
update manually via Windows Update website! (cf.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx)

[MS was offering free SP3 installation & compatibility support for well over
a year but not any longer. Given your current set of problems, it may be
best to backup your personal data then format & do a clean install of
Windows.]

NB #2: If you install SP3 now, you will not be able to uninstall IE7 (should
the need arise) without having first uninstalled IE7. (cf.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx

====
The above notwithstanding, there is a very good chance that you are seeing
the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always
spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in 2GB
Ram and the same thing still happens).

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA
Subscription is up to date
I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3. I had installed that 8 months
ago
and I could no longer access the internet. Noone at microsoft could help
me
so they suggested I uninstall it and do a restore and then the pc worked
fine again.

I do look at taskmaster at it is always Iexplore.exe that is eating up the
CPU usage.

up to 100%, down to 5% down to 2% back up to 98%--it is chaotic.

Zone Alarm is on always and a full system scan for virus and spyware once
a
week.

If there is any other information needed just give a shout.

 

[carl43m]

I went to the link you provide and I did not fine the 7 step process drol
was referring to. However, I have uninstalled adobe flash player and will
see what happens over the next day. I also noticed someone mentioned about
cpu overheating and I do notice that the bottom of my laptop always feels hot
and the fan seems to go all the time. I'll have to google that issue and
see what I can find. My wife informed me that she haden't noticed this issue
until recently and flash player 10 I think may have been updated on our pc
recently --I'll look in update history to see when that happened. Thanks for
your suggestion.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in 2GB Ram
and the same thing still happens).

Certainly. The amount of RAM you have has nothing to do with the
amount of CPU usage you are experiencing. They are two different
things.

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA

You very likely don't want to hear this, but you do not have the any
of the better security around. I recommend the following:

1. For anti-virus software--NOD32, if you don't mind paying for it;
Avast, if you want a free one.

2. For anti-spyware, be aware that no single program is perfect, and
running two or more is much better than one. MalwareBytes' AntiMalware
is the best and SUPERAnti-Spyware is next best. I recommend that you
run the free versions of at least those two.

3. For a firewall, it doesn't matter very much. They are all pretty
much equally good. I would run the Windows firewall, but if you
already have ZoneAlarm, that's OK too.

I can't be sure what your problem is, but the symptoms you describe
sound very much like you are infected with malware.

 

[carl43m]

one other thing I just noticed today. I did not even hane on the browser but
just tried to do a search on my laptop files to find a specific file.
several times the cpu usage got to between 80% and 95% just doing the search.
It would appear that whatever application is running uses up most of the
cpu. I am wondering if it is an overheating thing as the bottom of my laptop
feels quite hot and the fan runs continuously.

 

[Bennett Marco]

3. For a firewall, it doesn't matter very much. They are all pretty
much equally good. I would run the Windows firewall, but if you
already have ZoneAlarm, that's OK too.

IIRC Zone Alarm has been known to cause problems... at least way back
when I used it. I also seem to recall that it's more
resource-intensive than the native firewall.

 

[carl43m]

Thanks for your assistance. One more question. If I were to reformat my
hard drive and then reinstall windows that came with my pc 3 years ago , do I
then just go and download SP3 and update with that? Or do I have to do an
sp2 first and then sp3? Thanks.

To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of the previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

Repost: Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3.

NB #1: If SP3 isn't installed by April of next year, your computer will not
be offered ANY further critical security updates and you will NOT be able to
update manually via Windows Update website! (cf.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx)

[MS was offering free SP3 installation & compatibility support for well over
a year but not any longer. Given your current set of problems, it may be
best to backup your personal data then format & do a clean install of
Windows.]

NB #2: If you install SP3 now, you will not be able to uninstall IE7 (should
the need arise) without having first uninstalled IE7. (cf.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx

====
The above notwithstanding, there is a very good chance that you are seeing
the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always
spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in 2GB
Ram and the same thing still happens).

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA
Subscription is up to date
I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3. I had installed that 8 months
ago
and I could no longer access the internet. Noone at microsoft could help
me
so they suggested I uninstall it and do a restore and then the pc worked
fine again.

I do look at taskmaster at it is always Iexplore.exe that is eating up the
CPU usage.

up to 100%, down to 5% down to 2% back up to 98%--it is chaotic.

Zone Alarm is on always and a full system scan for virus and spyware once
a
week.

If there is any other information needed just give a shout.

Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when posting to
this newsgroup. In this case, also state your IE version.

Is the computer fully-patched at Windows Update and is Automatic Updates
enabled & working?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

 

[Lem]

If you bought your computer 3 years ago with Windows XP pre-installed,
it most likely included service pack 2 (which was released in August
2004). In that case, if you do restore to the out-of-the-box state, you
can install sp3 directly. If you want to pre-download sp3 you can get it
here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

Or just go to Windows Update, where you will be offered SP3 (and
subsequent critical updates).

Or you can order an SP3 update CD here (for Canada and US) for $3.99:
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/V...e3453ad966d&LocaleCode=en-us&JavaScriptOn=yes

Thanks for your assistance. One more question. If I were to reformat my
hard drive and then reinstall windows that came with my pc 3 years ago , do I
then just go and download SP3 and update with that? Or do I have to do an
sp2 first and then sp3? Thanks.

To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of the previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

Repost: Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3.

NB #1: If SP3 isn't installed by April of next year, your computer will not
be offered ANY further critical security updates and you will NOT be able to
update manually via Windows Update website! (cf.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx)

[MS was offering free SP3 installation & compatibility support for well over
a year but not any longer. Given your current set of problems, it may be
best to backup your personal data then format & do a clean install of
Windows.]

NB #2: If you install SP3 now, you will not be able to uninstall IE7 (should
the need arise) without having first uninstalled IE7. (cf.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx

====
The above notwithstanding, there is a very good chance that you are seeing
the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always
spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in 2GB
Ram and the same thing still happens).

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA
Subscription is up to date
I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3. I had installed that 8 months
ago
and I could no longer access the internet. Noone at microsoft could help
me
so they suggested I uninstall it and do a restore and then the pc worked
fine again.

I do look at taskmaster at it is always Iexplore.exe that is eating up the
CPU usage.

up to 100%, down to 5% down to 2% back up to 98%--it is chaotic.

Zone Alarm is on always and a full system scan for virus and spyware once
a
week.

If there is any other information needed just give a shout.

Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when posting to
this newsgroup. In this case, also state your IE version.

Is the computer fully-patched at Windows Update and is Automatic Updates
enabled & working?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

:
I have been having issues when running my XP laptop. I constantly see
Iexplore.exe using 90% to 100% of my cpu. I had 1GB of ram. This
happens
even if I have not been running any other programs--just one browser
window
open. The usage goes down for a bit and then spikes up again. Today I
bought another GB of ram bring the pc up to 2 GB. Even though I have
doubled the Ram I still see these 100% spikes. I closed the browser and
was just running a video game and it spiked up and down to 100%. I have
tried googeling this issue but found nothing. One person was having a
similar problem and thought their fan was broken and the cpu was using a
lot of process capability. But nothing conclusive. I have zone alarm
which is a good security suite and it has not identified any issues virus
or malware. I went to my desktop which has vista and ran the same video
game and had my browser open and cpu usage never went above 14%. Granted
I have 4GB of Ram on the vista machine but 15% of 4GB is only .6 GB and
and I have 2GB on the laptop.

Does anyone have any suggestion? I had heard that possibly there might
be
some services running in the background that I may not need but I have no
idea how to find them or then to figure out which ones are needed.
Thanks.
Carl

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

If you find yourself running WinXP SP1 or SP2 after the clean install,
see...

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

If you find that it's WinXP Gold (no Service Packs), see...

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

If you bought the computer in 2006, you'll probably end up with WinXP SP2
after the clean install.

Thanks for your assistance. One more question. If I were to reformat my
hard drive and then reinstall windows that came with my pc 3 years ago ,
do
I then just go and download SP3 and update with that? Or do I have to do
an
sp2 first and then sp3? Thanks.

To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of the
previous message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

Repost: Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed
on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that
program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3.

NB #1: If SP3 isn't installed by April of next year, your computer will
not
be offered ANY further critical security updates and you will NOT be able
to update manually via Windows Update website! (cf.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx)

[MS was offering free SP3 installation & compatibility support for well
over a year but not any longer. Given your current set of problems, it
may be best to backup your personal data then format & do a clean install
of Windows.]

NB #2: If you install SP3 now, you will not be able to uninstall IE7
(should the need arise) without having first uninstalled IE7. (cf.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx

====
The above notwithstanding, there is a very good chance that you are
seeing
the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription
had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription
has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as
well.**

If these 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) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always
spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in
2GB
Ram and the same thing still happens).

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA
Subscription is up to date
I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that
program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3. I had installed that 8 months
ago
and I could no longer access the internet. Noone at microsoft could
help
me
so they suggested I uninstall it and do a restore and then the pc worked
fine again.

I do look at taskmaster at it is always Iexplore.exe that is eating up
the
CPU usage.

up to 100%, down to 5% down to 2% back up to 98%--it is chaotic.

Zone Alarm is on always and a full system scan for virus and spyware
once
a
week.

If there is any other information needed just give a shout.

Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when posting to
this newsgroup. In this case, also state your IE version.

Is the computer fully-patched at Windows Update and is Automatic Updates
enabled & working?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought
it)?

:
I have been having issues when running my XP laptop. I constantly see
Iexplore.exe using 90% to 100% of my cpu. I had 1GB of ram. This
happens
even if I have not been running any other programs--just one browser
window
open. The usage goes down for a bit and then spikes up again. Today I
bought another GB of ram bring the pc up to 2 GB. Even though I have
doubled the Ram I still see these 100% spikes. I closed the browser
and
was just running a video game and it spiked up and down to 100%. I
have
tried googeling this issue but found nothing. One person was having a
similar problem and thought their fan was broken and the cpu was using
a
lot of process capability. But nothing conclusive. I have zone alarm
which is a good security suite and it has not identified any issues
virus
or malware. I went to my desktop which has vista and ran the same
video
game and had my browser open and cpu usage never went above 14%.
Granted
I have 4GB of Ram on the vista machine but 15% of 4GB is only .6 GB and
and I have 2GB on the laptop.

Does anyone have any suggestion? I had heard that possibly there might
be
some services running in the background that I may not need but I have
no
idea how to find them or then to figure out which ones are needed.
Thanks.
Carl

 

[carl43m]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. A couple of additional updates. I
looked at the files on my pc and remember now that a couple of years ago I
had Norton 360 on the pc before I removed it and started using Zone Alarm.
There is one file that I can see labled Norton 360 and it looks like it has
uninstall data in it.

I have also run full deep scans with Zone Alarm in safe mode--found no virus
but a bunch of spyware which I selected as items to delete. I then ran the
Microsoft Removal Tool which took several hours and it siad it found nothing
on the pc. I also ran the windows One Care in safe mode and it showed
nothing either.

I have seen adds for Registry Cleaners . Do you think something like that
might be of help to my CPU usage situation or are they just gimmicks without
much usefulness?

I did notice that any application, ie. browser, ZA, Mi9crosoft Removal too,
pc game --all seem to use 80% to 100% of my cpu usage even though I have
double the Ram from 1Gb to 2 GB. Something seems amiss but nothing shows in
any of the antivirus or spyware checks.

To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of the previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

Repost: Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3.

NB #1: If SP3 isn't installed by April of next year, your computer will not
be offered ANY further critical security updates and you will NOT be able to
update manually via Windows Update website! (cf.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx)

[MS was offering free SP3 installation & compatibility support for well over
a year but not any longer. Given your current set of problems, it may be
best to backup your personal data then format & do a clean install of
Windows.]

NB #2: If you install SP3 now, you will not be able to uninstall IE7 (should
the need arise) without having first uninstalled IE7. (cf.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx

====
The above notwithstanding, there is a very good chance that you are seeing
the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always
spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in 2GB
Ram and the same thing still happens).

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA
Subscription is up to date
I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3. I had installed that 8 months
ago
and I could no longer access the internet. Noone at microsoft could help
me
so they suggested I uninstall it and do a restore and then the pc worked
fine again.

I do look at taskmaster at it is always Iexplore.exe that is eating up the
CPU usage.

up to 100%, down to 5% down to 2% back up to 98%--it is chaotic.

Zone Alarm is on always and a full system scan for virus and spyware once
a
week.

If there is any other information needed just give a shout.

Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when posting to
this newsgroup. In this case, also state your IE version.

Is the computer fully-patched at Windows Update and is Automatic Updates
enabled & working?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

 

[carl43m]

Quick followup question. In responding to one of my message you asked the
following "To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of
the previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you. "

Is there a quick way for me to show all previous messages or do I have to
copy and paste them all into my most recent reply back? Thanks. I want to
follow best practices -just wasn't sure exactly how ro do that. Thanks.

To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you quote all of the previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

Repost: Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on
this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3.

NB #1: If SP3 isn't installed by April of next year, your computer will not
be offered ANY further critical security updates and you will NOT be able to
update manually via Windows Update website! (cf.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx)

[MS was offering free SP3 installation & compatibility support for well over
a year but not any longer. Given your current set of problems, it may be
best to backup your personal data then format & do a clean install of
Windows.]

NB #2: If you install SP3 now, you will not be able to uninstall IE7 (should
the need arise) without having first uninstalled IE7. (cf.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/05/05/ie-and-xpsp3.aspx

====
The above notwithstanding, there is a very good chance that you are seeing
the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Here is the information some of you were asking about:

System is Windows XP SP2
Intel Pentium 1.86GHz
1.99GB Ram ( until this week I had only 1GB of Ram and it was always
spiking
to 100% cpu usage even with just IE running. A few days ago I put in 2GB
Ram and the same thing still happens).

IE is version 7.0.5730.11

Zone Alarm Extrem Security--It has AV/antispyware and firewall. I have
windows firewall turned off and just use ZA
Subscription is up to date
I have windows autoupdate turned off--just recently to see if that program
was eating up resources looking for updates. It has worked fine and I
keep
updates current--except for windows SP3. I had installed that 8 months
ago
and I could no longer access the internet. Noone at microsoft could help
me
so they suggested I uninstall it and do a restore and then the pc worked
fine again.

I do look at taskmaster at it is always Iexplore.exe that is eating up the
CPU usage.

up to 100%, down to 5% down to 2% back up to 98%--it is chaotic.

Zone Alarm is on always and a full system scan for virus and spyware once
a
week.

If there is any other information needed just give a shout.

Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when posting to
this newsgroup. In this case, also state your IE version.

Is the computer fully-patched at Windows Update and is Automatic Updates
enabled & working?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?