100% CPU...

[Per Hultqvist]

Hi,

I have had a problem with Windows XP for a long time now, both with SP1 and
SP2. From time to time the CPU is slowly increasing to 100% (it can take
from 3 up to 15 minutes) and then it drops down in just a second or two down
to more normal <10%. Then it usually takes at least half an hour until the
process starts all over...

No process claims to use the CPU, "System idle"-process is usually att
normal 70-95% while this happens, so I can't figure out why this happens. I
have never noticed any increase in network traffic during the CPU-intensive
phase. I also want to point out that the CPU-usage is "real", all other
applications suffer and sound and video performance is horrible during the
problem-phase.

I have a hyperthreading 3.0 GHz intel P4 with 1Gb of RAM. Windows XP Pro
(english) with SP2. I regulary scan my computer both for spyware (using
AdAware) and viruses (McAfee) and I am using a software firewall
(ZoneAlarm)...

Any suggestions on how to solve or track down this problem?

Many thanks in advance...

/Per Hultqvist, Gothenburg, Sweden.

 

[Vilma]

Hi,

I have had a problem with Windows XP for a long time now, both with SP1 and
SP2. From time to time the CPU is slowly increasing to 100% (it can take
from 3 up to 15 minutes) and then it drops down in just a second or two down
to more normal <10%. Then it usually takes at least half an hour until the
process starts all over...

No process claims to use the CPU, "System idle"-process is usually att
normal 70-95% while this happens, so I can't figure out why this happens. I
have never noticed any increase in network traffic during the CPU-intensive
phase. I also want to point out that the CPU-usage is "real", all other
applications suffer and sound and video performance is horrible during the
problem-phase.

I have a hyperthreading 3.0 GHz intel P4 with 1Gb of RAM. Windows XP Pro
(english) with SP2. I regulary scan my computer both for spyware (using
AdAware) and viruses (McAfee) and I am using a software firewall
(ZoneAlarm)...

Any suggestions on how to solve or track down this problem?

Many thanks in advance...

/Per Hultqvist, Gothenburg, Sweden.

From your system spec it clearly isn't that which is a problem!! Get a
process viewing program freeware and see which program is doing it. Maybe
it will give you more info than windows own

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,6102,00.asp

I think you may have something installed which is eating your memory or
making memory holes or zombies or something.
Then get a memory management program such as RAMpage to free up used memory
as necessary and it might be better then.

You could also get a memory checking program to verify your memory is
functioning well.

Also goto Startmenu>control panel>system>advanced>advanced >performance
settings>advanced and check that the virtual memory is set to something
reasonable for your system. Google it.

check also your bios settings.

Good Luck

 

[Per Hultqvist]

Thank you very much for the reply...

I tried Sysinternals ProcessExplorer (www.sysinternals.com) and it tells me
that currently Hardware Interupts is using ~30% and System Idle ~65%.
TaskMan is showing me System Idle ~95%, so I guess I have a hardware
problem?

How do you recommend that I continue to track down this problem? Removing
all the extra cards one by one (sound/IDE Controller/network/...) and see if
the problem disappears? And then remove the DVD-recorders/players and extra
harddrives?

Or, can it still be a software problem?

/Per

 

[Per Hultqvist]

Vilma,

I think the problem is solved. I started by removing a DVD-player that have
not been working very well lately, and now hardware interupts is between 0%
and 2%...

Many thanks for your inspiration

/Per

 

[Per Hultqvist]

Crap!

Now it is up at 40% again...guess I'll have to remove some more hardware
unless anyone have any ideas...

/Per

 

[Vilma]

Thank you very much for the reply...

I tried Sysinternals ProcessExplorer (www.sysinternals.com) and it tells me
that currently Hardware Interupts is using ~30% and System Idle ~65%.
TaskMan is showing me System Idle ~95%, so I guess I have a hardware
problem?

How do you recommend that I continue to track down this problem? Removing
all the extra cards one by one (sound/IDE Controller/network/...) and see if
the problem disappears? And then remove the DVD-recorders/players and extra
harddrives?

Or, can it still be a software problem?

/Per

I think it is most likely software unless you have a faulty memory module.
I am by no means an expert though. I guess if all else fails you will have
to gradually eliminate things one by one to see what corrects it.
This might help and is from microsoft:
http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/12/7/12-7-28.shtml