Abnormally High CPU Usage with No Running Applications

[tricklering]

There is some unknown program running on my laptop that uses 80% and higher
CPU power even with no applications running. The "performance" graph in the
Task Manager shows this along with random "spikes" to 100%. The cursor
pointer will "freeze" for 6 seconds during these spikes and streaming music
via Rhapsody will stutter for 6 seconds. I've enlisted Microsoft Software
Support help for $239 which has run spyware and virus cleaning programs along
with defragmentation, disk check, clean up, removing start-up and unneeded
programs yet the problem persists.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

There is some unknown program running on my laptop that uses 80% and higher
CPU power even with no applications running. The "performance" graph in the
Task Manager shows this along with random "spikes" to 100%. The cursor
pointer will "freeze" for 6 seconds during these spikes and streaming music
via Rhapsody will stutter for 6 seconds. I've enlisted Microsoft Software
Support help for $239 which has run spyware and virus cleaning programs along
with defragmentation, disk check, clean up, removing start-up and unneeded
programs yet the problem persists.

To find out what it is, download and run Process Explorer, at
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

 

[tricklering]

"Hardware Interrupts" is at the top of the list and using all the CPU power.
This is a wireless laptop so I don't know what type of hardware is
interrupting it.

 

[Gerry]

Can you identify the process image generating the CPU usage?

It would be helpful if you could post the Command Line of the svchost
process generating the excessive CPU usage. In Process Explorer place
cursor on Process and select Properties, Image.

What are your anti-virus and anti-spyware arrangements?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Jim]

"Hardware Interrupts" is at the top of the list and using all the CPU
power.
This is a wireless laptop so I don't know what type of hardware is
interrupting it.

Perhaps one of the devices has a serious problem. I suppose that you could
narrow the list of problem devices down a bit by disabling the wireless
adapter to see if that is what is causing the problem.

What you would have left is the modem (if any), the 1394 adapter (if any),
the USB adapters (if any), the graphics controller, the disk controller, and
the ethernet controller.

Jim

 

[tricklering]

The command line is always blank. Mcaffee and a Superantispyware installed
my the MS service tech. Same problem when disconnected from wireless without
1394

 

[Gerry]

What is the Process Image generating the CPU usage?

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[tricklering]

The Process Image is blank

What is the Process Image generating the CPU usage?

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Touch Base]

There is some unknown program running on my laptop that uses 80% and
higher
CPU power even with no applications running. The "performance" graph in
the
Task Manager shows this along with random "spikes" to 100%. The cursor
pointer will "freeze" for 6 seconds during these spikes and streaming
music
via Rhapsody will stutter for 6 seconds. I've enlisted Microsoft Software
Support help for $239 which has run spyware and virus cleaning programs
along
with defragmentation, disk check, clean up, removing start-up and unneeded
programs yet the problem persists.

My money is on the battery. Disconnect the battery then connect to mains
power and see how it goes.