CPU 40-55% usage? Ghost programs? HELP!

[rob]

I have a bit of a problem. I'm noticing with Task
Manager that 40-55% of my cpu is being used at all times.
I've closed out all programs. Stopped all non critical
services and still CPU usage is at 40-55%. I look at
current running processes in the Task Manager and it shows
the Total CPU Usage at the bottom of the window, but the
System Idle process is between 97% and 99%. Non of the
processes show that they are at 40-55% usage at all. I've
set my refresh rate of Task manager to refresh as quickly
as it can but still, System Idle process is at 97-99%. It
almost seems like there is a ghost background process that
is using my cpu. Any one got any ideas how I can track
this down?


Windows 2000 Pro. Service Pack 4.

 

[John]

Rob,

I have the same problem but at 100%. If I find the answer
I'll let you know. Please do the same.

John Sage

 

[Gerry Voras]

Get yourself copies of Ad-aware, zone alarm, and a good anti-virus.

 

[xyzzy]

I have a bit of a problem. I'm noticing with Task
Manager that 40-55% of my cpu is being used at all times.
I've closed out all programs. Stopped all non critical
services and still CPU usage is at 40-55%. I look at
current running processes in the Task Manager and it shows
the Total CPU Usage at the bottom of the window, but the
System Idle process is between 97% and 99%. Non of the
processes show that they are at 40-55% usage at all. I've
set my refresh rate of Task manager to refresh as quickly
as it can but still, System Idle process is at 97-99%. It
almost seems like there is a ghost background process that
is using my cpu. Any one got any ideas how I can track
this down?

Increase the update speed in Taskman or download another process
tracker. Can be CSRSS.EXE, that was the culprit on mine, which was
giving ~50% CPU every 5 seconds. On a whim, I disabled my pagefile on
the secondary HD and it seems fine for the last 2 days. Otherwise,
haven't a clue other than killing of processes and services one by
one.

 

[cgilbert]

I saw this problem on a completely new install of Win2k SP4 on a Dell
Latitude C400 laptop.

I installed the OS and applied all patches while the machine was offline,
so no chance for infection there. I installed all the applications as
administrator and did not see the strange CPU activity.

When I joined the machine to my Window 2000 domain and logged in as a
domain user, I saw CSRSS.EXE spike the CPU to 40% every 5 seconds. When I
moved the mouse around, I'd see it freeze for a split second every 5
seconds.

I had to deploy the machine to a user, so I couldn't follow up on the
problem. For some reason, I don't seem to remember seeing the mouse-stall
symptom after a few more reboots.

So, I don't know the cure, but my symptom occured after joining the domain
and logging in as a user. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.