CPU usage @ 100%

[Donna]

I have Windows XP running on a Gateway Performance 450,
with 256MB. I have disabled ALL of my startup programs in
msconfig, deleted ALL of my icons on my desktop, quick
launch, and taskbar in bottom right corner of screen as
per instructions from an MSN technician. I have a
firewall, no viruses, have scanned with AdAware and have
NO Spyware, and I still have a problem with the CPU usage
in taskmanager. It still sometimes reads 100%, even with
NO programs running. HELP!!!

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

In task manager, under processes tab, what process has the highest number
under the cpu column?

--
Best of luck!

Michael D. Alligood
MCSA, MCP, CCNA, A+,
Network+, i-Net+, CIW A, CIW CI

 

[Donna]

Funny you asked that. I just looked, and noticed that
System Idle Process is taking anywhere from 95-98%. When
I looked that up on www.Answersthatwork.com, it said that
it was a system process and to leave it alone. Should I?

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

Yes you want the System Idle Process to have those results. This is normal
behavior. But the System Idle Process % do not calculate in the shown CPU
usage. In other words, what other process -- with the exception of System
Idle Process -- has the highest number?

--
Best of luck!

Michael D. Alligood
MCSA, MCP, CCNA, A+,
Network+, i-Net+, CIW A, CIW CI

 

[Donna]

All are at 0 except for taskmgr = 1, SVCHOST.exe = 2, but
previously when I looked the MCShield.exe was taking up
to 95%, but is now at 0. I noticed that when I hit Ctrl-
ALt-Del it shoots up to 100% then goes back down to
between 1% and 5%, just once I start any program it
shoots back up to 100% and sometimes stays there for a
while. As I said, I have 256MB, should I increase it to
512MB being that I use MSN, and I know that it is a
resource hog?
Thanks,
Donna ;o)

 

[BEK]

..

All are at 0 except for taskmgr = 1, SVCHOST.exe = 2, but
previously when I looked the MCShield.exe was taking up
to 95%, but is now at 0. I noticed that when I hit Ctrl-
ALt-Del it shoots up to 100% then goes back down to
between 1% and 5%, just once I start any program it
shoots back up to 100% and sometimes stays there for a
while. As I said, I have 256MB, should I increase it to
512MB being that I use MSN, and I know that it is a
resource hog?
Thanks,
Donna ;o)

Hi Donna,

MCShield.exe is your McAffee Virus scanner software. Perhaps you should
look at the settings in that program and find out what is causing the
constant scanning. You could also go to the McAffee website support page and
see if you could find a solution there. Also you didn't mention if you are
using Windows XP, but if you are, more than likely you don't have enough
RAM. XP will barely run on 256MB by itself and a resource drain like an
antivirus program would definitely cause your system slow down.

Good luck!
BEK