CPU Usage

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pastor Joel
  • Start date Start date
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Pastor Joel

My computer comes to a complete stop because the CPU usage goes up to 100%
and just sits there. I have a 2.8 GHz Intel system with 1 Gig of RAM. I
notice in the Task Manager that in the Image Name category there are 4
svchost.exe running with User Names, 1. LOCAL SERVICE 2. NETWORK SERVICES 3.
System 4. System. I am not on a network. If I try to end one of those
processes the whole computer shuts down. Please help - this is really
slowing me down in the middle of trying to get some very important things
done.
 
Unless you see those services, which are quite normal by the way, eating up
the CPU time, they are not the issue. Look for anything in the list that is
either running consistently at a high CPU usage or consistently jumps to a
high usage figure. It is also normal for System Idle Time to run in the
high 90s.

If you find nothing, your problem is likely elsewhere.

First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run a
virus scan.

Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com

If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
issue.

Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer, look for
errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the information
contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. No not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft.
 
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