I can't access task manager

[Guest]

Hi.

When I load the performance utility in administrative tools, it says that my
CPU is in use 100% of the time, even when there is no software loaded and
just sitting there. The laptop fan is constantly in use. However when I right
click on the bottom bar and click task manager, nothing happens, therefore I
can't see exactly what's taking up the processing power. It makes my computer
unbearably slow! If anyone has any info, that'd be fantastic!!!

 

[Michael T]

I would simply select the Processes tab in the Windows Task Manager to see
which process is using up your CPU time.

 

[Guest]

As mentioned, I can't access the task manager!

I would simply select the Processes tab in the Windows Task Manager to see
which process is using up your CPU time.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, PhilJ.

Have you tried the other way of accessing Task Manager: <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del>

Of course, if your computer is only using 2% of the CPU, the other 98% will
be "used" by the System Idle Process, so that it will always seem to be at
100%. But I'm sure you knew this.

When did you last scan this machine for malware?

RC

 

[Chuck]

Hi.

When I load the performance utility in administrative tools, it says that my
CPU is in use 100% of the time, even when there is no software loaded and
just sitting there. The laptop fan is constantly in use. However when I right
click on the bottom bar and click task manager, nothing happens, therefore I
can't see exactly what's taking up the processing power. It makes my computer
unbearably slow! If anyone has any info, that'd be fantastic!!!

Phil,

When does your computer get to this point? Immediately when you login, or after
its been running for a while?

Can you start Process Explorer instead? PE is free, from
<http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml>, and will give you
lots more information than TM about what is abusing your CPU. If you start PE
immediately after logging in, when you need it, it will be there to help you.

If that's not a possibility, consider a malware problem.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/dealing-with-malware-adware-spyware.html>

 

[Guest]

Fantastic!!

Thanks heaps Chuck! Using Process Explorer I was able to identify what was
tying up the resources of my computer, it turned out to be Windows Update.
Why it was taking 100% of my resources and not allowing me to load task
manager I don't know - but it was obviously reloading everytime I started
windows, hence I could never load task manager.

I do have Norton's antivirus and internet security, so I didn't go further
down the malware route, although is malware something that Nortons won't pick
up?

Awesome, and thanks for your help!!

 

[Guest]

Yes, I have tried ctrl alt del, and it doesn't even bring up a window!

I definitely know the CPU is running as my computer is running hot and the
fan is constantly on. The thing that worries me is that I can't bring up a
list of processes, so I can't see what exact process is taking the resources.

 

[Chuck]

Fantastic!!

Thanks heaps Chuck! Using Process Explorer I was able to identify what was
tying up the resources of my computer, it turned out to be Windows Update.
Why it was taking 100% of my resources and not allowing me to load task
manager I don't know - but it was obviously reloading everytime I started
windows, hence I could never load task manager.

I do have Norton's antivirus and internet security, so I didn't go further
down the malware route, although is malware something that Nortons won't pick
up?

Awesome, and thanks for your help!!

That's great to know, Phil. Thanks for the update!

You did verify that the Windows Update process is a legit Microsoft component,
not a malware forging the name?

Norton is an antivirus product, which is but a small portion of a very necessary
layered defense strategy. Most components I recommend are free, so you have
nothing to lose but some of your time, and a small amount of disk space and CPU
(a very small amount by today's standards):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>

 

[Guest]

Same problem here. I am not able to bring up Task Manager either. Ctrl Alt
Delete does not work either. 'nothing' seems to happen. Tried to change some
settings in the run gpedit.msc but windows cannot find it. I can use and
did use the Process Explorer thank you. But will not solve the question as to
where my task manager is.
Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi mred,

This is a classic symptom of virus attack. Some viruses disable / terminate
Task Manager, Registry Editor and other vital tools. First, clean the system
using a good anti-virus package.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Same problem here. I am not able to bring up Task Manager either. Ctrl Alt
Delete does not work either. 'nothing' seems to happen. Tried to change some
settings in the run gpedit.msc but windows cannot find it. I can use and
did use the Process Explorer thank you. But will not solve the question as
to
where my task manager is.
Any thoughts? Thanks