Maxed out CPU usage

[Guest]

I am dealing with a custom built pc with an MSI NeoV Intel 848 chipset, Intel
Celeron D 2.4GHz CPU, 1GB PC-2700 DDR memory, an 80GB IDE Hard drive and
Microsoft Windows XP Home w/SP2. My problem lies with my CPU periodically
maxing out to 100% usage. I am not exactly sure as to what is causing this as
it has just started doing it recently. None of the hardware components are
over-clocked including the CPU. I am not sure as to what I can do about this
situation, shy of upgrading the CPU. If someone could help me with this, it
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Malke]

I am dealing with a custom built pc with an MSI NeoV Intel 848
chipset, Intel Celeron D 2.4GHz CPU, 1GB PC-2700 DDR memory, an 80GB
IDE Hard drive and Microsoft Windows XP Home w/SP2. My problem lies
with my CPU periodically maxing out to 100% usage. I am not exactly
sure as to what is causing this as it has just started doing it
recently. None of the hardware components are over-clocked including
the CPU. I am not sure as to what I can do about this situation, shy
of upgrading the CPU. If someone could help me with this, it would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Why do you think this is a hardware problem? I would start by looking at
software solutions.

1. What is the virus/malware status of the computer? Be sure it is
clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

2. If the computer is clean, determine what program and/or process is
causing the usage by using Task Manager and clean-boot troubleshooting:
Clean Boot - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310353
and How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

Malke

 

[Hexmaniac]

I am dealing with a custom built pc with an MSI NeoV Intel 848 chipset, Intel
Celeron D 2.4GHz CPU, 1GB PC-2700 DDR memory, an 80GB IDE Hard drive and
Microsoft Windows XP Home w/SP2. My problem lies with my CPU periodically
maxing out to 100% usage. I am not exactly sure as to what is causing this as
it has just started doing it recently. None of the hardware components are
over-clocked including the CPU. I am not sure as to what I can do about this
situation, shy of upgrading the CPU. If someone could help me with this, it
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Have you recently loaded/purchased any anti-spyware software that has
an active shield component? That meaning it tries to stop spyware
rather than just search for it?

Ron

 

[Guest]

I have the latest version of AdawareSE and Spybot Search & Destroy and also
Norton Internet Security 2006 (full verison), installed and there are no
spyware, adware, malware or virus programs on this system.

 

[Guest]

Hello. Thank you for your response. There are no malware, adware, spyware or
virus problems on the affected computer. I have also just went through the
linked recommeded process steps and still have a problem with the CPU maxing
out. Even when there are no programs in use. So, I am at a loss as to what to
try next short of upgrading the CPU.

 

[V Green]

Hello. Thank you for your response. There are no malware, adware, spyware or
virus problems on the affected computer. I have also just went through the
linked recommeded process steps and still have a problem with the CPU maxing
out. Even when there are no programs in use. So, I am at a loss as to what to
try next short of upgrading the CPU.

Describe "periodically". Every second? 10? 15?

Precisely or randomly?

Do you let Windows Update run automatically, and, if
so, has it installed anything lately?

 

[Hexmaniac]

I have the latest version of AdawareSE and Spybot Search & Destroy and also
Norton Internet Security 2006 (full verison), installed and there are no
spyware, adware, malware or virus programs on this system.

No, I meant ANTI-spyware programs. I've noticed that some
anti-spyware programs have some problems with certain firewall and
anti-virus programs that also have some active scanning which
contributes to fixed intervals of high CPU usage. You might want to
try shutting some programs down while looking at your CPU usage meter
in the task manager. Usually the quickest way to pinpoint a resource
hog. HTH.

Ron

 

[Guest]

As far as the periodical time frame it occurs in random time frames ranging
from every 20 seconds to every 2 minutes. Windows updates are ran
automatically and there have not been any new updates needed for this
particular system.

 

[V Green]

Have to agree with Malke on this one.

Probably your AV or anti-spyware app. In the past,
there have been a few corrupt/broken updates for
these apps that have caused problems. One of them,
as I remember, forced high CPU continuously until
a fixed update was downloaded and installed.

Unplug your Internet connection from this PC. Disable
the LAN connection for it if this is how you connect.

"Sleep" or disable your AV and/or malware apps
for an hour or so.

Use the PC normally.

See if anything's different.

BTW, getting a new CPU won't fix the problem - it'll
just do the same thing, but you may not notice it as much.

 

[Guest]

I thank you, Malke and Hexmaniac for all your help and assistance in this
matter. I will attempt to check my AV & Anti-spyware apps, more closely and
try to find out which one that it could be. Hopefully I can sort through
these and get the problem corrected. Thanks again to all who posted responses
and have offered the possible solutions. Have a great day, all.

 

[Triffid]

No, I meant ANTI-spyware programs. I've noticed that some
anti-spyware programs have some problems with certain firewall and
anti-virus programs that also have some active scanning which
contributes to fixed intervals of high CPU usage. You might want to
try shutting some programs down while looking at your CPU usage meter
in the task manager. Usually the quickest way to pinpoint a resource
hog. HTH.

Ron

I find the quickest way to identify a CPU hog is to open the Processes
tab in Task Manager. It provides CPU percentage for every running
process. Make sure 'Show processes from all users' is checked, click the
CPU column heading to sort by CPU usage, and voila - your hog jumps to
the top of the list.

Triffid