unexplained cpu usage

[Brett]

While sitting idle with no programs running my cpu usage
jumps from 0 to 40% or anywhere in between every few
seconds. I have shut down any background programs I can
think of.
What can be causing this?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Download Ad-aware SE and scan your PC for the presence of spyware:
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=827315

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| While sitting idle with no programs running my cpu usage
| jumps from 0 to 40% or anywhere in between every few
| seconds. I have shut down any background programs I can
| think of.
| What can be causing this?

 

[Peter]

Enter Ctrl/Alt/Delete simultaneously and look at the Processes and
Application tabs. You can see there what is running and if you don't
recognise it then post back here. You can also end the process (hopefully)
there too. You might have malware/spyware in which case download and run
Adaware SE, Spybot Search & Destroy, CWShredder and hopefully you also have
an anti-virus application to run in addition.

 

[Guest]

My Netgear wireless PCMCIA card will make a CPU spike of
15% every 10 seconds or so. Take out the Netgear and it
goes away. I do not have this phenomena while connected
through a wired nic card.

I wrote Netgear, you can imagine what a waste of time
that was.

 

[Brett]

-----Original Message-----
While sitting idle with no programs running my cpu usage
jumps from 0 to 40% or anywhere in between every few
seconds. I have shut down any background programs I can
think of.
What can be causing this?

This is a dell computer with windows xp home

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
While sitting idle with no programs running my cpu usage
jumps from 0 to 40% or anywhere in between every few
seconds. I have shut down any background programs I can
think of.
What can be causing this?

I have now tried search and destroy, disabling processes,
ad-aware, and I always keep my virus protection up to
date. Also went to the security check site as advised
but to no avail.
I am also connected to a linksys router. My other
comptuters don't have this problem. Still getting the
same pcu spikes on this one.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Hit Ctrl/alt/Del and see what processes are causing the jump.
Also follow this:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm