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Resolved Question

Cpu is spiking to 80% with no programs running.

by Aug 31, 2011 11:08AM PDT

Hello everyone, I'm just wondering my CPU% is spiking from 5% to 80% with no programs running. I cleaned my system from viruses/spyware, and defragged. This does effect my FPS in games and that spikes to. I have updated the drivers that need to be updated.

Windows XP
AMD x2 2.1 Mhz
1gb ram
9400 GT

Discussion is locked

Brad102 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
16 Posts
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Best Answer

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Machine details are missing.
by Forum moderator Aug 31, 2011 11:37PM PDT

I find this to be normal on IDE systems. The XP DMA BUG is the cause at times. Hope it's that thing again. You can google that if this applies.
Bob

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ty
by Brad102 Sep 1, 2011 12:13AM PDT

I tried to figure out what is causing my Cpu% but the System Idle process goes to 40-99 constantly. The high cpu% that takes from the system idle I can't end process. ( windows explorer, system, Java, etc). I will google the DMA bug.

I will try to screenshot my Tsk manager for more info. I will later cuz I'm busy lols.

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Screenshots
by Brad102 Sep 1, 2011 3:28PM PDT
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Can't see the text.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 2, 2011 2:54AM PDT

Too small. Sorry.

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Cpu%
by Brad102 Sep 11, 2011 12:36PM PDT
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Found the solution it was the DMA bug. I FIXED. But....
by Brad102 Sep 11, 2011 1:48PM PDT

I went into the device manager and went to properties/Advanced and switched Pio to DMA. That fixed the interrupts.

I found out about the svchost and found something in the threads section of process manager something was taking up the cpu time, maybe a virus .

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9845/unledjul.jpgUploaded with ImageShack.us

If you can't read that, then ntdll!.dllRtlAllocateHeap+0X18c I killed this process and my cpu% went back to normal. Now I have to figure out what caused this to spike my cpu%.

I used plenty of programs for viruses like
AVG2012
Spyware Search and destroy
Melwarebytes
Super spyware.
I used the Trendmicro online scanner.

Not sure what else to do.

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Spyware Search and destroy
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 11, 2011 2:30PM PDT

I wonder about that one. Remember we have to be real careful about overlap today. Overlap in protection software is one of the hard things to sort out. I only know a few of the toxic combinations. BUT I do know to remove the pests, check that DMA issue and then move back to one antivirus for a test run.
Bob

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FPS Guide and Virus problems.
by Brad102 Sep 11, 2011 5:15PM PDT

yes yes I know, I don't have all those installed, I usually use 1 of them and if there's no problems I usually uninstall it. However, I'm keeping the AVG.

When I restarted the computer after I killed it, it came back with same cpu % taking over my comp. I have to keep killing it to have a speedy computer. However , I'm grateful I came here and figured what was wrong.

Should I find folders to scan? or do it with AVG. I already scanned the system and nothing was found. This sucker is deep.

I fixed the DMA issue, I also checked the bios and its on Auto. the other options are umpa60 stuff. Also, Is there any FPS increase guide link you can give me. I do need to upgrade my RAM maybe my processer speed, videocard is decent.

AMD Athlon(Tm) x2 64 Duel core processer 4200+
2.19 GHZ, 1024 MB
9400GT 512MB

I wonder how much FPS i should be getting with those specs.

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I have desktop with the 9500GT card.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 12, 2011 7:27AM PDT

It's not a gamer's machine and the FPS is lucky to hit 30 on today's games.

ONE TIME OFFER. Email me your hijackthis after you reboot so it's clean and I'll take a look.
(click on my name.)
Bob

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Facebook login wasen't working.
by Brad102 Sep 12, 2011 1:22PM PDT

I gave you a few emails , but i don't think I was logged in. I'll give you my email if you pm me. Or you can reply here. Should I post my HIjackthis.log here?

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Virus Fixed
by Brad102 Sep 12, 2011 1:40PM PDT
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Just returned from a trip and
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 13, 2011 3:22AM PDT

What I did see looks like you have overlapping protection. Something from Comcast and 2 other protection software. About the virus. Think over how it got on there and consider redoing your protection plan.
Bob

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Answer
In WinXP
by Aug 31, 2011 9:21PM PDT

Open "Task Manager" then click on the "Processes" tab. Look through all the entries until the offending process is located by observing the numbers under the "CPU" column, then highlight that proceess and "End Process". There are always programs running besides ones that you started by clicking on an icon.

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Answer
Agree with lacsr
by Forum moderator Aug 31, 2011 10:17PM PDT

and to put more details on the Task Manager. The Processes tab has columns, and if you click the CPU column header once or twice, the processes will list in CPU usage order.

The order is up to you, one click will list 'most used' at the top, or two clicks will list most used at the bottom which some find easy to watch.

Also, ensure that "Processes from all users" (or similar wording), is selected.

Mark

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Answer
Another problem by using seatools.
by Sep 11, 2011 1:55PM PDT
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Interesting.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 11, 2011 2:33PM PDT

Windows is well known to do the darndest things when a volume is unreadable.
Bob

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