CPU keeps going to 100%--any suggestions to remedy?

I have Ad Aware se plus installed and once in a while Ad Watch will do that to my system, usually when I have IE 7 open with too many tabs. I haven't found a fix yet, but I just installed a quad core processor and now it will only run one of the cores at 100% which leaves me with 3 cores free to do other things.

I haven't read a single answer here that is clearly a solution to this problem. If you "have" removed a looping Operating System program or service within task manager or Process Explorer list it here:


No, honest attemps, suggestions, ideas, or best guesses, please!

Post only succesful, permanent removals of the problem.

Let's hear the details.

Is your computer making any odd noises? Are your fans clean and running properly? Does your hard drive sound like it has marbles in it?(mine did and I had to have it replaced). Assuming that this is not a hardware problem I suggest that you consider installing 2 very small applications that may help you find the problem. The first is Sysinternal's autoruns. It has a "logon" section that will show you all the programs that are starting up when you turn on your computer. This can be a real eye opening experience. A really nice feature of this program is that you can control what boots up and what doesn't right there in the logon section. The second is Uniblue's ProcessQuickLink2. This program, when activated, attaches an icon to the various processes shown in the task manager. When you click on the icon next to a process you are directed to the uniblue internet library site that explains what that incomprehensible item displayed in your task manager actually is. It also tells you whether or not it is necessary to allow it to run.
The one other thing that I can think of that might explain your problem is "software at war". Have you installed anything new? Specifically any type of anti spyware or anti virus programs? I have twice experienced your problem to the extent where I had to start my computer in safe mode and then perform a system restore in order to open any program installed on my computer. In my case the problem was caused by Tenebril's SpyCatcher's incompatibility with ZoneAlarm. I discovered that there really can be too many security programs installed on my computer. I got rid of SpyCatcher and the problem was resolved. I know there are other programs that have "compatibility issues" so if you have installed anything new look at the FAQs on the company website to see if other people are experiencing problems similar to yours. Good luck solving your problem.

I think that either you have lost a memory chip
or that you have spy ware running wild..!
tim...

The most likely cause is programs running in the background doing updates etc. The most heavily process draining programs are Quick Time, Real Player, Adobe, Java, Anti-virus and browser related such as tool bar add-ons. Open your browser and click on tools,manage add-ons,and click on enable or disable add-ons. Click on the show list arrow and choose add-ons that run without requiring permission. Disable any item that you don't want or need. There are many you can do without, especially if you have more than one tool bar. Another item to check out is your start up programs. Click Start,Run, and type in msconfig. click on the tab that says startup and uncheck items like qtask,realsched,tool bar notifier or any updater or reader and programs that you rarely use. Another area to check out is in computer management services. Click start, control panel, administrative tools,computer management, services. Click on "services" under the heading "services and applications" click the standard tab to view them better. highlight and right click on the item and click on properties to change it's startup type to manual on these items:Alerter,application manager,background intelligence,COM+Event system,COM+System application,computer browser,messenger,fast user switching,remote access auto connection manager,remote desktop help session manager,routing and remote access,server,telephony,terminal services,web client,windows installer.Disable google updater and wireless zero configuration. Another area to clean out is your internet cashe. While in your browser,click on tools, internet options,and on the general tab,under browsing history,click delete, which opens another window to delete internet files,cookies and history. After doing all this,run your anti-spyware,anti-virus scan and defrag your computer and restart it.

I see some posts that recomend using the task manager for terminating the service that's using the most CPU usage. DON'T DO IT! You can damage your computer! You will receive a warning when you attempt to terminate, listen to the warning! The only services that you can safely terminate are the ones that show your user name next to them. Even so you should use msconfig to keep them from starting and not terminate them while they are in use.

I have had a 100% cpu issue several times - the most recent one ended up being caused by Windows Automatic Updates (Win XP Pro).

Disabling Auto Updates is all that's required, but you will have to go to the windows update site and manually start the search for updates.

The beauty of this one is that its pretty easy to test.

The problem with tracking an issue in Task Manager, is that Many/Most programs: A) don't ever show on the process list, or B) Programs are run from a shell (program that runs other programs), like rundll32 or svchost, so what you see in the list is not what is actually running, or is otherwise cryptic for most visible items.

The easiest way to find out what is actually running under these shells, is to use a more powerful process viewing application. Microsoft has an excellent one available for free download named Process Explorer (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx) Its a fantastic app for getting a true view of what your computer is actually doing.

if the problem isn't Automatic Updates, then this tool can most likely guide you directly to the true issue.

It is very advanced and absolutely not for the casual user, but anyone really interested in the way the computer is working, its a killer must have app.

going in to safe mode and disabling the USB drivers.

I couldn't figure out why they would cause the 100% cpu usage so I left them disabled and had a usb card installed in order to use the USB printer, etc. Appearantly the usb went bad somewhere on the motherboard.

I have downoaded Avast on to my Dell AOL VR laptop. It worked perfectly O.K. at first but I then started to receive an error message "The package is broken" I have uninstalled and then reinstalled twice but still receive the same message.

Can you recommend a free Firewall programme that is of the same quality. I have Avast on my main computer and have never had problems

Joan Carter

- Download Process Lasso here: http://www.bitsum.com/prolasso.php
- Install
- Launch program
- Go to general settings under options, and set Process Lasso to autostart
- Go to out-of-control restraint settings under options, and check the checkbox that says, "Lower to idle priority instead of below normal."

Now, Process Lasso will automatically subdue those narcissistic processes that think, for whatever reason, that they need 100% of CPU cycles to themselves. Enjoy!

I had this problem (kind of) except that i was making the cpu go to 100% (video conversion, etc) and it would freeze, it turned out i needed a new cpu fan, the older one just wasn't strong enough. There was also a bit too much heatsink of the cpu, although i don't know if that had anything to do with it

I find this happens everytime I start my computer or download a new program I combat it by running IOBIT defragger it doesnt take long to do is a freeware program and does the job for me.
Good luck

I've been dealing with pcs and their little intricacies since the late 90s. I've seen this problem on my own systems, as well as a clients. The most common cause over that period of time has been an old system with not too much memory or processor power. Anyone who runs a system from 2001 or prior will get 100% cpu usage almost all of the time. I've also seen it with usb devices. While unplugging devices safely, I've had it where the usage drops dramatically. Yes ctrl-alt-del reveals your cpu usage as others have stated. You already know this. It's one of the only ways to see your cpu consumption. I suggest testing your system at www.pcpitstop.com. I've been using it on my systems, my friends, as well as clients for nearly 10 years. It will give you every detail about your system. It will highlight which programs are optional, required, and possible spyware. The testing takes about 3-5 minutes. After the testing is done, you can go to the Windows section to see running programs. As stated by others, you can use this new found info from pcpitstop to eliminate these programs or services from starting up in MSConfig (start, run, msconfig, services or startup tab. Uncheck those found to be unneccessary. If spyware and/or viruses are found by pcpitstop, it'll let you know. Use your antispyware and antivirus programs to get rid of them. To eliminate double scanning when a prolific piece of spyware or virus exists, I run the program in safe mode without networking and without system restore. Many times I have scanned, a piece is found in the system restore files, so then I need to turn off system restore.

Good luck.

Hello.
I don't really know if somebody has already mentioned it, but I have some experience with that.

Sometimes, really bad crashes on Windows are caused by something that seems too simple to be truth: Registry conflicts.

The registry, as I could understand, is the guidebook to Windows functionality.
And exactly in the matter it should work for the best (automation), this is where you find the most common sources of trouble, really bad ones.

Who never got that warning window telling you to save your work, with a countdown for 1 minute before de system goes off and restarts itself to preserve integrity.

Well, almost every forum on Internet has discussions about it and not in all of them the suggestion is registry repair.
It's very common to find indications on how to disable the functionality of reboot over crashes, or simply reinstalling all the OS.

That's not really a solution, is it?

The registry keep telling Windows which program has priority over other, what are the files association, which standards should be followed on conflicts and so for.

The fact is that when a new program is installed, new information are added to the registry, same when old programs are removed.
This new information is very unlikely to be put against the entire registry tree, so conflicts and errors keep accumulating over and over, no matter what.

Here is where the automation of Windows and most software running over it become the key to the matter.
A new program can tell to Windows which permissions and associations it needs, but never tell exactly how to put it on the OS tree of priorities.
This is up to the system, so Windows keeps checking and rechecking every time a program initiate, and during start up, which should be the correct hierarchy, among a bunch of other matters.

This means processor usage.
This means even need of more memory resources.

To avoid it, just clean your registry and check for conflicts periodically.
I suggest you do a registry defrag too, as often as possible.
A clean, defragged and free of conflicts registry means optimized OS.
Believe it or not, I've already solved very ugly problems just simply cleaning (or boosting) the registry.

But do that manually is an insane process.
You should use registry cleaner software.
But be aware that even the good guy can become bad if you don't keep an eye on it.
Don't let your registry cleaner software take all the automation it has.
Be patient and read the explanation for all process you're doing, from the installation to usage.
It's valid for anything you put to run over any OS.
The more you spend time setting up the software, from install process to configuration options, more boosted will be your whole system.

Even so, using a registry scanner/cleaner on a Weekly basis and after installing or removing any program is a really easy and convenient way to keep your computer running smoothly.

Even blue screens can go away with that tool.
I'm using it over a year now and solved 98% of crashes on mine and other people computers.
I hope it could be a solution.
Same problem got solved on my PC with the tool.

I'm using "Uniblue Registry Booster 2".
It's not free, but worth the price...

Good luck!

Im a PC certified troubleshooter (MCSA). Of course, that doesnt mean I know anymore than someone who is not. My point is that there is research, practical and experience behind this comment.

1. WinXP as most of us know is a resource hog. It's best run with 1 gig of Ram at more than 133mhz. If not, either way you need to make sure that you are not using on board video as soon as you can by installing a video card. Changing this to a PCI/AGP/PCIe video card will drastically improve your performance (more so if your just running 512mb of RAM and 12-32mb of on board video ram).

Upgrading your current RAM is always a performance enhancer.

2. I would uninstall Norton or Mcafee antivirus and use a an open source thats free of charge, such as Clam Wind, AVG, Avast, Avira and so on. Do your research. Now for those who do not know why I say this. It's because both anti-virus software programs (Norton and McAfee) are resource hogs and couse hangups and are prone to cause instability in your system. This is the elimination process.

3. Install a good Malware Scanner. You can find these products at CNET/Download.com/Adware2007/SuperAntispyware/Spybot search 1.5/Hijack This/Spyware Term2..etc

4. Also the final point I would make is to Defrag your HDD (hard disk drive) as often as you can until you get all the RED out and the WHITE areas out of the BLUE. This will compact your files keeping them all in one area together, making it easier for RAM to exec code for the CPU to go after.

5. To some up: You need good System RAM, good Video RAM, AntiVirus that doesnt use large amount of resources, Keep your system Defraged, Keep your system free of Malware..These are some of the first and easiest things you can do to start with that will yield performance enhancements up to 35-45% easily.

4.

GET AN INTEL VERSION MAC RUN WINDOWS AND APPLE OS ON SAME SYSTEM. THE BEST CHOICE YOU WILL EVER MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO A COMPUTER.

I had the same problem for quite awhile and since reinstalling XP Pro again it hasn't been a problem. I am now using Process Explorer from Systeminternals ( http://www.sysinternals.com ) It can be minimized to the taskbar and constantly shows the CPU usage along with information. If I notice the CPU usage increasing I open it and "kill" any process(s) that I am not using.

When I boot up in the morning my PC works fine but as the day progressess it runs slower and slower till in virtually ceases to respond. By opening the task master and clicking on processes when the PC was running very slow I found that my anti-spam program-"IHateSpam" was causing the problem. This program stores all 'friends' and 'enemies' and if those files contain too many addresses it takes this program a long time to determine to accept an incoming e-mail or to reject it as spam. I uninstalled the program and now I'm fine.

I had a problem similar to this last year but my CPU was only showing about 35 to 40% busy all the time. I tried many different approaches, including removing installed software (especially anti-spyware, anti-virus, etc.) but nothing had an effect. Some days after giving up on this, I had occasion to remove a USB cable for a device I wasn't using all the time (blood sugar monitor actually) from my D-Link powered USB hub. Eureka - my CPU use dropped instantly to about 3 or 4% and remained there even after all the previously-uninstalled software was re-installed. The cable was one with a mini-plug on one end and USB on the other. I don't have this problem with other USB cables. I leave my camera cable connected all the time without problem. I think the software that monitors this (older) type of cable must need to run even without the device connected and turned on. It may also be that the mini-end of the cable was electrically unterminated but I suppose that is a question for an electronics tech. I only plug the cable in when I need to connect the device to the PC and then I remove afterwards. All is good.