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Question

Why is my computer running bad?

Mar 21, 2016 10:41AM PDT

My processor is running at 100% capacity when my computer is completely idle. I have an and a10 7850k processor, a sapphire radeon 6970 dual-x graphics card, and the Gigabyte F2A88XM-D3H motherboard. My memory is a hyperx fury model HX316C10FB/8, if it matters.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Is this wise?
Mar 21, 2016 11:04PM PDT

I did some digging, and my motherboard bios version may not be compatible with my processor (see above). I found Gigabyte's F4A bios update on their website, put it on a flash drive, and was going to use the q-flash utility to update my bios from the flash drive. But before so, I want to make sure that it's safe.

The update came in a. .zip package with an application, the .f4a file, and a windows batch file. I only put the .f4a file on the flash drive, but wanted to know if I need all 3. I would've run the program outright, but the program itself is a 16 bit format.

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BIOS flash is independent of bit format
Mar 22, 2016 2:32AM PDT

What I'd look for is a way to perform the update from within the BIOS itself. You'd extract the files to the flash drive, boot into BIOS and launch the update from there. You'd need to point to the file containing the new code. Baring that, you make bootable media to do the same. That's always a fun trick. In any event, don't even think of doing this without having your PC on a UPS. The process usually only takes a minute or two but any drop in power during that time can brick your machine. As well, I'd make sure you're given the option to backup your old BIOS or that you can download previous versions from the Gigabyte site. It's too bad you didn't give this detail in your OP. This would have saved a lot of confusion as to what precipitated the issue.

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Big words...
Mar 22, 2016 9:26AM PDT

I'm fifteen, so a lot of that doesn't make sense to me. No clue what you mean when you say boot within the BIOS. Does UPS just mean a good power supply? I'm still not certain that this is the issue anyways, it's just an assumption. For all I know, the bios version is on par with my processor, and the true issue lies elsewhere.

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Pardon if this seems over your head but
Mar 22, 2016 10:20AM PDT

you said you replaced your processor. To me, that means you're comfortable with taking things apart and no complete novice. Booting into the BIOS just means you interrupt the startup process by pressing the appropriate key during POST (power up self test). As well, you'd just stated that you were not sure if your issue was one of BIOS compatibility. Some BIOS upgrades do add processor support as newer ones come out of that socket type. Now UPS just means "Uninterruptible Power Supply" so it's one with an internal battery that kicks on during power interruptions to your AC. During a BIOS flash, you'll get a warning to not turn off the machine. That warning is for real. A UPS is highly recommended in almost any case but continuous power is critical during a BIOS flash. Hope that helps. What you should do now is boot into the BIOS and find the revision number and date. Compare that to the later versions and see if additional processor support has been added since that date and revision. If so, consider the update. Good luck.

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Bios flash
Mar 22, 2016 7:11AM PDT

"Note: To support FM2+ APUs, be sure to use an FM2 APU to update the BIOS to the latest version with the EFI Flash tool included in the zip file. (For a future BIOS upgrade, you can use either the Q-Flash or the EFI Flash tool. ) "

If I'm reading that correct you need to put your A6 back in the machine then use the tool to flash the bios.

Then you can install your A10.

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Since this is a Clarification the reply order changes so
Mar 22, 2016 7:25AM PDT

Read below. If the BIOS is not supporting your new CPU the results are unclear. It's something to take care of once you have your backups complete and so on.

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Answer
Should be easy to track down the culprit(s)
Mar 21, 2016 10:45AM PDT

Task manager might be a place to start but, better yet, download the free MS utility called "process explorer" to check. It's a stand alone executable so there's no need to install it.

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What am I looking for here?
Mar 21, 2016 11:37AM PDT

I have the explorer open, but can't make any sense of what to do with this information. The only thing I notice that might be problematic so I can tell - is svchost is using 94-98 CPU, but what should I do?

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Re: svchost
Mar 21, 2016 11:56AM PDT
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Well ****.
Mar 21, 2016 4:39PM PDT

The svchost package that is capping my processor is 1096, which is crucial to running applications, and cannot be modified. Back to square one...

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cnet glitch
Mar 21, 2016 5:41PM PDT

the starred word shows up as originally typed in the real time listing, instead of starred.

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(NT) I'd edit it if I could
Mar 21, 2016 5:52PM PDT
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I'm just letting moderator know
Mar 21, 2016 6:06PM PDT

so he can tip off Lee the software still needs more tweaking.

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He should take the message down too
Mar 21, 2016 7:39PM PDT

I posted that on my phone, and my phone has a swipe type feature, and I and o are next to each other on the keyboard, so my phone registered the wrong one. Unfortunately, the forum doesn't allow me to edit my posts, so I can't correct it. That needs to be fixed too.

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That's a start
Mar 21, 2016 2:03PM PDT

You need to break it down further. Download Process Explorer from here:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/processexplorer.aspx

It's a zip file which Windows can handle. You can run it right from the executable. You say it's "svchost". I have several instances of that but none show much CPU usage as I type. See if you have one or more eating up a lot of cycles.

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Answer
is this something that just started
Mar 21, 2016 2:15PM PDT

you do anything to your computer prior to the issue? for example, install new hardware, software, operating system reinstall?

are you having this problem in safemode? if this is a recent problem, you can try doing a system restore to a restore point prior to when the problem started

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Processor change
Mar 21, 2016 3:55PM PDT

I upgraded my processor, and reinartalled windows 7, and my old one ran better than the new one had

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Reinstalling Windows 7?
Mar 21, 2016 4:18PM PDT

OK, you installed the OS but what about all those drives and apps to support this PC?

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Poor choice of words...
Mar 21, 2016 4:27PM PDT

I meant that changing my processor ingenuated my windows seven copy, and I had to reenter my activation code, but I don't think that qualifies as reinstalling it.

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OK, that out of the way.
Mar 21, 2016 4:36PM PDT

Let's dig into PC details and the old and new CPU.

I've seen such changes result in slower speeds as the CPU is underclocking RAM or such.

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All I can think of is this
Mar 21, 2016 4:42PM PDT

The old processor was an a8 5400k, and the rest is in the main question.

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Link noted a BIOS change for that CPU.
Mar 21, 2016 6:27PM PDT
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a8 5400k
Mar 21, 2016 8:02PM PDT

Is not supported on that mobo.
Are you sure of that cpu number?

Do you have a rev 3.0 or rev 3.1 mobo?

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(NT) A6 5400k*
Mar 21, 2016 8:09PM PDT