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Thread ID: 97752	2009-02-26 07:37:00	'System' process causing CPU usage spike	zantetkusen (14657)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
751560	2009-02-26 07:37:00	Hello, I have a Dell M1210 laptop that has recently been experiencing CPU usage spikes. It will be running perfectly fine, then the CPU usage shoots to 100% for about 10-30sec. When I open task manager the process causing the CPU spike is the 'System' process, which is hogging up anywhere from 40-90% of the CPU. Currently I'm mainly using the laptop to play games and when this spike occurs the screen briefly flickers once (not a black flicker, kind of a multicoloured flicker), and often again at the end of the spike. This may be related or it may be the game is suddenly constrained for resources... I've tried installing new graphics drivers, and I've formatted my hard drive (though it possible I forgot to disable the system restore function, I can't remember). Here's my hijackthis log: Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2 Scan saved at 8:19:40 p.m., on 26/02/2009 Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16791) Boot mode: Normal Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\WLKeeper.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe C:\Program Files\McAfee\SiteAdvisor\McSACore.exe C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe C:\Program Files\McAfee\MSK\MskSrver.exe C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\NICCONFIGSVC.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\stacsv.exe C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\ifrmewrk.exe C:\WINDOWS\stsystra.exe C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\DMXLauncher.exe C:\Program Files\Razer\DeathAdder\razerhid.exe C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe C:\Documents and Settings\Linden\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe C:\Program Files\Razer\DeathAdder\razerofa.exe C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe C:\PROGRA~1\Intel\Wireless\Bin\Dot1XCfg.exe C:\Program Files\Razer\DeathAdder\razertra.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = go.microsoft.com R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = go.microsoft.com R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = go.microsoft.com R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = go.microsoft.com R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = nz.search.yahoo.com R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll O2 - BHO: McAntiPhishingBHO - {377C180E-6F0E-4D4C-980F-F45BD3D40CF4} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\msk\mcapbho.dll O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll O2 - BHO: scriptproxy - {7DB2D5A0-7241-4E79-B68D-6309F01C5231} - C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan\scriptsn.dll O2 - BHO: McAfee SiteAdvisor BHO - {B164E929-A1B6-4A06-B104-2CD0E90A88FF} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll O3 - Toolbar: McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar - {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NVHotkey] rundll32.exe nvHotkey.dll,Start O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelZeroConfig] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelWireless] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\ifrmewrk.exe" /tf Intel PROSet/Wireless O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmatelSysTrayApp] stsystra.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell QuickSet] C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DMXLauncher] C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\DMXLauncher.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mcagent_exe] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe /runkey O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DeathAdder] C:\Program Files\Razer\DeathAdder\razerhid.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\Linden\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user') O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - fpdownload2.macromedia.com O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{09F0BA1B-AB7E-4438-B556-3DF647F89FDB}: NameServer = 60.234.1.1,60.234.2.2 O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{09F0BA1B-AB7E-4438-B556-3DF647F89FDB}: NameServer = 60.234.1.1,60.234.2.2 O18 - Protocol: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe O23 - Service: McAfee SiteAdvisor Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\McAfee\SiteAdvisor\McSACore.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Services (mcmscsvc) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Network Agent (McNASvc) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Scanner (McODS) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcods.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Proxy Service (McProxy) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Real-time Scanner (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe O23 - Service: McAfee SystemGuards (McSysmon) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Anti-Spam Service (MSK80Service) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MSK\MskSrver.exe O23 - Service: NICCONFIGSVC - Dell Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\NICCONFIGSVC.exe O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Service (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe O23 - Service: SigmaTel Audio Service (STacSV) - SigmaTel, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\stacsv.exe O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless SSO Service (WLANKEEPER) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\WLKeeper.exe Any help would be very much appreciated, thanks.	zantetkusen (14657)
751561	2009-02-26 18:43:00	SPAM	kjaada (253)
751562	2009-02-26 20:39:00	Could be a buggy driver. They can sometimes cause CPU spikes. Try removing periphrals/device one by one from your computer to find out which one. Also check in device manager that there are no exclaimation marks/question marks. Run>devmgmt.msc Speedy will come along later and remove unneeded entries in your log. It won't fix your problem though, as you say the SYSTEM process is eating all your CPU. Blam EDIT:This may also be of assistance: blogs.technet.com	Blam (54)
751563	2009-02-27 04:52:00	Seen it before with acer laptops. A dying battery was the root of the problem in each case. Removed battery and run of mains only, fixed it. Of course it took a while to figure that one out. Not what you'd expect!	Tbird650 (6754)
751564	2009-02-27 09:39:00	You can tick these then tick fix checked Close browsers O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell QuickSet] C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe\ O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\Linden\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c If you dont use the language bar, these can be ticked O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user') Log looks fine to me Disable indexing in windows and in google toolbar, whatever you've got thats by google	Speedy Gonzales (78)
751565	2009-02-27 20:45:00	Thanks guys, I'm trying it without the battery at the moment, I wouldn't be suprised if its that as I just got an error telling me the battery is reaching the end of its useful like (which is bull, I've had laptop batteries lasting 5X this). If that doesn't fix the problem I'll try some of the more tricky ones suggested in that article. And thanks for the cleanup advice Speedy, good to know there aren't any major bogeys.	zantetkusen (14657)
751566	2009-02-27 23:32:00	Removing the battery didn't stop the cpu spikes. (sorry for the double post)	zantetkusen (14657)
751567	2009-02-27 23:36:00	Keep an eye on the task manager (control, alt, delete) under processes tab see if you can identify what's causing the spikes.	gary67 (56)
751568	2009-03-01 20:24:00	Keep an eye on the task manager (control, alt, delete) under processes tab see if you can identify what's causing the spikes. Its the 'System' process, i.e. Image Name = System.	zantetkusen (14657)
751569	2009-03-01 22:14:00	Did you try what I posted above?	Blam (54)
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