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Thread ID: 74562	2006-11-27 04:30:00	High CPU usage all of a sudden, PC slowdown	JForce (11531)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
502384	2006-11-27 04:30:00	Hi all, First post, although I've lurked and read the magazine often:) I have an Acer Ferrari 4000 notebook, I've had it for about 2 years now. A month or two ago I did a reformat/reinstall of the factory software and simply copied my files/documents back, as it had a lot of random programs I'd downloaded etc, and I like to "refresh" every couple of years with a fresh install. Yesterday whilst watching a video on YouTube the mouse began "stuttering", and the HDD light wouldn't go away. The PC is now performing very poorly, with programs taking a long time to open etc. It's an AMD Turion64 processor, 2GB RAM, Ati Radeon X700 with 128mb of RAM, running Windows XP Pro. I run Norton 2006, and also Zonealarm and a router firewall. I scan using Spybot and Ad Aware regularly. I have restarted several times, but no change. I have a lot of programs that start up automatically, but even after closing them I notice no change. I monitored the taskbar performance indicator for a while, and CPU usage stayed in the 70-95% even at "idle". However no unusual processes were running, or appeared to be using any more CPU than normal. Any ideas? I'm beginning to think it's a hardware issue, but I know that of course it might be difficult to pinpoint so am loathe to take in for servicing due to the delays etc. Any thoughts, ideas? Any recommendations for diagnostic steps and/or programs I could install to try and pinpoint an issue? I've left it running a full Norton system scan while I'm at work, but to be honest this whole thing sucks :( :D	JForce (11531)
502385	2006-11-27 04:44:00	first of all get rid of norton and get a real anti virus, norton is a piece of crap. now you probably have a virus, in task manager, you can see how much cpu processes are running, any processes using lots? chances of it being hardware are slim but you could check your bios to see if you have accidentally down clocked your cpu to like 200mhz(happened to me once). once you get a real antivirus like avg or nod32 etc run some scans and see if theres virus', try all of this then tell us more info.	jesse_jax (9283)
502386	2006-11-27 04:45:00	I had a problem similar to this, caused the the SVOHOST.exe virus. Press ctrl alt del and see if SVOHOST is in the file this, if so then that is the cause. Note: There will also be SVCHOST.exe, do not confuse them.	hsv-b0y (5210)
502387	2006-11-27 05:52:00	Norton's AND Zonealarm. The most resource hogging Antivirus and firewall running together, lol got to love it. Beyond removing those two gems, have you installed any codec packs?	Master_Frost (9951)
502388	2006-11-27 06:16:00	Go to www . download . com and www . filehippo . com for some free and good anti- spyware programes . The ones I have are: AVG Anti-Spyware,Ad-Aware SE Personal,a-squared Free,Spybot-Search & Destroy,Spyware Doctor,SpywareBlaster,Windows Defender,SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition-(does a very good job,but takes a very long time to do a complete system check,took over 1 hour to do mine,but it found things the others did not find . ) For disk defrags I use: AusLogics Disk Defrag -(nice and quick) and to clean up the waste and other junk on the computer I use: CCleaner . -(helps keep the pc running good) . For my Firewall I use ZoneAlarm Free Edition on stealth mode . For my Anti-virus I use AVG Free Edition 7 . 5 . 430-(the new one) . Remember to always do a restore point before doing anything,and if unsure on what is safe not safe to get rid of do a google search on it first or ask at this website or others or leave it as is if really unsure . Everything is free and I got from those websites I posted above,and have helped me out alot in finding stuff . :thumbs:	memphis (2869)
502389	2006-11-27 06:25:00	Yesterday whilst watching a video on YouTube the mouse began "stuttering", and the HDD light wouldn't go away. The PC is now performing very poorly, with programs taking a long time to open etc. I run Norton 2006, and also Zonealarm and a router firewall. I scan using Spybot and Ad Aware regularly. Ignore them, yes Nortons is a resource hog but it does do what its supposed to. I doubt its a virus. Did you update the chipset and graphics drivers when you did your fresh install? Have you tried and older (or newer) ATI driver?	pctek (84)
502390	2006-11-27 06:29:00	Ignore them, yes Nortons is a resource hog but it does do what its supposed to. I doubt its a virus. Did you update the chipset and graphics drivers when you did your fresh install? Have you tried and older (or newer) ATI driver? Yes yes we all know you love Zone Alarm! All the Enthusiast forums are just full of satisfied users (sarcasm).	Master_Frost (9951)
502391	2006-11-27 06:30:00	Norton's AND Zonealarm . The most resource hogging Antivirus and firewall running together, lol got to love it . Beyond removing those two gems, have you installed any codec packs? I have never thought of nor had any experience of ZA being a resource hog . And no, before you ask, I have not run exhaustive tests .	mark c (247)
502392	2006-11-27 06:39:00	I have never thought of nor had any experience of ZA being a resource hog. And no, before you ask, I have not run exhaustive tests. :( I have tested ZA dam near every new version over the years (always thinking maybe its better now as its free!). I find the only people that recommend ZA are those that have tried nothing else. It port forwards like crap (VERY well known issue), making it the least suitable firewall for P2P users. It clearly uses more processor time than firewalls like Outpost or Kerio. I can only respectfully suggest you run some "exhaustive tests". It is OK for non power users, but it is still a resource hog.	Master_Frost (9951)
502393	2006-11-27 06:54:00	LOL fair enough Master Frost. You're right I have never tried out anything else and also, I am not a P2P user. And I am not so advanced as to be constantly monitoring my ports. Thank you for your output............m	mark c (247)
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