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| Thread ID: 71847 | 2006-08-19 06:00:00 | High, Constant CPU Usage | Sherman (9181) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 479406 | 2006-08-19 06:00:00 | Here's one for you guys, Our family computer has been running quite slowly, the last while (actually, quite a long time) and when I do ctrl-alt-del under the performance tab, the computer is idling at about 50-60%. Under the processes tab, the system idl process is around 99%, with no other process using the CPU. At the moment, I have disabled all non-microsoft services and startup programs (from msconfig), and there are currently 21 process running (there are usually around 40). If i go into safe mode, the cpu is still fluctuating above 35% while idling. I have tried disableing all audio & sound, usb devices, and video adapter to see if they are a problem, but has no effect on cpu usage whatsoever. The computer has been checked for viruses, spyware rtc using varous checkers (AVG, Spybot, Ad-aware etc) and the system comes up clean. A windoes reinstalled is out of the question, as this is a family computer, and we would lose irreplaceable programs. The computer specs are as follows: AMD Athalon XP 1600+ @ 1.4GHz 512MB ram (2 x 256) onboard via ac'97 sound NVIDIA Geforce2 MX 100/200 graphics 1 x 40GB HDD, 1 x 80GB HDD LITEON DVD rom drive LITEON CDRW drive Canon i560 printer Cheap Acer scanner (it came with the comp) any help/suggestions would be very welcome |
Sherman (9181) | ||
| 479407 | 2006-08-19 06:21:00 | Try this program for tracking down processes: Process Explorer (www.sysinternals.com). | Jen (38) | ||
| 479408 | 2006-08-19 10:36:00 | There might be some hidden processes using CPU, they are becoming more and more prevalent. You could try doing a virus and spyware scan from a boot disk like BartPE, or use rootkit revealer (www.sysinternals.com), with RR you should close all programs and leave it alone while scanning, examine the results and post if you want, but google will probably tell you if it's anything to worry about. | silvero (11011) | ||
| 479409 | 2006-08-19 15:01:00 | the computer is idling at about 50-60%. Under the processes tab, the system idl process is around 99%, with no other process using the CPU. so......what is it ?.......50-60% idle or 99% idle..........if it's 50-60 then something else is using up cpu time......and tha'ts what you need to look at ......if it's 99% idle then that literally means the puter is 99% idle and it's doing damn all at that time.........so that means that there is NOT any process which is suckign the cpu time and slowing the pc down......then you'll need to look at a harddrive diagnostic and perhaps ram diagnostic and then try whittling it down with process of elimination.....if you eliminate everythin else then the motherboard could be faulty....... |
drcspy (146) | ||
| 479410 | 2006-08-19 21:51:00 | You can repair Windows without getting rid of programs and data. | dolby digital (5073) | ||
| 479411 | 2006-08-19 22:40:00 | I occasionally get a similar situation. When I check the processes that are running I always find that "dumprep.exe" is the culprit which hogs all the CPU cycles. I have always found that ending the process "dumprep.exe" causes no adverse effects for my machine as dumprep.exe forms a part of Microsoft Windows XP (and later versions), in-built fault logging software. Upon serious errors this program will write the details to a text file. This program is a non-essential system process. Don't know if this will help but may be worth a try |
Mike_C (7229) | ||
| 479412 | 2006-08-20 03:44:00 | Sorry, I need to clarify what I said What I meant was that my CPU usage is fluctuating between 50-60%, yet the system idle process reads 99% (with no programs open). I downloaded and installed process explorer, and it appears that it is the inturrupt "process" that is using the cpu. I take it that this is probably not normal? Is it possible to track down what is inturrupting the CPU so much? Thanks for the suggestions so far. |
Sherman (9181) | ||
| 479413 | 2006-08-20 04:07:00 | Appears the most popular problem is with an IDE device reverting to PIO, I just had this problem with my computer the other day, the short story is: -Go to Device Manager (right-click my computer, select manage, select device manager) - Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller - For each IDE Channel, usually Primary and Secondary, right click and select Properties, go to the Advanced Settings tab and look at Current Transfer Mode, if it says PIO then this is probably your problem. Uninstall the IDE controller, scan for hardware changes, reinstall and check again, it should say DMA or Ultra DMA. If your IDE channels are already running [Ultra]DMA then this isn't the answer, but a driver issue is likely, check for the latest BIOS and device drivers for your hardware. |
silvero (11011) | ||
| 479414 | 2006-08-20 04:20:00 | Ive checked the ide channels, and both are saying "DMA if available" For those who are interested, ive uploaded a screenshot of process explorer and the windows taskmanager beside each other for comarison. www.imagef1.net.nz (the system idle process in task manager is slightly lower than previously stated due to AV, firewall, lotus, office toolbar running) |
Sherman (9181) | ||
| 479415 | 2006-08-20 04:33:00 | why are you running both nortons and avg antivirus? | tweak'e (69) | ||
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