CPU usage at 100% when computer is idle?!?!

[Aaron Benson]

Just recently my computer started acting slower, so I checked my task manager and my computer is always at 100% usage no matter what im doing. Everything is running slow and I have no idea what to do. This happened when I came home from school. I was hooked up to the internet at school, but im not at my home, im confused and I need help.

Thanks Aaron

[Bharat Katkar]

Aaron,
1. Try removing the unwanted software you have installed.
2. Remove all temoparay files generated.
3. Remove unwanted application from startup menu or those you don't need it everytime.
You can always start it as and when required.

Hope this helps

[Norman_21]

Do you have Anti-Virus installed and updated with the latest definition file? If not then go here and Scan your computer for free.:http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

also, install the Process Explorer and then run it. Watch which process is taking up the CPU usage and then post the process name over here...

Hope this help.

[Perignon]

Hi Aaron,

I see 3 possible causes to your problem.

1-A virus overwhelming your system with files duplicating themselves at random. Remedy: run an updated AV.

2-Many programs automatically loaded at the same time. Remedy: Get into Info sytem\ Tools \System Configuration Utility and mark "selective start up", then hit "start up". Then disable all programs which can otherwise start from the desk or run in association with another program. Just keep: Systray, LoadPowerProfile and your antivirus.

3-Spywares hooking at your system. Remedy: download Ad-aware (or a similar cleaner), track and delete these craps.

NOTE: some additional maintenance may also help. Think of removing temporary files regularly (Windows and IE). By the way, which OS are you running?

Alain.

[Michael Schulte zur Sur]

Hi,

what os version do you have?
Can you see in the task manager, what process takes the cpu?

greetings,

Michael

[Jon Finley]

If the symptoms are that your computer ran fine at school, but when you brought it home it ran slower.... then another possibility is that your anti-Virus program is trying to get out to the internet to do an auto update, and the update process is what is using up the CPU. As long as you DON'T have an internet connection (of some sort), then the update process will attempt to continue until it has a successfull update.

If you are running McAfee (or Symantec), go into the console and turn the scheduled auto update off (until you get back on the internet).

Note that - If it doen't resolve the CPU problem, re-enable the auto-update feature.

Jon

[Ron Kinner]

msconfig should help you isolate the problem.

http://www.netsquirrel,com/msconfig

explains how to use it and also gives you a source if it is not on your PC.

Another possibility that no one has mentioned is that you might have mapped a network drive while at school and since you are no longer attached to the school network your PC can't get to it. This will slow things down a lot. Right click on Start and select Explore. Tools/Disconnect Network Drive should show you which network drives are still active and allow you to kill them.

You might also want to download the Hijack This program and run it and post the results in this forum.

http://tomcoyote.com/hjt/

There is also Adaware 6.181

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html


and Spybot Search and Destroy 1.3.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html

I also like the CWshredder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

The above remove junk that you don't need that other programs have installed on your PC. Some of these programs will cause you major grief while others just invade your privacy and make you a target for spam and popups. Most virus killer programs ignore these since they think you must want them on your system.

Ron