CPU Usage = 100% when on internet

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Carroll
  • Start date Start date
J

John Carroll

Recently I have discovered a lot of problems when I dial up to the
internet. My mouse appears to have a time lag before it moves and any
sound that I try to play through the speakers is all broken up. I
discovered that this only happens when a page is being downloaded.
Once it has finished downloading (or when I have disconnected from the
internet), everything behaves as normal again.

Coincidentally, I have discovered that the CPU usage jumps up to 100%
whilst all this is happening, and then returns to about 40% when
everything is functioning ok. Anyone any ideas what is using up all my
resources? My virus file is up to date and has not shown anything up.
The only change that I can recall prior to this happening was the last
windows security update that was automatically downloaded. I also have
plenty of memory (1GB) and the cards are firmly in place.

Thank you in anticipation,

John
 
Which process is the one that shows all the CPU cycles? That will
tell you where the problem is. However, if I had to guess, I would
look at the virus software. Those autoprotect features can cause
trouble during downloads or file reads if they are not set right.
 
'System Idle Process' is gobbling up resources - 96% +

Any idea what the function of this is and what would make it go into
overdrive??

I am using Norton antivirus. I tried disabling it, but it did not help
in any way.

Thanks for your suggestions,

John.
 
Sounds like spyware to me. You may want to try http://www.lavasoft.de to
download and install the freeware version of adaware. After installation
update the "signatures" then run it. Let it rid your system of spyware that
has already infected your system.

Then do a google search for the freeware Spyware Blaster. Download and
install it then update the "signatures" and run it. It will protect your
system from spyware before the fact.

Just to confirm that you do not have any viruses you may want to download,
install and update the freeware anti-virus program at http://www.grisoft.com

You may also want to consider getting the freeware version of pop up stopper
at http://www.panicware.com

Disabling Windows Messenger, not to be confused with MSN Messenger, may stop
some of the pop ups for you. Do a google search for Disable Messenger for
the steps of how to disable it.

Hope this helps.
 
John;
System Idle means idle. Idle = INACTIVE = being out of use = means not
engaged in work or activity. This is a good thing.
 
Sounds like spyware to me. You may want to try http://www.lavasoft.de to
download and install the freeware version of adaware. After installation
update the "signatures" then run it. Let it rid your system of spyware that
has already infected your system.
Click to expand...

** Done this: No improvement in performance **
Just to confirm that you do not have any viruses you may want to download,
install and update the freeware anti-virus program at http://www.grisoft.com
Click to expand...

** Loaded AVG Antivirus - no virus detected **


Disabling Windows Messenger, not to be confused with MSN Messenger, may stop
some of the pop ups for you. Do a google search for Disable Messenger for
the steps of how to disable it.
Click to expand...

** Where do I find Windows Messenger?? **

Please....please.....please.......... Can someone help me with this
problem. I have tried everything; all programs just grind to a halt
when I connect to internet. There are definetly no viruses, trojans or
spyware on my computer. I need my computer for work, and it is just
impossible to access the internet due to the slowness. Any further
suggestions would be gratefully accepted.....


- John.
 
John;
System Idle means idle. Idle = INACTIVE = being out of use = means not
engaged in work or activity. This is a good thing.
Click to expand...


Wes,

Thanks for this. I noticed that when a webpage is being downloaded,
'System' (NOT 'idle') intermittently jumps to 100%. Does this point to
any specific problem?

Thanks,

John
 
John;
How long is it at 100%? Mine only jumps up to about 5% when downloading a
webpage. Is there another process using anything?
 
Wes,

It jumps up to 100% for the whole period that it takes to download a
new page, then falls back down again. There dowsn't appear to be any
other process that is using significant resources. I have closed down
Zonealarm, antivirus software, getright etc. and still the problem is
there.

I am beginning to think that things are also effected to a minimal
degree when offline - I notice that some games are slowing up.


I am getting really desperate at this stage Wes. This computer is my
life.....! I would be quite happy to purchase an item to the value of
£20 (or equiv.) from Amazon.com for anyone who can get me out of this
mess!! Lets call it an early Christmas present.....


John.
 
John;
** Where do I find Windows Messenger?? **
http://www.updatexp.com/support-files/messenger-service-spam.pdf
---------------------------
When your CPU is at 100% which process is using it? Ctrl + Alt + Del.
Click the Processes tab. Click the CPU Header to sort by %. You may have to
click twice to get the big one to the top. System Idle Process should be the
one at the top.
What are the top 4 or 5 big users? With this info maybe we can figure out
what to dump.
I could get my iexplore.exe (IE) to jump to 20% by moving my mouse around really
fast.
------------
Go here and get HijackThis and StartupList.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/index.html
Run Hijack this and see what you find. Run a Startup Log from either HijackThis
or StartupList.
We need to see if there is something goofy.

SpyBot S&D searches your machine for scumware:
http://security.kolla.de/

And go here:
http://www.symantec.com/siteindex.html
Pick "Online Security Check" (on the right)
Check your machine out. You may have one of them there modern 'virii' to treat.
-----------------
Start | Run | type: msconfig | hit Enter or click OK | Startup tab | I
have four items there. What do you have? Now click the Services tab | I have
14 Services running. How many do you have? Click the Help button for more
info.
----------
I have to believe that Spybot S&D or HijackThis or one of the above will
find the problem. When you get this all sorted out make sure you do updates for
all AntiVirus, Anti Scumware programs. Also make sure you are doing the Windows
Updates. Contrary to popular belief, the Windows Updates are to help with
problems, not cause them. :o)
---------------------
Do you meet the minimum requirements to run XP?
PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz
minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron
family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended 128
megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit
performance and some features)
1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space.
----------------------
Have you done any maintenance? These things should be done once in a while,
problem or no. They can head off some problems.
------------------------------
Empty temp folders, etc. Right click the IE icon on your
Desktop/Properties/General tab/click the Settings button/View objects
button/Lotta stuff there? I have 2 items./OK
Delete Cookies button/OK/Delete Files button/check Delete Offline
content/OK/click the Clear History button/Yes/OK
----------
Right click the Start button (in the lower left corner of your
Desktop)/Properties/Classic Start Menu/Customize button/Clear button/OK/Start
Menu/Apply/OK
-----------
Open My computer/right click your hard drive/Properties/Tools
tab/Error-checking, Check Now button/check both options/Start button/restart
your machine and wait for Error-checking to run. When that's done Open My
computer/right click your hard drive/Properties/Tools tab/Defragment Now
button/don't Analyze, hit the Defragment button.
 
FYI
Been having the same problem.
If your ISP is Earthlink - check your "my account" to see what OS they have you working with. I found by accident that they had me set up for Windows ME instead of XP - big difference in how the ISP sees your system. This might be a glitch in XP, so I would suggest checking regardless of provider.
Also, I didn't have this problem until downloading the XP updates - ? XP glitch resetting ISP settings?
 
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