CPU Usage extremely high

  • Thread starter Thread starter art
  • Start date Start date
A

art

I had a problem where my cpu usage was ranging from 70-
100% even at idle times. I went through task manager to
check on programs running, and the svchost.exe program
which is listed 5 times, is hogging up my cpu. It got so
bad that I ended up doing a total reinstall of XP, but
the problems are starting up again. Currently my cpu
runs 40-60% at idle times, so it is only a matter of time
before it gets worse. Anyone have any ideas??
 
svchost is not "hogging up" your CPU. It is a key component of the operating
system, which explains why reinstalling XP had no effect.

Which processes are taking up most of your CPU time at idle? Currently, the
System Idle Process on my computer occupies 99% of the CPU time. This is
normal. I have svchost listed 4 times in my Task Manager. This is also
normal, and svchost may appear even more times.

Before calling something a CPU hog, perhaps it would be better to do some
research. You can find a wealth of knowledge about svchost on the Internet.
Start here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314056&Product=winxp.

Tom Swift
 
SVCHOST is used to launch several 3rd-party processes or
services. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to figure
out what your instances are running.

I strongly suspect two things:
1) viruses, or
2) spyware/marketing parasites

You should download Spybot from security.kolla.de (it'll
redirect you to a number of worldwide mirror sites), or
Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de. Spybot is better because
it has the "Immunize" feature that protects you between
scans. Each will find things the other won't. Each is
free to individuals. Ad-Aware is not free to businesses.
Spybot strongly begs for donations but is still free at
this time (don't count on it staying free.)

As a promo and general service, McAfee offers free virus
scans from their Internet site. I'm sure it's slow, but
it is free and will have the very latest virus
definitions.

The only other thing I know of that runs an idle PC at
100% is the types of software that unit Internet PCs in a
search for a cure for cancer, AIDS, etc. Only when idle
does the CPU churn away with processes served out by the
host research servers. The client processes work so well,
there's virtually no hesitation or interruption when you
try to use the PC. Only un-used CPU is utilized.
If your PC is getting sluggish, it's not caused by this
type of thing.
 
Try disabling the SSDP service. I had the same issue with high CPU for
system/svchost and that cured it.
 
Back
Top