CPU 30% when idle

[Dingusm]

Something is keeping my cpu usage at 30% whene the system is idle. I have deselected all the items in msconfig-start up and no change.System is very sluggish and broadband connection has slowed substantially. Any suggestions welcome.

 

[flyingwolf23]

run a virus scan and then try spybot and ad aware. sounds like you have a trojan running. Just a question are you using kazza?

Semper Fi

http://www.jnatek.kicks-ass.net

 

[bcastner]

Bring up Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del) and see under the Processes tab what is using the cycles.

You might consider using a process monitor. An excellent freeware one is by Sysinternals:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

 

[Dingusm]

First to flyingwolf: Virus and spyware scans did not help. No viruses are here and only a bunch of cookies detected and deleted.
if it's a trojan, the 3 spyware apps I ran (spybot, adaware, and spy-sweeper) don't recognize it.

To bcastner: process window in task manager shows a process simply called System is using my cpu cycles.
What does this mean? And more importantly, how do I fix it?

Thanx to both for speedy replies!

Ding

 

[hokey71]

I found this article on Microsoft's site about the system process. Maybe it will help determine the problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;295714

 

[bcastner]

SYSTEM is your computer operating system, doing some background tasks it appears.

If you have file indexing service enabled, for example, it kicks in during idle cycles. As does various chores such as determining your last and most recently used programs, so it can update various lists and pointers.

See the Black Viper site for a strong discussion of services and how idle cycles are used:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

I am sympathetic to the notion that the first stop should be to look for a virus/trojan/worm, but idle cycle use by SYSTEM or srvchost is not unusual.

See the ElderGeeks Guide, in particular:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

You should be suspicious. But it could well be harmless.

Final step is to look in your Event Logs. Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer. Anything odd or suspcious there?

 

[Dingusm]

As far as background programs go, I haven't changed anything. Indexing is disabled.
Spyware and antivirus scans are negative.
This thing is messing up my computer and my world!

A few months ago Fred Langa had an item in his newsletter about a Microsoft Win XP update that loused up performance. I have made a half hearted attempt to search his database for the name or number of this patch and will continue tomorrow. Does anyone know this info?

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=815411ID=685048&SPID=779&page=1

If you Google in Groups for the Q# you can still find it. You may have to download the patch from some strange foreign country, but it is it can be found. Virus check the thing before trying it. I think it helps, but there are a heckuva lot of other things to do first:

1. There is still a lot of value in the basics: clean the disk of unneeded files, then use defragmentation.

2. There is a lot of punch available in optomizing your virtual memory and pagefile usage:

http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm

Note the freeware utility to defrag the pagefile.

3. There is a lot of punch to be had with Bootvis.exe:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=664

Task, do the scan with all options
Task, Optomize after the reboot

4. Update your lan adapter drivers. There are too many things that are dependent at startup on you getting a fast and solid network/internet connection to ignore this basic fact.

5. Review all of your Startup programs. Remove anything that is not absolutely needed. MSCONFIG, Startup tab, can help you test this.

Best,
Bill

 

[bcastner]

My first link was corrupted. Fred Langa was referring to:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=815411

 

[Dingusm]

Problem solved sort of...

The cpu idle problem is being caused by my Zip Drive.

I have emailed Iomega tech support for advice.

Thanks to all who replied with advice, this has been an educational experience. It's amazing how much you can learn when dealing with a problem like this even if none of it helps the problem!!