Calling all Gurus: Windows Vista Ultimate CPU use ALWAYS at 95%!

[LIVAN]

I am really at my wits end here. I know there are some real gurus here, please help!


I have a Intel Dual Core 2140 at 1.6ghz.

I started noticing my computer is running slower and slower so I downloaded a CPU usage monitor and I noticed even when I have no porgrams open, one of the cores is always at 80-95% usage! I downloaded another program just to see and it confirms the first one on the cpu usage.

I then opened up the task manager, I noticed something odd. That is the 'System Idel process' on this computer is always between 75-85 under the CPU column. I checked my 2 other CPUS using the same OS and no issues, 'system idel process' doesn't even appear.

I don't have many programs installed other then Office suite and Kaspersky antivirus.

Please help!

 

[MrChad]

System Idle Process measures unused CPU cycles. If your system is not running much, 75-85 % is a perfectly normal reading.

What process(es) other than System Idle Process are showing CPU usage?

 

[soonerproud]

I suspect you may have a rootkit or other malware issue because a legit process is going to show up in task manager. You might want to download and run Hijack this and post the results on the Hijack this forum for a expert to look over and determine if something is out of place.

 

[degibson]

The System Idle Process is where the CPU goes when its not needed anywhere. Its normal for it to take most of the CPU time.

However, if it really is called the "System Idel Process", then there is something wrong -- possibly malicious code posing as a legitimate OS service. Hopefully, however, its just a misspelling.

 

[LIVAN]

Thanks for the answers. Yes that was a typo. The problem here is using 2 different CPU monitors, the CPU is showing USAGE of 80% when I am doing NOTHING and in the Task manager, the only item showing usage is the SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS. And on my 2 other computers with same OS, when nothing is happening the CPU usage using the same monitors shows between 4- to 10 % and there is no 'SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS' in the task manager on my 'normal' computers.

 

[MedicBob]

Originally posted by: LIVAN
Thanks for the answers. Yes that was a typo. The problem here is using 2 different CPU monitors, the CPU is showing USAGE of 80% when I am doing NOTHING and in the Task manager, the only item showing usage is the SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS. And on my 2 other computers with same OS, when nothing is happening the CPU usage using the same monitors shows between 4- to 10 % and there is no 'SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS' in the task manager on my 'normal' computers.

Click the "Show Processes from all users" check box or button.

No other help, but I am thinking.

 

[NYHoustonman]

The CPU cycles used by System Idle Process shouldn't show up under the performance tab (that is, total CPU Usage), correct?
I'd agree with soonerproud, definitely give your computer a good cleaning.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: LIVAN
I am really at my wits end here. I know there are some real gurus here, please help!


I have a Intel Dual Core 2140 at 1.6ghz.

I started noticing my computer is running slower and slower so I downloaded a CPU usage monitor and I noticed even when I have no porgrams open, one of the cores is always at 80-95% usage! I downloaded another program just to see and it confirms the first one on the cpu usage.

I then opened up the task manager, I noticed something odd. That is the 'System Idel process' on this computer is always between 75-85 under the CPU column. I checked my 2 other CPUS using the same OS and no issues, 'system idel process' doesn't even appear.

I don't have many programs installed other then Office suite and Kaspersky antivirus.

Please help!

stop downloading crap

 

[LIVAN]

Yes the SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS under 'processes' shows up in the computer in question and it's teh only computer that has that item showing up under processes out of my 3 computers.

 

[Bozo Galora]

since you have nothing on your PC, idle should be 98-99%
ya, could be a virus, since you said it went slower and slower
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/
but i think it may be eist enabled in bios changing your multi from 8 to 6, or something with standby/hibernate/sleep
I always keep all that Intel CPU stuff disabled in bios

you might also have temp probs, tho that is a slowish cpu
cpu warning/cutoff temp too low in bios?

 

[Chapbass]

go to the performance tab, then click performance monitor. Open that up, look at the 3 graphs (theres 4, look at the left 3). Should see cpu, memory, and hard disk. See which ones look to be pegged.


Then go to the drop down menus below it. Open up the processes one, sort by the far right column, average cpu. See what the most taxing process is. Also do that for hard disk and memory.


If its a relatively new install I would bet that it has to do with Superfetch or Search Indexer. Just a stab in the dark

 

[Bozo Galora]

good call, I forgot about search indexing

http://www.jimmah.com/vista/content.aspx?id=36