CPU usage at 100%

Joe C

Member
Aug 27, 2007
52
1
66
I'm having a problem with a Dell Lattitude C640 laptop with XP Pro that I hope I can resolve. The CPU will stay at 100% with just Windows processes running. I have reformatted and installed XP Pro 5 times now and each time the CPU processes will eventually max out at 100% usually after the computer is shut down and restarted. I'm thinking I have a hardware issue since XP Pro has been running on this computer for well over a year with no problems until now. Any ideas ?
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
134
106
Few questions.
What else is installed on the computer (Anti virus, Spyware scans, ect)?
Where did your copy of XP come from?
Is it happening only when windows is starting up, or does it die down after a while (even if it is a long while)?

It is most likely not hardware issues, Hardware doesn't utilize the cpu (ok, this isn't entirely true, but ignore this, it is insignificant), and certainly doesn't cause it to have high loads. Software is the only thing that will bring your CPU into a high load state. So it is important for me to know as much as possible about the software installed.
 

Slowlearner

Senior member
Mar 20, 2000
873
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Welcome to the AT forums.

You need to take a look at what processes are running. Normally a high CPU usage means that there are unnecessary processes running all the time. Some benign like Google desktop, HP's many printer/scanner utilities, Realmedia or Adobe crap and many others like them. Or worse, spyware utilizing the pc's resources.

A full AV and anti-spyware scan is needed. You also need to check your startup processes using something like Startup from mlin.net and Process Monitor from sysinternals at http://download.sysinternals.c...les/ProcessMonitor.zip
 

Joe C

Member
Aug 27, 2007
52
1
66
Thanks guys for the responses. More info;

My copy of XP Pro is Genuine
XP SP2 installed first, then XP SP3
Office 2003 installed
All applicable MS updates installed
No printer, scanner software installed
Symantec Corp 10 installed
Comodo Firewall v3 installed
Linksys wireless G software installed


No other 3rd party software installed
Current install is 1 day old

The 100% cpu usage occurs with any combination of the software listed above installed and will usually happen right after windows boots. I've re-installed Windows 5 times now. I'm afraid to let the thing run for 30 minutes or so, the case gets extremely hot, I don't want to burn up the CPU.
 

tential

Diamond Member
May 13, 2008
7,348
642
121
Do you know what process is making it urn at 100%? You can check simply by hitting Control Alt Delete and going to procseses and sorting by CPU Usage. No doubt it's just symantec running a virus scan.
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
134
106
Symantec Corp 10 installed <- Fairly certain this is your problem.

You computer is (most likely) doing a full virus scan without your permission. like tential said, you can open you system monitor with ctrl+alt+del and sort out the programs to see which is using the CPU power.

As for burning up the CPU, don't worry about it. the worst that will happen is the computer will freeze and you will have to reboot. Unless you are overclocking with some insane voltages there really isn't a whole lot you can do to kill your CPU gradually.
 

Joe C

Member
Aug 27, 2007
52
1
66
Thanks for the responses. I'm at work now, when I get home I will check the processes running and download the tools that were listed in the 3rd post.
 

daveybrat

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jan 31, 2000
5,781
996
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I've also had issues with Norton Corp 10 taking up crazy amounts of cpu resources. Definitely remove it and see what happens.
 

Dillybob

Member
Jun 24, 2008
108
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Don't remove it without having other virus-scanners ready to install....or just be disconnected from the internet when you uninstall. If you don't do one of those 2 things, it's been shown that you would most likely be attacked in about 20 minutes. You might already know that, but it's better to be safe than sorry! :)
 

Cutthroat

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2002
1,104
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Originally posted by: Dillybob
Don't remove it without having other virus-scanners ready to install....or just be disconnected from the internet when you uninstall. If you don't do one of those 2 things, it's been shown that you would most likely be attacked in about 20 minutes. You might already know that, but it's better to be safe than sorry! :)

LOL, I've run without AV for months at a time. If you are safe about your surfing habits, and don't open unknown files, you're not likely going to get a virus.
 

Joe C

Member
Aug 27, 2007
52
1
66
The processes that are running up the CPU are svchost.exe @49% and system @ 50%. The other 19 processes as shown in task manager are at 0%. I'm going to uninstall Symantec and report back.
 

Joe C

Member
Aug 27, 2007
52
1
66
I uninstalled Symantec and now I have system @50% cpu usage and system idle process @ 50% cpu usage. The grand total cpu usage says 53% now. What about the BIOS, could there be something in there to check ? BIOS is A06