High CPU Usage on a Gateway #Perf. 1400--Why ???

[crockman]

PC: Gateway Performance-1400 (Intel 1.4gig), 512MB of RDRAM, WD-40GB-HD, CDRW/DVDRom, Floppy-Drive, Nvidia AGP Card.

This Computer is used just as a Web-Surfer & Music-Player. But it's still important to me.

I Re-installed Windows ME using the Gateway 'System Restoration Kit'.

First though I used a Bootdisk.com Win. 98SE Start-up Disk to Partition (1 Large) & Format. Then Booted the PC with the CDRW using the Win. ME 'Restoration' CD.

The Computer Runs Fine. But, According to "System Monitor", I always have a (about) 29% CPU Usage. An Interesting Note: If I continuosly move the Mouse-Pointer, the CPU Usage will drop to about 3%, Stop using the Mouse, the CPU Usage will rise back & stay at 29%. WHY ???

Was there a 'Bad' Software Installed by the 'System Restoration Kit' ??? (after Windows Install the Gateway asks for the other 2 'Restoration CDs', the Win ME CD being the 2nd of 3 CDs)

Everest Home Edition lists: 100% CPU Utilization, Why ?

If I allow the PC to Run (at Idle), after about 20 minutes or so, the 'System Monitor' will show a Constant 45% CPU Usage. I've seen it go as High as 75%, then I have always Shut-Down.

Anybody Know whats wrong ???

Again though, this Gateway has never run better. The PC runs Great; Quick Boot, Stable, Easy & Quick access to Programs Etc...

Any Ideas ?

Thanks

 

[Doh!]

Go to task manager to see what's eating up your cpu.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Do you have a Creative SBLive! installed?

If so, use 'msconfig' to DISABLE "cthelper".

 

[crockman]

Go to task manager to see what's eating up your cpu.

Thanks, But ME doesn't have "task manager" like XP does. If ME does have 'task manager', I've never seen it.

If so, use 'msconfig' to DISABLE "cthelper".

Thanks. No I do not have a SB Sound card installed at the moment. Although SB Sound Drivers may have been loaded during the System Restoration Sequence. A lot of Drivers & stuff were loaded immediately following the 'ME' install. A SB sound card came 'Stock' from Gateway (I haven't reinstalled it yet). I did not see a "CTHelper" anywhere in 'msconfig'.

I just tried something. I set the Monitor at 32-bit Color (it was at 16-bit). Now the CPU Usage runs at a Constant 7%. Much better, but still too high considering it's at Idle.

Thanks

Anymore Ideas ?

 

[Doh!]

You can use this freeware to find out.

http://www.systeminternals.com/utilities/processexplorer.html

 

[crockman]

Originally posted by: Doh!
You can use this freeware to find out.

http://www.systeminternals.com/utilities/processexplorer.html

Thanks. That Process Explorer looks a lot like "Task Manager" found on Win. XP, but quite a bit more In-depth.

How Accurate is that Process Explorer ?

Cause', according to 'Process Explorer', My Gateway, 95% of the time, is Only using Less than 1% Cpu-Usage. Sometimes up to about 2-3%. And I saw Process Explorer, at Program-Startup, use 14% itself (just for a second or 2--2 or 3 times)

Is there anything else on My Gateway thats using the CPU, that's Not listed on Process Explorer ???

Is it Safe to assume that "System Monitor", SpeedFan, MBProbe & Everest Home Edition are All Giving Bogus Readings ???

Thanks for the Help