System process uses 50% CPU, then system locks up

[HauntFox]

My system (XP) will be running fine, when all of a sudden the system process starts using about 50% of my CPU, and then programs start locking up, and the more I do the more the system locks up until I have to push the reset button.

Things I've done lately are updating the BIOS and wi-fi drivers and utilities (ASUS P5B Deluxe Wi-Fi), and installing IE 7 and security updates.
I've done virus scan but it finds nothing.

I was suspecting it was something wrong with the windows automatic updater, I put it on notify only but still happens, I might try disabling it. My next guess is the wi-fi adapter, so I'll try disabling that too.

So, just thought I'd post this to see if anyone happens to know what it is or how to find out what it is.

 

[mechBgon]

1) what antivirus software do you have? Has it ever detected any viruses (if so, what are the exact names, look in its logs and quarantine area for these)?

2) do you have firewall software (yes/no)? If so, what? Are you running any server applications like P2P or anything?

3) what is your wireless connecting to, exactly? Your own router, or what? If you own the wireless access point yourself, do any other computers connect to it too? What level of wireless encryption are you using (WPA, 128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, none)?

4) You mention doing updates. What condition was the computer in before you did the updates?

5) Look in the Windows Event Viewer (right-click My Computer > Manage > Event Viewer), are there any events that coincide with these problems?

 

[amdskip]

Are you sure you don't have a virus or spyware? Check your motherboard for bad capacitors too.

 

[travisray2004]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Are you sure you don't have a virus or spyware? Check your motherboard for bad capacitors too.

Yea i have noticed that to be the case with most of the problems with Motherboars and excessive CPU Ulitization.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Could be hardware related (caps) or I'd point my finger at your recent updates, especially IE 7.

 

[marulee]

Originally posted by: HauntFox
My system (XP) will be running fine, when all of a sudden the system process starts using about 50% of my CPU, and then programs start locking up, and the more I do the more the system locks up until I have to push the reset button.

Things I've done lately are updating the BIOS and wi-fi drivers and utilities (ASUS P5B Deluxe Wi-Fi), and installing IE 7 and security updates.
I've done virus scan but it finds nothing.

I was suspecting it was something wrong with the windows automatic updater, I put it on notify only but still happens, I might try disabling it. My next guess is the wi-fi adapter, so I'll try disabling that too.

So, just thought I'd post this to see if anyone happens to know what it is or how to find out what it is.

Look at the bottom right hand corner which is 'system tray'. If you believe any application is not assciated to what you will be doing while you are in front of the computer, I suggest you to disable them. IE7 will slow down the speed and will take large portion of your resources!

 

[HauntFox]

Well it hasn't happened again so far, since I turned off Automatic Updates

 

[johnpombrio]

Hmmm, I had this with my old ASUS mobo and AMD CPU with NVidia chipset. It was the IDE drivers that came with the mobo. DON'T LOAD THE IDE DRIVERS! That took care of my problem...

 

[InlineFive]

Sometimes when WU/MU is looking for new updates svchost.exe will peg the CPU and make the system crawl.