Cpu 100%

Jazzycat

Hi,

I have a problem with my pc running slowly when applications are opening and running. I did have 256 ram, but added another 512 to hopefully improve the situation. I am running XP on a 5yr old pc.

When I open up applications and especially the internet he cpu usage goes to 100% and it all goes slow for a while. If I open a new page or link the usage agin shoots up to 100%. Is this normal?

I also looked at the processes running and it appears that 41 are listed, again is that normal?

I have current AVG and Kerio firewall and have scanned with various programs to make sure there is not a virus present and all seems clear.

I would appreciate any help. Thanks

Chippy_Minton

100% CPU usage as you describe is probably not normal. 41 processes is a bit on the high side, however it might be normal for you - it all depends which programs you like to run, including startup programs and services. You can probably reduce the number of processes - post a HijackThis log.

Which process(es) is(are) using the most CPU when this happens? Use Process Explorer rather than Task Manager to monitor the processes as it gives a lot more information.

What web browser are you using?

Also, how much free space do you have on the hard drive and what is the size of your page file? http://www.theeldergeek.com/paging_file.htm

culpepper

I find IE is very processor hungry. I much prefer Opera.
Mine is the same age and I have about 800'ish MB of memory and run 38 processes.

ormus

prob got a virus of some sort.
you need to run all the usual checks. see the security sticky for advice.
also some pirate programs will give the same effect. check your start up menu for any progs trying to phone home.

James240

I must admit when i had my old laptop i tried to keep the processes down to 35-38 any more and the laptop went into complete go slow mode. May not be the same for you but 256MB is a little small for any computer in my opinion though as it makes things go like treacle lol.

Have you run virus, malware and spyware checkers to see if u have anything clogging ur machine as that maybe a cause

BillScarab

It may be worth doing a general tidy up, run a defrag. Then uninstall and delete any unused programs.Then download and run ccleaner which will get rid of lots of temporary files and tidy up the registry.

Jazzycat

Hi, thanks for the replies all.

I tried the process explorer and it showed that most of the 100% is used by the iexplorer.

I have tried all the usual suspects for malware detection. Used Ewido,Ad-aware. Posted Hijack This record last week and was advised no nasties there.

I have ashampoo magical defrag on. I have used Advanced system cleaner to clear junk and cleaned the registry. Also ran 1st registry repair. I have CCleaner, but registry repair deleted the dll file for this - reinstalled and ran again.

I don't believe I have a virus as nothing is howing any presence of such and have used the usuals which are all up to date.

I guess my pc might just be feeling its age?
If I get a new pc is there ay way of moving my XP or do I need to buy again?
I have heard that you get a re-install if old hard drive dies?

Thanks for helping guys

Reluctant_spender

You could post a hijack log - this will show the running processes and start up items.

We may be able to reduce these for you

Chippy_Minton

Jazzycat wrote: »

I tried the process explorer and it showed that most of the 100% is used by the iexplorer.

Are you sure it's called iexplorer? iexplore.exe is (or should be) Internet Explorer and explorer.exe is Windows Explorer if they are running from the expected folders.

As I said, run a HijackThis scan and post a log.

BillScarab

Jazzycat wrote: »

If I get a new pc is there ay way of moving my XP or do I need to buy again?
I have heard that you get a re-install if old hard drive dies?

Thanks for helping guys

If you have a full retail copy of XP you can load it onto a different machine. If it is an OEM license it is legally tied to the original machine. You could install and tell Microsoft you have put in a new motherboard and maybe get away with it. It's probabyl easier to just buy a machine with an OS pre-installed.

Jazzycat

Hi,

here is the log which I have just run

Running processes: