Help! 100% CPU usage for ANYTHING

[Confused but not inept]

I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
advice.

[Ted Zieglar]

No such thing as a "fix it button" for a computer.

To get a good answer, you need to ask a good question. Writing that your
computer is "just about worthless" doesn't provide nearly enough detail.

The processes running on your computer always add up to 100%.

Try again, and this time describe in some detail exactly what your
problem is.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

Confused but not inept wrote:
> I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
> about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
> updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
> avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
> I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
> I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
> CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
> advice.

[Confused but not inept]

Well, despite your very confident tone, that's not true.

Open up your task manager (sounds like you know how to do that), and tell me
what your "CPU usage" is. If it's 100%, then you have the same problem I do,
and are of no help. For example, when I open the task manager for my firm
laptop the task manager usually shows less than 30% CPU usage.

As for the fix it button, let me be clearer - is there a way to re-install
Windows XP (i.e. restoring the registries and fixing the windows software)
without formatting my hard drive?

"Ted Zieglar" wrote:

> No such thing as a "fix it button" for a computer.
>
> To get a good answer, you need to ask a good question. Writing that your
> computer is "just about worthless" doesn't provide nearly enough detail.
>
> The processes running on your computer always add up to 100%.
>
> Try again, and this time describe in some detail exactly what your
> problem is.
>
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> Confused but not inept wrote:
> > I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
> > about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
> > updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
> > avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
> > I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
> > I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
> > CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
> > advice.
>

[Ted Zieglar]

At this very moment, System Idle Process has 98% of my CPU and Task
Manager (taskmgr.exe) has 2%. Adds up to 100%.

If you want to do a re-installation of Windows XP, here are the directions:

"How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

However, you'll be much better off if you diagnose and solve your
problem, which you have yet to describe in sufficient detail for
anything other than a hopeful guess.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

Confused but not inept wrote:
> Well, despite your very confident tone, that's not true.
>
> Open up your task manager (sounds like you know how to do that), and tell me
> what your "CPU usage" is. If it's 100%, then you have the same problem I do,
> and are of no help. For example, when I open the task manager for my firm
> laptop the task manager usually shows less than 30% CPU usage.
>
> As for the fix it button, let me be clearer - is there a way to re-install
> Windows XP (i.e. restoring the registries and fixing the windows software)
> without formatting my hard drive?
>
> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>
>> No such thing as a "fix it button" for a computer.
>>
>> To get a good answer, you need to ask a good question. Writing that your
>> computer is "just about worthless" doesn't provide nearly enough detail.
>>
>> The processes running on your computer always add up to 100%.
>>
>> Try again, and this time describe in some detail exactly what your
>> problem is.
>>
>> ---
>> Ted Zieglar
>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>
>> Confused but not inept wrote:
>>> I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
>>> about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
>>> updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
>>> avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
>>> I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
>>> I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
>>> CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
>>> advice.

[Confused but not inept]

On my clunker, system idle never gets that much respect. What is dominating
currently is any number of .exe files, which I do not recognize.

I tried an in place installation of Windows XP, but could not get the
service pack to integrate with windows xp.

As for asking a better question, that's the best I can do. I'm no expert.
But, in my field, I don't expect my clients to be experts - I help them ask
the right questions.

Thanks for the help?

"Ted Zieglar" wrote:

> At this very moment, System Idle Process has 98% of my CPU and Task
> Manager (taskmgr.exe) has 2%. Adds up to 100%.
>
> If you want to do a re-installation of Windows XP, here are the directions:
>
> "How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP"
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341
>
> However, you'll be much better off if you diagnose and solve your
> problem, which you have yet to describe in sufficient detail for
> anything other than a hopeful guess.
>
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> Confused but not inept wrote:
> > Well, despite your very confident tone, that's not true.
> >
> > Open up your task manager (sounds like you know how to do that), and tell me
> > what your "CPU usage" is. If it's 100%, then you have the same problem I do,
> > and are of no help. For example, when I open the task manager for my firm
> > laptop the task manager usually shows less than 30% CPU usage.
> >
> > As for the fix it button, let me be clearer - is there a way to re-install
> > Windows XP (i.e. restoring the registries and fixing the windows software)
> > without formatting my hard drive?
> >
> > "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
> >
> >> No such thing as a "fix it button" for a computer.
> >>
> >> To get a good answer, you need to ask a good question. Writing that your
> >> computer is "just about worthless" doesn't provide nearly enough detail.
> >>
> >> The processes running on your computer always add up to 100%.
> >>
> >> Try again, and this time describe in some detail exactly what your
> >> problem is.
> >>
> >> ---
> >> Ted Zieglar
> >> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
> >>
> >> Confused but not inept wrote:
> >>> I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
> >>> about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
> >>> updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
> >>> avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
> >>> I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
> >>> I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
> >>> CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
> >>> advice.
>

[Piet Slaghekke]

Hi perhaps it has to do with SVCHOST.EXE
IF so there is a fix.
Problem: SVCHOST.EXE uses 60-100% cpu at bootup or when Microsoft
Update is running.

CAUSE: Bug in Microsoft Update (Microsoft Update scans all Microsoft
software including office/
Windows update only scans Windows for updates)

FIX:
go to windows update and check if the "get microsoft update today"
banner is there, if it is then this is not your problem, if it's not,
click on 'change settings' on the left, in the next window scroll down
and un-tick microsoft update and click on 'apply changes now' , you'll
now be back to windows update only.
Ted Zieglar wrote:
> No such thing as a "fix it button" for a computer.
>
> To get a good answer, you need to ask a good question. Writing that your
> computer is "just about worthless" doesn't provide nearly enough detail.
>
> The processes running on your computer always add up to 100%.
>
> Try again, and this time describe in some detail exactly what your
> problem is.
>
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> Confused but not inept wrote:
> > I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
> > about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
> > updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
> > avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
> > I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
> > I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
> > CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
> > advice.

[mikeyhsd]

you can always look at the list of running programs to see WHICH ONE is using all the cpu.







"Confused but not inept" <Confused but not > wrote in message ...
I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
advice.

[Ted Zieglar]

Tell us in your own words, without jargon, what your problem is. Can't
get e-mail? Weird error messages? Web pages look strange? Computer slow?
And then give us any clues you might have that would help with a
diagnosis, for example: Made any changes to your software or hardware?
Changed any program settings?

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

Confused but not inept wrote:
> On my clunker, system idle never gets that much respect. What is dominating
> currently is any number of .exe files, which I do not recognize.
>
> I tried an in place installation of Windows XP, but could not get the
> service pack to integrate with windows xp.
>
> As for asking a better question, that's the best I can do. I'm no expert.
> But, in my field, I don't expect my clients to be experts - I help them ask
> the right questions.
>
> Thanks for the help?
>
> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>
>> At this very moment, System Idle Process has 98% of my CPU and Task
>> Manager (taskmgr.exe) has 2%. Adds up to 100%.
>>
>> If you want to do a re-installation of Windows XP, here are the directions:
>>
>> "How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP"
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341
>>
>> However, you'll be much better off if you diagnose and solve your
>> problem, which you have yet to describe in sufficient detail for
>> anything other than a hopeful guess.
>>
>> ---
>> Ted Zieglar
>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>
>> Confused but not inept wrote:
>>> Well, despite your very confident tone, that's not true.
>>>
>>> Open up your task manager (sounds like you know how to do that), and tell me
>>> what your "CPU usage" is. If it's 100%, then you have the same problem I do,
>>> and are of no help. For example, when I open the task manager for my firm
>>> laptop the task manager usually shows less than 30% CPU usage.
>>>
>>> As for the fix it button, let me be clearer - is there a way to re-install
>>> Windows XP (i.e. restoring the registries and fixing the windows software)
>>> without formatting my hard drive?
>>>
>>> "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>>>
>>>> No such thing as a "fix it button" for a computer.
>>>>
>>>> To get a good answer, you need to ask a good question. Writing that your
>>>> computer is "just about worthless" doesn't provide nearly enough detail.
>>>>
>>>> The processes running on your computer always add up to 100%.
>>>>
>>>> Try again, and this time describe in some detail exactly what your
>>>> problem is.
>>>>
>>>> ---
>>>> Ted Zieglar
>>>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>>>
>>>> Confused but not inept wrote:
>>>>> I have a Dell Latitude that is almost three years-old. The thing is just
>>>>> about worthless at this point. Everything I do requires 100% CPU. I've
>>>>> updated my antivirus software and downloaded AdAware and Spybot - to no
>>>>> avail. I don't want to reformat my hardrive as it would take days to ensure
>>>>> I have preserved all of my data. Is there a Windows XP "fix it" button?
>>>>> I've been searching for hours. I downloaded the diagnostic tools from the
>>>>> CD, but can't make sense of any of them. I will greatly appreciate any
>>>>> advice.

[Chris]

Message Below your post

"Confused but not inept" wrote:

> On my clunker, system idle never gets that much respect. What is dominating
> currently is any number of .exe files, which I do not recognize.
>
> I tried an in place installation of Windows XP, but could not get the
> service pack to integrate with windows xp.
>
> As for asking a better question, that's the best I can do. I'm no expert.
> But, in my field, I don't expect my clients to be experts - I help them ask
> the right questions.
>
> Thanks for the help?

We don't expect you or anyone to be an expert, all we need is information to
help us figure out what your issue is. When you say your cpu usage is 100%
there has to be something useing that, and when you said any number of
processes that I don't understand - well we can't see those processes. And
computers are very different depending on what programs they use. So at best
we can only guess and odds are we will be wrong. So we need more
information. What process(es) are running? What percentage are they useing.
What are you doing when you get this? Are you running a program? Or is it
sitting idle? Most machines when they are not doing something use 0-2% of
their cpu.

If it's idle and still using that much, you have something in the background
running. Look at your system tray. See what's running, try closing
programs. But we need your help too. We need more specific information.
Hope this helps.