31 Processes running

[kwagner_51]

Which processes can I end? Every time I check task manager it is running at 100%!

It drops back to 2% but then jumps up to 53, 79, 81 etc.

When I play games it freezes. Even games I bought and are on the h/d.

I am beginning to think the cpu is getting too hot and that is causing the problems.

I live in the Midwest and we have been baking in the upper 90's and low 100's for weeks now.

Today is the 1st day its been in the 80's for a month.

We lost our a/c in June and it has been hotter the the blazes of hell in this house.

I also noticed that when I use the scroll wheel on my wireless mouse that the cpu usage goes up.

Budfred has already cleared it of the bad stuff and he doesn't think it's a virus.


Any advice?


Thanks!!

[BartusCompater]

I would follow your gut and check to see if it's a heat problem by maybe opening up a side panel and just checking for things like excessive lint and dust.

[Sylvander]

Which Windows version?
Does its Task Manager give as nice a display of running processes as Process Explorer for Windows v10.21 (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/ProcessExplorer.mspx)?

Which processes are causing such high %CPU usage?

How does it run in Safe Mode?
Or running Knoppix from a Knoppix Linux Live CD (http://www.knoppix.net/get.php)?

Do you have a means to temporarily disable Startup items? ["Startup Control Panel" or msconfig]

[kwagner_51]

Which Windows version?

Does its Task Manager give as nice a display of running processes as Process Explorer for Windows v10.21 (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/ProcessExplorer.mspx)?

Which processes are causing such high %CPU usage?

How does it run in Safe Mode?
Or running Knoppix from a Knoppix Linux Live CD (http://www.knoppix.net/get.php)?

Do you have a means to temporarily disable Startup items? ["Startup Control Panel" or msconfig]

Which Windows version?


XP Pro SP2


Yes I now have the Process Explorer. How do I paste it here?

IE is the process causing the largest spike

I have been running Windows in selective start since the beginning. I stopped several more of the 'normal Startup' stuff from running yesterday.

I don't know how it runs in Safe mode, my F8 key doesn't work [d/t wireless kb] and I forgot how to key it in under 'run'

Thanks!!

[Sylvander]

1. "How do I paste it here?"
I use Gadwin PrintScreen 4.3 (http://www.gadwin.com/) to choose a rectangular region of screen, save it to a jpg file [must be 19.5 kB or less to post here].
You can post up to 5 such screenshots here in each post window, so you can do it in parts if need be.

2. "IE is the process causing the largest spike"
You could right-click on that process and click "Restart" to see if that helps.

3. "my F8 key doesn't work"
Hmm, that sounds not so good. :(
That will need fixed at some point.
Make the Knoppix CD and use that as a first try at using a "safe" & uncorrupted OS.
You might also try "Start->Run->Open->msconfig->Diagnostic Startup".

It's always prudent to have made at least one image backup of the Windows partition, so you can at least get back to this [rather poor, but at least a] working copy of the Windows partition.
A restore point isn't as good, because it cannot help if Windows won't boot.

4. "I stopped several more of the 'normal Startup' stuff from running yesterday"
If you are online/connected I hope you have a firewall and anti-virus software running.

[kwagner_51]

"How do I paste it here?"

I downloaded the program but don't know how to use it.

"IE is the process causing the largest spike"
You could right-click on that process and click "Restart" to see if that helps.

I did restart it. It didn't help

"my F8 key doesn't work"

It doesn't work because it is a wireless keyboard. How do I start in safe mode without using the keyboard?

Knoppix CD

I downloaded this one too. I don't know how to use it.

I stopped several more of the 'normal Startup' stuff from running yesterday"
If you are online/connected I hope you have a firewall and anti-virus software running


My firewall and AVG still run. I just got rid of Office, Quick Time etc

Also, I ran a test on one of the games I downloaded. With Process Explorer running, the game shot up to 98% the meter turned completely red!!
Thanks!!

[odannyboy000]

Your CPU may be running at 100% because it needs to to keep up with your running applications. What are your specs?

[Sylvander]

1. "don't know how to use it"
First thing to do is to configure the way it works.
(a) Run it and right click on the icon in the System Tray and click "Properties".
(b) In "Preferences" set:
Capture Settings:
Hot key = PrintScreen [or whatever you prefer]
Preview the captured image = [tick this]
Source->Captured area:
Choose "Rectangular area" and tick "Capture mouse cursor".
Destination: choose...
"Copy captured area to clipboard"
"Copy captured area to file"
"Automatic naming->filename" = screenshot
"Capture directory" = [navigate to a folder of your choice and OK it. I make a C:\00 folder to hold such temporary things]
Image:
"Type of image" = JPEG Bitmap
"Resizing" = Maintain aspect ratio

(c) To take a snapshot, click the "PrintScreen" key, and use the mouse cursor to drag 'n drop a rectangle, then hit "Enter" and OK the capture.

(d) To post the image[s] here click the "Manage Attachments button, navigate to the screenshot.jpg file[s], choose the file and upload. Repeat for each image to a max of 5 in any one posting.

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2. "I did restart it. It didn't help"
Note the file and its address, "Kill process tree" on that, then restart it by right-click on the file and "Open" of the file.
If that doesn't work, it may be necessary to repair the software.
Not sure how that would be achieved; perhaps a repair of Windows with a "slipstreamed" installation CD.

3. "It doesn't work because it is a wireless keyboard"
My PS2 [is yours USB?] wireless keyboard works OK during startup.

4. "I downloaded this one too. I don't know how to use it."
Did you make the bootable CD OK, and does Knoppix load when you boot the CD?
Just go in and explore.
You might use one of the web browsers [Firefox] to browse the web, or come here.

5. "the game shot up to 98%"
Like odannyboy000 said...
How high is the spec of your PC?
Were no other processes using high %CPU?
What happens when you scroll a window in a web browser or Windows Explorer? [Tile the 2 windows vertically so you can see both at the same time]

[yawningdog]

Shut off automatic updates.