High CPU usage.

**Matridom** · April 13th, 2010, 11:19 AM

I'm having an issue with an older laptop and i'm not sure what or where the cause of the issue is.

What seems to be happening is that whatever process is currently running, it uses up 100% of the cpu utilization. It's very very odd. At first, it was Security essentials causing the issue, then it was windows update. Loading process viewer causes a constant 20% CPU utilization right there. What seems really odd to me, is that the computer has had XP re-installed from scratch 3 times so far over this issue and it's finally hit my desk.

Culprits i've seen at 100% usage:
security essentials
Norton AV
Iexplorer
Explorer

It's a clean install, fully updated and never been on the net except for windows update.

This problem also occures in safe mode, though not as bad.
CPUid shows proper clock speed for the processor, though it is an older Celeron M 430 processor (1.8 gig)

any ideas?

**CeeBee** · April 13th, 2010, 03:36 PM

Try process explorer from sysinternals (now ms). You can even see the dll's referenced so even if it's a generic svchost you can tell what it's doing.

**Matridom** · April 14th, 2010, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by CeeBee

Try process explorer from sysinternals (now ms). You can even see the dll's referenced so even if it's a generic svchost you can tell what it's doing.

did not show anything unusual. It was legitimate processes, they where just using up all available CPU

I ended up booting to linux live CD and had the SAME problem. It's hardware, just never seen it manifest this way. Since it's an old laptop, i'm not spending anymore time on it.

**MobilePCPhysician** · April 14th, 2010, 06:42 AM

onboard cache in bios enabled?

**Matridom** · April 14th, 2010, 01:23 PM

This is becoming more of a curiosity then actual troubleshooting..

Reset bios to defaults, same issue

What is *really* interesting is that this will NOT happen when on battery alone. now the battery is so old, it only lasts a few minutes... but it's interesting none the less.

100% CPU usage
unplug
5% usage
Plug-in
100% usage

**geoscomp** · April 14th, 2010, 02:45 PM

Is your laptop charger putting out the correct voltage/amperage?

**leeb** · April 19th, 2010, 01:28 AM

I'd like to suggest disabling ALL the power options... if you havent done so already.

Optionally, look for ANY device that might be monitoring power for efficiency... LAN/Wifi, Video, etc...

Just some thoughts.

**Matridom** · April 19th, 2010, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by geoscomp

Is your laptop charger putting out the correct voltage/amperage?

Originally Posted by leeb

I'd like to suggest disabling ALL the power options... if you havent done so already.

Optionally, look for ANY device that might be monitoring power for efficiency... LAN/Wifi, Video, etc...

Just some thoughts.

Yes it's the correcet charger

yes i've disbaled/removed all i could.

I guess as odd as it seems, i suspect something got fried from a surge or heat.

Either way, i'm declaring it dead and tell the user it's time to buy a new one.