maxed out processor / task manager

[alphaspeed]

I appologize if this has been discussed before, I tried to search the forum for an answer, but couldn't find anything. Most likely, the answer is here, I just don't know how to properly search for it.

I have a Compaq Presario6000, a typical Circuit City model. The processor is an AMD Athlon, and it runs windows XP from the factory. The computer is about 9 months old.

I began to notice that the computer would lock up for about 30 seconds at a time. I spend most of my computer time on an aviation forum that runs the same forum software that this forum does, and I would be reading or typing, and I would notice that the cursor would lock up, and I'd get the hourglass "waiting" icon. I fell back to my windows 95 knowledge and hit control/alt/delete to find out what was happening; leading me to discover the Windows Task Manager . The task manager showed 100% processor usage for about thirty seconds, to a minute, and then it would go back down to 3 (or so ) percent and the computer would function normally. That condition lasted about a month.

Recently, I decided to visit MS and download the Service pacs. Somewhere in the download, the connection (out in the boondocks dial up) failed. Now, the processor runs at 100% almost all the time unless I end a few processes. If I end the svchost.exe process used by the "owner" the processor usage drops down to normal. BUT, I can't read pages with IE and sometimes the start menu is missing. I can access files etc, by clicking My Computer on the desktop.

It's not like Windows95 or 98, I don't get any blue screens or "fatal error" messages, it just won't work.

Any suggestions are sincerely appreciated,

Alphaspeed

PS, I'm writing this on a compaq laptop , also with AMD and Windows XP, that has given me no problems.

[rangeral]

Go to internet options and empty the cache on the general tab then d/l adaware or spybot both easily found on google and run it see how you make out for now, might have a bunch of spyware on it.

[Billforce]

Go in and edit your startups in MSconfigand also your start menu. You probably have a lot of stuff running in the background.

[BipolarBill]

Scan for trojans and spyware:

http://security.norton.com/default.asp?langid=us&venid=sym

You can do that in Safe Mode with Networking (press F8 after POST).

http://security.kolla.de/

I consider Real One to be spyware. :mad:

[alphaspeed]

Originally posted by rangeral
Go to internet options and empty the cache on the general tab then d/l adaware or spybot both easily found on google and run it see how you make out for now, might have a bunch of spyware on it.

Thanks for the quick response. I have emptied the temporary Internet files to no avail. I can't connect to the net to try and get spybot.

More later,

alphaspeed

[alphaspeed]

Originally posted by Billforce
Go in and edit your startups in MSconfigand also your start menu. You probably have a lot of stuff running in the background.

I'm currently attempting to get to MS config, but not exactly sure how to do so. I may ask for more info.

Thanks for your help,
Alphaspeed

[BipolarBill]

Start > Run > MSCONFIG > Ok.

If that doesn't work, Use Find Files and Folders to search for it.

[alphaspeed]

Originally posted by BipolarBill
Scan for trojans and spyware:

http://security.norton.com/default.asp?langid=us&venid=sym

You can do that in Safe Mode with Networking (press F8 after POST).

http://security.kolla.de/

I consider Real One to be spyware. :mad:

Bill, I can't connect, not even in safe mode with networking. I get a 711 message that says, "A configuration error on this computer is preventing this connection".

Is it possible that uninstalling real player could have caused the problems? I recently got mad at real player because it attempted to start ever time I inserted a DVD or CD. I hadn't made the connection between the uninstall and my problems until now. However, I had noticed the maxed out processor prior to uninstalling Real player.

Any ideas are appreciated, and once again Thanks to each of you who has responded.
Alphaspeed

[BipolarBill]

Have you tried using System Restore? It's there in Accessories > System Tools. Try a point before Real One was installed.

[alphaspeed]

Originally posted by BipolarBill
Start > Run > MSCONFIG > Ok.

If that doesn't work, Use Find Files and Folders to search for it.

A few more bits of info if I may. After a normal startup, i get a start menu, but the mouse cursor is accompanied by an hourglass and I can't click start. It just does nothing. If I safeboot the unit, I can access the entire start menu. When using safeboot with networking, I still cannot access the web. I get the 711, configuration error message.
I just opened the system config utility while in safe mode, the only way I can access the "run" command, and I found this in the services tab: Content monitoring tool, with an unknown manufacturer. I unchecked it and rebooted to no avail


I have also restored the system to no avail. Funny thing though, now it doesn't show any previous restore points. When I used system restore earlier, it allowed me to back up three months, now it won't go back past today.

I'll keep trying

Thanks for all your help.
alphaspeed

BTW, the starfield screen saver is "stationary" and only moves the "stars" for a second every ten or so seconds.

[alphaspeed]

Now, I've done it.

In the MSconfig options, I somehow selected an option that gives me nothing but a cmd.exe screen. I had an MS dos book years ago, but I doubt that anything in there relates to XP.
I have: C:\Documents and Settings\ Administrator> That's all.

I'm afraid I need to buy a windows XP book, any suggestions?

Thanks,
alphaspeed

[BipolarBill]

You should just repair XP:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[alphaspeed]

Originally posted by BipolarBill
You should just repair XP:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Thanks Bill, next time I head for the gulf, I'll buy you an adult beverage.

Alphaspeed