CPU usage

When I start my computer my cpu usage can be anywhere from 60-100%.  If I leave my computer sitting for a while with or without a screensaver it freezes up.  It takes me 5 minutes just to get the moust to start moving.  This just shouldnt be happening with a computer that has over a gigabyte of ram and a 2.5 ghz processor should it?  Im able to quit some processes that drop it back to 4%.  I guess my question is what\'s causing this? How can I permentally fix it?  If it\'s just a matter of quitting some processes then how can I make sure certain processes never start up again?

muhahaha I wish I could go to people\'s houses and fix their sh*t, for some reason it\'s always satisfying to get a ~30 second bootup from a computer.

Anyway:

1) Press ctrl + alt + del to open task manager and see what is hogging your CPU.  Sounds like bloatware (add-on gimmicky software you don\'t need), spyware, or maybe even a virus.  Highlight and if the name doesn\'t look familiar, end program if it lets you.

2) Spybot 1.3 - update & run | Ad-Aware 6.0 build 181 - update & run

3) Have any anti-virus protection?  McAfee found over 200 files and over half a dozen *separate* viruses on a friend\'s puter.  AVG Anti-virus is free but not as good as the pay ones imo.  If you have no virus protection try McAfee Freescan and see if it turns up anything.

4) Start > Run > MSCONFIG.  Services tab > Check hide MS services at bottom.  NOTHING here needs to be checked.  If you have special software that provides a service you need (like virus protection) then you can leave it alone, otherwise it should be barren.  Now the startup tab.  Don\'t need anything here either but it\'s up to you.  Also clear out the shortcuts in Start > All Programs > Startup.

5) Once viruses and spyware are gone DEFRAG!!  Good idea to set your page file to 768 minimum and 768 maximum too.  Keeping it one size prevents wasted space and possible fragmentation.  If you need help here lmk.

6) You can also download Microsoft\'s own Bootvis which examines your bootup and rearranges files to help speed things up.

^^
Also run msconfig, turn off everything from the startup menu that you don\'t need.  You can also check all your services and run the bare minimum.

Thanks for the info and I\'ll do it all.  Check out all this spyware I found using Spy Sweeper.

-Delfin
-Side Search
-2nd thought
-Seek Seek
-Ebates Money Maker
-Limeshop
-KeenValue
-Websearch toolbar
-Superbar
-Twaintech
-Ps2
-Url Blaze
-Wild Tangent

Deleting them as we speak, any of them real harmfull though?  Any that might of hijacked my computer?

No, just delete.  I would also install Ad-Aware.  Each Spyware program will find something another won\'t.  I use two...

Ok, I have ad-aware and spybot...just rarely use em.  Will problly start using them once a week.

[Kurt Angle]

Originally posted by PSX_J
Ok, I have ad-aware and spybot...just rarely use em.  Will problly start using them once a week now.

Make sure you keep them updated too. Ad-aware is updated just about every week.

What about Systemidle process,  Is that necessary?

[Kurt Angle]

Originally posted by PSX_J
What about Systemidle process,  Is that necessary?

I have that running on mine and it only takes up 20k of memory. I would leave it.

system idle process just uses up CPU power that isn\'t being used.  When you need the cpu power for something else your system idle process usage will go down to zero if need be.