[Axegrinder]

Hello again, I have this problem with this computer in which the CPU usage is always around 40-60% whe idle, I find this strange because there are hardly any programs on the PC. Thing is when i boot in to safe mode, everything is fine and CPU usage is back to 0%-10%.

Specs:

AMD Athlon XP 1800+
480MB of RAM (32 Mb shared with graphics)
Win XP Home
40GB HD
S3 ProSavage Integrated graphics.

[SocialWarfare]

Could you bring up your task manager(Ctrl-Alt-Delete) and take a screen shot of it so that we can see which program is using the most
Like this

[Axegrinder]

There, I cant see whats eating the CPU power. Its a relatively fresh install is XP. so I havent got many programs on it. I have scanned the sytem for spyware etc. Nothing came up.

[slipend]

I think it's pretty normal for the CPU to running that high

[SocialWarfare]

I don't think so, mine only runs at 1-2% idle, from my pic above its at 58% because I had BF2142 running in the background
Like you say there isn't anything out of the ordinary there, only 29 processes running

[Axegrinder]

Yeah the main computer in my house runs at 0-5% when idle, and it has nearly the same processor. I just cant think whats sapping the CPU power.

[cyberspacegenie]

I would suggest the following:

1. run virus/spyware scans if you havent already

2. Start up the computer and shut down all your main programs (inc. virus checkers, etc). If the high idle activity stops you will know that it is related to one of these programs. In that case restart each one in sequence until the problem starts up again. When the problem starts up again you'll know which program or combination may be causing it. If this doesnt stop the problem then you'll know its related to something else. In this case try downloading something like 'Process Explorer' (I'm not sure if its on the downloads section here, if not it will be on downloads.com). This will tell you about everything thats running in more detail and hopefully combined with some googling may help you to identify the problem.

3. Run Hijackthis and check the log, or post it here (in the relevant section) and have someone else take a look.

Let us know if any of these work.

[Axegrinder]

Hello,

I have done spyware and virus scans, nothings has been picked up, I have also downloaded process explorer, which by looking at the graphs, alot of the CPU usage is taken up by hardware interupts, about 40-60% is that bad or good?

I have posted a hijack this log in the virus section etc.

[cyberspacegenie]

If none of that worked. Then try the following:

1. reinstalling the hardware drivers

If that doesnt work then go into device manager and disable non essential hardware items (just disable dont uninstall) such as modem, etc. If your problem stops then you'll know its related to one of these. Then just re-enable until you find the culprit.

let us know how you get on.

[Axegrinder]

Thing is though this computer wasnt supplied with any disks etc. So im pretty buggered if i have to reinstall anything.

I will disable some hardware drivers now, and i will let you know how I got on.

EDIT: can you list some drivers to disable, as I dont want to disable anything vital to the system.