Another High CPU 99% Idle

Kaylik · Nov 27, 2013

Good day, I have been going through google and the search on this forum, and can't for the life of me figure it out. My System Idle Process is at 99%, but my CPU Usage is at 30 - 33% all the time. I can hear my CPU fan blowing rather strong for idle and the computer is sluggish.
This has happened before on my laptop running windows XP and had it scanned for everything and anything to come out clean, found out it was the windows update chocking my old laptop once updated I was in the clear. not so much the case here I have updated and have now turned off automatic updates and nothing, I have tried renaming the HD Audio file in my driver folder. and tried rolling back drivers.
here is the build

Asus P5GZ-MX
Core 2 Duo e6300 @ 1.4GHz
2GB Samsung Ram
Asus HD6450
WD 320GB Sata

At BIOS 0601.

ps. Weird thing my intel VGA driver will not install. every time near the end the computer crashes and never installs it.. not that I needed it so I have just disable it in Device Manager.

thanks a lot can upload whatever pics you need

(and running a malware scan right now not that I'm at all positive it'll give me anything)

http://i43.tinypic.com/347eh74.jpg (showing the wierdness)

Foldalot · Nov 27, 2013

Try using advanced task manager to see if you have any harmful processes that trigger that 98% usage.

Chicano · Nov 27, 2013

Post two images of the taskmanager after clicking on the CPU and memory column headers so the numbers align by process/CPU usage... so that we can see which processes are using-up CPU and Memory. The 99% System Idle Process is normal (if computer activity is idle), what's not normal is 99% idle with 30-33% CPU usage simultaneously... both figures are conflicting, so one of them is wrong.

The high fan rate may be as simple as a BIOS setting.. check the Silent Mode or something of the sort.

On the driver installation issue, Check which services are disabled or stopped, particularly check the status on the SSDP Discovery Service and the Plug and Play service.

Install Malwarebytes Antimalware, HijackThis, and Emisoft HijackFree to see-detect hidden processes and disable-delete them.

Kaylik · Nov 28, 2013

foldalot I have installed Advanced Task manager but not too sure how to use it...
As for chicano I had already installed malwarebytes but it found nothing in both safe and normal mode.

How would you like me to send the reports? copy paste?

Task Manager CPU & Memory tabs hit
CPU: http://i42.tinypic.com/2cxdfyu.jpg
RAM: http://i39.tinypic.com/5d5g1x.jpg

Foldalot · Nov 28, 2013

I'm sorry, I gave you the wrong program. You need Security task manager which will rate the processes by their harmful potential. This program has helped me in the past, so it's worth trying.

Chicano · Nov 28, 2013

Kaylik :

Well, according to the Taskmanager images, it's Firefox that's consuming high memory... (everything else is normal) Firefox is using around 250 MB of RAM which is the equivalent of having to many tabs open.. how many? maybe from 20 upwards. Firefox is also known to use high memory and CPU depending on the number of open tabs and if they are idle or you're bussy browsing. There's a process in Firefox that can be disabled to stop the behaviour but I can't recall the name at this time.. I'll search around for it, or maybe someone can provide it in the meantime.

As for the reports you mentioned, I don't think I requested any but, clear it up for me, if you still find it necessary.

EDIT: About the Firefox process i mentioned; I believe the original problem was Plugin-Container but it's by now apparently been solved because I haven't read about it recently, but it's not the only issue Firefox is afflicted with... hardware acceleration can also conflict with it, you can try increasing it in the Display properties and see what effect it has on the issue. You can also check in an new tab, type "about:config" and hit Enter, and search for Plugin-Container, and also tweak it according to the following articles.. there are to many articles on configuring the Firefox about: config settings, so it would be a good idea to check the last article before anything.

How to Stop Firefox from Consuming CPU Cycles
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Firefox-from-Consuming-CPU-Cycles

Can I disable plugin-container.exe in 20.0.1 and still stream video?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/959185

how to configure firefox about:config settings
https://www.google.com/search?q=how%20to%20configure%20firefox%20about:config%20settings

The Best About:Config Tweaks That Make Firefox Better
http://lifehacker.com/the-best-about-config-tweaks-that-make-firefox-better-1442137111

EDIT 2: I now get it... you meant the HijackThis report?.. copy and paste it in shortText.com and post the link here:
http://www.shorttext.com/

Kaylik · Nov 28, 2013

Chicano; Buuuut my problem starts at windows start up, everything but AVG (also before it was installed) is not ticked as well as services all non microsoft have been told not to start at boot.
This has been happening ever since I first boot into windows on this computer, I just happened to have it open on Tom's Hardware. I swear firefox is not the culprit not this time anyways.

(Gotta love the plug-in container hated that loser xD)

Hi Jack Report: http://shortText.com/i9J8T

Kaylik · Nov 28, 2013

Ok ran the security task manager and its showing emisoft as a threat... I like malwarebytes anyways so I'm going to remove it both scans came out clean using emisoft anyways.

Im thinking should I just try reinstalling Windows? faulty install? maybe just go Windows 7? It's just that I can only run 2GB on this board so trying to utilize that limitation to the fullest.

Chicano · Nov 28, 2013

Kaylik :

How many Firefox tabs were open at the moment you took the screenshots? Firefox is the only process that's using some memory, exactly 237 and 243 MBs of RAM which is about 12% of your total RAM.. not so bad but it's the only process worth mentioning.. the rest is completely normal and so is the HijackThis report... So far I haven't seen what the problem may be or proof of the 30-33% CPU usage. Maybe the problem is hardware and not software.

Run memtest on your RAM and try a different PSU if you can.. also check your digital and power connections on the motherboard and drives. The high fan speed may be caused by high temps, that would also cause sluggish performace... so check the temperature readings on the BIOS and with a temp application. The CPU can run hot right from the start if cooling is inadequate.

Click here for some links to temp apps if you don't have one installed or just restart and check the BIOS after a while of running the computer... also a cool start BIOS temp reading would help detect defficient cooling.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/244955-49-best-temperature-monitor

Kaylik · Nov 29, 2013

firefox is absolutely not the problem it is only open so I can send replies on Tom's. lets assume firefox was not open and CPU is at 30%.... can we do that moving to hardware is maybe the issue. we are not able to test the system any further as uninstalling emisoft has now BSODed my windows installation and my dvd drive is no longer being recognized after installing a HDD Mastered on the IDE chain.

I can run memtest after windows gets installed as well as the temputure programs.

Just a heads up after installation AVG, SpyBot, Malawarebytes, & CCleaner (like ccleaner ^_^) will be installed without internet connection (AVG needs it unless I find an offline inataller) just to prevent silly, clever viruses and worms. I'd Prefer Win 7 x64 but the drive wouldn't see the disk... I dunno I'm swamping it out anyways white drive on black case OH YA I'M STOKED xD

Chicano · Nov 29, 2013

Sure is beggining to look more like a hardware problem.. I've seen the CD/DVD drive stop being recognized after a hard drive failure.. this was in an old computer with IDE devices... the HD started acting up till it stopped being recognized... before that it would only recognize one device per ide channel and later nothing... the hard drive was suspicious so I removed it and formatted it in a perfectly working computer, next installed XP on it... and then reinstalled the HD back on the previous computer.. it worked fine for a couple of days but then went back to it's old behaviour.. I tried another hard drive on that computer and it quickly stopped working normally also... RAM and CPU don't have a problem, so the cause is obviously the motherboard... it sure looks like you have the same problem.

Try the HDD and DVD drive mastered in separate IDE Channels, and see what happens. I'd also suggest you reset the BIOS replacing the CR2032 battery in the process, and if possible replace the IDE cables using ribbon not round cables. BTW unless your motherboard is for both IDE and SATA with a dual core CPU, you probably can't install a 64Bit OS.

Kaylik · Nov 30, 2013

Ok so I replaced the optical drive and checked master slave jumpers. DVD on slave HDD Cable select and bios reads them both!! As well as windows 7 started up but was taking forever to load setup screeb, so I just loaded XP again as I only have 2gb of ram at the moment. Almost done work so I'm going to reinstall drivers and protection before having an internet connection. I'll let you guys know what the virdict is.

Oh and my 320 HDD is sata with the original windows install I'm just ruling out HDD failure, by using another drive my 80gb Seagate IDE hasn't failed me yet so let's go bad boy xD.

Kaylik · Nov 30, 2013

Ok finished the installation and a few drivers. The installation was a good task manager read perfect

, so I started installing drivers.

Ethernet: (Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet Driver V8.56.5.3 for Windows 2000/XP/2003.(WHQL))

Chipset: (Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility V8.3.0.1013 for Windows 2000/XP & 64bit )

HD 6450: DVD that came with it xD

Now I do not believe that my VGA card is the culprit I feel it maybe the chipset or ethernet driver? now what would I do in this situation where the driver is causing the 30% spike? and for knowledge purposes why is this happening hmm?

Kaylik · Nov 30, 2013

GOOO FIGURE xD. It was the graphic card my Asus EAH6450 is acting up?!?! is it the asus driver? I am reinstalling Windows again... and going to search up AMD's website for their driver and see what happens. I'll keep you guys posted

Update #1: AMD "AMD_Catalyst_13.4_Legacy_Beta_WinXP" which seemed like the only "basic driver" I don't care for the Catalyst software much. Never liked ATI much personally, I'm a Nvidia guy myself but the store didn't have a 610 available

(wanted a cheap test card till I get me a Nv 650 maybe 660 if I can wait long enough xD). So I'm going to install the full suite Catalyst software see what happens

.

Update #2: Ok the full suite worked but CPU is now back at 30%!?!?!? This is obviously a graphic card issue, but what? is my card defective? my PSU maybe> I do have another one but it's a 250w pulled from an AMD acer desktop xD, it works tho and should past POST but that's all I'm confident in xD.

Chicano · Nov 30, 2013

Kaylik :

You mentioned the cause right from the begining... the only cause for the VGA driver not installing was the Video Card, just as you can't install a driver for a device that's not detected. Guess I have to pay closer attention to what I read.

Have you cleaned the video card slot? is the problem present with both GPU and onboard video?

Kaylik · Nov 30, 2013

Hmm ok well I'll enable it again and install that first and see what happens and clean the video card slot? How do I do that. Also y would my amd driver be acting up if I disabled the Intel vga driver?

Chicano · Nov 30, 2013

Yes, clean/blow the video card slot preferably with a compressed air can. I sometimes use an air pump with a ball filling needle tip.. works the same it justs takes longer... a vacuum cleaner is not recommended I believe it can create damaging static.. so better avoid that. Only one video card and driver can be used at a time, so no... the AMD driver should't act up when the Intel driver is active.

Kaylik · Nov 30, 2013

Ok so when I get home after work I'll 're enable the Intel vga via bios and remove the 6450, see if the Intel driver works if it does tho. how do I go about installing my 6450? I don't wanna use the gma x3100 graphics to be honest. I'm thinking installing the driver via device manager and pointing it to where the .inf file is in the amd folder that gets extracted when u start the installer, so I'd extract it but not install just get to the .inf file

see what happens. Done work in 6 hours so I'll test this out then.

Chicano · Nov 30, 2013

Yeah, you've got the right idea to install a driver... there are different ways depending on the driver installer you download. If you download a zip file, then the .inf file should install it... if an .exe file, execute it and that should install it.

Kaylik · Dec 1, 2013

Alright so I'm home busy work day. Installed the Intel Chipset (thought my Vid card would be installed too but no. I think I brain farted with the Intel Vid Driver.. meh got the other intel things to work and no CPU issues.

PS. This is an all night report where I will report everything going on and will just update this post until I go to bed

.

Update #1 I Have no idea, now that the intel video driver has installed when i seat my card the problem arises even without the driver. it's like a graphics conflict or something, so I decided not to venture further until I flash the BIOS hoping the issue will relieve itself. So I had bought 25 DVDs I need DVDs for a different project so 2 birds one stone. I had burned both AFU236U.exe and P5GZ-MX-ASUS-0901.ROM straight to the root of the disk, pop it in hit ALT+F2 and EZ flash doesn't see my DVD, nor the Flash Drive (64MB) that I had told the BIOS to emulate Forced FDD & Floppy nothing seems to work... What is the procedure into flashing my bios? like what do I need to put on the DVD or USB stick, I think I'm missing something vital and simple but just can't think of it last time I flashed a BIOS was like 2 years ago and DELL made it super easy xD.

Kaylik · Dec 2, 2013

HAHAHAHA ok BIOS flashed, I didn't realize the pesky little dash in my file name little ah heck. so its now updated I plug in my 6450 disable Intel graphics in BIOS boot to BSOD... now in safe mode going to try and disable the intel driver from there and see, not to confident tho.. so how do I solve a driver conflict?

Update #1 Disabling the intel driver allowed me to boot into windows, created a restore point, and installed the driver only... 30 - 35% CPU Usage :'(

.

Update #2 I actually cannot disable the internal graphics something either my board, most likely or windows keeps enabling it which the driver is seriously a problem and I don't want it what is going on here.

Chicano · Dec 2, 2013

Maybe you have the Internal Graphics port connected to the monitor?... You should disconnect any video port after disabling it in Windows and next in the BIOS... also enable the Asus HD6450 in Windows and the BIOS before connecting the monitor to it.... If that doesn't help, don't disable the internal graphic, uninstall it in the Device Manager.

Kaylik · Dec 2, 2013

I Did have the cable still pluged in.. opps my bad and but gooood to know. so GMA 945? or x3100 Don't really care is now disable thanks Chicano, You have been quite the life saver. So we are now back at square one, with a fresh install, intel VGA disabled, BIOS updated, and still 30 - 35%. I personally don't mind remote desktopping but I'm in the GMT -8:00 and get home around 10PM so that option has to wait for appointment as I am last to go to bed in the western world.

Kaylik · Dec 3, 2013

So how to I resolve the driver conflict? I have now installed windows 7 64bit and still 30-35% I did do the WEI thing got all good score even my hd6450 gives me 6.1 the cpu gets a score of about 3.2 as it is doing sooomething in the background.

I think an Intel conflict? Can a bad motherboard be the problem?

Chicano · Dec 4, 2013

It's hard to say what it's doing in the background... maybe it can be detected with help of some software that does the same function as the Taskmanager but with more detail... Security Taskmanager classifies all processes determining which are safe and which pose a risk.. Emisoft HijackFree detects all background processes that the taskmanager and I think even Security Taskmanager don't show. TuneUp Utilities can suggest configurations and issues you need to correct or apply to improve system performance. HijackThis can detect and delete hidden processes. So try these applications one by one untill you've tried them all or one finds what's using up the 30-35% CPU usage. I'll what else I can find. Something else you can check is the Hard Drive BIOS setting.. it should be AHCI when running Windows 7 for better performance. Also the partition table should be GPT not MBR so Windows 7 performs better. Something else could be the Antivirus.. some are such resource hoggs, so depends on which you use but make sure it a light antivirus.

It's possible the motherboard has some issue but the only certain way to know is with a tool called Motherboard Diagnostic Post Tester.. they read the BIOS post and display a code you can use to diagnose the problem... it may also detect a Hardware or device issue because the BIOS has to detect all devices and their condition at least the condition of essential devices... and some are very inexpensive.

Motherboard Diagnostic Post Tester
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/motherboard-tester
http://dx.com/p/usb-parallel-laptop-motherboard-analyzer-diagnostic-test-post-card-4-digit-codes-33304
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POST_card

Motherboard 2 Digit BIOS POST codes in hex
http://www.etcwiki.org/wiki/Motherboard_2_Digit_BIOS_POST_codes_in_hex

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