100% cpu, no processes

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

Hi there all,

In a last resort i am posting a message on this forum about my problem.
After hours of searching, troubleshooting and reading forums I am still not able to find the problem that is being caused on my laptop; a MSI GS73VR Stealth Pro.

Started out of nothing this morning, my laptop suddenly runs at 100% cpu usage, with no processes using more than 1 or 2%.

I did not install any driver, or program for the last few days so i am absolutely unsure what is causing this.

I tried multiple things (too many to write down here, but these are a couple);

Ran two malware/virus programs; Avast and MalwareBytes; both came out with nothing.
Disabled these two anti virus programs.
Started the laptop in safe mode; still 100% cpu.
Changed the power options for my laptop; still 100% cpu.
rebooted rebooted rebooted.... etc.
A program called "ProcessExplorer" also shows that no process is running.

Also: windows task manager shows a red line around the cpu usage that i've never seen before, does this perhaps mean anything?

Is there anything I could be overlooking here?

If you guys need anything specific for more information (screenshots etc) i will provide them.

Thanks in advance.

Endless8 · Oct 22, 2016

Hi,
Could you post your task manager processes and graphs? And also download HijackThis and run a scan, it will show all hidden processes.
Cheers.

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

Endless8 :

Hijackthis:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.5
Scan saved at 14:42:55, on 22-10-2016
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.02.1008)
MSIE: Unable to get Internet Explorer version!

Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
C:\Program Files\Nahimic\Nahimic2\UserInterface\Nahimic2UILauncher.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\Update Core\NvBackend.exe
C:\Program Files\Nahimic\Nahimic2\UserInterface\Nahimic2svc32.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastui.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorIcon.exe
C:\Users\Tim\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://oem15.msn.com/?pc=NMTE
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = www.google.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = %11%\blank.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AvastUI.exe] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit] C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit\mbae.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [OneDriveSetup] C:\Windows\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /thfirstsetup (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [OneDriveSetup] C:\Windows\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /thfirstsetup (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Global Startup: Killer Network Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Killer Networking\Network Manager\NetworkManager.exe
O4 - Global Startup: SteelSeries Engine 3.lnk = C:\Program Files\SteelSeries\SteelSeries Engine 3\SteelSeriesEngine3.exe
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O18 - Protocol: tbauth - {14654CA6-5711-491D-B89A-58E571679951} - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\tbauth.dll
O18 - Protocol: windows.tbauth - {14654CA6-5711-491D-B89A-58E571679951} - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\tbauth.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Acrobat Update Service (AdobeARMservice) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\armsvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: AtherosSvc - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\AdminService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Avast Antivirus (avast! Antivirus) - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Content Protection HECI Service (cphs) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\SysWow64\IntelCpHeciSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Content Protection HDCP Service (cplspcon) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\IntelCpHDCPSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\DiagSvcs\DiagnosticsHub.StandardCollector.ServiceRes.dll,-1000 (diagnosticshub.standardcollector.service) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\DiagSvcs\DiagnosticsHub.StandardCollector.Service.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Google Update-service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update-service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (IAStorDataMgrSvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorDataMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) HD Graphics Control Panel Service (igfxCUIService2.0.0.0) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxCUIService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Capability Licensing Service TCP IP Interface - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\iCLS Client\SocketHeciServer.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Security Assist - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Security Assist\isa.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Security Assist Helper (isaHelperSvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Security Assist\isaHelperService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Dynamic Application Loader Host Interface Service (jhi_service) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\DAL\jhi_service.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Killer Service V2 - Rivet Networks - C:\Program Files\Killer Networking\Network Manager\KillerService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Management and Security Application Local Management Service (LMS) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\LMS\LMS.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMScheduler - Malwarebytes - C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbamscheduler.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes - C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: Micro Star SCM - Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\SCM\MSIService.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: MSI_ActiveX_Service - Micro-Star INT'L CO., LTD. - C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI\Dragon Center\MSI_ActiveX_Service.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Origin Client Service - Electronic Arts - D:\Games\Origin\OriginClientService.exe
O23 - Service: Origin Web Helper Service - Electronic Arts - D:\Games\Origin\OriginWebHelperService.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SensorDataService.exe,-101 (SensorDataService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\SensorDataService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Stardock Start10 (Start10) - Stardock Software, Inc - C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Start10\Start10Srv.exe
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvscpapisvr.exe
O23 - Service: Thunderbolt(TM) Service (ThunderboltService) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Thunderbolt Software\tbtsvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\TieringEngineService.exe,-702 (TieringEngineService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\TieringEngineService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpAsDesc.dll,-320 (WdNisSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\NisSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpAsDesc.dll,-310 (WinDefend) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 9296 bytes

processes;

C:\WINDOWS\system32>tasklist

Image Name PID Session Name Session# Mem Usage
========================= ======== ================ =========== ============
System Idle Process 0 Services 0 4 K
System 4 Services 0 624 K
smss.exe 556 Services 0 1.116 K
csrss.exe 692 Services 0 4.008 K
wininit.exe 824 Services 0 4.872 K
csrss.exe 832 Console 1 5.160 K
services.exe 896 Services 0 8.040 K
lsass.exe 904 Services 0 13.132 K
svchost.exe 1008 Services 0 22.292 K
winlogon.exe 412 Console 1 9.328 K
svchost.exe 288 Services 0 10.912 K
svchost.exe 964 Services 0 18.440 K
svchost.exe 1028 Services 0 17.036 K
dwm.exe 1036 Console 1 54.028 K
svchost.exe 1128 Services 0 58.388 K
svchost.exe 1152 Services 0 23.792 K
WUDFHost.exe 1172 Services 0 5.604 K
svchost.exe 1180 Services 0 6.444 K
svchost.exe 1440 Services 0 23.728 K
nvvsvc.exe 1532 Services 0 9.412 K
nvscpapisvr.exe 1544 Services 0 8.020 K
svchost.exe 1612 Services 0 17.016 K
nvxdsync.exe 1676 Console 1 24.952 K
igfxCUIService.exe 1820 Services 0 8.632 K
svchost.exe 1952 Services 0 9.236 K
Start10Srv.exe 2016 Services 0 1.068 K
Start10_64.exe 2044 Console 1 1.068 K
svchost.exe 1368 Services 0 11.324 K
svchost.exe 2088 Services 0 14.820 K
AvastSvc.exe 2156 Services 0 41.048 K
spoolsv.exe 2336 Services 0 14.388 K
armsvc.exe 2592 Services 0 6.388 K
AdminService.exe 2600 Services 0 7.556 K
svchost.exe 2616 Services 0 8.380 K
svchost.exe 2612 Services 0 16.820 K
isaHelperService.exe 2628 Services 0 3.340 K
mbamservice.exe 2636 Services 0 265.356 K
KillerService.exe 2648 Services 0 17.464 K
AppleMobileDeviceService. 2724 Services 0 11.656 K
MSIService.exe 2764 Services 0 8.676 K
svchost.exe 2784 Services 0 20.568 K
Memory Compression 2920 Services 0 8 K
mbamscheduler.exe 2964 Services 0 12.012 K
sihost.exe 3760 Console 1 19.640 K
WmiPrvSE.exe 3780 Services 0 25.204 K
PresentationFontCache.exe 3852 Services 0 19.120 K
mbam.exe 3968 Console 1 47.664 K
MSI_ActiveX_Service.exe 3996 Services 0 416 K
explorer.exe 3732 Console 1 128.148 K
svchost.exe 4164 Console 1 13.740 K
igfxEM.exe 4376 Console 1 12.592 K
igfxHK.exe 4464 Console 1 9.240 K
igfxTray.exe 4484 Console 1 11.368 K
RuntimeBroker.exe 4804 Console 1 28.596 K
taskhostw.exe 4888 Console 1 17.532 K
ShellExperienceHost.exe 3460 Console 1 52.156 K
SearchIndexer.exe 5296 Services 0 25.144 K
SearchUI.exe 5372 Console 1 80.148 K
nvtray.exe 4692 Console 1 10.064 K
SkypeHost.exe 4580 Console 1 304 K
SCM.exe 7664 Console 1 55.360 K
RtkNGUI64.exe 3652 Console 1 13.160 K
WmiPrvSE.exe 7740 Services 0 8.692 K
Nahimic2UILauncher.exe 7688 Console 1 492 K
NvBackend.exe 7692 Console 1 8.220 K
Nahimic2Svc32.exe 7008 Console 1 1.912 K
Nahimic2Svc64.exe 3700 Console 1 784 K
NetworkManager.exe 7600 Console 1 41.252 K
avastui.exe 3600 Console 1 23.420 K
Dragon Center.exe 7180 Console 1 6.768 K
fontdrvhost.exe 6196 Console 1 2.892 K
chrome.exe 4500 Console 1 127.644 K
chrome.exe 5676 Console 1 7.984 K
chrome.exe 2888 Console 1 112.284 K
chrome.exe 1836 Console 1 59.684 K
chrome.exe 1296 Console 1 135.068 K
IAStorIcon.exe 1628 Console 1 31.332 K
IAStorDataMgrSvc.exe 2900 Services 0 47.612 K
jhi_service.exe 1240 Services 0 5.988 K
LMS.exe 7484 Services 0 11.772 K
chrome.exe 420 Console 1 83.744 K
chrome.exe 8680 Console 1 173.808 K
chrome.exe 8876 Console 1 137.256 K
TrustedInstaller.exe 8584 Services 0 7.076 K
TiWorker.exe 6604 Services 0 8.804 K
Taskmgr.exe 4704 Console 1 34.344 K
chrome.exe 8752 Console 1 62.676 K
chrome.exe 2792 Console 1 76.084 K
dllhost.exe 9192 Console 1 10.832 K
cmd.exe 4992 Console 1 3.156 K
conhost.exe 4632 Console 1 12.908 K
tasklist.exe 6368 Console 1 7.908 K

Graphs

All other services

chemmajorp53 · Oct 22, 2016

If you go to resource monitor and sort by cpu it will show you which processes are using that power, it's probably windows update freaking out but who knows.

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

chemmajorp53 :

Thanks, but that was the first thing i did, like i said in the OP there is no process that uses any processor power.

chemmajorp53 · Oct 22, 2016

Are you using resource monitor or task manager? Because they show completely different things. In the original message it says task manager.

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

chemmajorp53 :

Ah sorry, misread.
I just checked and neither the resource monitor can explain what uses that much processor power.

Berkin · Oct 22, 2016

Did you try to install a clean Windows? Make sure you format everything after backing them up in some other computer or external harddrive. I have a feeling that it is some sort of a virus

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

Berkin :

Thanks.
No i have not tried that

My laptop came with windows preinstalled. Can i just format everything (in case that would be needed) and reinstall windows with the product key it came with?
before that; perhaps any hardcore virus scanners that i could try?

chemmajorp53 · Oct 22, 2016

There's usually some way to reset to factory setting either in the bios or with a specific button, that would reinstall your OS without needing any tools. Before doing that I would definitely try running AdwCleaner.

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

chemmajorp53 :

Thanks, adwcleaner found one threat but that was a faulty registry entry from a MSI preinstalled program; wasn't the problem though...
I download a windows reset tool to completely reinstall windows, let's hope that works

chemmajorp53 · Oct 22, 2016

If that doesn't work then RMA your laptop

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

chemmajorp53 :

wish me luck with that... lol
I already "voided" the "warranty" by adding a ssd in the laptop :')

chemmajorp53 · Oct 22, 2016

There's no way that should void your warranty, did they have stickers on the screws on the bottom or something? If they do that's scummy, a hard drive upgrade should be covered.

Tim_109 · Oct 22, 2016

chemmajorp53 :

haha yeah, a really large one neatly placed over a screw

chemmajorp53 · Oct 22, 2016

Wow that sucks. I bet if you complained enough you could get them to fulfill the warranty but you shouldn't be in that position over an hdd upgrade.

Tim_109 · Oct 23, 2016

chemmajorp53 :

Yeah i will probably do that soon.
I reinstalled windows, and at first it looked good.
But after installing some drivers and a large windows update (number 1607 if i remember correctly) the problem reappeared again.

I will do another reinstall and then check if it appears again after a specific driver or update... ugh what a nice BF1 weekend... :')

Tim_109 · Oct 23, 2016

Ps: is there a way in Windows 10 to stop the automatic downloads for windows update? I cant find it in 10.

chemmajorp53 · Oct 23, 2016

Tim_109 :

http://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent-windows-10-from-automatically-downloading-updates/

Tim_109 · Oct 23, 2016

"Editor’s Note: This option, while it still exists, seems to no longer work in the Anniversary Update for Windows 10,..."

And i dont have Win 10 Pro, so i cant access the group policies.

Bur thats not the real problem ofcourse, but thanks for the help.

I reinstalled windows and did not install any drivers from msi's website, just let windows download some specific intel etc. drivers...; so far so good.

Tim_109 · Oct 23, 2016

Alright, I think i've found the culprit :heink:

Not meaning to bump this thread but it probably is due to the MSI Dragon Center not functioning properly.
With Dragon Center you can select various "power settings"; Gaming, Comfort en Eco.
That program would probably make the cpu get stuck on "gaming" mode for one reason or another, that's probably why Resource Monitor says it's using 119% because the Gaming power mode overclocks the cpu a little.

Thanks for all your help guys

chemmajorp53 · Oct 23, 2016

Didn't know about this

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/warranty-void-if-removed-stickers-are-illegal

If they tell you that they won't honor the warranty maybe you can just threaten to sue them or contact the FTC lmao. If they say no, you're in the same boat as before

Tim_109 · Oct 23, 2016

Lol thats messed up.
I double checked the warranty manual (dutch) and it basicly described that you cán change the hdd, ram, etc but that the "warranty void" sticker is more of a scarecrow for people who dont know a thing about pc's xD
So if anything bad might happen i'm still save

haha

100% cpu, no processes

Commendable

Respectable

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Reputable

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Commendable

Dignified

Commendable

Share this page