CPU maxed out and computer slow

I was just surfing today as normal today when Firefox became really really sluggish. I have an windows desktop app showing CPU usage and it's at 100%. I opened Task Manager and there's nothing there hogging it. I disconnected from the internet, booted into safe mode and ran malwarebytes and security essentials scans and found nothing.

It just started happening of it's own accord. I'm adamant I did nothing wrong. I was just reading an email and it started slowing down.

I don't know what to do next. Could it be a sign the laptop is on the way out? I've had it nearly two years and it's on practically 24/7.

Any help would be dearly appreciated. This is really getting me down.

Panic over it's fixed itself somehow! Frightened the life out of me as I thought I had a trojan or something nasty. I'll be damned what caused it. One minute everythings fine, then the CPU is at 100% for two hours and now it's back to normal. I have the feeling my laptop is nearing the end.

kinseydub

Is there any dust buildup in the vents. if so give it a blast of the hover. probably overheating and the power management is slowing things down to compensate.

kinseydub

kinseydub wrote: »

Is there any dust buildup in the vents. if so give it a blast of the hover. probably overheating and the power management is slowing things down to compensate.

That's sounds very likely. Thank you!

This keeps happening! The CPU usage goes through the roof. Is that a sign that it is failing? I'm sure I have no viruses, malware etc.

5uspect

What process it using the CPU? You said there is nothing in the taskmanager but there must be something there is the CPU usage is at 100%.

5uspect

5uspect wrote: »

What process it using the CPU? You said there is nothing in the taskmanager but there must be something there is the CPU usage is at 100%.

There;s nothing in task manager. That's why I'm so confused. The only thing I have running is Firefox.

5uspect

Can you post a screenshot of your taskmanager process list sorted by CPU usage, please.

5uspect

5uspect wrote: »

Can you post a screenshot of your taskmanager process list sorted by CPU usage, please.

I shut down and restarted and it's gone back to normal. I'm trying a different browser (Chrome) now just in case. If it does happen again I'll do what you asked. Thanks for your help!

cookie1977

Firefox can be a memory hog, but so can all browsers if you've lots of add-ons installed and tabs open. Does this sound familiar?

cookie1977

cookie1977 wrote: »

Firefox can be a memory hog, but so can all browsers if you've lots of add-ons installed and tabs open. Does this sound familiar?

Well I've been using Firefox for over a year and the CPU problem has only started recently.

BostonB

Mine was doing this yesterday too, I wonder was something updating.

I cleared all caches, updated everything, and ran a few scans. All back to normal.

I have my laptops set for Windows updates to prompt me. But I notice they all had changed to automatically install updates the other day. Which I never set it too. Weird.

fionny

You need to post a list of the apps running in task manager sorted by CPU when the issue is occuring so we can see whats running....

Do you have a proper AV running?

fionny

fionny wrote: »

You need to post a list of the apps running in task manager sorted by CPU when the issue is occuring so we can see whats running....

Do you have a proper AV running?

I have MS Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. I'm not a dummy. I've fixed other people's computers that had infections. First thing I did was check task manager and there was only Firefox using around 200,000K. I'm fairly sure that is the normal amount for it. There was nothing else even remotely near it in cpu hogging terms. I'm thinking the laptop has had it.

cookie1977

how many processes running in task manager?

fionny

Wasnt implying you were a dummy, 200k however is the RAM not the CPU usage.

fionny

fionny wrote: »

Wasnt implying you were a dummy, 200k however is the RAM not the CPU usage.

You're right! I am a dummy after all! Sigh I've been looking at the wrong thing all along . If it happens again I'll do a print screen of the task manager. Thanks guys

Overheal

try this

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055274237

Overheal

Overheal wrote: »

try this

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055274237

I booted into Safe Mode and ran a full scan (took over an hour) of Malwarebytes and found nothing. I also ran a Security Essentials scan in safe mode with no results. I have Windows Update up to date save for some Microsoft .NET framework updates.

BostonB

Could simply be hung on an update, or simply be too hot, due to dust.

Anything really. A Virus while possible isn't usually the cause of a machine all hung up doing something. In my experience anyway.

It went away for a week but it's back again. It's return coincided with the laptop taking a small knock.

Checked the correct column in Task Manager this time and there was nothing taking up the CPU. It seemed to be cycling through things with different things taking up top spot and alternating.

I shut down and restarted and all is well again. I'm think the laptop is nearing the end since there's no good reason for the troubles.

5uspect

You might just be paranoid about the knock it received but have a look at the CPU temperatures. CoreTemp is a good app for this.
Perhaps the heatsink is damaged. I would be worried about anything above [latex]{70^\circ[/latex] under load.

Often the biggest CPU hog is also a memory hog. Sorting by memory usage is often a better way to see whats causing trouble with everything jumping about.

When this happens what is the CPU usage graph in the performance tab of the task manager doing?

It could also very well be a software issue that you could simply nuke by doing a reinstall.

BostonB

Deleted User wrote: »

I... I'm think the laptop is nearing the end since there's no good reason for the troubles.

Theres always a reason. You just have to find it.

The fact when you restart it, the problem goes away suggests (to me) it software not hardware related.

crocks

Im having the same problem. I have a fairly new (about 6 months old) dell inspiron with windows 7. Iv no viruses on the laptop and there is plenty of room left on the hard disk drive. The laptop is so so slow now and getting worse. Everytime I open any programe the CPU is at 100%. Can anybody help??

5uspect

If it's only six months old it's under warranty so you should contact Dell for repair.

In the mean time do a system restore to a date before the issues began. Also don't forget to backup!

Jonny7

When a PC starts "slowing down" its usually a case of too much clutter or programs running in the backround, rather than a hardware issue.

Obviously the virus/spyware check is good, but you should also consider a disk defragment, registry defragment, junk files clean, and checking how many processes are running (as you add programs, many of them sly add themselves to the startup)

Giving the computer a rigorous spring clean usually eliminates these "slow-down" problems, if the problem persist, then do a windows Restore to a point when the problem did not exist.

If all that fails, then consider windows resintall

Lastly if none of the above works, then and only then consider new pc/laptop (unless its a piece of **** you have grown to hate)

Trevor451

Jonny7 wrote: »

When a PC starts "slowing down" its usually a case of too much clutter or programs running in the backround, rather than a hardware issue.

Obviously the virus/spyware check is good, but you should also consider a disk defragment, registry defragment, junk files clean, and checking how many processes are running (as you add programs, many of them sly add themselves to the startup)

Giving the computer a rigorous spring clean usually eliminates these "slow-down" problems, if the problem persist, then do a windows Restore to a point when the problem did not exist.

If all that fails, then consider windows resintall

Lastly if none of the above works, then and only then consider new pc/laptop (unless its a piece of **** you have grown to hate)

+1 If you have not already download CCleaner. Its a great free app to clean windows

5uspect

Modern versions of Windows automatically defrag. I would be surprised if the machine was hitting 100% load if it were simple loaded with old temp files. CCleaner probably won't help.

Dell do fill their machines with all kinds of crap software. If you're using McAfee or what ever they forced on you get rid of it and install Microsoft's Security essentials.

What process is eating up 100%?

I think I found the piece of **** hogging up my CPU. It was at 100% today before I think I found it. Some crap called "AppleMobileDevices". It wasn't showing in task manager until I clicked "Resource Monitor". I hope to God that since I've killed it everything will be okay again. This has been driving me to tears for the last two months. Everything's been peachy for the last few hours so fingers and everything else crossed from here on out.

I think the source of it is iTunes which is funny as I never use it and only installed it to help a friend.

yoyo

Deleted User wrote: »

I think the source of it is iTunes which is funny as I never use it and only installed it to help a friend.

Itunes is an aweful program, I would uninstall it and all associated crap if you don't need it

Nick

I'm still struggling with this but I believe I've made a breakthrough. When the laptop slows and the CPU goes through the roof if I unplug it from the mains and leave it on battery for a few minutes everything returns to normal. Bizarre but true. Must be something to do with the battery then? Any ideas?

Supermensch

Is there a setting in your computer's BIOS that changes the performance based on the power source? For example, on this laptop I'm messing around with at the moment;



Might have an effect, I'm only guessing.

That's a good idea! I'll have a look after the match tonight. Thanks!