CPU Randomly Runs at Full Load

bumblebee_tuna

bumblebee_tuna

New Member
I have occasionally been finding my CPU running at full load for no reason. The first time was closing WMP after watching a video file and the second was returning from a screen saver. The only way I know how to fix it is to restart my computer. I have recently tried to overclock my CPU with Clockgen but stopped and the clock was reset last time it crashed. I assumed no damage had been done since it appeared to be working fine. Recently I had also assumed that I downloaded a virus and ran Norton and SpySubtract twice each and removed few viruses and other spyware. I'll run it again but I don't think that is the problem.
 
It isn't! WMP especially with the screensaver running during playback of audio or running a video file actually places a heavier load on the cpu then running high end games where memory and graphics resources are needed along with sound. OCing puts an heavier stress on hardwares.

When running these types of apps the demand on cpu time goes up. When nothing is running the Windows idle process kicks in to keep the cpu busy. If you are looking in the processes section of the task manager the cpu ilde process will generally see 99% there. What was used to determine that the cpu was busy and at full load during these random occasions?
 
Have you been realizing this problem after leaving suspend or something? I've caught my laptop(both this one and my previous) doing the exact same thing. Well, something 100%, sometimes just a constant 60% or so... Really odd. I think it's just a flaw with Windows.
 
I forgot to mention, I updated my mobo bios through Compaq/HP website through a download, not a floppy. The update appeared successful but I think it may have been the same version.

This has started happening recently. I don't think it's from either the screensaver nor WMP because it had never reacted like this before; it stays at a constant 100%. I viewed CPU load from Windows Task Manager. The first time it occured it was at 100% for at least five minutes before I rebooted. My CPU is not overclocked and it doesn't appear any damage was done from my attempts. I don't think this happens due to being suspended because the first time it occured, I closed WMP half way through a video without the screensaver being on recently. I also just scanned for virus and found none and my definitions are up-to-date. I'll check to see if there are any MS updates.

$#!% it just happened again.....
 
Last edited:
If you are looking at the system idle process when in the task manager and seeing 99-100% you are worrying about nothing there. That keeps the cpu from running uncontrolled. Your cpu temp will actually climb higher staying a lengthy time in the system bios then it ever will when Windows is sitting idle due to the lack of this Windows program being there. The cup there doesn't have anything to keep it from running "Full Steam Ahead".
 
This time it occured when I brought up Windows Task Manager. I don't think this is normal since this has never happened before. Normally, with no programs running, it idles at 0%-4% load. I can tell when it gets stuck because when there are no programs running, my CPU temp rises, my computer gets sluggish, and Window Task Manager reads at 100%.

Right now I just reset all my BIOS options so hopefully it might go away but I'm still up for any suggests.
 
If you are now seeing the cpu temp rise without running anything take a look at the Zalman cooler to see if the fan is still running. The led by itself won't tell you if it quit. You may have to reseat the Zalman with some AS5 or even better supposedly is the LiquidPro that's available now. Have you updated the bios since you first built the case?
 
ctrl + alt + delete
check processes... sort it by "cpu" and it will tell you which process is using so much power.
note that system idle process will almost always use whatever is left of the processors power.
 
Last edited:
I can look at the task manager right now and see 99% system idle at the bottom on the window which I actually "expect to see" when looking in there. In reference to the cpu temp going up that will climb from first starting up the system until the time you check the temp seen something later. With that model cpu you shouldn't be seeing over 48C to 52C when loaded or the stock pad has let go. And that is after running the system for several hours.
 
Ok, It did it again and this time when I was looking at processes in Windows Task Manager, it said that explorer.exe in Compaq_Owner was 99-100 under CPU..... I assume this is Internet Explorer. The main thing is that I wasn't using or recently used Internet Explorer so what could this mean when I see this...?
 
Explorer.exe is not the same thing as IExplorer.exe for IE 6. That is the main executable for the Windows GUI(graphic user interface) itself and has to run in order for Windows to even run. computermaineack seems to have one thing close about your reaction here.

Do you have an installation disk for Windows? If you are worried about system files being damaged in need of repair the system file checker is started by typing "sfc /scannow" at the Run prompt right off of the Start menu. Often it will ask for the XP installation cd to verify system files and will copy them off of the cd if any are found damaged or missing.

The important thing to note here is that the things you have mentioned so far are normally seen. You haven't mentioned seeing any "odd" processes taking up system resources.
 
I had the same issue not too long ago with my old processor P4 2.4GHz.

I remember once I tried removing the fan to thoroughly air clean my motherboard and components. It was kind of difficult to take it appart due to space restrictions. After I put everything back together, my processor began doing the 100% load when opening Calculator, so trust me, I know the feeling. This went on for about a full week.

After questioning everyone about it and receiving suggestions such as (run this, run that, buy a new processor, shake the fan connected to the processor), I decided to redo what I did before it all started. So I opened everything back up, took the processor out and inserted it again. And then everything went back to normal.
 
Marzeth said:
I had the same issue not too long ago with my old processor P4 2.4GHz.

I remember once I tried removing the fan to thoroughly air clean my motherboard and components. It was kind of difficult to take it appart due to space restrictions. After I put everything back together, my processor began doing the 100% load when opening Calculator, so trust me, I know the feeling. This went on for about a full week.

After questioning everyone about it and receiving suggestions such as (run this, run that, buy a new processor, shake the fan connected to the processor), I decided to redo what I did before it all started. So I opened everything back up, took the processor out and inserted it again. And then everything went back to normal.
Click to expand...

That sounds more like the hardware detection phase was the thing that was actually busy at that time. You simply didn't see any of the usual popups for the new hardware detected or found message. Another thing that can see an unknown process stay busy is a loose value in the system registry still trying to load something. Sometimes when removing a program something will remain in the registry still trying to load a driver or something else. That would be the other thing besides a virus, spyware. or adware to look into.
 
I know exactly how you feel! my CPU would just all of a sudden run Explorer.exe full load. I would end Explorer.exe, and another program would take it's place as using up all the CPU. I never fixed it, i just reinstalled a while later, hasnt happened but for a couple times. I asked about it on this forum a while back... no one could answer that one either.
 
It could be a hardware related problem as well as a glitch in Windows itself. But you have to look at "processes" as well as performance to see if anything there can identify why this is being seen.
 
The Explorer is your shell, and your processor usage has nothing to do with hardware or anything else like that. It's software.

Try ShellExView and look for bad shell extensions. If you right click on a file you might find that it crashes or won't bring up the menu. That's one sure fire way to tell if you have a bad extension.

Are you using .AVI files par chance? Do you have any on your drive?

Have you loaded the driver for your harddrive controllers? Not the factory ones, but the updated ones?

If that doesn't work, try the following link:

http://www.analogduck.com/main/explorer_hangs
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top