What could be causing high CPU usage by the System process?

My PC (Core Duo 6550, Windows Vista, 2 GB RAM) has suddenly developed an issue where the CPU usage spikes, due mostly to the System process and a large increase in DPCs (As measured by Process Explorer). Each increases from 0-1% to a high of about 30%, leaving my processors at about 60% capacity with no programs running. After a fresh reboot, the CPU usage returns to normal, but so far it has increased, seemingly without reason.

Anyone have any ideas? Searching for information regarding the CPU usage of the System process has been less than fruitful. Thanks!

Asked by jmm 49 months ago Similar questions: causing high CPU usage System process Computers > Hardware > Desktops & Laptops.

Similar questions: causing high CPU usage System process.

Fairly common issue with Vista Vista is a resource hog. If you noticed this recently, I would check to see what programs you've recently installed, as well as what services or programs you have running on start up. Try running JackThis to see what programs you have running on startup within your registry.

HJT Link: majorgeeks.com/download5554.html You can post your log file and I can help you determine what may be causing your issues. Hope to hear from you soon :o) .

JMM, as you install programs & games on your comuter, download music, and share files, often other items come along too. Your computer probably has items starting up with each boot, that were not there when you first purchased your PC. You might also have some kind of virus or Ad-ware on your system, stealing CPU cycles and tracking what your doing.

Here is what I did for my home Vista system and cured the "nothing running but at 8,000 RPM" situation you have. What you need to do is identify what is running on your computer, with nothing started, and eliminate them from your start-up ONE by ONE. First I suggest you download a great free software called Ccleaner.

You can get it free by clicking HERE. Ccleaner will do three things you need to do. First it cleans out un-needed files on your computer.

Most people clean out anywhere from 500 - 800 MB the first time they run this. Second, it fixes your Registry. Click on the analize button and then fix the registry entries in error.It will back up your registry and then fix them in seconds!

Third, it allows you to see which programs are starting when you reboot your PC. If your not sure what a process is when your looking at your task manager list, go to THIS SITE to get informaiton on almost anything running on a Vista system. Remember if you disable any programs from starting, make sure you do one at a time.

That way, if you have problems, you know what to put back! You might also have some kind of Adware on your computer.To remove this, I suggest you download the free software Spybot Search and Destroy. You can download it HERE from Download.com.

This will scan your computer for adware files and flag them for deletion. This is very popular and I suggest you run it at least every two weeks as needed. Lastly, make sure your windows is up to date by clicking on the windows Update Icon on your system and downloading all critical files, also check the recommended ones as well.

Be sure to do a Cleanup on your system files, and then run a Defrag to assure your system is cleaned up and files neat on your hard drive. You'll also need to do a complete scan with your anti-virus software. After that, you shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck. Sources: Personal Experience, www.download.com .

Malware ... Without more information I can not give an extremely specific answer, however these are my thoughts. Usually an unexplained increase in CPU usage can eb accredited to a virus or spyware. I would reccomend using a free scanner to check ... pandascan.com Noting your discussion comment, I would suggest preventing the Lightscribe process from ever starting.To accomplish this do the following (windows key + R) ---> type 'msconfig' and press enter ---> Go to the Startup tab and scroll down until you see the Lightscribe process ---> Uncheck it ---> Press enter.

Hope this helps, --Steve Sources: Experience .

Same thing with my machine I have a dual core Vista Premium machine with 2GB of RAM that I bought a couple months ago that does the same thing. And I've also installed Process Explorer to track it. It's really annoying, because you can't track down what is going on, and when the CPU is maxing out and the hard drive is running like mad, it sounds like its a virus accessing the Internet (I'm on cable so always online when the machine is on).

With my old W98 machine if something like this got out of hand I'd just shut the bloody thing off, hit the power button, not power down. But if you power down in Vista when this happens the CPU is STILL maxed out during the power down process... So I don't know what to tell you, but its some insidious system setup that I loathe. I've done everything I can think of to disable it, logged in as administrator, disabled default, useless Windows programs... and it still happens.

And I've searched on Windows Vista boards about this also to no avail...

I also had the high cpu usage problem (Task manager- System process, PID4). I'm running XP Professional. Recently (as a last resort) I disabled several services and I'm not having the problem anymore:Start-Control Panel - Admin Tools--ServicesShut off/disable:-Server/ Computer Browser (suspect this one caused problem)-Wireless Zero Configuration-Secondary LogonProceed with caution: I suggest that you read the service description to determine if these services are necessary for your configuration before disabling.

Good luck - hope this helps.

Never mind -Disabling services didn't work -- the problems back .

I would be concerned if someone did not hacked your computer or if you don't have some virus or spyware running. As you noticed yourself, this is not normal behavior (except if it is some feature of vista which I do not have much experience with), but your CPU is quite a powerful one so 30% is a lot of CPU power taken. Install a firewall, run an antivirus, if there is still the problem, I would suggest reinstallation of windows with format of HDD.

Sorry for no good news.

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Why is outsourcing causing a surge in foodstamp usage.

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