System Idle Process 99% ???

[pilotbob]

My XP Pro SP3 Lenovo laptop frequently seems to freeze up, especially after coming out of Standby. If I try to open any programs they appear to freeze. If I open Task Manager the System Idle Process is using 98 to 99% of CPU is this normal and what might be causing the freezing?

Re-booting solves the problem although sometimes not all of the System tray icons show up??????. Whether this is related I've no idea. I have tried running sfc /scannow which doesn't ask for the windows cd so I assume all system files are present and correct.

As usual I'd be very grateful for any help.

Edited December 6, 2011 by pilotbob

[Bluesplayer.]

Quote.

'System Idle Process is using 98 to 99% of CPU'

That is normal it means that the CPU - has 98% remaining - awaiting to be used.

Never been a fan of Standby - never used it.

 

Let us have some system specs - hard drive size, free space - installed Ram etc.

Try..

Right click My Computer>Open

Right click - Local disk - should be C:

Click Properties.

 

Tools>Error checking.

Tick both boxes

Click start.

It may say it cannot scan, do you want it to scan at the next start up..

Click Yes - restart Pc.

 

Also check for Overheating.

http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Edited December 6, 2011 by Bluesplayer.

[pilotbob]

Many thanks for your reply, details below.

Operating System

MS Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3

CPU

Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T5550 @ 1.83GHz 64 °C

Merom 65nm Technology

RAM

2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)

Motherboard

LENOVO IEL10 (U2E1)

Graphics

Plug and Play Monitor (1280x800@60Hz)

Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

Hard Drives

488GB FUJITSU MJA2500BH G2 (SATA) 41 °C Free space 300Gb +

1023MB SD Disk Device (IDE)

Optical Drives

MAT****A DVD-RAM UJ-850 z

DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device

DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device

DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device

Audio

Total Recorder WDM audio driver

 

Not sure if it's relevant but I also had the following BSOD message tonight. not doing anything with the PC at the time, just crashed. STOP 0x000000F4 (0x00000003,0x8982A718,0x08982A88C,0x8060577E) Never had any blue screens with this machine before.

 

Edited to say I've recently also run chkdsk /F too

Edited December 6, 2011 by pilotbob

[Bluesplayer.]

Blue Screen.

Post the minidump files - it will show what caused the crash and may point to why the Pc decided to freeze.

Minidump files.

Look in c:\windows\minidump

ZIP them and attach them to your next post.

 

Right-click the minidump file, select Send To.

Then select Compressed (zipped) Folder.

 

Windows will compress the file and then save the new zipped file in the same location.

 

http://www.spyontech.com/how-to/configuring-your-windows-to-create-minidump-file-when-bluescreen-happened.htm

[pilotbob]

Hi Bluesplayer,

 

Thanks again, this morning the machine failed to boot and insisted on running CHKDSK, this is still running after 2 hours and is 82% through stage 4 of 5. I'm beginning to suspect the hard drive is failing or has failed. I'll let it continue and try again and if I can get to the files will post them as requested.

[pilotbob]

Well I couldn't get CHKDSK to complete it hung at stage 4 98% Everything seemed to freeze up even the cooling fan stopped. Anyway I decided just to hard boot it and windows has restarted. Minidump attached.

Mini120711-01.zip

[Bluesplayer.]

Probably caused by : ftdisk.sys ( ftdisk!FtpFindExtension+3b )

ftdisk.sys Windows process.

http://www.file.net/process/ftdisk.sys.html

 

Usually associated with a hard drive that is about to fail.

I'd back up all needed files, data etc - asap.

 

If chkdsk - does not want to complete - the hard drive may well be dying.

Try.

Boot from the Xp install Cd...when prompted press [R]

Choose Windows installation [typically by pressing [1]

When prompted for password.

Press Enter.

Type chkdsk /r

[note space after chkdsk]

 

When fininshed.

Type Exit

And press Enter.

 

Hard drive manufacturers test.

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Edited December 7, 2011 by Bluesplayer.

[pilotbob]

Ok thanks again for that I'll make sure I get all the data backed up before doing anything else, hopefully that is! Just to be sure, if I use the recovery console will I lose installed programs or will these be safe?

[Bluesplayer.]

The recovery console to run chkdsk r from the Cd.

Is that what you mean - if yes, no programs will be affected.

[pilotbob]

I managed to get chkdsk /r to run from the recovery console, it seemed to gallop through the first 25% then struggled a bit up to 50% often remaining on one figure for some time then took about an hour to reach 75% whereupon it returned to 50% ???????? Another hour passed and gradually we got back to 75% when it reported it was 100% complete having found and repaired one or more sectors. The system has re-booted successfully. Can I assume any repairs are permanent and should I now try to clone the system onto a new HD?

I couldn't get the fujitsu drive tools as the link appears to be broken.

 

Oh and by the way what do you play?

[Bluesplayer.]

Hard drive may still be faulty!

Try this link.

Download Fujitsu Diagnostic 6.80.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/Fujitsu-Diagnostic.shtml

 

I'd still back up any needed data etc, just in case.

There are many ways to copy your data to another drive.

One such way here.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2118894_data-one-hard-drive-another.html

 

 

Bluesplayer - I play the blues harp [harmonica] mainly at folk and blues clubs, open mike nights - not done much of late.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Bluesplayer.

[pilotbob]

Thanks for the link, I've downloaded the fiju diagnostic but can't run it I guess I need to boot into dos to do that, How??? I can't think back to the days of MSDOS and win3.1 However I reran chkdsk /r and also tried HDAT2 to repair the disk. Both reported having found and repaired bad sectors. I'm guessing repair means flagging faulty sectors so the OS wont use them Y/N. Still the system is unstable, I tried to clone using clonezilla which failed at 86% due I guess to the bad sectors. Where do you suggest I go now? I really don't want to trash the whole system and start again as I know I'm not gonna be able to lay my hands on all the passwords/keys etc. I'll need. .............. yeah I know I should have kept a backup.......

[Bluesplayer.]

The aim is to repair bad sectors but if the hard drive is faulty!!

Fujitsu Diagnostic 6.80 - you will need a floppy disk drive to run the program?

I cannot find any hard drive test on their website.

Try..

How to use Linux live Cd to backup files from a dead Pc

 

You will need a working Pc - to download and burn the ISO

You then boot from the Linux Cd and find and save all your needed data.

Looks hard to do but it has worked for me on two occasions.

 

Or put the hard drive in a working Pc as a slave drive and you may be able to see and save your data.

 

Or.

IDE/SATA to USB 2.0 Cable Adapter.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=2020

Edited December 8, 2011 by Bluesplayer.

[pilotbob]

Thanks for your help and advise I think I'm going to have to start aain from scratch and re-install the lot on a new HDD. I have all the useful data backed up, it's just gonna take all day to restore everything. All the best.

[Bluesplayer.]

On the bright side - you have all your needed data.

Most of us at some time, have lost all.

All the best to you too.

[pilotbob]

Funny how sometimes we get so engrossed in finding a solution to a problem only to find a simple answer. The drive finally gave up and died this evening before I had time to re-install to another drive. Then whilst searching for a replacement drive I came across a cloned copy of the complete system dated 15th November this year. I'd completely forgotten I'd made this. Bunged it in and Bob's your fathers brother. Yippee. I tried connecting the old drive via a usb caddy but no joy so it's defo fried. Anyway all's well and apart from a very few files to restore from the last 4 weeks which will be simple. Thanks again.

P.S. this isn't really the place to discuss I know but the reason I asked what you played was that I play 6 string axe blues. Not very well but improving all the time ;-)

[Bluesplayer.]

yeah I know I should have kept a backup.......

 

You need to give yourself more credit eh!

 

Don't forget to back up, this back up.

Quote.

'I play 6 string axe blues.'

There is nothing like the Blues - Keep on playing.

Thanks for the update.

Edited December 9, 2011 by Bluesplayer.

[RandyL]

Bluesplayer I have sent you a private message. Can you look at it please? Click on Notifications at the very top of the page.