CPU usage very high and errattic

[Jasand]

Thank you,

 

I have downloaded several windows updates and dell updates.

 

I dont know why the updates were missed as I am usually on top of this but then I just use the programs an the PC to check for updates.

 

However the problem still persists The updates from dell were odd as I had to download and install manually each one also one could not be installed.

 

I have ran a dell system check that stress tests and checks all components of the system also configures settings for optimisation. All completed ok but still no change to the CPU activity.

 

Just for reference I am happy to do a complete reset of the PC, However I do ot have a boot disk for this (not supplied by dell) so if you think I may need to do this could you please giude me through? I have nothng of importance on the system so a reboot would not be that bad.

 

Thank you for your time and effort on this :)

[Tootech]

Ctrl + F11 on startup should get you to the recovery partition, from there you can restore your PC to factory standard.

 

There's a Dell page that runs through a restore of Windows XP - here's the link

 

https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/document?c=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=3E48AE3870775D64E040A68F5B2877D4&journalid=6272D5653D899650E040AE0AB5E109B2&Query=&SystemID=&ServiceTag=&contenttype=&os=&component=&lang=&doclang=&toggle=&dl=

 

I did some research on services.exe, and there seem to be quite a few people with issue's, but not many solutions.

 

One I read on the Microsoft technical forums ran a whole series of tests, they were not conclusive. During the time the pc was tested, the user disabled Windows Firewall and ICS - rather obscure, but it worked.

 

It does seem a shame to come this far and have to put it down to an 'unknown'. If you are willing to run a restore, can you remove your McAfee suite prior to doing that and look to see if it solves your problem.

 

I'd be grateful of the information.

 

Thanks.

[Jasand]

Ok no problem,

 

I am very keen to find out what is at fault. So is the next step to uninstall Macafee? Or do you have anything else in mind to try first?

 

If this is the case is it as simple as uninstall via control pannel, or do I have to go into programs and uninstall via the macafee program menu?

 

Or is there a better way. Also ire there many different uninstalls I have to do to fully get macafee of the system?

 

A lot of questions I know but now comming down to uninstalling major programs and a possible factory reset i would like to be fully sure on what i am doing so it is done right.

 

Thank you for your time Ill have to buy you a Beer or a tea as the smilie suggests after all this.

[BeeCeeBee]

Uninstalling McAfee from "add or remove programs" is not always very effective.

 

The "official" explanation and a removal tool can be found at the following:

How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe)

[Jasand]

Thanks,

 

So is this now the next step? uninstall macafee?

 

Im happy to do this Just want to make sure.

[BeeCeeBee]

I don't know exactly why TooTech feels that the uninstall needs to be done but it is clear that he suggested that it preceed the Dell Restore process. Let me assure you that Tootech is far more than a cute purple dog. :rolleyes: He is a trained professional and I always follow his advice. If he says uninstall, my advice in his absence is to uninstall.

 

After that you can try again but it seems that the Dell restore process is inevitable if you want to rule out any software causes.

[Jasand]

Ok Macafee gone widows firewall and security took over.

 

Here are my latest screenshots

 

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/965d4bb1d836b427dc814a70fa2590a72g.jpg

 

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/acff2c871362fb09e143116f416c6ef82g.jpg

 

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/3e88c6df87881f9419e545706a9111782g.jpg

 

It has calmed down a bit more since the screenshots but none the less a big improvement but surely this shows the problem still exists? Compared to other systems i have looked at my CPU is still erratic.

 

I shall wait before installing macafee again unless specified by you guys. I dont want to download if a reboot is needed.

 

Thank you for your help

Edited February 11, 2009 by Jasand

[BeeCeeBee]

I would proceed with the instructions from Dell without first reinstalling McAfee.

[Jasand]

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/d547af430fb4308e608c0615eb8005db2g.jpg

 

Last screnshot network cable unplugged no macafee windows security running. it is very smooth compared to before but I now have nothing left to do apart from a reboot so not very practical at all. nothing but warnings from windows about security.

 

I am going to wait before doing the reboot as there are some files my girlfriend needs to backup and she is not here till friday. If i touch them ill get my head cut ff

 

Any more info until then would be greatly appreciated, also if you want to dig further to try to find the fault im happy to proceed.

[BeeCeeBee]

If i touch them ill get my head cut ff

 

Best wait for the restore or it will not matter if it works or not. Let us know where things stand when you are done.

 

In the meantime have a look at the following.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html

[Tootech]

Sorry, I didn't get back on this earlier....

 

Unintsalling McAfee is a good way to get back to the 'base' Windows without interference from security products - I don't know how much McAfee might affect your system, so removing it counts it out.

 

Have you looked in the Event Log recently?

 

Two reasons I ask - one it may hold a clue as to something that is wrong, and is causing the CPU issue. The other reasons is that it seems that an Event Log that is full or corrupt can affect services.exe - I learnt that today!

 

Link to the Micorosoft webpage here How to Delete Corrupt Event Viewer Log Files

 

If there is nothing obvious there, clear each log in turn and restart.

 

Then if the problem is still there, download Process Explorer from here

 

Process Explorer

 

Extract it and run it.

 

Look for services.exe, right click on it and go down to Properties - click on it.

 

It should look something like this

 

[ATTACH]380[/ATTACH]

 

Look on the Image tab, and make sure the services.exe is running out of the system32 folder.

 

Then go over to the Services tab and have a look at the registered services.

 

Post them here.

 

I think that if clearing the Event Log doesn't help, and there is nothing wrong with the services, we are about at the end of the line with this one - unless someone else can help.

Edited September 27, 2009 by Tootech

[Jasand]

pc died!

 

I am now on my win mobile as my pc will no longer work. I could not find anything out of ordinary on event viewer so i deleted the logs and restarted i did save the logs just incase but upon restart it starts ok and begins to load windows but does not get to login screen.

 

at the moment its turned on but doingg nothing just a blank screen. i have manually turned it off with no joy.

 

any ideas?

 

thanks

[Tootech]

Not the reponse I expected I have to say.

 

Tap F8 after the BIOS screen to get to Advanced Boot Options. Try Last Known Good Configuration.

 

If that doesn't work, back to F8, and try to boot to Safe Mode.

 

Clearing the logs obviously shouldn't do that - I'd suggest something was wrong with the Event Log, or its service, and that is related to services.exe and high CPU usage.

 

If Safe Mode won't work, only option at this point is run the recovery on boot up - Ctrl + F11

[Jasand]

PHEW:D

 

Thanks for that. Last Known Good Configuration worked and event viewer is now back full.

 

So, Ha Ha do I try that again ;)

[Jasand]

After checking event viewer again it just shows todays events and none others.

 

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/a06760fd793a356159a9ad57f3fe9dda2g.jpg

 

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/1b6c07c6b233719e4d9f6674882ff2232g.jpg

 

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/93902670fae19ac51552900432f1d0162g.jpg

Edited February 11, 2009 by Jasand

[Plastic Nev]

Having read this far, and a Hi Jasand again, I would say "Phew, thank goodness for last known good config" then wait till Friday when you can rescue your girls files, or, if you can get at them without a password or other security, download them all to CD's or DVDs to keep them safe if you know where, and what, they are.

With that, I will leave tootech to carry on.

[Tootech]

Refer back to post 36, the Microsoft link - How To Delete Corrupt Event Viewer Log Files

 

Create a Restore Point before carrying out the work below.

 

Pick up that link, scroll down to NTFS partition, and follow the steps 1 to 5.

 

Note that in step 4, %SystemRoot%\System32\Config means C:\windows\System32\Config.

 

You may have to change your folder options to see that folder. Do that from Windows Explorer, Tools, Folder Options. Show Hidden Files and Folders, and untick Hide Protected Operating System Files.

 

Perhaps the easiest way to do Step 4 is to create a temp folder in C:\windows\System32\Config and copy all of the evt files to it.

 

Also note that the config folder holds alot of important files - do not delete, move or tamper with any other files in there.

 

Your system may crash again - please understand that. If that happens, then we are at the end of the line - it would be wise at that point to run recovery and start afresh.

[Jasand]

Ok,

 

I shall wait for now. Ill back up files needed by other users and on saturday ill log back on to follow the remaining steps.

 

I really do appreciate you expert help and guidance.

 

Regardless on what the outcome of all this is i shall be makimg a donation so do you fight over this or is there a general area donations are kept?

 

Ill post back on Saturday

 

Thank you again

[RandyL]

Hi Jasand;

All donations are used to help cover the costs of running this site. The moderators and administrators are all volunteers who believe in the ideal of offering free advice. They are a great group of people.

 

Should you choose to make a donation it would be greatly appreciated and would help to keep us up and running so that we can continue on our mission.

 

We would also change your status to show that you are a contributing member.

 

Best of luck Jasand.

[Jasand]

Ok,

 

Im sure i done the steps right.

 

Disabled event log and restart

 

I created a new folder called temp in the C:\windows\System32\Config.

and moved all the .evt files into it

 

re enabled event log and restarted the pc but no difference

 

So firstly have i done this correcty?

 

Second do you want screenshots?

 

Thirdly I have a leaflet that was supplied with the pc about rebooting. It says to use a program called Dell pc restore and norton ghost. I cannot find this on my pc. So if i press ctrl and f11 on boot what am i going to expect?

 

Will this simply restore to factory settings including windows xp? Are there steps i need to follow?

 

I now dont want to stuff the pc altogether so any information I gather now is bettet than being stuck.

 

I am very grateful for your help Tootech and other users.

[Tootech]

It does unfortunately seem like the end of the line.

 

From what you have said you have recreated the Event Log correctly.

 

Screenshots not needed.

 

Ctrl + F11 will get you into a Restore routine. Please note - it doesn't just run away with itself when you start. It does explain what will happen and you do have a few 'back out' clauses.

 

The Norton Ghost reference is to the software that uses a hidden file to recreate Windows on your PC - you won't see it in your Start menu. Simply using Ctrl + Fll starts that process rolling.

 

You will end up with a factory standard system - it will need all the latest updates installing etc etc.

 

Just one thing, do you have the Dell Recovery Utility installed?

 

Go here to have a look at it

 

Dell - Technical Support

 

Scroll down to

 

» Run the Dell™ OS Recovery Utility

 

And have a read

 

Some did have it, some not. If yours does, use it to create a Recovery CD. If not, fine - that's how Dell made it.

 

Good Luck.

[Jasand]

Thanks,

 

The PC does not have this tool. I have gone to the location but its not there.

 

Oh well, Im going to reboot now so ill let you know how I get on either by using the pc or my phone.

 

Its a shame we could not locate the fault but perhaps this is the only way to cure it?

 

Cheers

[Jasand]

All up and running :)

 

Just downloaded macafee full suite and starting to install some programs.

 

The CPU usage is now idling at 0% so looks like whatever it was has now gone.

 

Thank you for all your help Tootech and other users now im going to spend the weekend updating my system and installing programs.

[Tootech]

You are welcome - glad it is up and running again.

 

:)

[Jasand]

Ok not entirely sorted yet

 

On turning the pc on I now get a black screen showing system information and says "floppy diskette seek failure Press F1 to continue F2 to enter boot mode"

 

Is this a simple fix to alter as I have looked in the boot menu and disabled floppy disk as i dont have one but no difference.

 

Also My CPU has HT disabled as default surely would it not perform better with HT enabled?

 

Thank you again