slow down computer, cpu at 100%?

Question

i have a new pc, 2.21 ghz, 1.37 gb of RAM and 200gb hdd. however when i start up my pc, i check my task manager and it would say 100% cpu is taken up. 99% of it is "adobe gamma loader.exe"(yes i do have photoshop). it wouls stay there for like 5 minute then disappear. sometimes, internet explorer will do the same. even when i closed it, it would still say in the task manager that iexplorer.exe is taking up like 99%. i've done several scans(virus, spyware etc..) and had defragmented my c drive. what could be the problem?

Answer 1

Hmm, you're probably going to get a lot of "it's spyware! it's adware!" and you're probably going to find out it's not, so I am just mentioning this ahead of time to save you possible headache :)

But you're in luck! I've seen this problem before twice, and it's one that's rather difficult to recognize. If it is the same problem, it's a problem with your ACPI Management in Windows XP.

First, I would try a cleaner power source. You may choose to print this out before doing so. I would turn off your computer, and plug it directly into your wall outlet, or even better an UPS (backup power) if you have one. If neither are an option, attempt to connect to another power bar.

If this doesn't work, it could be a problem with your power supply unit or your motherboard. In which case, I would recommend disabling ACPI. This may disable Windows XP's ability to automatically shut down your computer, but at least you'd know whether that's the problem or not for sure.

To disable ACPI in Windows 2000/XP:
1. Open the Device Manager (Control Panel -> System -> Hardware Tab -> Device Manager button)

2. Expand the Computer tree.

3. Right-click the "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC node and select Properties.

4. Go to the Driver tab and click the Update Driver... button.

5. When the Upgrade Device Driver Wizard appears...click Next.

6. Select "Display a list of known drivers, etc." and click Next.

7. Select "Show all hardware of this device class" and from "(Standard computers) select "Standard PC".

8. Install the driver by clicking Next.

9. After the driver is installed, press Reboot.

10. When Windows2000 restarts, it will re-detect all of your hardware and installs device drivers for them again. This will take a few minutes.

11. After Windows finishes re-installing the device drivers, open the Device Manager once again and expand the Computer tree as well. If you have two "Standard PC" devices present, check the Properties of both...and remove the one which displays "driver not installed" in the Device Status screen.

12. Once this is complete, ACPI is disabled.

This process is not easily reversible, so I would recommend it only after what I've suggested above.

Good luck and let me know if you need more assistance,
Ken

Answer 2

My new 3.2 pc ran slow when I got it. You would be amazed how fast a pc will run if you disable a lot of stuff on it. Hate to rave a book but Windows XP Hacks. 100 industrial strength tips and tools is a very good book I used. Not about hacking pcs online. Just things to do to your computer to make it better. Might try typing msconfig at command prompt disable some there. General,Services and Startup tabs are ones to work with. Also any startup or task schedule item. Try deleting some processes in task manager.
By disabling items some programs may not work. But internet itself requires little to run and can be made faster.
You can always go back and enable things you need.
Also check internet add ons. Over time they build and take up time.

Answer 3

Hm... that other Ken is probably right.
But I'll add my two cents and say it's the RAM, try switching the first slot RAM with the second slot RAM. This will prove that the problem is indeed with your RAM. Really you have nothing to lose by trying it. I've had CPU 99% a lot in the past, and finally found out it was the RAM. But then again, that other Ken could be right with his answer.

Answer 4

If you have a new computer, alot of times the manufacturer has software agreements with several different companies, that apear on your desktop, for a free trial use or to buy. go to start, run and type msconfig and click on the startup tab and see what programs are accessing your processor at start up. I would suggest that you be careful when disabling any programs if you are not sure what it is. I would also check to make sure that you do not have to virus scan programs running, this alot of times in itself will cause a pc to slow down becuase they conflict with each other.

Answer 5

initiate with information from watching each and each and every of the operating strategies on the gadget, and observe if any of them are causing the spike. Viruses etc may reason a spike like this at circumstances, yet they appear like common strategies, so as that they are demanding to diagnose. also, get an app like rootkit detective to be certain once you've a rootkit on your pc. This too will dissipate CPU cycles, yet heavily isn't seen to you contained in the operating strategies, as a rootkit is designed to run without being considered. (once you've a rootkit put in, the operating equipment won't be able to even see it. ) also, you may favor to initiate a community sniff making use of wireshark to be certain if there is an software it really is attempting to talk on the community at the same time as not something is meant to be. this isn't for the faint of heart tho, and it received't inform you what's doing it, purely that it is occurring. speedy record of equipment that could help you diagnose this are: rootkit detective AV software procedure explorer wireshark

Answer 6

Working with a slow computer can be time consuming as programs/ applications take a long time to start. This problem is more pronounced in computers which have been used for 6 or more months. More information at http://fixit.in/slowcomputer.html

Answer 7

try uninstalling that photoshop n see what happen...