CPU load 50%

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What can be the reason I have at least 50% CPU load all the time?

My config is Pentium 4 2.6c (hyperthreading on a single physical core), 2 GB RAM (DDR1), Radeon HD2600XT, SB Audigy ES.

Today I swapped an old LG DVD-ROM for a less old Liteon DVD-RW my step-father no longer needed. Something went wrong with the router and onboard LAN during the storm. Well, I can see why. But what about constant 50% CPU load rising to 100% upon launching a webpage or performing another such simple task?

Even when processes sum up to 3% and 97% is in idle, task manager still shows CPU usage 51%. BTW, RAM usage is doing fine. It's just the CPU.

And it's not just a digit. Things are really so slow. Unplugging the DVD doesn't make any difference. Temps are also 10 degrees Celsius higher, which, together with general slowness, means something's being done.

 

Safe mode doesn't finish loading.

 

I'd say you've got something seriously screwed up in the OS installation (I'm assuming Windows) and possibly some critical process has gone bonkers. Safe mode not loading properly is definitely not a good sign. I'm not sure it's a hardware issue - is everything (LAN, DVD, sound, etc) working properly?

 

Hard to say. On-board LAN isn't reporting, which means something's wrong. The router isn't responding either - an ISP engineer actually checked modem reports, so it looks like the modem doesn't see the router, which means the router's probably malfunctioning. Considering there was a thunderstorm when I was replacing some parts, and a thunder hit nearby - brother says there was a boom in the kitchen, plus the TV set is dead, as is the DVD player, I guess no wonder if something's gone wrong on the motherboard.

I've tried repairing the Windows installation, but it hasn't helped, so with 100 minutes wasted, I now need to reinstall anyway.

...Or rather things are noticeably faster, but the 50% load still displays and the onboard LAN still isn't reporting.

 

Smells like malware to me, or broken hardware.

 

Bring up the Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL), click on the 'Processes' tab, and then see what is sucking up your CPU cycles...if you don't know what it is, go to the Process Library and do a seach on the exact name you see in the task manager.

 

Actually, nothing is sucking up the processes. The task tab says 97% is in idle. Just the raw CPU use figure is 50%. After format and reinstall, LAN isn't reporting. There's a problem with USB/modem connectivity as well, since while USB devices report normally, the modem does not. The modem does, however, report on the laptop I'm now using (which is why you see me typing). It took 13 hours to install XP after many failed attempts by myself and later my brother...

Now question is, what do you guys think best to do?

It's old tech. If I buy a new mobo, it just costs another 60 bucks in old tech (s478/AGP/DDR1 mobos are expensive compared to newer or older stuff) and chance is I'm done. But what if not? What if the CPU has burnt threads or if the HDD has some problems - which I doubt, but still. And honestly, if even the HD Radeon is alive - which is hardly an architectonically robust card - nothing else should be broken... Still, I fear I could run into further and further expenses on old tech. At the same time, I could take what money I have and buy a decent Core2Duo setup with a generation 8 or 9 GeForce, a new SATA drive etc and forget it. Then again, I know I won't be leaving 2 GB of RAM and a working GFX card (the Radeon) to rot. Or the CPU if it's workable. I might need the mobo anyway, if I'm going to pass the computer to my brother and well, if things work just fine with a new mobo, I will have bought some time. So what's your advice?

Edit: For the moment, the Internet works on my desktop PC, but with each launch, it's worse - I mean the mouse cursor on a black screen taking a minute to load the login screen or some such. The 50% CPU load is still there (is it possible to achieve a constant 50% load by frying one "core" of a hyperthreading processor?). Things are slow. LAN isn't really detected - except there's an unworkable "PCI input device" (the onboard LAN is PCI).

Edit2: Well, new info is that the mobo seems to be dead. There's a chance it's just the BIOS and not a hardware malfunction, though I wouldn't really count on that too much. Thing is, after an attempted CMOS clearing, the computer hangs on BIOS loading screen, a while before it would normally list hard drives. Attempted BIOS flash with floppy didn't help - it just hangs before it manages to read the floppy. Looks like my OEM license will expire if I replace the mobo - at least with a different model. If I fish out a used one that still works, literally it should preserve the license.

 

And whit all that fuss whit the 2600 and soundcard it can make you cry. (or bash something) It looks like you have to replace the whole lot. Good luck whit hunting.

 

I had a very similar problem when I used Norton Internet Security. It was a memory hog. I switched to McAfee and have had no problems.

 

It isn't that bad, actually... I can always pass the working parts down the family line. It also seems everything's working except for the motherboard. That is, the processor may be faulty, but I believe that not to be the case and I'll be making sure tomorrow... err... later today. I'll have to stick with the exact same mobo version to avoid voiding the OEM license for XP. That means I have to put this old rig back in order, so no buying a new computer for some time. My good old mobo (Abit IS7-E) costs practically as much as a Core 2 Duo mobo. Then I have to pay for the studies and the entry fee for some professional exams. And there's an anniversary party at uni. Many expenses and little time, so better just to replace the mobo and wait for another time.

 

I'm having a similar problem... works fine for a while, then suddenly the Taskbar stops resoponding (I can still Alt-Tab between applications) and CPU usage goes up to 50 %, with 45 % in System Idle Processes. This only started about a week ago, though... Malaware/Spyware alert?

 

chev, some computer stores might be able to get the same board you have for cheap -- my old workplace found an identical HD for my data recovery attempt for like $15.

Failing that, you could try computer warehouses or even places who recycle old computers - those are gold mines for hard to find parts.