Windows 7: Slow Boot, CPU High Usage, Tried Nearly Everything

Hi,

Sorry if I have not posted this in the correct forum, I wasn't sure where to post...

Specs -

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Build 7600
AMD Phenom II X4 965
Crucial 4GB DDR3 1333mhz
Asus M4A785TD-V EVO
Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 1TB x 2
Western Digital 80GB Internal
Zalman CNPS9500A
Arctic Silver 5
Edimax Wireless-N150 USB
Logitech Revolution MX
Samsung SH-S223 DVD-RW
Coolermaster Silent Pro 700W Modular PSU
CM Storm Scout

(Detailed spec as I'm about to explain the drivers etc)


Basically,
Since I build my computer approx. 8 months ago, upon first installation everything was fine and working great, no problems whatsoever.

But as time expends so does operating systems (naturally).

The first problem that I experienced probably a couple months back, 3 maybe, was an issue with my MOBO, where the system clock was running at about 300x normal speed (this makes things considerably difficult)

And then up arose the CPU maxing out constantly problem, resulting in regular reboots to reset the usage to something not so worrying.



I also tried formats with no success.

So I have recently RMA'd my MOBO (1-2 months) and gained a swap, as I had read that this was the only apparant fix to the problem, Ebuyer seemed to lightly agree.
So far I have not encountered the problem since (fingers crossed).

At the same point of returning my MOBO I took the opportunity of changing my HSF from the stock AMD one to the Zalman I have listed, also with the purchase of Artic Silver. As I had read that high CPU usage can be caused with relations to the thermal compound that is sometimes used in stock HSF's, also the fact that the stock HSF was noisy as hell.

Upon delivery, install fan + compound, boot, no problems. Apart from being mega slow, as usual. And also the whole CPU maxed out thingy too.

Format. Fresh Install.

Working lush, able to log on and off within 10 seconds, boot time excellent, winamp not spinning out, shutdown marvellous. However this did not last long, the same evening after installing all the essentials (vlc, chome, utorrent etc, MS security essentials etc) boot time has reduced to something diabolical. Again.

Loads of googling,

Format. Fresh Install.

Exact same thing.

Format. Fresh Install.

Only installing bare minimum, turning off certain windows features, services and stuff. Same thing. Slow Boot. High CPU.

(For the record my memory has always been fine and not experienced any high usage, I think the highest I've ever seen it was 2.73GB, and that was months ago with loads installed and running. Which is weird because most high CPU threads I have researched have reported the memory causing issues too)

I have read that some certain drivers, espeshly ones regarding USB devices can cause slow boots if they are missing or need updating, so I have format again and installed my Ralink adapter manually (with and without the disc) then my mouse. Run driver disc from mobo. Slight improvement on boot time but no useful effect on CPU usage.

Note - the CPU problem is not constant, I have to keep regularly checking task manager to see when it has rocketed.

I had noticed a change in my startup and login time when I switched from using one of my Samsung's 1TB for Windows OS to my Western Digital 80GB, obviously as the HDD is older and probably has a slower RPM this will be noticeable. But, not as noticeable as the boot time recently, it is jokes.

I will mention when un-installing MOBO for the RMA the compound on the HSF refused to release my CPU nicely and resulted in the whole lot coming out at once in a very concerning manner, thus leaving me with slightly bent pins on the CPU, nothing intensely wonky, only a few which were extremely carefully rectified after much more googling and also with the use of a blunt vegetable knife + much patience.
Hardly noticeable now.

One further problem I managed to land myself with since the fresh mobo was an issue with Windows 7 not connecting to WEP wireless keys, which is really really weird because is was fine before... after much messing around and hassle, I was able to somehow transfer the same problem onto my mother's laptop too, great stuff huh?
In the end I reset the router to factory settings and spent an hour on the blower to ISP and I have now got that one solved, seemed to be a thing with the router more than windows, still really weird though. NOTE - ANYONE GOOGLING THIS THREAD WITH WINDOWS 7 (7600) WEP KEY PROBLEMS TRY ROUTER RESTORE. It's the last option I had and it worked. (Netgear DG834G v3).

So yeah, in summary I am still with a 'slower' boot time and high CPU usage after trying pretty much everything months of googing has to offer.

When checking task manager to see what is causing the high CPU threads there is nothing listed. Everything seems normal.

The one last option I have is to somehow RMA my CPU which I'm desperately trying to avoid as Ebuyer probably seriously don't like me much at the moment. (I'm currently proceeding legal claims with them for my Laptop which has been on-going for over 8 months)

This is all really really annoying and frustrating, I built my comp to what I had hoped to be something along the lines of inferior and uber cool, (with respect to that being eight months ago) but I literally can't do bugger all with it.

I think I might be cursed and/or I'm going to cry.


Please if anyone has anymore ideas do post, I am literally about to freak.


Regards


Kraig

Kraig

Hi and welcome

we need more info.

1-event viewer- look for critical errors
There are several ways to find what the problem is. The best is to go into event viewer (type eventvwr in search). Go to the windows log>application tab.

You want to look for critical errors (they have red in the left column ).

When you find them you want to look for critical errors that say app hang, app crash, or anything that relates to the problem.

When you find them please note the event ID, and the source codes and tell us what they are.

2- Device manager
Please go to start>search>type device manager.
Are there any "unknown devices" with yellow triangles on them?
Is you driver there , listed, and working?

If your driver is missing, or there is a yellow triangle on it, you will need to update it.


3-System file check

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker


Let us know if you need help


Ken J

Ken has excellent recommendations. Do that first.

Also, check your bios to see if it's see for fast boot.

And please check your mobo again. You have it listed as Asus M4a78gTD - EVO. I can't reference it. If it's different, please list here and update specs.

Hi Zigzag,


Many thanks for the reply,


I have checked event viewer and recorded the following critical errors:-

Windows live messenger, Event ID 7, Category - none
ATIeRecord, event ID 16388, Category - EEU
SideBySide, Event ID 33, Category - None x 8
Restart Manager, Event ID 10006, Category - None



When checking Device Manager, all devices and drivers are accounted for excluding what's called -

Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

When I select it it informs me that the device is unable to start.
When I try to automatically update driver it informs me that the lastest driver is already installed.
When I try to disable it, it crashes - end process,
Start Device Manager again to enable it but it only crashes again, end process etc.
Now I have checked back and it has no triangle but says there is no driver installed.
So I play around with it again and its gone back to square one with the triangle.
Etc etc etc...

^ I have done the above cycle for the driver thrice now, strange.


I successfully ran the System File check CMD and it reported no integrity violations. (which is good I guess?)

I have attached a screen print of the SFC results.


NOTE - I have attached some screen shots of my task manager also if it might be of any aid.



Lemur, also thankyou for the reply.

My MOBO is the

Asus M4A785TD-V EVO.

It's possible you may of made a typo somewhere.


Another Note - I have made various basic tweaks to my system to optimize preformance as obviously these things can help.
I have used some of the features from the 'TweakNow WinSecret 2010' application, namely on the /Win secret/Windows Core Tab.
There are some useful features which unlock core potential in systems.

However if specified I can revert to default by a click of a button.

Just my best trying to make everything that I have played about with clear as specification can save much time on forums.



Regards



Kraig

Thanks for the update on your mobo. It does say Asus M4a78gTD - EVO on your System Specs, and that's a cut and paste.

Do you have bios version 2105? If not, let's flash the bios.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

Also check for the latest Edimax Wireless-N150 USB

::: EDIMAX Technology :::

regarding your slow boot time. are any of your hard drives external? i have a 1TB USB external and if i dont disconnect it before rebooting, my computer takes about 10 minutes to start. without it, i'm at the desktop in less than 30 seconds.

Wow, that's unreal.

Some thoughts...

Are you indexing that drive?
Is USB selected in boot order?

i'm not sure what's going on with it. after my last Windows 7 re-install it booted fine, so it must be related to either an updated driver or a windows update. USB is last in the boot order, and all i use that drive for is movies, mp3's, documents, and copies of drivers and programs (so i dont have to keep downloading them).
if i had paid more attention, i probably could have pinpointed when it started, but i had assumed the reformat had solved my problem.

Hi Lemur,

My apologies on the MOBO, you was right I had mistyped it. I believe that was my drunken attempt at filling in those criteria the other night after coming home.

I have checked the Edimax Windows 7 software/driver on the site and it only gives me the option of uninstalling the software that I have installed at the moment, so I'm assuming that's all up to date.

However, I referenced my BIOS version and I am currently running v.2103, so as you rightly suggested a flash is in order. I've not flashed this MOBO before.. My last attempt as a BIOS update went amazingly wrong.
I believe there is an automated Asus flash ultility that can be used for this process? It should be on the driver disc, should I go ahead and check it out?

Kword88, Thankyou for the reply.

None of my HDD's are external, I have two portable ones which are used on occasion where it usually involves getting roped into sorting someone's computer out for them against free will.

I had read somewhere that some windows settings freak out when certain USB devices are attached causing massive system lag on boot up. Which = Fail basically.



Regards


Kraig