Windows 7: System heating + 100% CPU Usage

vivek669 · 18 Dec 2010

Hello, I have a HP 6910tx which was purchased 2 years back. I have installed Windows 7 Ultimate RC7600 on it at the moment. Few days back, I had a system crash and the Tech guys at HP said my laptop had multiple problems, and I eventually had my hard disk and Nvidia Graphics Card replaced. I am still facing nagging issues with my laptop for which I have no answers to.

I have done a clean install of Win 7 and my laptop at the moment doesn't have any software or application that is capable of sucking the memory out. But I still see 100% CPU usage sometimes even though the system is practically idle. This is resulting in overheating of my laptop which is very worrying. My guess is that it may be because of assembling the laptop incorrectly which is causing the problem, but it's just an educated guess at the most. I am really concerned about the health of my laptop as it was running in top notch condition just a few weeks back. I am attaching the system specs with a HijackThis log taken a while back. Can anybody please help me out and advice before it's too late. I shall be much obliged.

Regards,
Viv

System: Hp DV6910tx, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2Ghz, 3GB Ram, 320 GB Hard disk, Nvidia GE Force 8400GS Graphics Card

Code:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 09:37:04, on 19-12-2010
Platform: Windows 7  (WinNT 6.00.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe
C:\Program Files\Sify Broadband\BBClient.exe
C:\Program Files\Sify Broadband\BBImpSec.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\SpeedFan\speedfan.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
E:\hijackthis\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Bing
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = India News | Indian Business, Finance News | Sports: Cricket India | Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu Movies |Sify Mail,Astrology, Indian Recipes
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Bing
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Bing
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = 
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "C:\Program Files\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SifyBB] C:\Program Files\Sify Broadband\BBImpSec.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O16 - DPF: {FFB3A759-98B1-446F-BDA9-909C6EB18CC7} (PCPitstop Exam) - http://utilities.pcpitstop.com/Optimize3/pcpitstop2.dll
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{C3E70A2E-3131-4566-A36C-750E300B685F}: NameServer = 202.144.95.4,202.144.66.6
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe

--
End of file - 2571 bytes

DustSailor · 19 Dec 2010

Then perhaps it is some other hardware that needs replacement as well. Could there be any BIOS or other setting that reduces the maximum use of your CPU? You could very well only be using a percentage of what you have installed if that were the case. Your power supply is sufficient? Try enabling high performance in the power options of your computer, cause you may be power saving o.0.

Bill2 · 19 Dec 2010

Hello Vivek,

Can you post a snipshot of the task manager? Before doing that, click on the CPU tab once or twice to arrange in descending order. Post multiple snipshots if required, so we can see the top 10 cpu hoggers.

The Hijackthis log doesnt suggest anything suspicious, though to be safe run a scan with the freeware malwarebytes program.

For the overheating, see if you can get a laptop coolpad. For the time being raise the back of the laptop and make sure theres free flow of air underneath. You can also try blowing out the vents with compressed air and, if you are handy unscrew the bottom and clean out the interior.

Also try using Balanced or Power saver power plans in case you are using the high performance plan right now.

DustSailor · 19 Dec 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill2

For the overheating, see if you can get a laptop coolpad. For the time being raise the back of the laptop and make sure theres free flow of air underneath. You can also try blowing out the vents with compressed air and, if you are handy unscrew the bottom and clean out the interior.

Also try using Balanced or Power saver power plans in case you are using the high performance plan right now.

I'm sorry, Bill here is right. I overlooked that bit about overheating and only saw your struggling CPU. DO use a Balanced or Power saving mode, at least until you can find out why it is overheating. +1 Bill

vivek669 · 19 Dec 2010

Hi Sailor, Bill,

Please see the screenshot I have attached now. The Task Manager is showing me a usage between 60-100%. Still if you see there is no such application that is hogging the resources. I do have a Belkin Cooling Pad. I am using it as much as possible to keep my laptop cool. But with the constraints of being mobile, I can't take the cooling pad with me.

I have both Balanced and Power Saver Modes on my laptop. If there is a hardware problem, is there any software or utility that will show which part in specific is troublesome?

I am sorry, I am not very well versed with tweaking or checking the BIOS. Thanks for helping out guys. Really appreciate

Viv

Bill2 · 19 Dec 2010

Did you arrange the cpu usage column in descending order? Can you post a snip that shows all the processes? Also, before doing that, check the box at the bottom "Show processes from all users".

vivek669 · 19 Dec 2010

Sure, attached the screenshot with application usage in descending order. But now funnily, the system usage shows 24%. Why am I seeing such a variable system usage while all I do is gawk at the screen?

vivek669 · 19 Dec 2010

Let me post other screenshots of all the applications too.

vivek669 · 19 Dec 2010

Ok this is with all the applications running in the background. The indicators have dipped below 20% now.

Bill2 · 19 Dec 2010

In the earlier snip, you had 49 processes running, in this one you have 43. Logically speaking, one of the processes that is closed now was hogging a lot of cpu. Also windows explorer's consuming a lot. Please do the following:

1) Run a full scan with malwarebytes antimalware, its freeware, just google for it. Let it clean whatever it finds.

2) The high cpu usage could be indicative of software or driver conflicts. To isolate the problem, use a clean boot procedure.

How to Troubleshoot a Problem by Performing a Clean Startup in Windows 7 or Vista

Edit: Just saw the new snips- firefox, bitdefender and bbimp (whats that?) seem to be the major culprits. You can try alternatives to these apps or at least try reinstall them.

Windows 7: System heating + 100% CPU Usage

System heating + 100% CPU Usage problems?