How do I diagnose this performance problem?

My wife has a Dell Inspiron 1570 (2GB RAM), relatively empty HDD, onboard graphics.

For a significant time she has been hitting 100% CPU making her machine unusable. Neither the task manager or Resource Monitor show what is eating the CPU time.

She contacted Dell whilst under warranty, they 'scanned' the system and claimed not be able to find any problems. All drivers are up to date. The system is running only Microsoft Security Essentials for anti-virus. I have used Revo-Uninstaller to minimise the amount of software on the machine. I have used CCleaner to clear out the rubbish.

Whilst researching the problem I came across a similar problem someone had reported and it was cured by unplugging the machine from the mains. I tried that and it worked! After unplugging the power supply, the CPU usage gradually drops to normal levels. I bought a new power supply but this has not cured the problem.

What usually causes the CPU to hit 100% is streaming video or downloading large files. That said, there could be other causes that we haven't hit on yet.

I have downloaded sysinternal's process explorer and tried looking to see if I could figure something out with that but I do not have the required knowledge to use it I think.

Could anybody help me how to cure this or, at least, figure out the cause? I would be incredibly grateful.

thanks, dan

Stupid question, but this is secure is it? I'm not giving you any passwords but you are getting a lot system info.

thanks, dan

DDS (Ver_2012-11-20.01) - NTFS_AMD64
Internet Explorer: 9.0.8112.16457 BrowserJavaVersion: 10.11.2
Run by Abi at 20:31:59 on 2013-02-10
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 6.1.7601.1.1252.44.1033.18.3959.2978 [GMT 0:00]
.
AV: Microsoft Security Essentials *Enabled/Updated* {9765EA51-0D3C-7DFB-6091-10E4E1F341F6}
SP: Windows Defender *Disabled/Outdated* {D68DDC3A-831F-4fae-9E44-DA132C1ACF46}
SP: Microsoft Security Essentials *Enabled/Updated* {2C040BB5-2B06-7275-5A21-2B969A740B4B}
.
============== Running Processes ===============
.
C:\Windows\system32\lsm.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k RPCSS
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MsMpEng.exe
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k GPSvcGroup
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService
C:\Program Files\Dell\Dell Wireless WLAN Card\WLTRYSVC.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\WLANExt.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Dell Wireless WLAN Card\bcmwltry.exe
C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\armsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\AERTSr64.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RAVCpl64.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Dell Wireless WLAN Card\WLTRAY.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe
C:\Windows\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPHelper.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe
C:\Windows\Microsoft.Net\Framework64\v3.0\WPF\PresentationFontCache.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\Windows\System32\cscript.exe
.
============== Pseudo HJT Report ===============
.
uStart Page = hxxp://www.dell.com
uSearch Bar = hxxp://www.google.com/ie
uSearch Page = hxxp://www.google.com
uDefault_Page_URL = hxxp://www.dell.com
uDefault_Search_URL = hxxp://www.google.com/ie
uSearchAssistant = hxxp://www.google.com/ie
uSearchURL,(Default) = hxxp://www.google.com/search?q=%s
mWinlogon: Userinit = userinit.exe
BHO: Adobe PDF Link Helper: {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper: {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\ssv.dll
BHO: Skype Browser Helper: {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper: {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\jp2ssv.dll
uRun: [Skype] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /minimized /regrun
mRun: [Dell Webcam Central] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Webcam\Dell Webcam Central\WebcamDell2.exe" /mode2
mRun: [DellSupportCenter] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter
mRun: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
mRun: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
StartupFolder: C:\Users\Abi\AppData\Roaming\MICROS~1\Windows\STARTM~1\Programs\Startup\Dropbox.lnk - C:\Users\Abi\AppData\Roaming\Dropbox\bin\Dropbox.exe
mPolicies-Explorer: NoActiveDesktop = dword:1
mPolicies-Explorer: NoActiveDesktopChanges = dword:1
mPolicies-System: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = dword:5
mPolicies-System: ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = dword:3
mPolicies-System: EnableUIADesktopToggle = dword:0
mPolicies-System: PromptOnSecureDesktop = dword:0
IE: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - C:\Windows\System32\GPhotos.scr/200
IE: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
IE: {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - {48E73304-E1D6-4330-914C-F5F514E3486C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
IE: {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
IE: {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - {FF059E31-CC5A-4E2E-BF3B-96E929D65503}
DPF: {682C59F5-478C-4421-9070-AD170D143B77} - hxxp://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/Content/Ode/pcd86.cab
DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_35-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0035-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_35-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_35-windows-i586.cab
TCP: NameServer = 192.168.1.254
TCP: Interfaces\{8BDEEED7-0A77-4B15-B792-F27686BD881B} : DHCPNameServer = 192.168.1.254
TCP: Interfaces\{8BDEEED7-0A77-4B15-B792-F27686BD881B}\2484F43545 : DHCPNameServer = 192.168.1.1
TCP: Interfaces\{8BDEEED7-0A77-4B15-B792-F27686BD881B}\24F696E676F60284F6473707F647 : DHCPNameServer = 66.103.89.141 66.103.80.4
TCP: Interfaces\{8BDEEED7-0A77-4B15-B792-F27686BD881B}\2516D6374656E6D20527563756E647164796F6E6 : DHCPNameServer = 131.111.12.20 131.111.8.42
TCP: Interfaces\{8BDEEED7-0A77-4B15-B792-F27686BD881B}\D4F435359575946494 : DHCPNameServer = 192.168.2.1
TCP: Interfaces\{8BDEEED7-0A77-4B15-B792-F27686BD881B}\E4164796F6E616C602452757374702055726C696360275966496 : DHCPNameServer = 10.20.30.1
TCP: Interfaces\{AC1B49B2-E2A2-4ACD-8D4C-E7769F44BD03} : NameServer = 131.111.12.20,131.111.8.42
Handler: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
Handler: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Skype\Skype4COM.dll
SSODL: WebCheck - <orphaned>
mASetup: {8A69D345-D564-463c-AFF1-A69D9E530F96} - "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\24.0.1312.57\Installer\chrmstp.exe" --configure-user-settings --verbose-logging --system-level --multi-install --chrome
x64-BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper: {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\ssv.dll
x64-BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper: {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\jp2ssv.dll
x64-Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files (x86)\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
x64-Run: [RtHDVCpl] C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RAVCpl64.exe
x64-Run: [QuickSet] C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\QuickSet.exe
x64-Run: [Broadcom Wireless Manager UI] C:\Program Files\Dell\Dell Wireless WLAN Card\WLTRAY.exe
x64-Run: [MSC] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
x64-Run: [IgfxTray] C:\Windows\System32\igfxtray.exe
x64-Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\Windows\System32\hkcmd.exe
x64-Run: [Persistence] C:\Windows\System32\igfxpers.exe
x64-DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_16-windows-i586.cab
x64-DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0016-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_16-windows-i586.cab
x64-DPF: {CAFEEFAC-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_16-windows-i586.cab
x64-Handler: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - <orphaned>
x64-Handler: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - <orphaned>
x64-Notify: GoToAssist - C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\GoToAssist\615\G2AWinLogon_x64.dll
x64-Notify: igfxcui - igfxdev.dll
x64-SSODL: WebCheck - <orphaned>
.
================= FIREFOX ===================
.
FF - ProfilePath - C:\Users\Abi\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\7d1d227n.default\
FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 11.0\Reader\AIR\nppdf32.dll
FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Foxit Software\Foxit Reader\plugins\npFoxitReaderPlugin.dll
FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Picasa3\npPicasa3.dll
FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\1.3.21.123\npGoogleUpdate3.dll
FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\plugin2\npjp2.dll
FF - plugin: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32_11_5_502_146.dll
.
============= SERVICES / DRIVERS ===============
.
R0 MpFilter;Microsoft Malware Protection Driver;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\MpFilter.sys [2010-10-24 203888]
R0 PxHlpa64;PxHlpa64;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\PxHlpa64.sys [2010-1-10 55280]
R2 AERTFilters;Andrea RT Filters Service;C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\AERTSr64.exe [2009-3-31 92160]
R3 CtClsFlt;Creative Camera Class Upper Filter Driver;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CtClsFlt.sys [2010-1-10 172704]
R3 IntcHdmiAddService;Intel(R) High Definition Audio HDMI;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\IntcHdmi.sys [2009-7-9 139264]
R3 RTL8167;Realtek 8167 NT Driver;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\Rt64win7.sys [2011-6-10 539240]
S2 clr_optimization_v4.0.30319_32;Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v4.0.30319_X86;C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\mscorsvw.exe [2010-3-18 130384]
S2 clr_optimization_v4.0.30319_64;Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v4.0.30319_X64;C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\mscorsvw.exe [2010-3-18 138576]
S2 SkypeUpdate;Skype Updater;C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Updater\Updater.exe [2013-1-8 161536]
S3 NisDrv;Microsoft Network Inspection System;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\NisDrvWFP.sys [2010-10-24 98688]
S3 NisSrv;Microsoft Network Inspection;C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\NisSrv.exe [2012-3-26 291696]
S3 RdpVideoMiniport;Remote Desktop Video Miniport Driver;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\rdpvideominiport.sys [2013-1-5 19456]
S3 RSUSBSTOR;RtsUStor.Sys Realtek USB Card Reader;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\RtsUStor.sys [2009-6-4 216064]
S3 TsUsbFlt;TsUsbFlt;C:\Windows\System32\drivers\TsUsbFlt.sys [2013-1-5 57856]
S3 WatAdminSvc;Windows Activation Technologies Service;C:\Windows\System32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe [2010-6-23 1255736]
.
=============== File Associations ===============
.
FileExt: .inf: inffile=C:\Windows\System32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1 [UserChoice]
.
=============== Created Last 30 ================
.
2013-02-10 17:13:11 9161176 ----a-w- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware\Definition Updates\{856A08D3-0E6D-4758-9BA1-75A4F2C8D7EA}\mpengine.dll
2013-02-10 16:57:33 9161176 ----a-w- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware\Definition Updates\Backup\mpengine.dll
2013-01-23 12:54:53 -------- d-----w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox.bak
2013-01-22 21:15:16 -------- d-----w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Maintenance Service
2013-01-15 09:29:32 95648 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\WindowsAccessBridge-32.dll
.
==================== Find3M ====================
.
2013-02-10 18:39:01 74096 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl
2013-02-10 18:39:01 697712 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\FlashPlayerApp.exe
2013-01-30 10:53:22 273840 ------w- C:\Windows\System32\MpSigStub.exe
2012-12-16 17:11:22 46080 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\atmlib.dll
2012-12-16 14:45:03 367616 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\atmfd.dll
2012-12-16 14:13:28 295424 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\atmfd.dll
2012-12-16 14:13:20 34304 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\atmlib.dll
2012-11-28 10:35:43 859072 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\npdeployJava1.dll
2012-11-28 10:35:38 779704 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\deployJava1.dll
2012-11-23 03:26:31 3149824 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\win32k.sys
2012-11-23 03:13:57 68608 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\taskhost.exe
2012-11-20 05:48:49 307200 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\ncrypt.dll
2012-11-20 04:51:09 220160 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\ncrypt.dll
2012-11-14 06:11:44 2312704 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\jscript9.dll
2012-11-14 06:04:11 1392128 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\wininet.dll
2012-11-14 06:02:49 1494528 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\inetcpl.cpl
2012-11-14 05:57:46 599040 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\vbscript.dll
2012-11-14 05:57:35 173056 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\ieUnatt.exe
2012-11-14 05:52:40 2382848 ----a-w- C:\Windows\System32\mshtml.tlb
2012-11-14 02:09:22 1800704 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\jscript9.dll
2012-11-14 01:58:15 1427968 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\inetcpl.cpl
2012-11-14 01:57:37 1129472 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\wininet.dll
2012-11-14 01:49:25 142848 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\ieUnatt.exe
2012-11-14 01:48:27 420864 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\vbscript.dll
2012-11-14 01:44:42 2382848 ----a-w- C:\Windows\SysWow64\mshtml.tlb
.
============= FINISH: 20:33:54.13 ===============

If this is still the factory preinstall then that is a corrupt install to begin with all the bloatware and duplicate utilties that have better versions built into Win7, and which throttle it's native performance.

That's why most tech enthusiasts prefer to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.
Everything you need is in the blue link to get and keep a perfect install.

Until then you can also Clean Up Factory Bloatware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Trial) 1.70.0.1100
Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download

Database version: v2013.02.11.09

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 9.0.8112.16421
Abi :: ABI-PC [administrator]

Protection: Enabled

11/02/2013 20:36:49
mbam-log-2013-02-11 (20-36-49).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 358358
Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 53 minute(s), 42 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 1
C:\Users\Abi\Downloads\Setup.exe (PUP.Bundle.Installer.OI) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

(end)

Nothing serious there. What happens after you establish a Clean boot as shown in Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7?

Thanks gregrocker. I'll give a clean boot a go. I may not be able to do this for a while as my wife has the machine at work all day and I only have limited time in the evening.

Following your 'Clean Up Bloatware' guide I've disabled a lot of bits and pieces in startup and services. I'll keep an eye on these and see what happens.

Longer term I'll do a clean install of Win 7 but finding time to do that is not easy.

Thanks for your help and guidance, Dan

Using task manager, click on the PERFORMANCE tab, then the menu/pulldown VIEW > SHOW KERNEL TIMES (select to checkmark it). That might shed light. Kernel times show in red.

As you allude to, process explorer (sysinternals > MS) can show you the CPU usage within a given process very nicely to some degree (still technical though).