High CPU usage by process "System" when downloading

[kdogg]

This is freaking driving me crazy. This is the SECOND Windows 7 system I've had this issue on and it completely cripples the computer.

Basically, whenever I downloaded anything, be it via uTorrent, Firebox, even speed tests, my CPU usage goes to 100% and nothing responded until the download it stopped or it finished on it's own.

Both computers lasted about a month before this started, both computers were TOTALLY different hardware. In fact one was a laptop and one was a desktop. Then just one day, poof, 100% cpu when downloading.

I've tested all types of downloads as mentioned above, uTorrent, speed tests, general file downloading, Windows updates, anything that causes bandwidth usage makes the process "System" sky rocket to 100%.

I've tried the normal things. Updating AV software, full system scan. Updated and ran Malwarebytes and ran a full scan. Ran defrag, ran check disc. I've posted HiJackThis logs else where, no ones sees anything out of the norm...

Now if I just format the problems solved for about a month or so then it will just come right back.

This only seems to happen to me with Windows 7. The laptop did it 3 times, each time I got about a month into the Windows 7 install and finally I went back to Windows XP on the laptop, problem solved.

Now my new desktop is running W7, month or so into the install SAME EXACT problem.

PLEASE can anyone tell me anything I haven't thought to try? I don't want to run an OS that requires 12 fresh installs a year.

 

[seekermeister]

It would be very difficult to know what the problem is precisely, but I would suspect that the problem is caused by some program that you commonly use (not PE), that is related to internet activity, or more specifically downloading. I would create a list of such programs, disable them all, and see what happens. If the downloads can then be performed normally, reinable each of those programs, one by one, until the culprit is found.

 

[sniperdude]

yeah has to be something your installing yourself


I would start by opening the task manager going to processes and out of the watching what is using more cpu than anything while a torrent is running

you should be able to do this

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

This is freaking driving me crazy. This is the SECOND Windows 7 system I've had this issue on and it completely cripples the computer.

Basically, whenever I downloaded anything, be it via uTorrent, Firebox, even speed tests, my CPU usage goes to 100% and nothing responded until the download it stopped or it finished on it's own.

Both computers lasted about a month before this started, both computers were TOTALLY different hardware. In fact one was a laptop and one was a desktop. Then just one day, poof, 100% cpu when downloading.

I've tested all types of downloads as mentioned above, uTorrent, speed tests, general file downloading, Windows updates, anything that causes bandwidth usage makes the process "System" sky rocket to 100%.

I've tried the normal things. Updating AV software, full system scan. Updated and ran Malwarebytes and ran a full scan. Ran defrag, ran check disc. I've posted HiJackThis logs else where, no ones sees anything out of the norm...

Now if I just format the problems solved for about a month or so then it will just come right back.

This only seems to happen to me with Windows 7. The laptop did it 3 times, each time I got about a month into the Windows 7 install and finally I went back to Windows XP on the laptop, problem solved.

Now my new desktop is running W7, month or so into the install SAME EXACT problem.

PLEASE can anyone tell me anything I haven't thought to try? I don't want to run an OS that requires 12 fresh installs a year.

Hi, Welcome to SF,

I actually did a small research on your issues most of the cases the culprit was a file called ntkrnlpa.exe that was pointing to NIC drivers. So my recommendation would to make sure you have the latest version NIC drivers. Also download Process Explorer. Using that you could find which dll is particularly causing the problem
If you like to know more about it will add a link Mark's Blog : The Case of the System Process CPU Spikes that should help you to find more information.

Hope this helps

 

[Robloid]

I was having a similar issue. My system kept slowing down just surfing the internet. The CPU usage would jump to 25% (100% on one core) and the video would lag while scrolling webpages. The issue only recently started so I searched online for a solution and it sounded similar to problems a lot of others were having; but I couldn't find a solution that worked for me.

So I tried to troubleshoot a little further and found when I unplugged the network cable the issue disappeared. I then decided to replace my new router with my old one and to my surprise the issue did not happen with the old router. OK, there must be something wrong with the router or its setup.

I hadn't changed anything recently so I searched through the settings on the router and found that the port forwarding was set to what I thought was the IP of my system. I then found out that the system must have renewed the IP and got a different one. Once I changed the port forwarding to the new IP the issue no longer was happening.

I hope this can help some others who are running into this problem.

Rob.

 

[kdogg]

The best I can tell with the process explorer is that something called teefer2.sys, under system is using a lot of threads/cpu when this is happening.

Seems to be something to do with Symantec Endpoint.

Not sure if this is the problem or not though.

 

[logicearth]

Well try uninstalling your antivirus and see if it still happens.

 

[sniperdude]

teefer2.sys Symantec CMC Firewall Teefer2 Symantec Corporation

 

[seekermeister]

My first reaction, anytime that I see the word Symantec, is to uninstall it. This may be somewhat reactionary, but I really dislike their products.

 

[InternetLord]

My first reaction, anytime that I see the word Symantec, is to uninstall it. This may be somewhat reactionary, but I really dislike their products.

agree. their products are notorious for eating system resources. plus you can get cheaper better products.

 

[sniperdude]

me too their is no way I would have Norton on my pc.


if you have a router with NAT firewall all you need is AVAST free/home and the windows 7 built in firewall

 

[InternetLord]

me too their is no way I would have Norton on my pc.


if you have a router with NAT firewall all you need is AVAST free/home and the windows 7 built in firewall

turn off the windows firewall and it's service, and install a third party firewall. do not use security software from microsoft.

 

[sniperdude]

me too their is no way I would have Norton on my pc.


if you have a router with NAT firewall all you need is AVAST free/home and the windows 7 built in firewall

turn off the windows firewall and it's service, and install a third party firewall. do not use security software from microsoft.

No! but it would be interesting if you could tell me why you are telling me to do this

 

[InternetLord]

third party security software is far more user friendly than microsofts.

 

[sniperdude]

me too their is no way I would have Norton on my pc.


if you have a router with NAT firewall all you need is AVAST free/home and the windows 7 built in firewall

turn off the windows firewall and it's service, and install a third party firewall. do not use security software from microsoft.

LOL are you trying to tell me you give me this warning just because 3rd party
software is more user friendly

 

[InternetLord]

yes. user friendly means far more control over what is and is not allowed to run or access the net. the windows firewall has a habit of asking you if you want to keep something blocked(after it has all ready blocked it with out telling you it was going to block it in the first place)instead of asking you if you want to block it at all. as far as anti virus microsoft has a bad history.

 

[kdogg]

OK if I uninstall Symantec, I still see very high CPU usage but it fluctuates like CRAZY. Bounces between 50~100% non-stop when bandwidth is moving in and out.

Something called DPC's is doing it in Process Explorer.

Also, what other good AV programs are out there? Don't care if it's free or pay, what is currently rated the best? Everyone I've spoken to swears by Symantec products and when I do say well other people say its crap they use how Linux users dislike windows as an example and say but fact of the matter is, Symantec is the best.

 

[seekermeister]

InternetLord;

as far as anti virus microsoft has a bad history.

Apparently, Thurrott disagrees:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/mse.asp

I personally, don't have an opinion, because I use Outpost Security Suite, which includes both firewall and AV/malware.

 

[InternetLord]

i would be asking them what linux has to do with this. sounds like a very lame copout by them. i user zonealarm antivirus which includes a fantastic firewall along with counterspy. there are plenty of great av / fw programs out there that do not eat the resources that norton does. just do the research.

 

[kdogg]

Linux was the example of how people who like one thing thing another is generally junk...

Kinda like how Ford Mustang owners hand Honda's and Mitsubishi and vise versa. Once someone gets it in there mind something sucks, there is generally nothing you can do to change there mind. You get a group of people who think Symantec is a big POS resource hog and another group who think it's the neatest thing since sliced bread and that the people who hate it just need to upgrade there systems or something etc.

Was just an example.

Either way removing Symantec helped the teefer2.sys issue but then the DPC's just ate the CPU instead. As long as I set any downloads to be 50k/s or less, the pc is usable but if its much over that, it cripples the computer.

I just downloaded a video file at 900+k/s and I could barely move my mouse. If I tried it would jump all over the place.


This is ridiculous.

I can format right now and install EVERYTHING I have installed now and it will be ok for about a month. I already know it will, this will be my 3rd time having to do this with 2 different computers.

Or.... I can go back to Windows XP SP3 or Vista, that will also solve the problem.