Ridiculously High CPU Usage on Fresh Install

[bildo]

Hi guys,
I have had XP Pro for a number of years now, and I know full well that after a while it had always deteriorated and I would have to format. This happened for around the third time where it became nearly unbareably slow. I figured since it keeps happening, and to generally get with the times I may aswell purchase Windows 7 and do a completely fresh install.

I initially only had only 600(and something)MB of RAM so I looked at Windows 7's required specifications and went out and purchased 2x 1GB RAM.

I have an Intel Pentium 4 2.66GHz processor and from Windows recommendations this exceeded their requirements so I stuck with that.

Now, I literally installed the new OS, installed Firefox, Avast! and a couple of other programs to get me going. I then noticed that when viewing videos in Firefox that it was extremely slow, and I then added the Gadget to the desktop which tells you CPU usage and noticed that this seemed to spend more time at 100% than not! I proceeded to run Spybot S&D to see what it would pick up, while the scan was running it was near-impossible to use the computer and here are a couple of screenshots showing the usage:

After Spybot S&D completed it's search it then found 6 things, which were removed, all of the latest Windows Updates applied and restarted. It is now sitting at 100% again.

I removed the two smaller RAM sticks today, so I'm now left with the 2x 1GB in the machine now. I also put them in the correct slots for 'optimal performance'.

Here's a screenshot of playing a normal video through Firefox, which works absolutely perfectly on my laptop:

This is not merely down to the plugin, it's just whatever process is doing (what should be) a fairly simple task at the time.

 

[richc46]

Test your memory
Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go!

Run each stick for 6 passes and then check each socket with a good stick

Uninstall your antivirus and use Microsoft Security Essentials, Malwarebytes and the Windows Firewall, they use little memory. Run malwarebytes and the antivirus to be sure there are no malware problems.

Do a clean boot to find out the specific cause.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

 

[Curzon]

Hi,
Check your bios has not defaulted.

Either go into bios and check the cpu speed, or goto cpuid.com and download cpu-z. Run this and check your processor is really running at 2.66GHz. If it's not, go into bios and check the settings have not gone to failsafe. Also go into control panel. Open Power Options and select "high performance" rather than Balanced (default) or certainly Power save (slow).


You do have an issue here. An old friend of mine put win 7 on an Athlon XP 1.8GHz PC with 2GB ram, and it ran fine. I can't help but think your processor is not running at full steam. Otherwise, have you got all the correct drivers installed?

Don't forget: The mobo battery (Lithium button cell CR2032 3V) can cause all sorts of issues when it gets low. The bios will default to safe (slow) settings. A new one is nearly 3.3V. If it gets down to 3.0V it's time for it to be changed.

 

[bildo]

Thanks for the responses guys, I quickly ran CPU-Z before I head out for a while, here's a screenshot of the outcome:

Please let me know if that gives you any further insight, I shall carry out the other options when I get home.

Many thanks!

 

[cluberti]

Well, if plugin-container.exe goes up to 100% when playing video, I'm guessing there's a plugin for video you have installed that you also have installed on your laptop which works fine (also assuming Win7, same v of firefox, same rev of plugin, etc). I'm not sure this is RAM-related at all (especially with no other symptoms), as it sounds more like a problem with the installation of Firefox or the plugin (or both).

 

[bildo]

Well, if plugin-container.exe goes up to 100% when playing video, I'm guessing there's a plugin for video you have installed that you also have installed on your laptop which works fine (also assuming Win7, same v of firefox, same rev of plugin, etc). I'm not sure this is RAM-related at all (especially with no other symptoms), as it sounds more like a problem with the installation of Firefox or the plugin (or both).

It's not just video, it's anything that makes the computer do some work. It's basically like where a normal computer would just process something fairly simple mine throws all its toys out the pram and has a fit. There are so many programs that boost it straight to 100%, not just Firefox streaming videos, that was used as an example.

The main reason I left XP is due to this issue, and hoping that it was just a tired OS, a clogged up C: and whatever else happens over time. So it's not an issue that has recently occoured during the installation of anything and I can only assume it's hardware related.

 

[cluberti]

If you can reinstall Windows 7 with no other apps and repro it, I'd like to have a look at some dump files. Is that possible?

 

[bildo]

Sorry for being a newbie, I never really have to reinstall OS so this is all relatively new to me. I wouldn't really have a problem with reinstalling Windows 7 but I'm unsure what 'repro' means and what 'dump files' are.

Thanks!

 

[Petey7]

Since BSOD isn't mentioned, I don't think you'd have any dump files.

I think the problem is simply that the Pentium 4 is an old, single core processor. New software assumes you have relatively new hardware. I think what you have is about what can be expected. If you'd like to see better performance, you can try to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html?

 

[OldMX]

The problem as stated above is the single core processor, time for upgrade.

 

[Petey7]

The problem as stated above is the single core processor, time for upgrade.

I don't think he/she needs to feel an urgency to upgrade. He/she just needs to realize that newer software has higher hardware demands, and use the hardware appropriately.

 

[Curzon]

Ok. It is running at 2.6GHz.. Like the other chaps are saying. Time for an upgrade.

 

[bildo]

I have figured it was time for an upgrade, and it's been quite a while since it was required so I'll buy whatever is required.

Can anyone tell me exactly what I need to buy and what is recommended for me? I would like a good performance/value comparison, I never do any gaming or anything but I do watch a lot of videos on YouTube/Vimeo and similar.

Thanks

 

[Curzon]

This only a personal opinion.

I've just built a pc for a friend. Asus m4a89gtd pro/usb3. Phenom II 955 [black edition clocked to 3.4GHz; just change the multiplier, and lower the volts a little if your using std cooler], and 4GB of Corsair 1600 C8 RAM, running at 7.7.7. 20 1T @ 1333Mhz. [loosen these latency settings and and at 1600MHz the throughput is faster]. A 500GB hdd plus a 500Gb hdd for backup and it is lightening fast...

Check prices mate, but in the real world this pc is as fast as [on paper a 1366 i7 is much quicker and cost a bl**dy site more] an Intel i7 920. I cannot belive it myself. This mobo has SATA 6Gbps USB3 and one x16 PCIe ALL at the same time...... You pays your money and takes your choice..... This is not what you should do, but a statment from someone who is prepaired to say what he has found. Whatever you do. Do the ground work mate. Don't assume that someone like me knows what he's talking about. Listen; yes. But please make your own mind up.

All the best...
Cheers.