CPU Usage @ 100%, windows not shutting down

**Dodge** · 08/10/2008, 5:46 PM

Ok techies

For the last week or so my PC hasn't been able to shut down. it freezes oin the blue "Windows is shutting down" page. I have to hold the power button to shut down.

As pera previous post, a user profile was seen as crrupt but I got rid of that.

Now I notice that CPU usage is at 100% constantly. In the task manager it seems a process called "SYSTEM" (in capitals) is using about 90% of it. The PC is ridiculously slow now

I ran Norton AV and Spybot and both came up clean. I defragged, I've still plenty of memory available. Any ideas?

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Not sure of the the specs tbh but I'm running Windows XP

**Battery Rover** · 08/10/2008, 7:51 PM

Looks like the operating system is corrupt or running a process that is using all the processor

Open your task manager and click on process and put what is listed here

Other solution would be programs, accesories, command prompt, type cmd then press ENTER and then type chkdsk /r and ENTER. When it says volume locked type y and press ENTER. Restart PC and let it run the check disk

**Dodge** · 08/10/2008, 9:23 PM

I've attached a screenshot of the task manager. I cut and paste two screenshots into one image. The highlight line is the same in each shot, showing all processes

I can't restart PC as it won't shutdown probably. Would it matter if I just powerd off, and then turned it on?

**dcfc_1928** · 08/10/2008, 9:32 PM

That is a process related to Symantec software (maybe Norton Internet Security?)

Uninstall and reinstall the Norton software - or use an alternative product, as Norton is a heap of crap.

**Dodge** · 08/10/2008, 10:22 PM

Uninstalled Norton. Still the same...

Currently downloading AVG. Will scan the PC with that and see if it finds anything.

**Battery Rover** · 08/10/2008, 10:30 PM

Looking at system using 99% it looks to me that there could be bad clusters on the hard drive. I would run the chkdsk /r and let it repair the files. it needs to be switched of though for it to start

**tetsujin1979** · 08/10/2008, 10:49 PM

SYSTEM isn't the process, it's the user account running the process. In the screenshot you posted, it's using 0% of the CPU, but your CPU is running at 100%
Removing Norton is always a good idea, it's a resource hog, and there are far better options available

**A face** · 08/10/2008, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Uninstalled Norton. Still the same...

You wont get rid of it that easy .... Norton is a programme sent from hell to destroy peoples lives. It aint going away that easy.

Currently downloading AVG. Will scan the PC with that and see if it finds anything.

Good move.

Dodge, when you open task manager, go to view -> Select Columns -> put a check in 'Peak Memory Usage' or something like that. and arrange by that (double click on the column heading to arrange all processes in order of usage) See what is hogging the most there.

Also go to Start -> Run -> Type in 'dxdiag' to see your specs (click yes to the message if its your first time opening it)

**Dodge** · 09/10/2008, 5:50 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

SYSTEM isn't the process, it's the user account running the process. In the screenshot you posted, it's using 0% of the CPU, but your CPU is running at 100%

Its using 99%

The CKDDSK /R thing didn't work...

Grrrr

**tetsujin1979** · 09/10/2008, 8:17 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Its using 99%

The CKDDSK /R thing didn't work...

Grrrr

Sorry, I was looking at the highlighted line with "SYSTEM" as the user, mea culpa

**Dodge** · 09/10/2008, 8:45 AM

Yeah, I just highlighted that to show the middle task, as I had to scroll to see all.

**paul_oshea** · 09/10/2008, 10:54 AM

get rid of that AVG its a nightmare on startup. you wont be able start up nevermind shutdown with that thing.

**A face** · 09/10/2008, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

get rid of that AVG its a nightmare on startup. you wont be able start up nevermind shutdown with that thing.

Jeeze, that is definitely the one thing i would leave running. I have it running on a number of PCs and laptops and its perfect. The problem that is being experienced is not related to that.

**Battery Rover** · 09/10/2008, 10:33 PM

To remove norton I generally use something like this

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/U...val-Tool.shtml

it gets rid of all the bits windows leaves behind

**Dodge** · 08/12/2008, 9:29 AM

Just to let people know I only got this sorted over the weekend. It turned out to be a problem with the keyboard.

**dahamsta** · 08/12/2008, 11:38 AM

Can't stand AVG and all the prompts and popups. Avast is what I install on people's computers, set update to automatic and hide the icons and they wouldn't even know it's there.