High CPU usage while idle

[agamad]

This one is doing my head in. My laptop is currently running with CPU usage constantly around the 50% mark. Checking the Task Manager reveals the culprit to be explorer.exe. I know it controls the desktop activity but it is high even when idle. Iv'e run anti spyware and adaware removal tools but no real change. My logon is administrator and if i logon to my wifes desktop as a limited user no such activity exists which points toward my desktop. I have norton 360 running in the background. Iv'e turned off the indexing to the c: drive. And that's where I am at the moment. It's a toughie but any help or pointers will be gratefully received!

[fo3nix]

When was the last time your restarted?

And Windows XP, 2000, Vista...?

[agamad]

Hi fo3nix, 'scuse my ignorance but what do you mean by restarted? Vista premium.

[Rollo]

He means "When did you last switch off your laptop, and then switch it on again?

[agamad]

Thought so but just wanted to check. Using it now.

[agamad]

I can use it but run more than one application and things start to lock up and i could fry an egg by the exhaust!

[fo3nix]

But... when did you last restart?

[agamad]

6.35 tonight

[fo3nix]

Hmm ok.

Sorry, I don't know then. Perhaps someone else can help?

[ChuckFickens]

it's going to take time... but as it's only on your profile as you say it's something thats in the startup for you only

Click start > run and type in msconfig and hit enter, click on the startup tab and you will see a list of things loading at startup.

Go through them one at a time removing the tick from next to it, do a restart each time and you should be able to tell whats causing it eventually.

I would personally start with stuff that it's obvious you don't need, i.e. if you see any toolbars get rid of them first.

[agamad]

Thanks CF. I'll check it out when I get home tonight.

[agamad]

Ok, update. Deselected everything in startup. Restarted and after an initial flurry, cpu usage is back where it should be. Selected Norton 360, rebooted and still everything ok. will now re select one by one rebooting as i go until i find the culprit. Cheers CF. By the way, do i really need anything in start up as it seems to run ok without it?

[agamad]

One more thing CF, i notice that on the General tab of system config i have 'selective start up' rather than 'normal start up'. Is this ok?

[ChuckFickens]

To answer your first question, you don't need everything, but some of it is useful/helpful and should remain (incidentally I meant to do it the other way round... remove them one at a time, but hey..... removing them all and putting back one at a time will work too :))

and the selective startup just means that you have unselected some stuff in your startup, if you put it back to normal startup everything would be re-selected.

[agamad]

Everything seems to be going ok. Not tracked down the offending app yet but it's only a matter of time.

Many thanks CF. You've restored my laptop AND my sanity!