A few days ago, my computer started going nuts about 15-20 minutes after I turned it on. The fan would kick on, my fps would drop to 1 or less, hitting File->Save would take 2 minutes of "not responding" to take effect, even just closing an application takes 90 seconds or more.
I've gone through the baby steps of trying to diagnose the problem. I've run my McAfee scanner, but it's out of date. I downloaded the free version of Avast!, and it hasn't found anything wrong either. I went into my task manager and looked at the processes running.
Task Manager
Despite not running anything but Task Manager and there being only 3 processes requiring CPU time, my CPU is running at a constant 100%. I've googled the list of processes and they all seem to be necessary or benign.
If I restart my computer, the problem goes away for another 15-20 minutes, and then it's the same thing all over again.
I've had to bail on a dozen groups now, it's driving me crazy.
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Technical Help - seem to have some kind of ghost virusFollow
Using a non windows process manager might help (No guarantee). I did a quck search for "Finding Hidden processes in task manager" as many programs/virus cloak their process as hidden. You might find some help there.
Update your Video card drivers, Direct X files as they can sometimes be corrupted and cause issues is another step.
Also make sure windows hasn't assigned defrag or virus scans to run in the background. passed that I am no help.
Also Spybot S&D or Malaware (or w/e the other ones are called) to check to see if you have Malware/Spybots clogging your system.
Edited, Jan 14th 2011 10:05am by BeanX
Update your Video card drivers, Direct X files as they can sometimes be corrupted and cause issues is another step.
Also make sure windows hasn't assigned defrag or virus scans to run in the background. passed that I am no help.
Also Spybot S&D or Malaware (or w/e the other ones are called) to check to see if you have Malware/Spybots clogging your system.
Edited, Jan 14th 2011 10:05am by BeanX
See that giant button at the bottom of the task manager that says, "Show processes from all users". Click it.
I have a similar problem, but not as bad as yours. After a while of being switched on my fan will spin up, everything will slow down to unuseable speeds. Fortunately for me it only lasts about 30 seconds, then my computer seems to get it's act together and things return to normal. But then it all starts again 5 minutes later.
I have given up finding a cause for it.
I have given up finding a cause for it.
Raolan wrote:
See that giant button at the bottom of the task manager that says, "Show processes from all users". Click it.
It sounds like there is something running that is eating up all your CPU. Its got to be in task manager somewhere, showing processes from all users should help you find it.
If you think it's an actual virus running, look at the following link. It's for bootable virus scanners (most are linux based, but work great). I have seen some nasty virii that cannot be removed while you have the infected OS booted, so these allow you to scan without booting the infected OS.
http://www.techmixer.com/free-bootable-antivirus-rescue-cds-download-list/
http://www.techmixer.com/free-bootable-antivirus-rescue-cds-download-list/
As has been mentioned, make sure you're viewing all users.
Then, sort by the processor usage (it's the double digit number, normally 0's).
Watch that like a hawk, and see what's eating your processor.
Record each one that ever spikes up, especially repeatedly.
Either report each high usage program here for us to check out, or google the .exe's and research them yourself if you're prone to that sort of task.
Also check memory usage, and take note of anything using large amounts. If the name of the program isn't something you recognize, repeat the above step.
Then, sort by the processor usage (it's the double digit number, normally 0's).
Watch that like a hawk, and see what's eating your processor.
Record each one that ever spikes up, especially repeatedly.
Either report each high usage program here for us to check out, or google the .exe's and research them yourself if you're prone to that sort of task.
Also check memory usage, and take note of anything using large amounts. If the name of the program isn't something you recognize, repeat the above step.
Sometimes viruses and malware will goof up computers to the degree that days can be spent trying to get them totally clean. I deal with viruses weekly at work and we commonly scan drives as secondary drives, much like booting off a CD (virus not in memory).
At some point, realize that formatting and reloading the OS may be the best solution. Another issue, hard drives can start to have physical problems and bad sectors, which will also impact performance and ultimately can lead to a total failure.
At some point, realize that formatting and reloading the OS may be the best solution. Another issue, hard drives can start to have physical problems and bad sectors, which will also impact performance and ultimately can lead to a total failure.
Dadanox brings up the next point I was going to get to.
It could be a NUMBER of problems. If, after doing a quick check of processes nothing is totally abnormal, it's time to check other factors.
How full is your hard drive? How old?
Could it be a dying component? Have you defragged your hard drive this month?
It could be a NUMBER of problems. If, after doing a quick check of processes nothing is totally abnormal, it's time to check other factors.
How full is your hard drive? How old?
Could it be a dying component? Have you defragged your hard drive this month?
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Laecy wrote:
A few days ago, my computer started going nuts about 15-20 minutes after I turned it on. The fan would kick on, my fps would drop to 1 or less, hitting File->Save would take 2 minutes of "not responding" to take effect, even just closing an application takes 90 seconds or more.
I've gone through the baby steps of trying to diagnose the problem. I've run my McAfee scanner, but it's out of date. I downloaded the free version of Avast!, and it hasn't found anything wrong either. I went into my task manager and looked at the processes running.
Task Manager
Despite not running anything but Task Manager and there being only 3 processes requiring CPU time, my CPU is running at a constant 100%. I've googled the list of processes and they all seem to be necessary or benign.
If I restart my computer, the problem goes away for another 15-20 minutes, and then it's the same thing all over again.
I've had to bail on a dozen groups now, it's driving me crazy.
I've gone through the baby steps of trying to diagnose the problem. I've run my McAfee scanner, but it's out of date. I downloaded the free version of Avast!, and it hasn't found anything wrong either. I went into my task manager and looked at the processes running.
Task Manager
Despite not running anything but Task Manager and there being only 3 processes requiring CPU time, my CPU is running at a constant 100%. I've googled the list of processes and they all seem to be necessary or benign.
If I restart my computer, the problem goes away for another 15-20 minutes, and then it's the same thing all over again.
I've had to bail on a dozen groups now, it's driving me crazy.
Holy crap. I didn't even know WoW could run on Windows 98.
Anyhoo, not much to add beyond what was already said, besides saying to think over what you may have installed or downloaded recently. Also if you do the CPU usage sort, you may see something called "System Idle Process" (not sure if that is in Win98 or not. It is in Vista.) This looks like it is using a lot of CPU power, but it's really not, and can be safely ignored as a culprit.
Baron von ShadorVIII wrote:
Holy crap. I didn't even know WoW could run on Windows 98.
Not entirely sure that is windows 98. Look at his recycle bin, now look at yours, now look at his. I think he's using windows 7 but doesn't like the windows 7 taskbar and us using the old style.
I'm more alarmed that someone on windows would actually use safari.
@OP If you're that concerned that your computer has a virus I recommend that you don't try to use any programs/tools/websites/etc. to remove it, but that you back up everything you care about on your pc and do a clean install (wipe the hard drive). It's not a bad idea to do it every year or so anyway. Wiping your machine is the ONLY way to be 100% sure your system is virus-free.
It's at LEAST Vista, judging from the little badge by the all users button.
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