Computers " CPU Usage % " is WAY too high.. ( SOLVED )
 

Well, as the topic says, my computer is using a ridiculous percentage of the CPU.

( I'm using Windows XP Pro SP2 )

The only things I was running that don't automatically boot on start up were MSN, AIM, Skype, and NOD32 Anti Virus. Now, a week or so back when I used to run all that stuff, my CPU usage would sit at MAYBE 10% - 30% or something like that at the highest. I know I don't have a bunch of useless crap starting up when I log in, or any problems like that. I've run ComboFix, Smitfraud Fix, Malwarebytes, and VundoFix, along with numerous virus scans as well, and NOTHING has come up.

Basically, I log in now, and my computer idles at about 60% CPU usage and runs slow as hell. If both names that are on the computer are logged in at once, CPU usage jumps to 100% and I can't open anything without waiting 5 - 10 minutes for it to boot. I can't figure out what's going on, and have just decided that if I can't get any information about what's going on with my computer in a day or so, that I'll probably just format and reinstall Windows on it to see if that fixes the problem. I'm just hoping that someone will be able to tell me what's going on, or if it's a lost cause and I should just reformat right away and save myself the wait.

( I'm reluctant to reformat if it can be helped, because I have a quite a bit of stuff that needs to be backed up if I do format..

I currently have 73 gigs free of 279 gigs ( 320GB HDD ) and I will be clearing off SOME stuff to see if that helps )

Also, a picture of my task manager.
Mah Windows Task Manager window + mah desktop

Anyway, please help if you can. If you're unable to, then thank you anyway for reading.

Have a splendid day.

Click on the CPU on the task manager to order it from whatever is using the most CPU cycles.

Also I recommend downloading and seeing what Process Explorer has to show you. You'll be able to go more in depth and kill some processes that you might have trouble with just using the task manager.

Process Explorer

Additional Spam:
Oh and you might as well download ccleaner to do some cleaning be it temp shit, registry, and anything that might be starting with your machine.

CCleaner - Home

Open your task manager and order the list by CPU and you will see what processes are eating the most CPU. Then post that up for us.

Additional Spam:
I spent too much time trying to look at that tiny screenshot to get ahead of acer. Oh well.

Actually, that list IS in order of most to least. I can get a shot of as much stuff on that list as I can, but it'll have to wait about an hour since I have to leave to go do a bit of work down the road.

@ Acer - I have ccleaner, and I'm downloading process explorer and installing it in a minute, but then I have to leave before doing anything else with it.

I'll post an updated list of processes as soon as I get home.

Thanks for the info that you guys have given me, and I'll try to make the next screen shot a bit bigger >_>

That list is in order of most to least on memory usage, not CPU...

Sorry, I'm retarded and didn't think. It's been a looooonnnggg day for me. I've got two new screen shots. I can't run Process Explorer, you'll see what it does here :

It jumps to that number in under 2 seconds.

And for my CPU usage, here is the list in highest to lowest:

Here ya be!

Hopefully this helps a bit more in determining the problem.

ItunesService.exe is running pretty hot on both screenshots, so I'd venture to guess that it is causing your issues. You might try uninstalling it and installing a fresh copy to see if that helps any.

I had just closed that before refreshing this page and my usage dropped to 4%, even with both names logged in. It seemed to be the cause of my problems. I'm uninstalling it right now, and getting ready to install a new copy. It's about time really, as I was still using iTunes 6 or whatever anyway. I'm thinking I'll just install the newest version and hopefully that will have everything fixed.

Thanks a lot for the help and advice! My computer is moving MUCH smoother now :)

Also, Process explorer is working great now, thanks for telling me about it Acer, It'll be a lot more useful than the normal task manager!

Thanks again guys, you're lifesavers :)