 Hidden Applications?, High CPU Usage Even When No Apps Running |
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 May 12 2008, 11:40 AM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 13 Joined: 22-January 08 Member No.: 185,322  |
I also want to know if there are any anti virus programs that can get the job done in less than 2 HOURS. That's an incredibly long time, and when AVG is working, it slows down my computer experience. I have it scheduled to run at 3AM to avoid inconvenience, but since the computer is almost always off or in deep hiberate mode at that time, the test usually starts up when I start the computer up in the AM. Maddening. Any suggestions appreciated. |
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May 12 2008, 11:57 AM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 470 Joined: 9-November 07 From: England Member No.: 168,496 |
Try this program: Process Explorer, which is more advanced than Task Manager.
Run it and check if there are any unknown processes running in the background and where they're located. You can use Google to search for the file name to see its status, i.e. if it is legitimate file. I don't know of an Anti-virus which runs less than 2 hours (perhaps I haven't bothered checking the scanning time). But I suspect there might be one. Anyway, the scan would depend on how many files you've on your hard disk. The more the files, the longer the scan takes. I wouldn't worry about that... AVG is a good Anti-virus program. You can run the scan after you're done with the computer. I think there is an option (tick box) where you can let AVG shut the computer down after finishing the scan. So, you just tick it and go to bed! It'll do the job for you. |
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May 12 2008, 04:23 PM
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 Distinguished Member Group: HJT Junior Classmen Posts: 713 Joined: 21-March 08 From: Canada Member No.: 197,892 |
QUOTE Try this program: Process explorer which is more advanced than Task Manager. I wouldn't worry about that... AVG is a good Anti-virus program. You can run the scan after you're done with the computer. I think there is an option (tick box) where you can let AVG shut the computer down after finishing the scan. So, you just tick it and go to bed! It'll do the job for you. What version of AVG are you using AVG 8.0 or 7.5? I don't think there is any anti-virus programs that is less than 2 hours. Like my AVG 8.0 it takes about 3 hours to finish scanning. The more files you have the longer it takes. Also how much RAM does your computer have? If you have a mininum of RAM that could be the the reason why it is slowing down your computer alot. Go to Task Manager then click Processes, what do you see that is hogging up alot of memory? It shouldn't take up 50% of usage. Regards, Extremeboy -------------------- With Regards,
Extremeboy There are places in us that have no limitations. |
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May 13 2008, 06:40 AM
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#4
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 Forum Addict Group: Moderator Posts: 12,393 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
Check the Processes tab in Task Manager - there's a lot of stuff running there, even when nothing is running in the Applications tab. If your Processes tab is empty then that's a whole 'nother problem.
-------------------- - John
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May 18 2008, 12:17 AM
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#5
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 13 Joined: 22-January 08 Member No.: 185,322 |
Thanks. I took a look at Process Explorer, but I do not have the technical background to interpret what I see. I am using AVG 7.5 btw. What I have noticed is a 'spike' in CPU usage (if I hear the computer start ramping up, I bring up task manager up to see what the cpu useage is. Today, I saw a spike up to 97% and the only application I had open was Firefox. With windows task manager open, I have started watching what happens to CPU useage as I perform various activities. Just clicking through to another web page (using firefox), I see an increase from say one or two percent of CPU to 25 or 30%. Is this normal? Is it normal for the computer to spike to 97% of CPU for no apparent reason? My anti-virus program is not detecting any problem. Lately, when I hear it start ramping up, if I look at the CPU in task manager and see that it is using very high levels, I just shut it off. I wait a time, turn it back on, then it acts normal again. If I notice unusual CPU activity again, I will use the process explorer to see if I can find any clues as to what is causing that. Since I am not sure what I am looking for, don't hold your breath, but I can try. At any rate, thanks to everyone who offered suggestions.
QUOTE(Juha @ May 12 2008, 09:57 AM)  Try this program: Process Explorer, which is more advanced than Task Manager. Run it and check if there are any unknown processes running in the background and where they're located. You can use Google to search for the file name to see its status, i.e. if it is legitimate file. I don't know of an Anti-virus which runs less than 2 hours (perhaps I haven't bothered checking the scanning time). But I suspect there might be one. Anyway, the scan would depend on how many files you've on your hard disk. The more the files, the longer the scan takes. I wouldn't worry about that... AVG is a good Anti-virus program. You can run the scan after you're done with the computer. I think there is an option (tick box) where you can let AVG shut the computer down after finishing the scan. So, you just tick it and go to bed! It'll do the job for you. |
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May 18 2008, 06:58 AM
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#6
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Forum Addict Group: Moderator Posts: 12,393 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
When looking at the Processes tab in Task Manager you can see what programs are using the CPU and memory. If you go to the View menu and then to Select Columns - you can put a checkmark in the IOReads box so you can also see accesses to read your hard drive. You can also double click on the column header to sort the window by that columns' output.
Then just get the name of the process that's changing the most. Some "spikes" are normal when using programs - but excessive spiking is usually indicative of a problem with a program. -------------------- - John
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