How can I tell what it is doing?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:28 am

My PC, which I do not use as much these days, seems to get tied up with some job it is running that monopolises the processor when I sign in. There is a lot of disc activity and this (whatever it is) takes priority over everything else. It still does this if the internet is not connected and I have run scans to check if there is any infection with AVG which come back clean. Once it finishes this activity, usually about 10 to 15 minutes it works normally. AVG updates will go on as a priority but even this gets pushed down the order. If I am trying to do anything in this time it goes into a wait and will jump in at some point and return a page if I am lucky.

Is there a way that I can find out what this mystery job is and if necessary change the priority to background?

I am running windows and IE.

Ta

DWD

dave.m · Post by **dave.m** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:00 am

DWD,
It sounds as if something is set to scan at Bootup.
Have a look at Task manager as soon after Bootup as you can.
If you have Windows XP then pressing the Ctrl and Alt and Delete keys together will start the Task Manager.
Or right click an empty bit of the Taskbar at the bottom and select Task manager.

When it opens, in the Processes Tab have a look under the CPU column and see what is using a lot of CPU. This will be the item that is probably causing the problem.

Report back with what you find and we can probably set the item to delay the scan.

dave

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:50 pm

Right, not what I expected when I looked at the monitor. The only thing using CPU seconds was TSKMGR.exe Windows and that was using between 5 to 7% of CPU usage. I switched into the a more detailed monitor and this showed CPU usage at the top and Physical Memory usage at the bottom. The disk activity was grinding away and the Physical Memory showed 80% to 90%. This was from a memory of 1014mb.

When the disk activity slowed down again this dropped to 60% of physical memory.

Had a look at all tasks and processes but none showed constant activity.

Does this give you a lead?

Ta

DWD

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:45 pm

Click the Processes tab.

If you're using Vista or Windows 7, select Show processes from all users

Sort the CPU in order of use by clicking the word CPU, you ay haveto click it twice. If nothing is high on CPU usage, click the word memory to sort it inorder of use, see if anything is hogging the memory.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:36 pm

Hi Richie,

I am using Vista. Tracked it all from boot up as soon as I could get the Task Manager up. CPU use is not high it is the memory that is almost at capacity. The three tasks that seem to be most active are dwm.exe, explorer.exe and taskmgr.exe. The disc activity slows down after 10 or 12 minutes but the physical memory stays high at about 800mb, although I am not sure if this is relevant.

I flicked through all the task manager screens but nothing seemed to stand out. I have Crap Cleaner on but I am not sure what to look at?

TA

DWD

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:27 pm

Vista tends to be a bit like this, but with only 1GB RAM you're always going to struggle. I'd recommend at least 2GB for Vista, preferably 3 or 4.

See if you can help a bit by running Windows Defender, clicking Tool then Software Explorer. Click Show for all users, then disable everything apart from your anti-virus.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:01 pm

Thanks for that, I wonder if some of the memory is not working? I must admit when I bought it I thought it had 2GB of memory??? IS there a way to test for memory?

DWD

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:51 am

It's possible.

Use the Crucial Sytem Scanner to check your system. It will tell you how much you have, what you can add and how much it will cost.

If it's telling you that you only have 1 stick of 1GB and you think you have 2, take the side off and have a look.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:43 am

I think there is the answer, the test showed only IGB. It has two slots which have 512mb cards in apparently. I can upgrade to two 1GB cards for £22 from them so I may well do that. I am sure it has never always been like this though. I will have a look and take the back off and check it out.

Thanks for your help

DWD

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:41 pm

Sounds about right. Their prices are quite reasonable and they guarantee they work or your money back so worth buying thorugh them for the sake of a couple of quid.

If your budget will go to it, I'd goe for more, but you should notice a decent improvement doubling up.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:06 pm

I wil let you know how I get on. Thanks for your help and advice Richie

DWD

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