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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: AZ
Posts: 8,414
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PC Gurus: Help diagnose strange CPU/page file usage?
After running a monthly in-depth virus scan, I noticed that the PC was running a bit sluggish. So, I stopped all non-vital processes and checked the PC / Page file usage while at "idle" (no apps running, no browsers open). The CPU seems to be cycling from 1% to 36% every few seconds and using a constant 385mb of the PF:
 WTF? I've ran all of the latest adware/spyware and virus checkers/killers, and still nothing has changed. The only thing I can think of is that the initial scan may have deleted something it wasn't supposed to. Any ideas on what to check next? TIA. EDIT: Seems to be narrowed to explorer.exe when idle. When browser windows/tabs open, explorer.exe, iexplore.exe and csrss.exe peak and valley in concert with PF usage jumping up to/past 400mb. The more tabs open, the larger the "amplitude" of the usage swings. 
Last edited by Eric Coffey; 04-20-2007 at 05:31 PM.. |
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04-20-2007, 05:08 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: www.fakelife.com
Posts: 1,672
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Probably not a problem withe the page file usage; most likely Windows operating system stuff, services, servers, etc. Wouldn't bother messing with it, I'd just leave it; Windows paging is pretty complex. If you're interested, you can read about it at the 2cpu.com forums; do a search in the Windows 2000 forum. Guy by the name of jeh, think he was a Windows architect.
As for the CPU usage, could be a few things. Is your AV disabled? That could cause the CPU to run some cycles every few seconds. Not really sure...
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04-20-2007, 05:31 PM
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Is there a process running that you can see causing the spike? Go to the processes tab and sort by CPU usege.
Dave
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04-20-2007, 05:31 PM
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Thanks guys,
Dave - Yeah, just edited my post. With browser tabs open, it seems that it's explorer, iexplore, and csrss that are spiking in unison. (??) |
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04-20-2007, 05:34 PM
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Get and run Hijackthis and post the results. I am off to dinner. I'll check back later.
Dave
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Make sure to check out my balls in the Pelican Parts Catalog! 917 inspired shift knobs. '84 Targa - Arena Red - AX #104 '07 Toyota Camry Hybrid - Yes, I'm that guy... '01 Toyota Corolla - Urban Camouflage - SOLD |
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04-20-2007, 05:40 PM
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The Unsettler
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lantanna TX
Posts: 23,885
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OS's calculate initial swap file allocation as a percentage of installed RAM regardless of whether or not anything is running.
They grab a big chunk on startup so that the swap file is always allocated closest to where most activity occurs reducing head travel and also to prevent fragmentation of the swap file.
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04-20-2007, 05:53 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,284
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could it be the content on the page refreshing automatically that is spiking the cpu....
here is my desk with 3 static webpages in IE. 
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Have you ever felt suffocated while watching the Oxygen Channel? People with excuses fail. As soon as I OK my actions with an excuse, I cease bettering myself. 88 Carrera |
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04-21-2007, 05:15 AM
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1984 Porsche Targa 3.2L
