Re: 100% cpu usage: programs not opening, not working..HELP

Rocaveli wrote:
Hello all,
I've been having a problem with my new Acer laptop: a great many programs just refuse to open when I double click on them. This includes Adobe Acrobat Reader, which I have already installed, as well as numerous Setup programs for ZoneAlarm, among others. When I do double click on them, nothing happens, but when I check on Windows Task Manager, the program I am trying to open is listed under 'processes' and usually takes up 95-100% of the CPU power, and stays that way for a LONG time.

Also, things like MSN Messenger go through the same process when I am trying to use them (maybe after 5minutes of use, or for example when someone tries to send a file transfer my way): their window goes white, the CPU usage rockets up to 100%, and the only way I can get my computer back is by closing that process through Windows Task Manager. I can't read any messages in Outlook Express as the 'preview pane' or whatever it is triggers this effect too.

This problem is also seen in Safe Mode, and I've run a virus scan in safe mode and nada, nothing found. My laptop is stock and new, I haven't changed any settings..



If anyone has any idea why this is happening, please write me back either here or at rocaveli [at] gmail .com


Pentium M 760 - 2.0GHz
ATI Mobility Radeon X700 128MB
100GB HDD Serial ATA
1GB DDR2 533 Dual Channel
Windows XP Pro
Acer TravelMate 8100


Has this always been a problem? If no then how long has it been a problem? What types of changes did you make to the computer leading up to the problem? When you boot into safemode also make sure that all non-essential devices are not plugged in, such as a USB mouse and any PCMCIA cards. This might sound funky, but I would also try booting into a different user account in safemode. For instance, if you are booting into your regular account, then try the admin account. If you are using the admin and have no other user accounts, then create one, reboot into safemode, and then try the new user account. Sometimes a user account can go screwy. Otherwise give us a little more info on the history.

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http://www.americantechie.com
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