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Windows Forum / Windows XP / General Topics 1 / June 2008Running SLOW
This might not be the place to ask. My computer started running real slow. When I open the task manager the CPU is running 100% all the time. When I look at the processes it shows explorer.exe running about 98% and nothing else is running over 3%. What could be causing the CPU to run so high? I have restarted the computer and the same thing happens. I have not add any hardware or software. Thanks  Signature---------------------------------------------------- This mailbox protected from unsolicited email by Spam Alarm from Dignity Software http://www.dignitysoftware.com Explorer.exe has a number of other processes associated with it. It's most likely a sub-process or application that's running in the background and taking all the CPU resources, which could be the cause of your PC running slow. To find and display what could be the problem try Process Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/SystemInformation/ProcessExplorer.mspx Once you have Process Explorer installed and running: In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and 'Show Lower Pane' options. Then expand the process named 'Explorer.exe' (click on the + sign) In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage. Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage (Highest to Lowest). Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with some detailed info. Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %. Then click on that process to highlight it, Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed select: Search Online This should display what out there on the web about that process. You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed 'Properties' window. Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub processes), in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry. An alternate method using Process Explorer is to double click on the Graph just below the Menu bar. This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger display of all three graphs. Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what process/application or service was the cause of the spike. JS > This might not be the place to ask. My computer started running real slow. > When I open the task manager the CPU is running 100% all the time. When I [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Thanks I download the program and checked the spike on the graph and everything points to explorer.exe. All processes under explorer.exe are running real low or not at all. Signature---------------------------------------------------- This mailbox protected from unsolicited email by Spam Alarm from Dignity Software http://www.dignitysoftware.com > Explorer.exe has a number of other processes associated with it. > It's most likely a sub-process or application that's running in the [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] >> >> Thanks Double click on Explorer.exe and in the popup window select the 'Threads' tab, does any TID (thread id) have a high CPU percentage (display to the right of the TID #)? JS >I download the program and checked the spike on the graph and everything >points to explorer.exe. All processes under explorer.exe are running real [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] >>> >>> Thanks Yes.... 95 Start Address, ntdll.dll!allocateheap+0x18c Signature---------------------------------------------------- This mailbox protected from unsolicited email by Spam Alarm from Dignity Software http://www.dignitysoftware.com > Double click on Explorer.exe and in the popup window select the 'Threads' > tab, does any TID (thread id) have a high CPU percentage (display to the [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] >>>> >>>> Thanks Have you just installed SP3 or IE7 by any chance? JS > Yes.... 95 > Start Address, [quoted text clipped - 56 lines] >>>>> >>>>> Thanks No... Signature---------------------------------------------------- This mailbox protected from unsolicited email by Spam Alarm from Dignity Software http://www.dignitysoftware.com > Have you just installed SP3 or IE7 by any chance? > [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks Select this thread (ntdll.dll!allocateheap+0x18c), once you have it highlighted in blue click on the 'Kill' button. Next open Windows Explorer (it may not show all the detail/folders that would you expect) Close Windows Explorer and then launch Windows Explorer again. While you perform the above tasks Process Explorer should once again show that ntdll.dll!allocateheap+0x18c is back in the thread list, but is it now using all that CPU power? JS > Yes.... 95 > Start Address, [quoted text clipped - 56 lines] >>>>> >>>>> Thanks Doug Instead of looking in Task Mamager try Process Explorer. CPU usage relating explorer.exe in Task Manager may relate to a subsidiary process where explorer.exe is acting as the parent. Thus in Process Explorer you will see, explorer.exe acts as parent for any number of processes and you may need to dig deeper to find the cause of the CPU usage. Locate explorer.exe in Process Explorer and click on the plus sign to expand your selection. For further information about Process Explorer see here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/SystemInformation/ProcessExplorer.mspx A new addition to Process Explorer is that you can now right click on a process and search Online for relevant information. What are your anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall arrangements? What Microsoft Office products are you using? Do you use Firefox? SignatureHope this helps. Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > This might not be the place to ask. My computer started running real > slow. When I open the task manager the CPU is running 100% all the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Thanks Did that and nothing below explorer.exe. is running. What happens if I run debug? Signature---------------------------------------------------- This mailbox protected from unsolicited email by Spam Alarm from Dignity Software http://www.dignitysoftware.com > Doug > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] >> >> Thanks Doug I don't know. Is your computer a desktop or a laptop? Are you using a Wireless Network? ~~~~ Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Did that and nothing below explorer.exe. is running. What happens if > I run debug? [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] >>> >>> Thanks I have a desktop and is not wireless. Also I notice that when I open a folder like MyPictures it will spike and then stay at 100% for a while. Signature---------------------------------------------------- This mailbox protected from unsolicited email by Spam Alarm from Dignity Software http://www.dignitysoftware.com > Doug > [quoted text clipped - 55 lines] >>>> >>>> Thanks > I have a desktop and is not wireless. Also I notice that when I open a > folder like MyPictures it will spike and then stay at 100% for a > while. Is your View set for thumbnails by any chance? Doug You disappoint me. There are a number of reports in Google referring to ntdll.dll!allocateheap+0x18c with no solutions. I thought Laptops might be a common factor. Is it just opening the MyPictures folder or are you opening a picture as well? Are you using the left or right mouse button? Graphics files can be some size so there might be some CPU activity before they open. SignatureHope this helps. Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > I have a desktop and is not wireless. Also I notice that when I open a > folder like MyPictures it will spike and then stay at 100% for a [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] >>>>> and the same thing happens. I have not add any hardware or >>>>> software. Thanks My guess is that it is building the thumbnails. > Doug > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > as well? Are you using the left or right mouse button? Graphics files > can be some size so there might be some CPU activity before they open. In the original post nothing was mentioned about Windows Explorer, just that the computer was running slow. If he then opens MyPictures with a computer that is already bogged down .... My guess (without the benefit of having received a reply from my last post) is it could be a virus. JS > My guess is that it is building the thumbnails. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >> well? Are you using the left or right mouse button? Graphics files can be >> some size so there might be some CPU activity before they open. JS There have been a number of posts involving ntdll.dll!allocateheap+0x18c going back to 2006. Not too many at the beginning but a more significant number in 2008. The early ones seem to rule out a change coming from the SP3 update, unless there is more than one cause. In the Reports I read no one had detected malware activity. One factor, which might account for an increase in reports, is the encouragement in these newsgroups to use Process Explorer to diagnose CPU usage. The advice on using Process Explorer is becoming ever more sophisticated. SignatureRegards. Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > In the original post nothing was mentioned about Windows Explorer, > just that the computer was running slow. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >>> Graphics files can be some size so there might be some CPU activity >>> before they open. You should probably clean up your registry to fix this problem, you can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com > You should probably clean up your registry to fix this problem, you > can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at > http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com Horrible advice, possibly spam. We'll give you the benefit of the doubt about the spam but not about this being bad advice. See: http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 - registry cleaner thread Malke SignatureMS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ Dump the registry cleaner http://aumha.net:80/viewtopic.php?t=28099 Once you have used a registry cleaner there is no way to know whether it has damaged the registry. -- Hope this helps. Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > You should probably clean up your registry to fix this problem, you > can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at > http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com Yes there is! Just run the computer for the next several years. > Dump the registry cleaner > http://aumha.net:80/viewtopic.php?t=28099 [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >> can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at >> http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com How many clean installs would you contemplate over that period? The link gives the views of highly knowledgeable users, who all advise against their use. A risk analysis suggests minimal benefit or return for a potentionally disastrous outcome. There are better ways to ensure sustained system performance ~~~~ Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Yes there is! Just run the computer for the next several years. >> Dump the registry cleaner [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >>> can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at >>> http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com Oh, I agree with you on that. You stated 'once you have used a registry cleaner there is no way to know whether it has damaged the registry'. I think if you run the computer for several years you would know. > How many clean installs would you contemplate over that period? The link > gives the views of highly knowledgeable users, who all advise against [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] >>>> can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at >>>> http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com Ah. I didn't get the take you intended earlier. I am still recovering from the need to work very late Thursday night / Friday morning. ~~~~ Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Oh, I agree with you on that. You stated 'once you have used a > registry cleaner there is no way to know whether it has damaged the [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >>>>> you can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at >>>>> http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com I quit doing that a long time ago. (work). > Ah. I didn't get the take you intended earlier. I am still recovering from > the need to work very late Thursday night / Friday morning. [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] >>>>>> you can find information and reviews on registry cleaners at >>>>>> http://TopRegistryCleanersCenter.com There are MANY reasons for computer slow downs: a] not enough memory b] too many programs starting up with windows at boot up time c] spyware d] too many junk files e] too many restore points Routine maintenance the will definitely help restore your PC's speed to what it could/should be... 1. Increase your Virtual Memory, then 2. Download and run PageDefrg (free tool from Microsoft). 3. Run MSCONFIG and deactivate any startup programs that you DON'T want/need to run at boot time 4. Uninstall any unwanted programs 5. Ensure that you have more than 500 MB's of free space on your C: drive. (if not, it's not IF your PC will crash...it's WHEN your PC crashes). If not, move your Music/Videos offline to DVD's or CD's. 6. Purge all temp folders and internet temp files 7. Run defrag again after all the cleanup you just did. 8.install Registry cleaner and run daily Use the tool: http://downloadlk.com/themosteffectiveregistrycleaner.htm [if you do not have one] 9. install Antispyware and run daily http://toptenantispyware.com [if you do not have one] Learn more about "Why Is My Computer Running so Slow?" and "How to Speed it UP": http://downloadlk.com/WhyIsMyComputerSlow.htm Replies Inline > There are MANY reasons for computer slow downs: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > d] too many junk files > e] too many restore points No solution suggested! > Routine maintenance the will definitely help restore your PC's speed > to what it could/should be... > 1. Increase your Virtual Memory, then If the System relies on Virtual Memory it will run slow so this suggestion is counter productive in terms of improving system performance. An increase may be necessary for other reasons. > 2. Download and run PageDefrg (free tool from Microsoft). > 3. Run MSCONFIG and deactivate any startup programs that you DON'T > want/need to run at boot time MSCONFIG is provided as a diagnostic tool and not for this purpose. Use Autoruns to do this. > 4. Uninstall any unwanted programs > 5. Ensure that you have more than 500 MB's of free space on your C: [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > http://downloadlk.com/themosteffectiveregistrycleaner.htm [if you do > not have one] Dump the registry cleaner http://aumha.net:80/viewtopic.php?t=28099 Once you have used a registry cleaner there is no way to know whether it has damaged the registry. > 9. install Antispyware and run daily > http://toptenantispyware.com [if you do not have one] None of the Top Ten are well known. None are for Vista which brings into question how up to date they are! Most users posting in this newsgroup if asked would say they are using anti-spyware software not included in this Top Ten list! > Learn more about "Why Is My Computer Running so Slow?" and "How to > Speed it UP": > http://downloadlk.com/WhyIsMyComputerSlow.htm You really do not want a Registry Cleaner! ~~~~ Gerry ~~~~ FCA Stourport, England Enquire, plan and execute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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