Kernel dominates CPU usage

Compaq Presario w/AMD Sempron 3100+ 1.81 GHz, 1.37 GB RAM, running XP SP2 Home...

Just as the last of the bootup completes to the desktop and the System Tray and Quick Launch Tray have loaded, the Task Manager Performance tab shows the CPU loading to 100%, then cycles down to ~70%, then back to 100% continuously peaking at ~3 second intervals. It does not seem to load in conjunction with any of the icons appearing on the trays. Further, almost all of the indicated loading is in red, indicating it is associated with the kernel! And, there is NO indication of unusual or cyclical disk activity!

I've tried the following:
Installed all Windows updates,
Installed all Norton 360 updates,
Removed items from the Startup folder,
Cleared the items from the Startup tab in msconfig,
Run Norton 360, Spybot S&D, AdAware, cCleaner
Renamed the Norton 360 executable to prevent its launch on startup,
Run System File Checker,
Run chkdsk C: /F on bootup,
Defragmented the hard drive, and,
Shut down Norton 360 protections, moved all Norton 360 files to a separate directory, rebooted and found system response to be the same, though Norton did not launch and was inaccessible for launch...
all to no avail.

Looking at processes in the Task Manager, the peaking visual display appears to be the a function of the kernel, is displayed in RED, and appears associated with rise and fall of the System process listed under the Processes tab. The other activity in GREEN sometimes is straightlines at 100% but usually follows closely above the peak of the RED kernel at the 3 second intervals.
The Processes tab indicates 90-100% of the activity attributed to the System process. The System Idle Process remains essentially zero, and no combination of other processes sum to any significant level.

Occasionally, when operating Norton 360, the LUCOMS~1 exe or the LUCallBackProxy process will load up to about 60% as displayed in the CPU column of the Task Manager Processes tab. This goes away when their activity is ended.

Another anomaly that may shed light is that…on occasion, the Windows Installer launches without explanation to load installation files for MS Office or WordPerfect Office or another program that is already installed. It takes about five cancellation attempts to shut it down.

Can anyone shed any light on this problem?

 

Is Drive Indexing on?

 

Watch the HDD LED. That should identify a file checking program.

Get the latest drivers for the motherboard's chipset at the Compaq website. If you have installed SP3, you may need the latest drivers (from the chipset manufacturer's website).

Why are you checking the the CPU usage? If it is slow at startup, that may be due to checking programs, as I said, watch the HDD LED. Use Windows Explorer to look in the Temporary Internet Files folder/s, even though you may have run a disk clean-up, they may still be full of files.

You mention four file checking programs

Which of them run at startup? (and this relates back to watching the HDD LED).

It can be due to a legitimate program that is badly written. If you download and install a program that is not considered a "threat ", it can still cripple your system.

Matt

 

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Sorry I left that info out and have added it to original post this thread. Lots of lost sleep over last several days and reconstructing my efforts difficult...

It is Presario w/AMD Sempron 3100+ 1.81 GHz 1.37GB RAM.
In SAFE Mode, the System process stays at 00, the System Idle Process stays at 99, the CPU Usage blips only occasionally to 4% and the kernal only reaches half that for a single blip about 4-8 times a minute.

Securing services one at a time, the only one that made a difference was Pkl driver HPZ12. When it was secured, CPA Usage dropped to normal levels for about 20 seconds, then reverted back to the previous cyclic behavior while the service stayed secured. What looked like a breakthrough was all too short-lived.

Looked at Autoruns but not yet sure what to do safely with it. Found 18 items marked "File not found" but uncertain how to proceed. My guess is that using "Search On-Line" one could obtain the file and plug it into the proper place in the registry, assuming that the software is still installed in the computer…but would a missing file be likely to be the culprit? I further assume that deleting a file in the program effects deletion from the registry as well. In any case, registry backup would be in order. Didn’t find a good set of instructions for the program as yet but perhaps the way can be pointed out so I can competently add the weapon to my quiver.

Thanks for continuing to assist…
Chuck

 

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Indexing was ON. I stopped it. CPU Usage History graph showed continuing heavy load oscillation as before. After rebooting, many high spikes remain but heavy load may no longer be evident. As it's 2AM, will let it run and report whether that was the problem tomorrow. Still have to answer other responses before sleep.

Please keep watching in case I'm not out of the woods yet. Will report and close the item when solution proven and firm.

I would like to know whether the indexing function should normally be on, or whether it should toggle on when needed, then drop off at least when re-booted?

Thanks for the pointer.
Chuck

 

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HD LED is generally dark even though Task Manager Performance screen displays the heavy CPU load. It's 2 AM so will check for updated drivers later today. SP3 is NOT installed. I've cleaned out all the temporary files, cache, browser history, etc, several times over the last several days, including today but that has not apparently had any effect.

Only Norton 360 is in normal operation; the others were installed and used solely as a check to assure Norton wasn't missing something that could solve the problem.

Per my to "rsinfo" just preceding re Drive Indexing. It was ON. I turned it OFF, rebooted and it looked like that might have been the key, but...I just looked at the other computer screen and the CPU is again heavily loaded and oscillating as before. Musta checked before just before the boot to desktop finished...

Arrrrrrrrrghhhh!

Maybe the drivers???
Later today!

Thanks, Chuck

 

Chuck, how precisely did you turned the Disk Indexing off ?

Also check that Indexing Service is disabled in Service manager.

 

Another area you might want to investigate is if the firewall is continuously blocking a program or if Windows Firewall has been (re)enabled, running at the same time as Norton's. You should only run one firewall.

There may be messages in Event Viewer that could give you some leads.

Matt