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Explorer.exe using 100% CPU cycles

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by trevor4706, 2006/07/13.

  1. 2006/07/13
    trevor4706

    trevor4706 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have just finished a clean install Windows XP Home on my Dell Inspiron 1100 (Celeron 2.2 GHz, 768 MB RAM) after installing a new HD. The old one was showing signs of imminent failure. The XP installation has been fully updated with all patches as of today. At this point I have just basic software installed, including AVG Anti-virus, AdAware, SpyBot, Open Office and MS Outlook.

    I am running into a problem with explorer.exe eating up 100% of the CPU cyles frequently after conducting the most basic operations, such as opening a file. Everything grinds to a halt. So far, eventually the CPU useage drops back to normal, but it has taken up to several minutes to do so. Task Manager clearly shows explorer.exe as the culprit.

    I never experienced anything like this on this laptop before this re-install. I have scanned for viruses and spyware and the installation appears clean. Other than the HD, the hardware configuration is exactly the same as when the laptop was purchased.

    I've Googled this problem and found that it has been experienced by others, sometimes under similar circumstances, but I've yet to see any solutions. Does anyone on this forum have any ideas what is causing my problem and how to rectify it?

    Thanks

    Trevor4706
     
    trevor4706,
    #1
  2. 2006/07/13
    Gizmo

    Gizmo Inactive

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    I can add nothing to your problem except to confirm that two of my three XP computers have suddenly decided to exhibit the same symptoms, they are independant of each other and the problem started the same day on both.

    That makes me wonder if it is something to do with a MS update...
     
    Gizmo,
    #2


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  4. 2006/07/14
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Arie,
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  5. 2006/07/14
    trevor4706

    trevor4706 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Arie

    Thank you for the suggestion. I had actually already implemented those actions after I found the KB article during one of my Google searches. The problem has actually worsened. Almost any activity seems to cause explorer.exe to run up to 100% CPU useage, and it's rendering the computer almost unuseable. I have tried stopping and re-starting explorer.exe using Task Manager but it has no permanent effect; eventually explorer.exe runs away again.

    trevor4706
     
    trevor4706,
    #4
  6. 2006/07/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Trevor

    This could be caused by a trojan or suchlike malware - I assume you are patched up to date with SP 2, etc? - I suggest you let us check out your system for malware ....

    Please download HijackThis through Quicklinks in my signature and save it to a folder on your hard drive, say C:\HJT - not to the Desktop or a temporary location. When entries are fixed with HJT a backup is made to the folder from which HJT is run and this must be in a permanent location.

    Please download and install the 30 day trial version of Ewido Anti-Spyware

    Run the program either from the Desktop icon if you chose to install one or from Start > Programs. On the main screen select the Update icon followed by the "Update now" link and click on the Start Update button. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.

    When the update has completed select the Scanner icon at the top of the window and click on the Settings tab.

    On the Settings screen click on Recommended actions and then on Quarantine.

    Under Reports select Automatically generate report after every scan and deselect Only if threats were found.

    Close Ewido Anti-spyware. Do not run a scan just yet.

    Boot into Safe Mode and log onto your usual account.
    Do not open any other windows or programs while Ewido is scanning as this may interfere with the scanning proccess.

    Start Ewido Anti-spyware by double-clicking the icon on your desktop or from Start > Programs and select the Scanner icon at the top of the window followed by the Scan tab and click on Complete System Scan. The scanning process will start and may take some time.

    When the scan is complete if any infections were detected you will prompted for an action - select Apply all actions.

    Then select the Reports icon at the top of the window and click on the Save report as button in the lower left hand corner of the screen and save it as a text file (be sure to remember where you saved that file, this is important).

    Close Ewido

    Open the folder in which you placed HJT and double click on hijackthis.exe and select Scan and save a log file - this will be saved in the folder from which you ran HJT.

    Reboot into Normal mode and post the HJT and Ewido log here.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2006/07/14
    trevor4706

    trevor4706 Inactive Thread Starter

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    PeteC

    Thanks for your advice, but my laptop is completely locked up now, with explorer.exe running all the time using 100% of the CPU cycles. I cannot accomplish even the most basic function. Since I need the computer for a road trip next week, I'm going to have to do something drastic.

    Do you think it could be hardware-related; that is, is the an error in the new HD that is causing explorer to run continuously, even though no errors showed up in chkdsk, etc? I ask that, because one of the drastic measures may be to get nother HD and start over again.

    Trevor 4706
     
    trevor4706,
    #6
  8. 2006/07/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    trevor

    I would be very surprised if the problem is hardware related. It seems to me that you have two courses of drastic action - a repair install of XP or a clean install with full format.

    Under the circumstances I would opt for the latter.

    Good luck :)
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2006/07/14
    trevor4706

    trevor4706 Inactive Thread Starter

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    PeteC et al

    After two unsuccessful clean installs of XPH, I really couldn't face another, so thought I'd try another tack. I had a disk image that was three or four months old that I had originally decided against restoring because I thought "New HD, clean install, fewer problems ". Was I ever wrong.

    To make an already too long story short, I restored the image to the new HD using True Image and, after writng a new MBR, I'm back in business with a XPH installation in which explorer.exe is beahiving itself.

    I am a bit concerned about going to Windows Update to bring this XPH installation up to date. Is there any possibility one of the July Updates caused the problem, as Gizmo alluded? Just before giving up on my last clean install, I removed the July Updates one-by-one without curing the problem.

    Thanks for your help.

    Trevor4706
     
    trevor4706,
    #8
  10. 2006/07/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    There is nothing I can find on Google referencing this problem which connects it with the July updates.

    As you laptop would seem to be 'mission critical' next week I would be inclined not to risk the possibility of further problems through updating and leave it until you return home. Just make sure that your av and any other antispyware/malware software is up to date.
     
    PeteC,
    #9
  11. 2006/07/14
    trevor4706

    trevor4706 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Good advice, PeteC, and I'll take it.

    Thanks again for your help.:)
     
    trevor4706,
    #10
  12. 2006/07/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You're welcome :) Please update us when you do apply the updates.
     
    PeteC,
    #11
  13. 2006/07/16
    trevor4706

    trevor4706 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Wildo.:)
     
    trevor4706,
    #12

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