Windows 7 issues: Performance problems as CPU usage peaks
Filed Under (Problems) by admin on 19-01-2010Performance problems are not new to Windows 7; troubleshooting them, however, involves a routine check of several basic parameters ranging from antivirus software to driver updates. One of the frequently encountered issues is that of the CPU usage suddenly peaking to 100% and then constantly indicating a full system usage, when hardly a few programs are running. This eventually causes a slow down in the performance, leading to unresponsive programs.
To resolve the issue you’ll first have to identify the troublesome application or process. This can be done using the Task Manager’s resource monitor or even the event viewer. If you are able to find the erratic program, the next step could be to uninstall or stop the program, provided your work doesn’t suffer much.
Programs such as Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service ( wmpnetwk.exe), SB Audigy 2, and even the printer spooler service (spoolsv.exe) have been reported to consume 100% of CPU time.
While the first two programs could be switched off at will, the spooler service will have to be restarted if you need the printer. Remember to first switch off the printer, stop the service, clear the print queue, and then restart the spooler service before using the printer.
Erroneous programs at times tend to cause memory leaks, which over a period of time cause the system to slow down and eventually crash due to insufficient memory. The AVG antivirus software has been reported to cause such problems. In case you are using AVG, try replacing it with another free antivirus software like Microsoft’s Security Essentials suite and check if it makes a difference.
Watch out for cookies and malware that may be running in the background by regularly scanning the system using your antivirus software. Allowing devices to automatically switch off to save power too may cut the unwanted drain of resources.
I installed Windows 7 x64 onto a new 640 GB Caviar Black hard drive I recently bought. I partitioned the hard drive into two parts— the first partition has all of my programs installed and the second partition has all of my files (my documents, etc). This morning when I turned on my computer, I got the following error: “Disk boot failure insert system disk and press enter”. I have never seen this before, so I went ahead and inserted my Win 7 x64 disk and restarted. Here, I can’t see my hard drive when I go to “Repair your computer”; however, whenever I go to “Install Now” as if I was going to start a new installation, I can see both partitions. Any ideas? I’ve thought that it might be a faulty cable, but then I can still see the drive when I click Install Now, so I’m not sure if that is the problem.
I know: I’ve seen many with this problem but haven’t found any solution. 1. Had IE6 (due to company policy) on my laptop and an LCD monitor. Everything looking crystal sharp! 2. Installed IE8 (due to changed company policy) 3. LCD monitor image totally screwed up. Not clear, all fonts blurry and colored etc 4. When shutting down PC and using the PC-screen, it’s not at all as crystal clear as before at all 5. Disabled Cleartype in IE8 – made it just as bad to read 6. Disabled Cleartype from Control panel – text still much more blurry than before (this applies for Outlook Word etc etc). So: How and what should I do? Why has Microsoft done this? (Yes, Cleartype is an improvement on LCD screens and everything… I’ve read it). However, I am using the computer a lot each day and cannot really focus on the text/fonts… Operating system: XP SP2 Office version: 2003 Is it possible to roll-back (ie uninstall IE8 and all components and go back to IE6?) How to do it correctly (as I’ve seen others having problems…) And yes, once again: I know this problem has been posted many times – however I can’t find a solution that will work. Further, since there are so many with this problem, it’s important to show that there are even more with the same problem.
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