CPU Explorer.exe 100%

[AndyBuckle]

Hey everyone,

I have been having a problem with my CPU every time I access a certain folder in Documents my Desktop slows down and when I access task manager explorer.exe is at the top causing my CPU to hit 100%.

Any help would be appreciated.

Further Information:

OS: Windows Vista
Memory: 3GB
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ 2.30GHz

Thanks

[Joey]

I've seen this before a few times at work. You have a virus.

Follow the tutorial below (Follow the section where it teaches you how to Boot Into SAFE MODE with NETWORKING)

http://www.cleartechinfo.com/How-To-Thoroughly-Remove-Malware-Spyware-Adware-Viruses-PC-Free

[AndyBuckle]

Hey Joey,

Thank you for the advice but it has not helped CPU is still hitting 100% I also ran a check with four separate Anti-Virus/ Malware software.

If you know of anything else

[Joey]

The virus scanners probably didn’t pickup whatever your computer has. If you are not doing any strenuous tasks while Explorer.exe is at 100% CPU power then a virus is the only thing it could be.

I would suggest booting into safe mode and backing up any important files to a USB drive. Then reinstall Windows from scratch. If you have a DVD/CDs perform a full system recovery. That will wipe out everything including the viruses.

When using the factory DV/CDs to reinstall Windows it might give you 2 options. 1 option is to perform a normal recovery/reinstall of Windows. The 2nd option will say something like perform a Destructive recovery/reinstall. Perform the option that sounds more destructive, like it does more damage, that is the option that will kill all viruses.

[Joey]

Another tech that read your post told me something informative. He had the same problem as you. It turned out that his computer was getting hacked. It might be a hidden keylogger saving all of your passwords or important computer info and sending the info to whoever is hacking you.

I would definitely recommend reformatting your computer and reinstalling Windows to get rid of that hidden, undetectable hacker software on your computer.

[AndyBuckle]

OK that means I have to find a lot of DVD's and HDD's because I have a 3x1TB hard drives, and they are both nearly full.

Cheers for the help I will let you know how it works out

[davo]

hi,wow thats a lot of data.
you should back up your primary hard drive first,once thats done you should be able to format that harddrive.just dont send anything from the other harddrives to it.
the folder that raises your CPU,is there anything important in it?
if so send it to its own (small) USB stick and when you need to open it for anything,do it in a virtual environment.if its not important you should perminantly delete it.
you may even want to partition that hard drive so your new OS is for windows and programs only,and the large partition can be for saving new data.

[AndyBuckle]

OK I'll try that Unfortunately that folder contains all work  so its the most important folder on the HDD and it's about 200GB so it will be a lot of memory sticks

[Joey]

If you have multiple hard drives you only have to delete/format the one with Windows installed on it (the virus is on that drive). You can leave all the others alone.

[davo]

the folder that raises CPU is probably what is trying to be accessed over the net.
this could be worth password protecting and sending to your other hard drive.
 

[AndyBuckle]

Ok i'll password protect it thank you for all of the help everyone