processor overload

Hello Hello 🙂

I have seen this problem in the past. It was due to some sort of virus or malware. When you used Superantispyware and Malwarebytes did you use the Full/Thorough scans when using each program? For problems like this the Quick scans are useless. So if you haven’t used the Full/Thorough option on each program please do so.

After running both programs using the Full / Thorough scans, did it find and take care of any viruses or malware? If not then use the 3rd program below.

Dr. Web CureIt, the free version: http://www.freedrweb.com/download+cureit/?nc=t&lng=en
– After you download the free version of Dr. Web Cure it, close down all programs on your PC that are anti-virus, malware and spyware scanners.
– Open up Dr. Web Cure It.
– Click on the Green Text Link that says “Select objects for scanning”, it will take you to the Custom scan options Window.
– Make sure every checkbox is checked. Once everything is checked hit the large “Start scanning” button

This scanner will take a while to complete, maybe an hour or 2, but this is a very good program that compliments Superanitspyare and Malwarebytes.

Hey trnawrench and Joey,

As I read about it, to me it sounded like a overheating problem. I have seen this happen in some computers/servers. Make sure none of the fans in the PC are dead or stopping working after some time of having the computer on. Also make sure they are clean.

Hope this can be resolve!

Rojo.

Rojo is correct, this could also be due to a fan failure inside your PC case. With the PC turned OFF, open up your PC case. When it is opened turn on your PC and Observe every fan in there. Focus on the PC fan that is on top of your CPU and also the one that is inside of the power supply. But there are probably several other fans inside your case that could be dead, so look everywhere for a dead fan.

A second thing Rojo hit on is cleaning the inside of your PC. Heat is a huge reason most PCs overheat. While the PC case is open grab a couple of cans of compressed and blow away all the dust. As the can us blowing/dusting the inside of the case switch out to a new can after the one you are holding gets too cold.

If you don’t know what compressed air is here is a popular brand on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1AixIm4

What process is using the most cpu at the moment it spikes up?

Yeah, that CPU usage for just torrenting is way too high. I say it is a virus since you already been checked the inside to make sure you don’t have a dead fan.

There is 1 last anti-virus scanner I use which I have not suggested yet, Kaspersky Anti-Virus / Kaspersky Internet Security. I am not sure which anti-virus scanner you have running in the background or if you have one at all but IMO Kaspersky is the best one. It’s the one I always have running on my desktop and laptop. I just didn’t suggest it before since you have to pay for it. But I found a trial link from the company that will allow you to run a full version of Kaspersky Internet Security for 30 days for free. Uninstall whatever anti-virus program you have running in the background before you install Kaspersky. After Kaspersky is installed make sure you run a Full/Thorough computer scan.
http://usa.kaspersky.com/downloads/index.aspx

btw, there is at least 1 virus out there that masks itself under svchost.exe. Last time I dealt with that virus was about 6 years ago. Not sure if Kaspersky removed it at the time or if I had to reformat the PC at my job that had it.

ALTERNATIVELY, Kaspersky offer a free “Virus Removal Tool” program. This one I have never used but heard many good things about it. You can try this first, if it does not work then go the full version trial linked above.
http://www.kaspersky.com/antivirus-removal-tool?form=1

That’s a lot of different problems. Have you thought of formatting your PC and reinstalling Windows from scratch? They also call this, “reformatting”, “reimaging” or “full Windows recovery”. This is what I do at work if I see that an individual computer is filled with tons of problems and will probably take too much of my time away while I fix other computers at my job. I would especially recommend this from the problem that you fixed just by pulling out the cord from your cable modem. It seems like there is some sort of additional spyware inside your PC that might steal info like passwords or other personal data. The 100% sure way to destroy this threat is to wipe out your PC and install Windows from scratch.

Before you wipe out your Windows install make sure to backup any important data you may have. Then use the Windows disc (sometimes called recovery disc) that came with your PC when you bought it to reinstall Windows.
On some PCs that disc is built into your hard drive which you can easily access. When your PC turns on you will see some sort of message on the screen that says something like, “Press F11 for System Recovery” flash on the screen for just a second. Press whatever button it tells you to press to access it.

During the recovery process it will ask you what type of Windows System Recovery you want. Look at the 2 or 3 options it has and select the one that sounds the harshest. It might say something like “destructive reinstall”, select the harshest sounding option. That will kill any type of virus, malware or spyware your PC has.

So the new NIC card you installed was causing all of the issues. Weird. I have had NICs mess up on me before but they usually just die. That is a unique issue. Glad you figured it out.

btw, thanks a ton for coming back here and posting the exact solution to the problem. I am sure there are other people with the same problem that can’t figure out how to fix it.

TronScript seems intense and thorough. I am very interested to see how it worked out for you. Depending how it went for you I might add it on my list of recommendations especially since it includes 2 of my favorite programs, Kaspersky and Malwarebytes.