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CPU spiking - clean log - need help

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Post #1
I'm getting fairly random CPU spikes, log was cleaned in the other forum, still seems to be happening randomly. Here's my HJT log, would really appreciate some help:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:19:42 PM, on 9/26/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32krn.exe
C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDEngine.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\JulaPan.Exe
C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32kui.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\spyware\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [JulaPan] JulaPan.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nod32kui] "C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32kui.exe" /WAITSERVICE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O16 - DPF: {67DABFBF-D0AB-41FA-9C46-CC0F21721616} (DivXBrowserPlugin Object) - http://go.divx.com/plugin/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{4A27027D-9371-47B2-A07A-1B5CC3A6F3B3}: NameServer = 192.168.1.1
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Autodesk Licensing Service - Autodesk - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe
O23 - Service: NOD32 Kernel Service (NOD32krn) - Eset - C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32krn.exe
O23 - Service: PDAgent - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDAgent.exe
O23 - Service: PDEngine - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDEngine.exe

I'm not sure if there is a program available where I could list all of my hardware to make this easier, but I'm using:

AMD 3000+ 64 Venice CPU
Abit AX8 motherboard
3 separate HDs
Radeon x600xt PCI-e video card
Using MB sound and ethernet
ESI Juli@ soundcard for recording

Any other information needed?

Thanks!
Post #2
Please download and Run Codestuff Starter
download here: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/starter.html

With CodeStuff Starter open the StartUps(tab) will be Selected by default
Please Save as an HTML file

Select - File (from the command line at the top)
Select - Save as HTML
Name the file "StartUps092707" and allow it to be saved as an HTML file
____________

Next:

Select the Processes(Tab)
Please Save as an HTML file

Select - File (from the command line at the top)
Select - Save as HTML
Name the file "Processes092707" and allow it to be saved as an HTML file
_____________

How much physical RAM does the machine have installed?
__________

Please attach the two HTML files in your next reply.

Best Regards
Post #3
Hello,

It would be good if you can identify what is causing the spikes by monitoring the Windows Task Manager. Press Ctrl-Shift-Esc and go to the Processes tab. Set the CPU column in descending order by clicking the column header twice. When the usage jumps, take note of the "Image Name" value.

We can get more detailed information about your system if you run the PC Pitstop Full Tests. Post your resulting TechExpress link here.

Thanks,

Ax
Post #5

Hello,

It would be good if you can identify what is causing the spikes by monitoring the Windows Task Manager. Press Ctrl-Shift-Esc and go to the Processes tab. Set the CPU column in descending order by clicking the column header twice. When the usage jumps, take note of the "Image Name" value.

We can get more detailed information about your system if you run the PC Pitstop Full Tests. Post your resulting TechExpress link here.

Thanks,

Ax


Unfortunately since it happens at random it will be pretty tough to "catch" the exact process that is causing the problem. More often than not it would seem to be the system idle process, I will try and get a screen shot the next time it happens.

Here is the tech express link:

http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=SPFLHWAMD7VS4CZV
Post #6
Hi dave_t I am suspicious that the following are engaging a large amount of your system resources. However, with 2gigs of RAM, your machine should be able to handle these running in the background without much lag. They could, however, be the source of the CPU spikes you refer to. C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDAgent.exe C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDEngine.exe ___________ Ax238 has recommended excellent additional methods for identifying the culprits. Please follow Ax238's recommendations as well. One of us will see your reply and be able to respond. Best Regards
Post #7

Hi dave_t

I am suspicious that the following are engaging a large amount of your system resources.
However, with 2gigs of RAM, your machine should be able to handle these running in the background without much lag.
They could, however, be the source of the CPU spikes you refer to.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk\PDEngine.exe
___________

Ax238 has recommended excellent additional methods for identifying the culprits.
Please follow Ax238's recommendations as well.

One of us will see your reply and be able to respond.

Best Regards


The first process is a licensing service for 3ds max. The other 2 are related to the Perfect Disk defragmentation program, I usually stop these 2 services when I am not about to defrag, but it doesn't have an effect on the CPU spiking.
Post #8 last edited
Yes, I recognize the name and type of files they are. I was just suspicious that they might be the ones involved. ___________ Your machine will certainly benefit from following the Pit Test tune-up tips. Other than that it looks like a fine machine. ____________ As to the random "spiking", I'm thinking that that would be a natural event when various utilities kick in. Are there problems or symptoms that occur at the time of the "spiking' or is it just an observation that you are following up on? Please give us any Error Code Messages, etc. that may appear at the time of any problem occurring. Best Regards
Post #10
Hi Dave_t

You've already got a pretty good indication that your CPU is functioning well in comparison to similar machines/CPU's tested on the PCPitstop Full Tests.

You "could" get more information and technical details, by running the free utility CPU-z
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/CPU-Z.shtml

I generally do not recommend CPU-z for folks experiencing the level and type of problem that you are dealing with.
Don't get me wrong here. CPU-z is a competent free utility that will yield good information about your CPU.
But the problem soon becomes "too much" and "too technical" information, that the user may not know how to deal with.

Therefore, it is probably reasonable to rely upon the PCPitstop Full Tests information that has already told us that the CPU is functioning well.

Go ahead and run CPU-z as a "learning experience". You'll have to look up some factory default settings to compare to your CPU-z results. – Important: – Don't get caught up in wondering if you should be making any changes based on the results.
Post #11
Probably more important is to investigate this previously mentioned question:

Are there problems or symptoms that occur at the time of the "spiking' or is it just an observation that you are following up on?


If there are, please specify.
If there are, and you are getting Error Messages at that same time, please report them back here.

Best Regards
Post #12

Probably more important is to investigate this previously mentioned question:

Are there problems or symptoms that occur at the time of the "spiking' or is it just an observation that you are following up on?


If there are, please specify.
If there are, and you are getting Error Messages at that same time, please report them back here.

Best Regards


It is more just an observation that I am following up on. It happens sometimes while watching videos, but the place that it concerns me the most is when it happens while I'm making a recording, as it causes the recording to skip. In each case, I'm using a different soundcard (when watching a video, using the internal MB card, when recording I use the Juli@), so I would assume that that would rule out that piece of hardware. It seems to only happen when the CPU would be at over average load.
Post #13
You may have good reason to be alternately using the "onboard sound device" for some activities, and your Juli@ for others. I don't understand what that purpose would be. If the Juli@ Sound Card and Juli@ Controller is more robust than your onboard sound, you may want to look in your BIOS setup to see if there is a "toggle" to select the PCI Card option instead of the onboard or legacy sound device. Consider "toggling" that BIOS selection to see if the Juli@ can be made to be selected for all sound function uses.

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