High CPU Usage Problem

The CPU usage rate on your computer determines the speed at which your machine operates. The problem of high CPU usage may be faced from time to time, and this means that some parameter of your machine is causing it to be very slow.

If you are experiencing such difficulties on your computer, then the decreased speed of your machine can lead to a lot of confusion. This is something that happens quite frequently, and there are a variety of reasons that may lead to abnormally high CPU usage rates.

The first thing you need to know is how to check this rate on your machine. You can do so by pressing 'Ctrl + Shift + Esc', or by pressing 'Ctrl + Alt + Delete', and then clicking the 'Task Manager' option. In the subsequent window that opens, you need to click on the 'Processes' tab. This will show you the rate of CPU usage of all the applications that are currently running on the computer. You can also double click on the 'CPU' option, and you will see all the applications in ascending or descending order of the usage rate.

A high usage problem will be evident from this window, and you will need to fix this immediately. If you fail to do so, your machine will continue to run at an excruciatingly slow pace. Also note that this technique is useful only for people using Microsoft Windows.

Causes and Preventive Measures

 

There are a load of viruses and malicious software that can harm and affect your computer by different ways. One of the most common effects of these programs, is to gain control of your CPU usage, and involve it in a completely meaningless task. Note that high usage with no programs running is a clear indicator that your machine has been breached by a harmful program.

In order to solve this difficulty, you must purchase an effective antivirus software, and upgrade it from its official website on a regular basis.

Another cause is a faulty program, or some sort of a damaged file. Though, it is impossible to check the legibility of each and every file on your machine, there is a way you can get to the bottom of this problem. Go to the 'Start' menu, click on 'Run', type 'msconfig' in the opened box, and hit Enter. Now click the 'Startup' tab and check all the items that have been ticked. If you see anything suspicious, uncheck it. Reboot your machine after each item you uncheck, and then note the CPU usage each time. This should help you to pinpoint the program responsible for the high usage. This is one of the many ways to make your computer faster than its normal speed.

When you are checking the CPU usage for your programs, you will see an option known as 'System Idle Process'. The usage rate for this will always be very high, and in such cases there is no need to be alarmed.

Sometimes when you are running some heavy applications on your computer, the usage will shoot up considerably. This is not something that you need to be concerned with. Check the usage when there are no programs running, in order to get a true picture about any malicious software's presence. If your heavy program is not responding at all, then you can choose to end it from the Task Manager window, and this will solve the above difficulty.

Also, make sure that you are running your Windows updates on a regular basis, and also updating your antivirus software at least once a week. They are absolutely essential for your machines well-being, and the regularity with which you take care of them will determine the computer performance levels.

If everything you try fails, just take your machine to a computer repair shop, and tell them the problem that you are facing. A trained and experienced professional will be able to solve such difficulties in a short time.

 

 

Thank to Rahul Thadani 

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/high-cpu-usage-problem.html