Comp Usage help

[XxBuCkDoGxX]

Hey, When I got to my Windows Task manager it always says 100% Cpu usage and it makes me LAG a lot when im playing WoW (World of Warcraft.) I am aware that world of Warcraft takes up a lot of memory and a lot of CPU usage. But the mem usage that takes up a lot is my System Idle Process. I dont know why it does that and it wont let me end that process. Or it maybe some other reason it makes me lag. Please help thanks.

[Peench]

Buck - man, that's a strange one... and unfortunately one that I've run into alot with XP and even with Vista.

The problem is usually a program that has a memory leak that doesn't show up in task manager and therefore you can't trace it. I've narrowed it down to a few different programs on my machine over the years. Usually these are fixed with upgrades, but sometimes they are not.

Try this - when you are going to play WoW, restart your computer first. Start up WoW from a fresh desktop before you've run any programs. If that works, then chances are it is a program on your computer that you didn't run before playing.

If that doesn't work, then it may be a program that automatically starts up when you start your computer. Check those out and turn them off one at a time to narrow down the culprit.

These tips might help, but it might be something else funky going on. Give these a shot and see what happens then let us know. We can offer further stuff to try from there. Good luck!

[KEEZY]

System Idle Process is actually the amount of free memory/processor that is available, which is why you can't end it.

I agree with Peench though. Restarting always helps.

[CamDawg]

Memory leak AND unwanted process like those caused by malware are often the cause for this. If it doesn't help to restart it, try downloading the free trial versions of Webroot's SpySweeper or PC Tool's Spy Doctor (the ebst two anti malware programs out there) and running a scan to see what it comes up with. You can basically ignore tracking cookies (at least for the purpose of things that are slowing your computer). You want to be on the lookout for any persistent forms of malware that are identified (trojans, spyware, adware) -- these will sap up resources like no one's business.

[Peench]

Thanks for the recommendations on spyware searches cam. While I have used loads of different programs, I more consistently used adaware and spybot, but I'll give those two a try now.

[CamDawg]

Adaware and spybot used to be pretty effective (and they're nice because they are free), but they just haven't stood up to the test of time as well as some (however, both are more effective than the cr@p McAfee bundles with their Internet Security package). If you do choose to go the free route, I recommend to folks to use Windows Defender, SpyBot, and Adaware (it's Ok to use multiple anti-spyware apps unlike AV and software firewalls).

[ZoomZoom71]

I've been using Windows Defender since the Beta, and I've been very pleased with it. I was using AdAware, but I uninstalled it after I started using Defender. I didn't know I could run both. I wonder how much resources they take?

[wizz1e]

None for adaware because it doesn't run in the background, it only runs when you run it.

[Peench]

Originally Posted by wizz1e

None for adaware because it doesn't run in the background, it only runs when you run it.

Correct.

[BrewCityUpstart]

You might find a soulution on google. I had that problem a year ago and it got cleared up. I think this did it- http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

[CamDawg]

Brew,
Great reference. HiJack This is a fantastic tool for manually pulling spyware/malware out. it helps clear those pesky strings that none of the automated software does entirely.

If anyone downloads and uses it, I'd recommend that you check out this tutorial by the creator of the software (it will help clear up what you are seeing and what should be removed in each section of the HiJack This log): http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/htlogtutorial.php

[XxBuCkDoGxX]

Okay, I don't have malware or spyware. I have diagonosied the problem more and anfter I play for a good 60min I start lagging really bad. It doesn't disconect me or boot me off it just lags alot. Maybe there is a different thing i Can try to do to fix my problem. If you guys could give some quggestions i would appericite it and I thank you all for the help you have gave me so far.

[KEEZY]

Do you think it is network lag or maybe your system resources begin to max out for some reason still?