CPU Spikes Randomly. System Process Looks to Blame.
Hey Guys, I'm having some issues with my PC. I can't seem to put my Finger on it. Randomly the "System" Process in task manager will spike my CPU. As alot of you know, This makes it REALLY hard to determine the problem, since the system process can be a number of things. The Spikes can happen anywhere from every 5 minutes to every 15 minutes (Oops, one just happened now!). I decided to load up Process explorer and take a closer look at the system process while the spike is happening. I found out that the thread causing the spike is "ntoskml.exe!ExAcquireResourceExclusiveLite+0x210". I have absolutely NO clue what this is. A google search for that string turns up nothing. I've tried uninstalling my Anti Virus and a few other applications that i thought could be causing, but I'm still clueless here. I'm running Windows 7 Build 7100 I'm pretty much at a stopping point. I've been reconsidering Reinstalling Windows completely, I just don't want to until Windows 7 comes out in a fully functioning and confirmed RTM. I uploaded a Zip file with my DXDiag, HiJackThis Log and a Full System Profile (Minus License info) from Everest of my System. The Everest Profile will have EVERYTHING about the pc in it. Hope it helps. http://www.demine0.com/alex/dxdiag-hijackthis-everest.zip Thanks in Advance for the help guys!
July 13th, 2009 7:25pm

Something i found on the net.NTOSKRNL.EXE is *the* operating system kernel for Windows XP. It isan essential Windows component.Here is one response I found to a similar question:****It's used for NetBios traffic and System DNS, with kernel32.dll beingcalled via ntoskrnl.exe.Allow it entirely on trusted networks (home LAN), but do not allownetbios traffic to/from the Internet. You will however need to allowDNS.****And in another forum the following response was attributed to Sygate'stechnical support:****NTOSKRNL.EXE is Windows NT Kernel. This is a low level communicationtool that allows Windows to function.Disabling this may prevent Internet access andfile printshare. Irecommend that you allow this.Might give some idea to solve the prob hope it helps.Good luck.
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July 14th, 2009 8:46am

Have you checked Task Scheduler for anything that might have some odd (or conflicting) triggers? Beyond that, the first thing that comes to mind for me is some web enabled app attempting to connect to a network based or online resource, or an app trying to communicate with some hardware or software and ten running headlong into a firewall setting. Beyond those thoughts, I did experience a version of theproblem but only during the first couple days of use. It then settled down for a couple key apps (the others were disabled or uninstalled). The biggest culprits were:Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service (now permanently disabled since it never seemed to settle down)Windows Search (after I added some network folders to a Library - settled after a few hours)Supefetch (very erratic for about a day but then settled down after adjusting to the apps I run)Readyboost (same deal as Superfetch)Avast and Eset Smart Security (mostly low resources users but prone to odd spikes - I tried one then the other then moved onto the MSE beta)Believe it or not an updated IDT sound driver (uninstalled in favor of thebeta driver)Some unknown app associated with Windows Live Essentials (once I ditched all Live Essentials apps the problem went away)One of the apps associated with the Microsoft's beta mouse drivers for Windows 7 (no problems after removal - the drivers, BTW, were removed because they hijacked the Quicklaunch buttons on my HP laptop)Panasonic's horrible network printer drivers(turned off all the services and the printer still works)FWIW, I also disabled thetwo Homegroup servicessince I only have one Windows 7 system and noticed occasional minor spikes in RAM and CPU usage for things that could be doing nothing of use. I am not saying that any of these are your problem - really just a list of the things I've noticed that were impacting resource usage to a disproportionate degree. Actually, they are among the key reasons, I did not go for the intro discount for Windows 7. While I really like the OS, there are far too many quirks in the RC - I want to know they have been largely addressed....Stephen
July 14th, 2009 9:11pm

If the issue is caused by system processes, there are two possible reasons: third party programs conflict, or the related system services are corrupt. I suggest that you temporary remove the anti-virus program, and check the result. If the issue persists, let's try to determine which program causes this issue. Please Open Task Manager, click on the Processes tab, look for the process that is using the CPU and note its PID (Process ID). Note that you may need to go to the View/Select Columns menu and make sure that PID (Process Identifier) is checked. Once you have the PID run the following from a command prompt: tasklist /svc This should give you the application and services associated with the PID you identified in the previous step (this command is helpful if the problematic process is svchost.exe). Please let us know the result.Arthur Xie - MSFT
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July 15th, 2009 3:32am

Hey guys!, I had the same problem and I'll let you know how I solved it. I did the same you recomended with the antivirus and stuff but it didnt really solved the problem. For some reason, a program named "SKYPE" :) messes not only with the port 80 ( for the people running a web server locally ). It also confuses for some unknown reason Windows 7 totally ( BUT JUST AT THE BEGINNING :S ). Meaning that, the only thing you have to do is uncheck the option of start skype when Windows starts and you are good to go. You could start skype later manually and you will not have the problem anymore. MAGIC, isnt it? I just hope Microsoft is aware of this issue now they bought skype. Hopefully they can resolve this startup trouble. Hope it helps! -X
July 17th, 2011 3:06pm

No one has asked the obvious question: Are these "spikes" in CPU usage getting in the way of you using your computer in any way? The operating system, as implied by a number of the above posts, does a lot of maintenance activities in the background, including preparing an index for you to use in finding things quickly (or trying to anyway), pre-fetching a number of things so they start quickly, doing self-diagnosis of problems and checking the net for solutions, etc. -Noel
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July 17th, 2011 10:00pm

And no-one has posted the obvious reply: This thread is over 2 years old and things have moved on since then!
July 17th, 2011 10:37pm

Another thing that's pretty obvious, Browni, is that people are finding these old threads with searches. I just thought I'd tidy it up a bit. It's surprising the number of people who don't realize just how much is going on in the background with Windows 7. -Noel
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July 17th, 2011 11:09pm

I found my solution. I had CPU spikes that included the system process and uTorrent process - here is a detailed description: Recently I have a disturbing issue with uTorrent. It is random, happens every 2 min or less. The CPU fan spins faster (as if it wishes to fly away) and the mouse cursor is stuck for about 5-10 seconds. I investigated the processes in "process-explorer" - the process that spikes the cpu is the system process and the utorrent process. When ever uTorrent is off - there is no problems, as soon as I turn it on the spikes come back and stuck my mouse and computer for about 5-10 seconds every 2 minutes I thought Drivers are the blame, and I upgraded them just in case. time after time I stumbled in the fact that uTorrent alone cause that issue. I tried to upgrade uTorrent version and of course it didn't helped as well... I tried a lot of things that people out there in the web recommended - nothing ! Bottom line - uTorrent works CPU spikes are back The solution for me: After a week of quiet CPU I Found the solution here: http://forum.utorrent.com/viewtopic.php?id=70196 I simply deleted all my C:\Docs & settings\user\Application Data\uTorrent Folder and installed from Zero - my CPU is on 3% all the time since I've done that ! Good luck with the solution Hope this will help some 1 else.
April 11th, 2012 3:21pm

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