DWM (Desktop Windows Management) is hogging the CPU
Have a system where the process DWM is using so much of the CPU that nothing else will really run. Once the system is booted, if you startup IE it'll take 5 minutes to load.
Also, when booting the system into Safe Mode, after the Dell splash screen appears, after pressing F8 the lines of text for the boot options and when the system is loading the drivers the lines of text take about 2 seconds/line to draw.
I ran AVG in SafeMode. It didn't find anything.
I pulled the drive and have it connected to another system. Ran AVG again: Clean. Windows Defender: Clean. About to run Spybot.
Ideas?
Also, when booting the system into Safe Mode, after the Dell splash screen appears, after pressing F8 the lines of text for the boot options and when the system is loading the drivers the lines of text take about 2 seconds/line to draw.
I ran AVG in SafeMode. It didn't find anything.
I pulled the drive and have it connected to another system. Ran AVG again: Clean. Windows Defender: Clean. About to run Spybot.
Ideas?
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see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_Window_Manager
what did you do to get dwm hogging the cpu ie how did it start
what did you do to get dwm hogging the cpu ie how did it start
ASKER
IanTh DWM manages the process that manages graphics in Vista. It starts at boot.
I'm running Proc Exp on the system now. I haven't downloaded debug symbols so looking at the Threads will be pretty inconclusive.
DWM isn't run by a SVCHOST process. It's its own process.
I'm running Proc Exp on the system now. I haven't downloaded debug symbols so looking at the Threads will be pretty inconclusive.
DWM isn't run by a SVCHOST process. It's its own process.
Use the Microsoft Symbol Server to obtain debug symbol files
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311503
Dont need the symbols.....
File>Configure Symbols inside of PE. Paste the following, after creating a c:\Symbols folder.....
SRV*c:\symbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311503
Dont need the symbols.....
File>Configure Symbols inside of PE. Paste the following, after creating a c:\Symbols folder.....
SRV*c:\symbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
Sorry, Options>Configure Symbols
ASKER
Once I pop the drive back in I'll run Proc Exp with symbols and I'll let you know what happens.
ASKER
After running AVG, SpyBot, MalwareBytes, Defender and CHKDSK /R on the drive I popped it back in the system and it was fine for about 3 minutes then it began to slow down.
Here's the stack from Proc Exp. from the thread that's eating the CPU. (it's using about 50%)
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForMult
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForSing
ntkrnlpa.exe!PsGetCurrentT
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeInsertQueue
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForSing
ntkrnlpa.exe!NtWaitForSing
ntkrnlpa.exe!ZwQueryLicens
ntdll.dll!KiFastSystemCall
kernel32.dll!WaitForSingle
milcore.dll!MilComposition
milcore.dll!MilComposition
milcore.dll!MilComposition
milcore.dll!MilConnection_
kernel32.dll!BaseThreadIni
ntdll.dll!RtlInitializeExc
ntdll.dll!RtlInitializeExc
Here's the stack from Proc Exp. from the thread that's eating the CPU. (it's using about 50%)
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForMult
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForSing
ntkrnlpa.exe!PsGetCurrentT
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeInsertQueue
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForSing
ntkrnlpa.exe!NtWaitForSing
ntkrnlpa.exe!ZwQueryLicens
ntdll.dll!KiFastSystemCall
kernel32.dll!WaitForSingle
milcore.dll!MilComposition
milcore.dll!MilComposition
milcore.dll!MilComposition
milcore.dll!MilConnection_
kernel32.dll!BaseThreadIni
ntdll.dll!RtlInitializeExc
ntdll.dll!RtlInitializeExc
ASKER
One other detail: the system is fine when booted into Safe Mode.
ASKER
Another detail:
I'm sorry, actually DWM is started via SVCHOST. Here's the command line for it:
C:\Windows\System32\svchos
I'm sorry, actually DWM is started via SVCHOST. Here's the command line for it:
C:\Windows\System32\svchos
try process explorer to really see whats going on behind the scenes
see
http://download.cnet.com/Process-Explorer/3000-2094_4-10223605.html
see
http://download.cnet.com/Process-Explorer/3000-2094_4-10223605.html
ASKER
IanTh -- Process Explorer is what I'm using.
ASKER
You're not going to believe this. There were several Windows updates that needed to be installed, so I shutdown the system and let them install. The problem is gone!
Who knows! I'll file this under, "FM". f*cking mystery.
As for the points, I'm awarding them to JohnB.
Thanks!
Who knows! I'll file this under, "FM". f*cking mystery.
As for the points, I'm awarding them to JohnB.
Thanks!
ASKER
The solution offered didn't fix the problem but gave great advice on how to track down the issue!
Im glad you are fixed. Sorry for the delay, just getting online. Whats this DLL belong to?
milcore.dll
milcore.dll
typical m$ eh glad you got it sorted
ASKER
Johnb, do you mean who's running MILCORE.DLL?
No, what app does it belong to?
ASKER
I don't know.
Do you happen to have another video card you can use to test with? Not many things that early in the bootup process that can affect your speeds.....