W7 CPU usage

Can you take a screnshot of the open handles under system? Go to the properties window of "System", and under the "threads" tab, take a screenshot of what is eating your CPU.

Thanks for the responses, Spar-Q - I've attached a copy of what you asked for.

Phil - GMSchool
ProcExpl2.PNG

Looking into the issue for you - Can you list your computer hardware? What model of video card, etc...

The motherboard is Gigabyte GA-M720-US3 with latest BIOS
Video card = ATI Radeon 4600
Processor = AMD Phenom X4 945

Do you need any more?

Thanks

Phil

When I look up this issue, many users complain about BSOD problems, or problems related to returning from power-saving states. Does any of this apply in your situation? Also, does the CPU usage of system stay at 50% constantly, or does it spike randomly, and go back down?

Hi Spar-Q

Yes, I've seen those threads as well! It was my frustration at not being able to find an answer that caused me to post the question and put such high points on it.
The CPU runs constantly at 50%. +/- 1 or 2%.
I don't get BSOD.
I haven't had any problems relating to power saving statesa, although I haven't yet had the machine go to sleep.
Since this only started after I installed a new solid state hard drive, I've reinstalled W7 on a brand new WD SATA drive and exactly the same results.
Thanks

Phil

Another piece of information - I've just run all the Microsoft updates that were available at the first search, and the program is still there. However, as I've turned the machine off for the night (I'm going home now!), I will check whether there are any further updates tomorrow.

I don't think this will make any difference - I believe that with the soldi state drive I'd already done all the available updates, although there is a small chance I might not have done.

Phil

Hi Spar-Q

I've downloaded and tried running kernrate. I've attached a screen shot of trying to run the utility, but I'm obviously doing something wrong as I don't get a screen anything like the one in the tech blog you linked to.

Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong, please?

Thanks

Phil - GMSchool
ProcExpl3.PNG

My fault - even though I've got Enterprise and Domain admin rights on my account, W7 doesn't seem to understand these priveleges! So I try running as Administrator and hey presto, it works.

I'll add more once I've worked out where the problem is.

Phil

OK - Following the tech blog shown in the link above, I've used Kernrate and Process Explorer DLL view. The first attachment shows the Kernrate results, which shows that the process amdppm is what's hitting the processor. The second attachment shows that this process is the processor device driver, and according to AMD the Microsoft driver is perfectly acceptable to use (I 'phoned them yesterday to ask where I could get a new version of the driver from, and they told me that Microsoft one is the one to use).

I'm now going to 'phone them again and talk with them about this.

Phil - GMSchool
ProcExpl4.PNG
ProcExpl5.PNG

So I've 'phoned AMD. They tell me that the processor driver is built in to the OS, and I need to speak to Microsoft.

Before I do this, I've wiped the disk and installed 64bit version of the software as this has a different driver for the processor. Once I've installed the OS, I go to task manager and the processor's running at 50%!

As I've suffered this same problem with 2 different OS's but the same hardware, it makes me think there's a problem with one of the pieces of hardware, so I'm going to buy a new processor and motherboard and see what happens once I've put them in place. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

In the meantime, I will happily award the points to Spar-Q - he has been very helpful and pointed me in the right direction to find out what the problem has been, for which many thanks.

Phil - GMSchool

Glad I helped

I am pleased to report that all my problems have been solved - I put a new motherboard in the computer, installed the OS and the processor is now behaving itself as it should.

Phil - GMSchool