   Process Confusion
  So I consider myself pretty knowledgeable with Win32. Just this week however, my PC has been surprising me. At random times, some process will begin to lock down my system with 100% CPU usage. So I open the task manager (I'm under XP Pro) and the graph shows my CPU max'd out, but no process is listed using any CPU. Then my machine gets more and more sluggish until I can't even shutdown.WTF!I've never had a problem like this before, so Ive downloaded Process Explorer and I plan to see if that helps me nail down what is happening.Any other ideas?   
Quote:Original post by Jason PetraskoSo I consider myself pretty knowledgeable with Win32. Just this week however, my PC has been surprising me. At random times, some process will begin to lock down my system with 100% CPU usage. So I open the task manager (I'm under XP Pro) and the graph shows my CPU max'd out, but no process is listed using any CPU. Then my machine gets more and more sluggish until I can't even shutdown.WTF!I've never had a problem like this before, so Ive downloaded Process Explorer and I plan to see if that helps me nail down what is happening.Any other ideas?Virus/shitware.Stuff doesn't just spike like that.   ;  wich OS? run the taskmanager as an administrator else you might not be seeing all user's programs (so it could simply not be listed) could also be a service taking too much cpu time & not be listed   ;  ranakor, that is what I'm thinking. Driver or service issue. I'm very safe with what I install, so I don't imagine its something virus/crapware.If it was more frequent, it would be easier to debug...   ;  Get Process Explorer and see if it shows something the task manager doesn't.If not, get Rootkit Revealer and see if it points out any rootkits on your system.   ;Quote:Original post by Jason Petraskoranakor, that is what I'm thinking. Driver or service issue. I'm very safe with what I install, so I don't imagine its something virus/crapware.If it was more frequent, it would be easier to debug...See, that's the problem - it's hardly what you install.   ;  Thanks for all the help. Earlier today I updated my BETA Nvidia drivers to the latest version and it hasn't happened since. I'll assume they were the culprit.   