My girlfriend's computer has been acting very sucky lately, so I did the normal Ad-aware, spy-ware cleanups and virus scans, nothing but normal clutter came up. Even when I go into the Task Manager and end processes that are not vital to the computer running, it will still stay at 100% CPU usage.

So what I've done:

-Spybot
-Ad-Aware
-Virus Scan
-End non-vital processes
-Make sure no programs are running other than ones needed

Any suggestions besides reformatting would be great!

Welcome to PCHF.

1. What version of Windows is she running?

2. In the Task Manager, what processes are running at the highest percentages?

In the Task Manager, if you click on the Process tab and then the CPU column a couple of times the highest CPU usage processes should appear at the top of the list.

WindowsXP

wuauclt.exe
SCVHost.exe

Some McAfee ones as well.

SCVHost is running the highest usually, and wuauclt(windows update) and the McAfee processes will keep restarting themselves when you terminate them.

I don't have her compy with me, but next time if an actual list is completely vital, I can get an accurate list and post it.

Thanks for the info.

Svchost.exe always eats up CPU time. That is one of the reasons I went with a two processor computer.

You're right about wuauclt.exe being part of the Windows Update process, but it can also be used as a virus or spyware.

The only way to be sure about the wuauclt.exe is to click on the Pre-work link in my signature and follow the directions.
Our Security techs can tell you if it's good or bad. And, if it is bad, they can help you get rid of it.

Since those are the two CPU eating processes and if the computer is not actively downloading from Microsoft, then my recommendation is go with the Pre-work procedure.

If you agree, place the Pre-work files and information in this thread.
I'll move it for you to the proper forum for security to have a look at it.

If you are running xp and you have not already update to SP3