Easy and quick test would be to click

Start > Right Click My Computer > Properties > Hardware > Device Manager

Click the + for Network Adapters and right click and choose Disable on your wireless adapter.

Then see if your PC is any faster. 50% is high and I have never seen a network adapter use that much CPU. It could be an incompatibility with your board or some other issue. Is it an expansion card or a built in wireless adapter?

You could also have a spyware, malware or virus which is using your internet to download/upload information.

Download this and update it then run a scan and post it here for other members to look at:

Malwarebytes.org

Do a Full Scan if possible.

PS I recommend that you also unplug the wireless router or otherwise disconnect this problem PC from the internet while running Malwarebytes. It will speed up the scan and if there are spyware or viruses on your PC it will limit the damage they can do.

Thank you for the response. I will try those two things and then reply back with results.

Alright, I could not do a full sweep because the computer keeps freezing. I did run a quick scan however, and found 1 reg key problem.

As far as disabling the wireless...I did, and it still was listed at 50 cpu (I refreshed a couple times to make sure). Any clue why it would still be listed? And is there anything else I can do to try to find out why it is taking up 50 cpu in the first place? Thanks again in advance.

PS It is an external.

Rocker,

From what you've said this sounds like an overheating issue. Have you had the PC a long time?

It could benefit from clearning the dust from inside the case. Either use a hairdryer on low setting or buy some compressed air. DON'T blow in the case because you will inhale the dust and also you breath has moisture in it which can damage the sensitive electrical components. Disconnect all the power and other cables when cleaning inside the case.

If you restart the computer and press F2 and Del repeatedly (to enter the BIOS)

And use the arrow keys and enter to navigate to Hardware Monitor what is the temp listed for the CPU?

A good CPU temp is anything below 40C and a bad temp is anything above about 60C.

Alright, sorry for the long delay on responding, got tied up with other stuff. I cleaned it out like you suggested (it was running at 45 Celsius). I turned it back on and it still has the wireless taking up 50 cpu.

Hello there I would click the "Prework" link below in my signiture and follow the instructions,then copy and paste the results back here on your thread.Lets rull out malware.

Ok download and run:

http://www.pchelpforum.com/memory/58...nload-run.html

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

Open command prompt and copy and paste in sfc scannow and pop in the XP CD and hit enter on your keyboard.

Ok open command prompt and copy and paste in this command chkdsk /r and hit enter on your keyboard.If you get cannot run at this time would you like to schedule type Y and hit enter then restart your computer and let chkdsk /r run.

See how that goes form me please and post results.