system process eating all of cpu

[timush]

cpu is running at 100% all the time and it is always the "system" process (not "system idle" process) eating 95+ %,  everything is slowed to a crawl

HP Pavilion a1410y with Celeron D and 712K memory running XP SP2...

I downloaded process explorer, it only showed "system" process eating all of the cpu...
none of its children.  I still killed all the child processes I could no relief.  I uninstalled
every piece of software on the box no relief.  I disabled all services from starting, also
came up in safe mode still see the problem. Finally I reinstalled completely via the HP
recovery partition still no relief! The recovery partition installs SP2....I tried upgrading
to SP3 no help. Now I'm thinking hardware.  I unplug/take out everything...CD-ROM,
extra memory, all extra cards etc, no relief.  I ran the built-in HP hardware diags and
the PC-Doctor hardware diags everything runs clean.  I'm at my wits end on this one can anyone help??

[Broni]

Same thing in Safe Mode?

[timush]

Yes, same thing in safe mode.....

[Broni]

Download HijackThis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download
Click on Download HijackThis Installer
Post HijackTHis log.

[timush]

OK, here it is.  I had done a fresh reinstall, so stuff I had removed before is back
now. I would have thought the reinstall would have cleared any virus.  This is in normal mode, not safe mode.  If I use process explorer to lower the run priority of the system process, the machine is marginally usable....but it is still
always flat out 100% cpu.

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\Desktop\ProcessExplorer\procexp.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {A8F38D8D-E480-4D52-B7A2-731BB6995FDD} - c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: hpWebHelper Class - {AAAE832A-5FFF-4661-9C8F-369692D1DCB9} - C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\plugin\WebHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {C4069E3A-68F1-403E-B40E-20066696354B} - c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IS CfgWiz] c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\cfgwiz.exe /GUID {F073BDC9-0D67-4ff0-879E-27241C843828} /MODE CfgWiz /CMDLINE "REBOOT"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSC_UserPrompt] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\UsrPrmpt.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Reminder] "C:\Windows\Creator\Remind_XP.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPwuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'Default user')
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Internet Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Internet Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Internet Security Password Validation (ccISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Proxy (ccProxy) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: COM Host (comHost) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\comHost.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton Protection Center Service (NSCService) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Console\NSCSRVCE.EXE
O23 - Service: Symantec AVScan (SAVScan) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe

--
End of file - 7470 bytes

[Broni]

I don't see anything unusual.

Run memtest: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic62524.html

Run HD diagnostic: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

[timush]

Everything runs clean.  I tried  cloning the hard drive.  It has the same issue with the cloned drive....

[patio]

Well it would because you're not only moving working things but issues as well...

[timush]

Yes but it eliminates a physical issue with the hard drive

[Broni]

Did you run memtest?
When CPU usage reaches 100%, what process is the main taker?

[patio]

Post a screenshot of the expanded view of Process Explorer...

[timush]

How do I get a screenshot? 
Well, here is the text...not very nicely formatted, but as you can see at the moment
of the capture system has 100.00 of cpu....it is blank for everybody else...(the columns aren't lining up)

Process   PID   CPU   Description   Company Name
System Idle Process   0         
 Interrupts   n/a      Hardware Interrupts   
 DPCs   n/a      Deferred Procedure Calls   
 System   4   100.00      
  smss.exe   372      Windows NT Session Manager   Microsoft Corporation
   csrss.exe   528      Client Server Runtime Process   Microsoft Corporation
   winlogon.exe   556      Windows NT Logon Application   Microsoft Corporation
    services.exe   600      Services and Controller app   Microsoft Corporation
     ati2evxx.exe   756      ATI External Event Utility EXE Module   ATI Technologies Inc.
     svchost.exe   768      Generic Host Process for Win32 Services   Microsoft Corporation
     svchost.exe   872      Generic Host Process for Win32 Services   Microsoft Corporation
     svchost.exe   936      Generic Host Process for Win32 Services   Microsoft Corporation
      wuauclt.exe   2020      Automatic Updates   Microsoft Corporation
     svchost.exe   1028      Generic Host Process for Win32 Services   Microsoft Corporation
     svchost.exe   1240      Generic Host Process for Win32 Services   Microsoft Corporation
     ccSetMgr.exe   1420      Symantec Settings Manager Service   Symantec Corporation
     ccEvtMgr.exe   1448      Symantec Event Manager Service   Symantec Corporation
     ccProxy.exe   1528      Symantec Network Proxy Service   Symantec Corporation
     spoolsv.exe   1656      Spooler SubSystem App   Microsoft Corporation
     navapsvc.exe   1896      Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service   Symantec Corporation
     wdfmgr.exe   192      Windows User Mode Driver Manager   Microsoft Corporation
     symlcsvc.exe   2080      Symantec Core Component   Symantec Corporation
     SNDSrvc.exe   2328      Network Driver Service   Symantec Corporation
     NSCSRVCE.EXE   3484      Norton Security Console Norton Protection Center Service   Symantec Corporation
    lsass.exe   612      LSA Shell (Export Version)   Microsoft Corporation
    ati2evxx.exe   1176      ATI External Event Utility EXE Module   ATI Technologies Inc.
explorer.exe   1264      Windows Explorer   Microsoft Corporation
 RTHDCPL.EXE   1748      Realtek HD Audio Control Panel   Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
 ccApp.exe   1604      Symantec User Session   Symantec Corporation
 hpwuSchd2.exe   1640      Hewlett-Packard Product Assistant   Hewlett-Packard Co.
 msmsgs.exe   720      Windows Messenger   Microsoft Corporation
 procexp.exe   2724      Sysinternals Process Explorer   Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com
 IEXPLORE.EXE   1428      Internet Explorer   Microsoft Corporation
atiptaxx.exe   3872      ATI Desktop Control Panel   ATI Technologies, Inc.
hpsysdrv.exe   2660      hpsysdrv   Hewlett-Packard Company

[Broni]

I believe, when "system" is eating up 100% of CPU usage, you may be dealing with hardware problem.
1. Run memtest: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic62524.html
2. Run HD diagnostic: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

[timush]

I did run them the first time you asked me too.  They did not show any problems.

[Raptor]

Faulty memory or a damaged hard drive are not very likely to force your CPU into overdrive.

A certain program or function inside Windows may be interfering with normal operation.

I would disable all programs that are not native to Windows during start-up to see if that makes the problem disappear. (Assuming you have already tried safe-mode? Report back.) Search the web for "Ccleaner", it can disable and enabled start-up entries more easily than Windows' own tools.