Fix laptop
- Thread starter SHNAGFNAY
- Start date
Did you end the tasks I mentioned before? Do you still see this?
In your previous screen shot where it is showing processes, if I add all the CPU usage, it is only coming as 60%. i.e. there are lot of processes running that taking small % of CPU. Some times there are programs that keep on creating new processes, the moment some CPU is available.
If I am you, I will go to control panel, see all the programs in it. sort it by date (descending) and keep removing them from the latest, if you haven't installed it or no longer needed them.
SHNAGFNAY
Jedi Master
I now only have a firewall installed. No other programs except those programs the computer already have installed from factory/restore. The maps and files are from OneDrive - not that many files.
The first screenshot could have been lagging as I noticed that the screenshot froze in capture mode while the task manager showed different data in the background.
I may try deleting processes but that will have to wait as I am going on errands soon. I feel a little skeptical about deleting processes or uninstalling the firewall. Those things I think should be running.
I agree that the GPU is what makes the computer fast with the mouse and windows, it seems logical, and that there is something wrong with the CPU but what exactly I don't know.
The first screenshot could have been lagging as I noticed that the screenshot froze in capture mode while the task manager showed different data in the background.
I may try deleting processes but that will have to wait as I am going on errands soon. I feel a little skeptical about deleting processes or uninstalling the firewall. Those things I think should be running.
I agree that the GPU is what makes the computer fast with the mouse and windows, it seems logical, and that there is something wrong with the CPU but what exactly I don't know.
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Wandering Star
The Living Force
It may not be your case, but on one occasion I uninstalled an antivirus software, but this software left some "packages" installed that the same protection of said software prevented from uninstalling.
Then I installed another antivirus software and boom..., the cpu was full and the computer hardly worked. It was a disaster.
A firewall external to the one that comes with Windows can also clash with the default one that comes installed in windows.
One fights with the other one could say, and the cpu can't handle it.
Computer science is wonderful. (Irony, just in case).
Then I installed another antivirus software and boom..., the cpu was full and the computer hardly worked. It was a disaster.
A firewall external to the one that comes with Windows can also clash with the default one that comes installed in windows.
One fights with the other one could say, and the cpu can't handle it.
Computer science is wonderful. (Irony, just in case).
It's generally safe to end processes from the Task Manager, because it's not a permanent change - they'll come back next time you reboot - so it can be a good way to diagnose what could be causing the problem.. To permanently stop the processes you'd have to do something else like uninstall the program, change its settings, or stop its "service" in the Services control panel..
I see you have a McAffee program installed and running (or have you already removed it?)... is that the firewall? Might be worth at least temporarily disabling that, I've seen a lot of posts online about McAffee stuff causing 100% cpu use.. (I've heard a lot of bad things about McAffee and other such antivirus products, but sorry I don't know any alternatives to recommend, and maybe my info is out of date..)
Also in the graphs on the last screenshot it looks like the high cpu usage happens at the same time as wifi usage goes way up... Could it just be McAffee (or something else) downloading some updates / virus recognition database / etc? If you leave it running for a long time, does it eventually settle down and go back to normal? If you open up McAffee, does it tell you somewhere if it's currently downloading updates, and what the percentage complete is? (so you can know for sure when it's finished)
Good luck!
BlueKiwi
Jedi Master
I 100% agree - you don't need antivirus software on your PC. Microsoft have even said you don't need them, and in fact they can make you more vulnerable if bugs are found in the antivirus software and exploited - Windows defender is enough.
When I have to clean up a PC I usually do what has been mentioned here - look at what programs are using all your CPU and memory and see if you actually use them. If not, uninstall them, or find them in the Services and disable them form automatic startup.
After removing everything I don't need, I install CCleaner, clean everything up then uninstall it, since it set itself to start automatically.
I have never had CCleaner scew anything up.
Personally I would never use a Windoze operating system. Linux is the way to go (Linux Mint at the moment)
I hope this helps
SHNAGFNAY
Jedi Master
I uninstalled the firewall and yes, it is McAfee Total protection, I also ended some tasks around 5 or 6 in task manager and there was only a slight improvement with the laptop. It now takes around 10 seconds to open and load Edge, 15 seconds to load YouTube, 2 seconds to load forums first page.
There are no updates running in the background, even when I had McAfee installed, I had it updated and it wasn't updated in the background after. Windows 10 is fully up to date and isn't updating in the background.
As for the Wi-Fi, that laptop doesn't have any ethernet port, it only has Wi-Fi and disabling it doesn't seem to make any difference as the CPU goes 100% anyways.
The thing is, whatever app I open or if I load a page, move around a window etc. the CPU goes higher, topping 100%. Basically, it can be any process. When the laptop was functional some years back it didn't have these issues.
I used to have free antivirus/firewall programs throughout my life, various kinds. I also have had many laptops; they usually just last 3 - 4 years. I also installed ubuntu and Mint, Fedora and some other Distros on various laptops. When I was a teenager, I built my own computer. So, I have a little experience with it.
CCleaner I used back in day also. So, I knew about that but didn't think of using it now, which I now did and it messed up the Keyboard. So, I don't recommend it.
I think I will reinstall windows to correct the keyboard issue. Also, I see no point in not having the firewall installed as I paid for my subscription and the performance was only a slight issue. On the other hand, I don't recommend that firewall for smartphones, for me at least, the battery drained quickly having it installed.
There seems to be no progress so I am thinking of opening it up and taking a look. I am no expert but perhaps there is something I could see, perhaps?
There are no updates running in the background, even when I had McAfee installed, I had it updated and it wasn't updated in the background after. Windows 10 is fully up to date and isn't updating in the background.
As for the Wi-Fi, that laptop doesn't have any ethernet port, it only has Wi-Fi and disabling it doesn't seem to make any difference as the CPU goes 100% anyways.
The thing is, whatever app I open or if I load a page, move around a window etc. the CPU goes higher, topping 100%. Basically, it can be any process. When the laptop was functional some years back it didn't have these issues.
I used to have free antivirus/firewall programs throughout my life, various kinds. I also have had many laptops; they usually just last 3 - 4 years. I also installed ubuntu and Mint, Fedora and some other Distros on various laptops. When I was a teenager, I built my own computer. So, I have a little experience with it.
CCleaner I used back in day also. So, I knew about that but didn't think of using it now, which I now did and it messed up the Keyboard. So, I don't recommend it.
I think I will reinstall windows to correct the keyboard issue. Also, I see no point in not having the firewall installed as I paid for my subscription and the performance was only a slight issue. On the other hand, I don't recommend that firewall for smartphones, for me at least, the battery drained quickly having it installed.
There seems to be no progress so I am thinking of opening it up and taking a look. I am no expert but perhaps there is something I could see, perhaps?
SHNAGFNAY
Jedi Master
Well, it may be simply that the machine isn't equipped to handle Windows 10.
So what are the specs of the machine? Storage, RAM, Processor, GPU, etc.
It may be time to consider upgrading the machine by either getting a new one, or upgrading the specs on it, adding RAM for instance.
So what are the specs of the machine? Storage, RAM, Processor, GPU, etc.
It may be time to consider upgrading the machine by either getting a new one, or upgrading the specs on it, adding RAM for instance.
SHNAGFNAY
Jedi Master
When the laptop failed it had frozen window pop ups when booting it up, and I had to click around a lot in odd ways to make another profile and then eventually restore it. It took a couple of years, as I had the laptop in the closet.
I have two laptops. I have a newer laptop. So, when the older laptop got the issues, it wasn't functional at all so I had to buy a new one.
Don't know too much about the GPU but here are the specs:
Processor Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU N3060 @ 1.60GHz 1.60 GHz
Installed RAM 4,00 GB
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch Touch support with 2 touch points
Searching the web for identical laptops they come with Windows 10. I don't remember if I had a previous windows edition on it, but since I bought it in 2017 and Windows 10 was launched in 2015, if that is correct - I assume that is what it came with. But I am not totally sure.
Edit: the laptop name is
Acer Swift 1 SF114-31-C9SB
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Shnagfnie - ahh, apologies, I didn't read the thread carefully enough and now see you'd already mentioned some of that stuff earlier..
Yeah, maybe the AI chatbot is right, haha, and it could be cpu or heatsink damage! The fact that cpu spikes even when you just move a window around makes it sound like it could be.. not that I'm an expert.. I wonder if it could just be a lot of dust in the laptop? Maybe if you do open it up, you can give it a good cleaning and see if it makes a difference...
(maybe use some utility to tell you the cpu temperature and fan speed, if you haven't already? just to see if they seem normal or not)
For a relatively low-powered laptop like this (celeron) I'd just run Linux on it anyway (possible hardware problem notwithstanding) if you're confident with that, and don't specifically need Windows for anything.. you can make it way faster than Windows :)
Yeah, maybe the AI chatbot is right, haha, and it could be cpu or heatsink damage! The fact that cpu spikes even when you just move a window around makes it sound like it could be.. not that I'm an expert.. I wonder if it could just be a lot of dust in the laptop? Maybe if you do open it up, you can give it a good cleaning and see if it makes a difference...
(maybe use some utility to tell you the cpu temperature and fan speed, if you haven't already? just to see if they seem normal or not)
For a relatively low-powered laptop like this (celeron) I'd just run Linux on it anyway (possible hardware problem notwithstanding) if you're confident with that, and don't specifically need Windows for anything.. you can make it way faster than Windows :)
SHNAGFNAY
Jedi Master
@brandon and everybody
Thanks for your replies
This laptop is what I think is called a 'fanless laptop'. It has no ventilation or openings for cooling. It makes no noise. I will open it up, but I think I will postpone until I eventually do it, whenever that is. Maybe in a week. But I dont think there is any dust inside it. I could not find any programs on Intel website for this CPU. I have no clue where to find such a program. I'll have to google some more. Or if anyone has any suggestions?
Thanks for your replies
This laptop is what I think is called a 'fanless laptop'. It has no ventilation or openings for cooling. It makes no noise. I will open it up, but I think I will postpone until I eventually do it, whenever that is. Maybe in a week. But I dont think there is any dust inside it. I could not find any programs on Intel website for this CPU. I have no clue where to find such a program. I'll have to google some more. Or if anyone has any suggestions?
Sirius
Jedi
It's a reoccurring problem entry-level PC solutions have: Running the worst software in the world upon the worst hardware in the world.
The CPU is too slow but ok for simple systems. 4 GB is not enough for Windows, especially with anti-virus software running. The SSD must be very slow too. (Anti-virus, the first thing I'd get rid off ...)
There are running some background services trying to complete some routine tasks. Because the system is so slow, it takes seemingly forever.
Try to disable some of those tasks:
But in the end, you will be better off running some flavor of Linux/Unix.
