Odd CPU Behaviour

C

calc

Member
I've noticed that sometimes, while trying to interact with a random file or folder, such as trying to delete it, move it or rename it, Explorer.exe steals roughly 25% of my CPU after each attempt (which always results in a hang). I have also noticed that this is particularly true when trying to delete/move/rename any file with the .dat extension.
I've found (using Process Explorer) that the following process thread is the one that uses the 25% CPU:
thing.jpg


After killing each ntdll.dll thread, explorer.exe restarts and the CPU is back to normal.
I have also found that the same issue arises after every time I save an image from Google Chrome to my desktop (that is right clicking on an image and clicking 'save image as').
I have run multiple scans for viruses and malware, but neither have returned with any effective results.

My CPU is an AMD Phenom X4 9750 with 2.40GHz.
I also have 4GB of RAM and am using Windows Vista Home Premium, SP 2 32bit.

Any ideas?
 

My Computer

System One

Welcome
Lets make sure that the most serioius problem is not the cause
Run a full and updated antivirus scan
Download malwarebytes and run a full updated scan.
Report back
I see that you mention that it was already done. Was it updated and full scans?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I used SUPERAntiSpyware, Malware Bytes and Microsoft Security Essentials, all of which are fully updated, none showing any signs of infection.
I'll try the clean boot and get back to you.
 

My Computer

System One

No you used the clean boot incorrectly and you are not doing the scans correctly
Those scans should take about an hour each. Make sure you are doing the full scan a quick scan.
The clean boot is done without the scans. Make a clean boot, if the problem is gone follow procedure to find the cause
Good luck
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hello, and welcome to the Vista Forums!

Please can you go back to those threads, and single click on it, and then click on the Stack button > Copy all, and paste the results here. Please paste about three examples if they differ.

My worry is that it will look something like this:

Code: 
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForMultipleObjects+0xabc
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeWaitForSingleObject+0x492
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeTestAlertThread+0x78
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeSetTimerEx+0x78e
ntkrnlpa.exe!KeRemoveQueueEx+0x741
ntkrnlpa.exe!IoSetIoCompletionEx+0x74
ntkrnlpa.exe!PsGetCurrentProcessWin32Process+0x481
ntkrnlpa.exe!ZwQueryLicenseValue+0xbc6
ntdll.dll!KiFastSystemCallRet
kernel32.dll!BaseThreadInitThunk+0x12
ntdll.dll!RtlInitializeExceptionChain+0x63
ntdll.dll!RtlInitializeExceptionChain+0x36
Allow me to point you to this thread: Windows Explorer uses 100%CPU - Bug Report

@Vishal Gupta's answer.

Does that sound possible in this case? I have seen this before, and that was exactly the problem, although it could be a 3rd party extension or application.

Richard
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.50GHz
    Motherboard
    Stock Dell 0TP406
    Memory
    4 gb (DDR2 800) 400MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 3870 (512 MBytes)
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Dell 2007FP and 1 x (old) Sonic flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 1200 and 1280 x 1204
    Hard Drives
    1 x 640Gb (SATA 300) Western Digital: WDC WD6400AAKS-75A7B0 1 x 1Tb (SATA 600) Western Digital: Caviar Black, SATA 6GB/S, 64Mb cache, 8ms Western Digital: WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 ATA Device
    PSU
    Stock PSU - 375W
    Case
    Dell XPS 420
    Cooling
    Stock Fan
    Mouse
    Advent Optical ADE-WG01 (colour change light up)
    Keyboard
    Dell Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    120 kb/s
    Other Info
    ASUS USB 3.0 5Gbps/SATA 6Gbps - PCI-Express Combo Controller Card (U3S6)
I purposely tried to create the issue a few times and got 3 ntdll.dll problems (75% CPU usage).
The stacks are as follows:
First ntdll.dll (25%)
magixmpegin.dll!mpegInSeekSampleExisting+0x8b06
magixmpegin.dll!mpegSplitOpenFile+0x1d2
magixmpegin.dll!mpegSplitOpenFile+0x1d2

Second ntdll.dll (25%):
magixmpegin.dll!mpegInSeekSampleExisting+0xd909
magixmpegin.dll!mpegInSeekSampleExisting+0xdf39
magixmpegin.dll!mpegInSeekSampleExisting+0x8b52
magixmpegin.dll!mpegSplitOpenFile+0x1d2
magixspmpeg.ax!DllUnregisterServer+0x2d35

Third ntdll.dll (25%):
magixmpegin.dll!mpegInSeekSampleExisting+0xd90c
magixmpegin.dll!mpegInSeekSampleExisting+0xdf39
magixmpegin.dll!mpegInSeekSampleExisting+0x8b52
magixmpegin.dll!mpegSplitOpenFile+0x1d2
magixspmpeg.ax!DllUnregisterServer+0x2d35
magixspmpeg.ax!DllCanUnloadNow+0x1839
magixspmpeg.ax!DllUnregisterServer+0xc38d
magixspmpeg.ax!DllUnregisterServer+0xc4dd
quartz.dll!DllGetClassObject+0x1336d

That's all from trying to empty the recycle bin while a .dat file that I created in notepad was in the recycle bin. The emptying process would hang, I would be forced to cancel it and the file would still exist in the recycle bin. Normally I would reset the recycle bin in this case, but it's probably not the best solution.
 

My Computer

System One

Hello again, calc!

Well, your problem is NOT the standard Vista .zip issue, and is in fact a compatibility issue with codecs from a company called Magix: Music, photo, and video software from the market leader - MAGIX UK

Please can you tell me what Magix software you have installed, and try to update all of it.

Thanks a lot!

Richard

P.S. Do you use this Magix software? Did you pay for it? Would uninstalling it be an option?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.50GHz
    Motherboard
    Stock Dell 0TP406
    Memory
    4 gb (DDR2 800) 400MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 3870 (512 MBytes)
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Dell 2007FP and 1 x (old) Sonic flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 1200 and 1280 x 1204
    Hard Drives
    1 x 640Gb (SATA 300) Western Digital: WDC WD6400AAKS-75A7B0 1 x 1Tb (SATA 600) Western Digital: Caviar Black, SATA 6GB/S, 64Mb cache, 8ms Western Digital: WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 ATA Device
    PSU
    Stock PSU - 375W
    Case
    Dell XPS 420
    Cooling
    Stock Fan
    Mouse
    Advent Optical ADE-WG01 (colour change light up)
    Keyboard
    Dell Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    120 kb/s
    Other Info
    ASUS USB 3.0 5Gbps/SATA 6Gbps - PCI-Express Combo Controller Card (U3S6)
I thought as much.
I think I installed a Magix product quite some time ago, but it was only a trial, and I ended up uninstalling it. But again, that was quite some time ago, and I'm unsure as to when my current problem actually began to occur.
 

My Computer

System One

Hello!

Well, the problem is that all of Magix is NOT uninstalled, or there are remnants causing problems. Can you please confirm for me that there is nothing relating to Magix in Uninstall Programs, before I take more "decisive" action.

Thanks a lot!

Richard
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.50GHz
    Motherboard
    Stock Dell 0TP406
    Memory
    4 gb (DDR2 800) 400MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 3870 (512 MBytes)
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Dell 2007FP and 1 x (old) Sonic flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 1200 and 1280 x 1204
    Hard Drives
    1 x 640Gb (SATA 300) Western Digital: WDC WD6400AAKS-75A7B0 1 x 1Tb (SATA 600) Western Digital: Caviar Black, SATA 6GB/S, 64Mb cache, 8ms Western Digital: WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 ATA Device
    PSU
    Stock PSU - 375W
    Case
    Dell XPS 420
    Cooling
    Stock Fan
    Mouse
    Advent Optical ADE-WG01 (colour change light up)
    Keyboard
    Dell Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    120 kb/s
    Other Info
    ASUS USB 3.0 5Gbps/SATA 6Gbps - PCI-Express Combo Controller Card (U3S6)
Huh. If it is residual Magix software causing an issue (and you can't just use a restore point from before all this madness; that almost always fixes things) I'd reinstall that same trial again (don't worry if it was a timed thing; you won't actually be using it) then use Revo uninstaller or something similar (Revo is just the one I use; no particular reason) to make sure you wipe out everything it put on your computer. Revo Uninstaller - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Downloads See if that doesn't fix it for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1545
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 @ 2.00 GHz
    Motherboard
    DELL - 27d90219 Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (DPMS), 15.3" (34cm x 19cm)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Internal 320 GB Portable 320 GB used for separate storage of media, plugged into USB port as needed.
    Cooling
    Single built in fan
    Mouse
    Touchpad, + Logitech wireless mouse (USB)
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Internet Speed
    ~150 kilobytes/sec DL
    Other Info
    Usually have low HD free space left (<10 GB), often left on overnight. I really push its capabilities.
I happened to find the .dll in a locked folder on my computer somewhere in the program files folder. I deleted it after changing some of the permissions to allow me to delete it and all seems well now. I'll give it a little while before I confirm that everything has been fixed and I'll get back to you.

Thanks for the help guys :)
 

My Computer

System One

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