Problems with my laptop.

I have a Hp Pavillion Laptop. I've had it for about 2 and a half years now. I don't download much and I have a subscription to Norton AntiVirus. I do weekly virus scans.

Here's my problem. When I am not running anything at all, my laptop is running at 50% CPU. I go through all my Processes and services. Some of them are odd but I don't believe they are virus's. My power plan is set to High Performance.

Why is it when I'm running nothing, no windows open, my computer is at 50% CPU. I have about 59 Processes running. I have tried stopping a few of the processes but then some weird things happen to my laptop.

 

It is probably Norton AntiVirus. Norton is a very trusted program, it just takes up so much space on your RAM and uses so much memory when it is open, or in your task tray (which means it is still running!). If thats the case, I would suggest Kaspersky AntiVirus, or Webroot AntiVirus. Those 2 seem to be most chosen by computer specialists.

Another problem might be your virtual memory.

To check that hit CTRL - ALT - DELETE to open your Task Manager. Then click the Processes tab. You can stop the program from running from this tab. Click VIEW - SELECT COLUMNS, and then check the box that says VIRTUAL MEMORY SIZE. that will show you which program is running the most.

To expand your virtual memory, here is an internet guide to help - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826513

Hope that may have helped!

 

Sometimes you have a program that has a memory leak, which means the longer it runs the more RAM it starts to use (easiest way for me to explain it). Anyway, just start your task manager as kuballer22 stated and check to see if there is a process using an excessive amount of memory.

 

well thank you guys, i didnt know about the virtual memory part. ive just gotten up to check processes and all that. lol. now my laptop wont even work though, when i turn it on the screen doesnt come on.