Hambone
2006-12-29, 22:38
Ok, first a little detail on the systems involved in this problem:
System 1: Sager 4760 Laptop, P4 2.8GHz, 1Gb RAM, 80Gb HD
System 2: Dell Dimension 2400, P4 2.8GHz, 512Mb RAM, 80Gb HD
Both systems run WinXP Pro SP2 with all available updates (including IE7). On the laptop, I use Avast! antivirus and Spybot S&D, while on the desktop I have Trend Micro's OfficeScan and Spybot S&D. Both systems are configured similarly from a software and settings standpoint - Spybot is configured identically between the two machines. Both machines have about the same amount of free disk space.
Now, for the problem: On the Dell, a full scan in Spybot takes 7-10 minutes depending on the day. On the laptop however, a full scan takes 30-35 minutes, sometimes as much as 45 minutes. That part I can live with, even if it kinda sucks...
The big issue though is that Teatimer is using just way too much CPU on the laptop. After booting the system and logging in, it uses 80-100% CPU for the first 10-15 minutes, then settles down to an "idle" rate of 11-15%, depending on other system activity. Starting IE causes it to spike back to 100% for anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes (during which time IE is totally unresponsive).
I should note at this point that both systems are kept meticulously clean, with full AV- and AS-scans run at least weekly, and I also occasionally scan using Trend's HouseCall site as well. Neither machine has had an infection of any sort, and I always maintain safe browsing habits.
I really don't want to have to disable Teatimer on the laptop, but it's starting to look like I may have to in order to keep it useable - at this point, when Teatimer goes on one of its binges, the system becomes nearly unusable until it chokes back, and even then it's putting a good drag on the system. Does anyone have any suggestions for troubleshooting steps I can take to get it back in line? Many thanks in advance!
System 1: Sager 4760 Laptop, P4 2.8GHz, 1Gb RAM, 80Gb HD
System 2: Dell Dimension 2400, P4 2.8GHz, 512Mb RAM, 80Gb HD
Both systems run WinXP Pro SP2 with all available updates (including IE7). On the laptop, I use Avast! antivirus and Spybot S&D, while on the desktop I have Trend Micro's OfficeScan and Spybot S&D. Both systems are configured similarly from a software and settings standpoint - Spybot is configured identically between the two machines. Both machines have about the same amount of free disk space.
Now, for the problem: On the Dell, a full scan in Spybot takes 7-10 minutes depending on the day. On the laptop however, a full scan takes 30-35 minutes, sometimes as much as 45 minutes. That part I can live with, even if it kinda sucks...
The big issue though is that Teatimer is using just way too much CPU on the laptop. After booting the system and logging in, it uses 80-100% CPU for the first 10-15 minutes, then settles down to an "idle" rate of 11-15%, depending on other system activity. Starting IE causes it to spike back to 100% for anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes (during which time IE is totally unresponsive).
I should note at this point that both systems are kept meticulously clean, with full AV- and AS-scans run at least weekly, and I also occasionally scan using Trend's HouseCall site as well. Neither machine has had an infection of any sort, and I always maintain safe browsing habits.
I really don't want to have to disable Teatimer on the laptop, but it's starting to look like I may have to in order to keep it useable - at this point, when Teatimer goes on one of its binges, the system becomes nearly unusable until it chokes back, and even then it's putting a good drag on the system. Does anyone have any suggestions for troubleshooting steps I can take to get it back in line? Many thanks in advance!