CPU Usage Spikes? (Help pl0x)

[EpicPhailure]

Looks like SearchSettings is an adware or something.

Happen to download toolbars or free mouse cursors from IE lately?

[11clock]

Looks like SearchSettings is an adware or something.

Happen to download toolbars or free mouse cursors from IE lately?

I don't use IE, I use Google Chrome. And I think the file came from Advanced SystemCare.

[11clock]

The spikes are still happening, but not as frequent. I am looking at the processes and nothing suspicious is showing up during the spikes. AVG and SearchSettings no longer exist on my computer, so I don't know what to do now. :-X

I tried disk defragmentation, but that didn't do anything.

[Scotty]

Just to clear all bases, download and install Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

Update it, scan it, then immunize.

Also probably irrelevant, but extremely useful, download, install, and run Crap Cleaner (ccleaner for short): http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

[11clock]

Just finished disk cleanup. Didn't help at all, but I gained 2 GB of space.

Just to clear all bases, download and install Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

Update it, scan it, then immunize.

Also probably irrelevant, but extremely useful, download, install, and run Crap Cleaner (ccleaner for short): http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

I'll try these now.

[RayRay]

Also probably irrelevant, but extremely useful, download, install, and run Crap Cleaner (ccleaner for short): http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

=O I use that! It works great.

[11clock]

I scanned using Spybot. It detected and removed 25 tracking cookies. I also immunized. Guess what? Now the problem is even worse. :(

[EpicPhailure]

Check if that Search Settings thing is still on your computer. Adware likes to plant itself where ever it can, and rebuild itself over time.

Run (download, if you don't have it) Malwarebytes in safe mode.

Run Spybot in safe mode.

[11clock]

I closed Advanced SystemCare Free. Now the lag spikes are completely gone. However, there actually is a problem with my speakers. The lag spikes are gone, but I need to find some external speakers.

[11clock]

Lag spikes are still there, but they only occur when playing games. I get a massive fps drop, and the sound messes up.

[Freeforall]

I had these.
I fixed it though.

In my task manager, I had several processes named svchost.exe running. One of them was named svchost.exe*32, which was a virus causing the spikes. (Or atleast when I ended it's service, the spikes stopped.)

Service name was Akamai Netsession. Once I ended the service, svchost.exe*32 disappeared and I didn't have the lag spikes anymore. Hope that helps.

If that doesn't fix it, or if you didn't have that problem, maybe try a system restore to a time where it wasn't doing that?

[EpicPhailure]

A basic way to check for a fraud svchost in your process manager is to look at the publisher. If one of them isn't published under Windows, you found your virus. Just be aware that you SHOULD have multiple svchosts, so don't go ending all of them.

[Freeforall]

A basic way to check for a fraud svchost in your process manager is to look at the publisher. If one of them isn't published under Windows, you found your virus. Just be aware that you SHOULD have multiple svchosts, so don't go ending all of them.

I know, but why would it be running *32 when I have a 64bit system? Is it a virus?

EDIT: When I mean that I had spikes, I mean that games will not run smoothly. Games play at 60 FPS, then every second or two, it will drop to about 15, then go back to playing at 60.

[11clock]

A basic way to check for a fraud svchost in your process manager is to look at the publisher. If one of them isn't published under Windows, you found your virus. Just be aware that you SHOULD have multiple svchosts, so don't go ending all of them.

How do I check the publisher?

[11clock]

I tested out CCleaner. I'n not going to be using it. It wants to uninstall Steam, Gimp, Paint.NET, Adobe Flash Player, even Windows Media Player! <.<