Electronics

[Peaches McPhee]

I've gotten good advice on here in the past.

Admittedly older laptop, running Windows 7. Since Christmas, it has been running s l o w, and the fan is on almost all the time. Was getting Norton alerts, saying "Google Chrome high CPU usage". Un-installed Google Chrome, but I am still getting all symptoms -- including the reference to Google Chrome in the Norton alert.

Any suggestions? I admit I need a newer laptop, but would like to clear Christmas bills before I spend any significant cash elsewhere.

Thanks, in advance.

[jackthebear]

Get rid of Norton?

Reinstall windows, is there a local computer repair shop that is reputable that could do this for you

[Harpa]

I'm not a computer guru, but your hard drive should not be thrashing like that. It is (I think) an indication of a virus.

You could try to install a virus protection (free on-line) like Kaspersky and run the scan.

I'm not sure how reliable Norton is. My IT daughter is not a fan, as well as the guru where my DH works.

[gardenman]

The first step is to launch Task Manager. You can do this by right clicking on the taskbar at the bottom of your computer screen and then clicking on "Start Task Manager." Once Task Manager launches click on the "Processes" tab. Then click on the button on the bottom left that says "Show processes from all users." You'll likely have to okay doing that, but do so. When Task Manager relaunches click on the "CPU" button near the top of the Processes tab. That should show you what's using your CPU's resources. Whatever has a big number attached is the culprit. There will be a name to the left that may mean nothing to you, but Google it and that it'll tell you what's responsible. You can try disabling that process by highlighting and then clicking on the "End Process" button on the bottom right of the Task Manager screen. That may solve the problem.

Google's toolbar was notorious for a while of using 90+% of a computer's CPU for some reason, but later versions have been fine. If the issue recurs and it's a program you can live without, get rid of the program.

Here are the steps required step by step.

1. Launch Task Manager (right click on the taskbar at the bottom of the computer screen.)

2. Click on the "Processes" Tab of Task Manager.

3. Click on the "Show processes from all users" button at the bottom left of the Task Manager screen. Okay this and wait for Task Manager to relaunch.

4. Click on the "CPU" button near the top of the Task Manager Processes tab.

5. Identify the process using the computer's CPU resources.

6. Stop the process by highlighting it and clicking on the "End process" button at the bottom right.

[Sunshine Kate]

I've had good luck with downloading CCleaner.

[glb613]

On 1/8/2015 Sunshine Kate said:

I've had good luck with downloading CCleaner.

Me too. In fact, I use it on my Mac. There is a tool that will let you disable programs in the start up group. The programs get into the start up group when installed, run in the background and drain your computer's resources.

If this was my computer, I'd backup everything, format the hard drive and reinstall Windows. Most Windows 7 computers came with a recovery partition and/or the ability to created recovery disks. Once the backup is completed, used either the partition or disks and restore your computer to the out of the box condition. It will run like new. You will need to install all of the updates, programs and data. It does take time but will make an old computer run like new.

[Nuttmeg]

On 1/8/2015 glb613 said:

On 1/8/2015 Sunshine Kate said:

I've had good luck with downloading <em>CCleaner</em>.

Me too. In fact, I use it on my Mac. There is a tool that will let you disable programs in the start up group. The programs get into the start up group when installed, run in the background and drain your computer's resources.

If this was my computer, I'd backup everything, format the hard drive and reinstall Windows. Most Windows 7 computers came with a recovery partition and/or the ability to created recovery disks. Once the backup is completed, used either the partition or disks and restore your computer to the out of the box condition. It will run like new. You will need to install all of the updates, programs and data. It does take time but will make an old computer run like new.

This is a great suggestion. Here is directions on How to reset a HP computer to like new condition.
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Operating-Systems-Software-Recovery/reset-windows-7-to-factory...

How to reset a Dell video YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ECjkiGFYM

HP video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d8iYWk0NIw

[Lynnj]

The suggestions above are good. But I have to ask...you said you uninstalled Google chrome but Norton is still giving messages about it. How did you uninstall it? I think you may still have some of it installed somewhere. You have to be sure that you completely close out of Google chrome and anything else associated with it, then do the uninstall process. Otherwise it's still there.