NT Kernel & System using 100% of CPU

Anonymous
2009-04-02T00:19:32+00:00

Hi,

I just bought a new laptop with Window Vista Basic. The laptop has 3 Gb ram. I was just reading an article on line and then I start to hear the laptop fan running like crazy. then I went to the Resource Monitor and there was an image/program that was using 95% of my cpu and it was my system with description of "NT Kernel & System". It has been going on for over 30mins. Other than restarting the computer, what can I do about this "NT Kernel & System" eating up 95% of my CPU?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2009-07-06T17:17:59+00:00

I've been having the same problem on my HP desktop running Vista home for a couple weeks. I read that someone fixed the same problem by updating some hardware firmware, so I opened Resource Monitor and started unplugging all my hardware one at a time. The instant I unplugged my Belkin USB network adapter, NT Kernel & System dropped down to 0% and my computer unfroze entirely. The same adapter has been causing me a lot of grief for months- it wouldn't respond every time my computer came out of standby. I'll be updating the driver and firmware to see if that helps - otherwise that garbage is going in the trash. I recommend disabling/unplugging hardware (especially if you have any with odd behavior) until the problem stops, then replacing or updating that hardware.

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Anonymous
2009-04-02T10:03:09+00:00

Hello Dtsai,

Thank you for posting.  What you just described seems to be some form of mal-ware trying to mascuerade as a legitimate windows service.  Windows does have NT Kernel and also System, but they never show up together as one service, program, or file. 

I highly recommend that you use your favorite anti-virus and anti-spyware program and do a full scan of your PC. 

Please try the scan and let me know if this helps you

Zack


Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-11T01:10:53+00:00

    Hello Dtsai,

    Thank you for posting.  What you just described seems to be some form of mal-ware trying to mascuerade as a legitimate windows service.  Windows does have NT Kernel and also System, but they never show up together as one service, program, or file. 

    I highly recommend that you use your favorite anti-virus and anti-spyware program and do a full scan of your PC. 

    Please try the scan and let me know if this helps you

    Zack


    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    I have the same problem on my HP Envy 17t Windows 8.1, I restarted it but its still rrunning. I tried Malwarebytes free version but it doesn't detect any malware or spyware

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-29T07:04:20+00:00

    I have an old HP netbook, it does this occasionally, what I found is it's due to the SD card reader. A reboot force power down (holding down the power button) will be ok.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-18T12:40:32+00:00

    Solution was for me:

    1. OPEN : "Change the way Windows search"
    2. Rebuild "On advaced button"
    3. Vupti - all good for me  :-)

    Hope this Works for you...

    Sigmondo

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