HIGH disk usage Windows 8 Pro

At least we know that the memory diagnostics are OK.

Now do this:

Right click the bottom left corner of the screen and click Command Prompt (Admin)

now, type CHKDSK /p  & press enter.

• After the scan is complete,
• type, CHKDSK C: /f /r (This will repair corrupted sectors )

     Restart the system and check if the problem is solved.

When you reply to me tell me if your are running a third party AV program.

If the above does not fix the problem we will have to look at your drivers but we will wait to see the above results.

I got one BSOD that gave me a KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR

I believe that my RAM sticks are okay, as I also ran the memory diagnostic and no errors were shown.

On Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:51:58 +0000, Johnsonjulian38 wrote:

It's been about 4 days since I've had this issue.

What issue? Please be much more specific about what you mean by "HIGH
disk usage." Under what circumstances? Put a number on it, even if
approximate.

My computer was running really slow,

Please be much more specific about what you mean by "running really
slow." Under what circumstances? Put a number on it, even if
approximate.

so I checked the Task Manager and saw that a "System" process was running under the name "ntoskrnl.exe". I thought it was a virus or a rootkit.

No. It's a standard Windows component. In the future, you should do a
web search on names like this to find out what they are. It's quick
and easy.

I ran Windows Defender and nothing was detected. I just did a clean install of my operating system last night,

Your choice, of course, but doing that for an unexplained problem is
almost always way overkill. And depending on what the problem is, it
often won't solve it.

and I'm checking my processes and the same issue is persisting.

I have an HP Pavilion m7 1015-dx.

If the problem is persisting like I think it is, can this be a hardware issue?

Possibly, but it doesn't sound terribly likely. Please be more
specific about the problem by answering  the above questions.

Are you getting a BSOD?  It looks like you may have a memory problem.  Suggest you test as follows and let me know the results:

• First, Invoke Run window or Search Charm. And after that Select the Settings tab in case of Search Charm.
• The next thing to do is Type in the command “MdSched”, and then press Enter.

The window launched lists comes up with just two options –

• The first one being Run the tool right now. The system will reboot if you opt for this one. So in such case you must save all your work before you opt to go for it.
• After that Run the tool at next system boot. This will automatically schedule the tool to run when you start your system the next time.

This tool instantly works at system startup, and kind of works in an environment similar to that of DOS.

The tool will start the diagnosis instantly after reboot. Actually it runs a set to test on your RAM stick. If all the tests clear up successfully, then your RAM is in good working condition.

If your RAM is unable to pass all the tests, then it means  that you will be required to repair or replace it.