CPU usage - high variation when PC is idle

[pa7er]

When the PC is idle, the task manager shows high variation in processor utilisation. It varies between 3 and 25 percent, and skips regularly between these two values every second. Graphically it shows a pattern like this: VVVVVVVVVVVVV.

The process which is causing these regular skips in CPU usage is the System Process, which is varying between 7 and 15 percent every second.

PC information:

HP Notebook Pavilion 15-n222so. AMD A6-5200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics. HD 8600M Series and HD 8400 /R3 Series.

Initial operating system was Windows 8.1, but upgraded to Windows 10 (version 1511).

Normally an idle PC should use only 2-3 percent CPU constantly, as this PC also did use before upgrade to W-10.

After the upgrade to W-10 version 1511 I noticed that the regular CPU jumps were caused by the two processes called System Memory and Compressed Memory, but in all later W-10 versions it was caused by the System process.

The two Radeon drivers currently installed are AMD version 22.19.677.257, date 22.09.2017. These seem to be the best drivers according to response from the Driver Update attempts.

[The_Fossette]

@pa7er,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

I recommend you open device manager and then click on scan for hardware changes and check if helps.

If you continue facing the issue, I recommend you download and install HP support assistant from the below link and install all the updates.

Here is how it is done.

Download link: http://www8.hp.com/in/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/hpsupport.html?jumpid=va_r602_in/en/any/psg/pl...

1. Click My devices in the top menu, and then click Updates in the My PC or My notebook pane.

   

2. Click Check for updates and messages to scan for new updates.

   

3. Review the list of updates. Updates with a yellow information icon are recommended. Updates with a blue information icon are optional.

4. Click the update name for a description, version number, and file size.

5. Select the box next to any updates you want to install, and then click Download and install.

6. Perform any other update management actions as needed.

   • Postpone an update: Click Remind me, and then select a time preference.

   • Delete an available update: Click the Delete icon  to remove the update from the list and record it in the action log.

   • Review updates status: Click Action log below the list to view installed, postponed, or deleted updates.

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[pa7er]

Hello,

Thank you for replying so quickly.
I scanned for hardware changes in device manager, but there were no changes, so that didn't help.

I have been using HP Support Assistance for several years. It has been very helpful, especially during the first couple of years after I purchased this PC. Current version installed is 8.7.50.3. I have installed all critial and recommended updates so far, so it should be up to date. I am checking for updates and messages regularly, but there has not been any lately. So that does not seem to help for this issue.

Have a great day!

[The_Fossette]

@pa7er,

It is great to have you back and your patience is greatly appreciated.

I recommend you perform a system test on the computer following the steps in the below articles to make sure that all the hardware components are working correctly.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03467259

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[pa7er]

Thank you for your reply.

I have now run the System Fast Test. All steps got a Passed result. I then ran the System Extended Test. All 7 steps got a Passed result for this test also. So these results seem to indicate that all the hardware components are working correctly.

Have a great day.

[The_Fossette]

@pa7er,

Thank you for keeping me posted.

I recommend you perform a system reset on the computer following the steps in the below article and check whether the issue is resolved.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c04742289

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day.

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[pa7er]

Thank you for your recommendation.

The computer had Windows 8.1 originally installed when it was new.  It was then upgraded to Windows 10 during the period for Microsoft’s special time-limited upgrade offer. This means that the computer’s recovery partition contains Windows 8.1.

Will the result of a System Reset then be a reset back to Windows 8.1?

If so, will a Windows 10 upgrade still be available?

Have a great day.

[The_Fossette]

@pa7er,

If you have done an upgrade then you will not be able to perform a recovery on the computer using the recovery partition. Usually, the upgrade will corrupt the recovery partition. However, you can perform a reset on the computer which will reinstall the Windows 10 OS on your computer.

Hope that answers your question.

Cheers!

[pa7er · Accepted solution]

Thank you for good answers to my questions.

I finally have good news. This problem has now been successfully resolved. The solution was just to install the updated graphics driver: AMD High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver – Kabini (sp78743.exe).

My PC is now working perfectly!

Luckily, a full system reset to reinstall Windows 10 was therefore not necessary.

Thank you for excellent help!

Have a great day!

[The_Fossette]

@pa7er,

Perfect, I am really glad to hear that!

If any other questions arise, please feel free to write back to me.

Cheers!