Explorer.exe 50% CPU - Explorer Bar > Folders

I have searched the net for the '50% CPU' issue with no results to my situation.

When i have explorer.exe open to view files, in any view, and use the tree to navigate, shortly after i click first folder the cpu shoots to 50%. I have it set to run folder processes as seperate task. When i close the folder i still have both running, only the folders .exe is holding steady around 50% untill i kill the process. I can do anything with folders as long as i dont open and try to navigate using the tree on the left, i dont have patience to click that many times without it. Its been a week now and still having no solution.

System; http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1842/1000061pc6.jpg
Intel 2420Mhz (2.4 Duo) - 2G DDR
NVidia GeForece 8500GT
200G Maxtor
WindowsXP; Multiprocessor Free (5.1.2600)

Scanned with;
BitDefenter, Ad-Aware, Spybot.
Fix all unrelated items...

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 8:03:02 PM, on 1/31/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16574)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
C:\Program Files\Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe
C:\Program Files\Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter Wireless Network Monitor\WUSB54GC.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Softwin\BitDefender Communicator\xcommsvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Softwin\BitDefender Update Service\livesrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Softwin\BITDEF~1\bdmcon.exe
C:\Program Files\Softwin\BitDefender10\bdagent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\Advanced System Optimizer\wallpaper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\devldr32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Softwin\BitDefender Scan Server\bdss.exe
C:\Program Files\Softwin\BitDefender10\vsserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: HP Print Enhancer - {0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61} - C:\Program Files\HP\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
O2 - BHO: HP Print Clips - {053F9267-DC04-4294-A72C-58F732D338C0} - C:\Program Files\HP\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_framework.dll
O2 - BHO: Winamp Toolbar BHO - {25CEE8EC-5730-41bc-8B58-22DDC8AB8C20} - C:\Program Files\Winamp Toolbar\winamptb.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Winamp Toolbar - {EBF2BA02-9094-4c5a-858B-BB198F3D8DE2} - C:\Program Files\Winamp Toolbar\winamptb.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BtcMouseMaestro] C:\Program Files\HP Optical 4 Button USB Mouse\KMaestro.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BDMCon] C:\PROGRA~1\Softwin\BITDEF~1\bdmcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BDAgent] C:\Program Files\Softwin\BitDefender10\bdagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Systweak Wallpaper Changer] C:\Program Files\Advanced System Optimizer\wallpaper.exe -minimize
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [MySpaceIM] C:\Program Files\MySpace\IM\MySpaceIM.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [MySpaceIM] C:\Program Files\MySpace\IM\MySpaceIM.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Winamp Toolbar Search - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Winamp Toolbar\ieToolbar\resources\en-US\local\search.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: HP Clipbook - {58ECB495-38F0-49cb-A538-10282ABF65E7} - C:\Program Files\HP\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_extensions.dll
O9 - Extra button: HP Smart Select - {700259D7-1666-479a-93B1-3250410481E8} - C:\Program Files\HP\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_extensions.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (Installation Support) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\Yinsthelper.dll
O23 - Service: BitDefender Scan Server (bdss) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Softwin\BitDefender Scan Server\bdss.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Desktop Update Service (LIVESRV) - SOFTWIN S.R.L. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Softwin\BitDefender Update Service\livesrv.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Virus Shield (VSSERV) - SOFTWIN S.R.L. - C:\Program Files\Softwin\BitDefender10\vsserv.exe
O23 - Service: WUSB54GCSVC - GEMTEKS - C:\Program Files\Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Communicator (XCOMM) - SOFTWIN S.R.L - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Softwin\BitDefender Communicator\xcommsvr.exe

--
End of file - 6789 bytes

C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

That deals with your nvidia card but I've seen complaints about that service eating up a lot of resources. Disable it...and let us know.

Use the command line and open up services.msc and then disable NVIDIA Driver Helper Service

Keep in mind that malware can be named anything...and they're especially dangerous in your System32 folder

Check that service to make sure it belongs to Nvidia.

Try using this:
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/in...l?ref=file.net

Have you tried opening up explorer and leaving it open overnight?

I was kind of thinking Indexing service at first, but it doesn't appear that's a problem. I've never had that issue with my nVidia software, so that's out in my mind. What's bothering me is O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Systweak Wallpaper Changer] C:\Program Files\Advanced System Optimizer\wallpaper.exe -minimize

What is that doing, exactly? Is it searching your HDD for images to randomize to wallpaper? Is it somehow linked to Explorer?

Just throwing some ideas out there.

O

Try a different profile...

Lately I have been able to fix all kinds of issues with slowness and application hangs by creating a new profile....appears the temp files get corrupted or something....

Yeah it takes some reconfiguration....and document transfer

Personally I woudnt copy the whole profile...you just may bring over crap.

MLF

C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe, is a proper working file from what i can tell. It was created and last modified Oct 2007, which is when i rebuilt and upgraded my system. It has been disabled and trying reboot to do some testing. Wallpaper.exe is a wallpaper rotator that comes with AdvancedSystemOptimizer, its legit and error free.

I thought it might be indexing too, but ive left it on over night and does nothing but raise the internal temp on my box... explorer.exe will run till you make it stop.

*rebooting
-----------------------
I FEEL FREE!!! I love my computer again...

After the reboot and disabling the nvidia display it still had the problem. I did however catch that on either drive i had a file, movie; couldnt move or delete. I thought the problem was more random if that is what it was. I went thru safemode and took care of the 'movie files' or malware then booted again normal with the nvidia back enabled.
I only have room for 1hdd and 1dvdrom so i have a WD USB portable that i store things on , so in turn i jump alot through both drives most of the time.

The thing i dont get is why did it only happen when i hit 'folders' and use the tree, cuz remember i could browse fine if i used the slower mouse pounding method... Im still not getting problems and ive been messing around on and off while writing this.

Thanks for help, if anything turns back up or blows up ill post.

OK Check this out (you didn't mention the SP level of your install)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317751

I'm just going to say this - not that you do not already know. explorer.exe is the default "windows" shell. Anything from screen savers to control panel applets can cause the shell to use excessive CPU cycles.

Bad memory or failing HDD's can cause this.

Anything in the system or application logs?

Disable this and see if there is an improvement..

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe

Nyet. Don't disable your tea timer other than temporarily for testing.

Agreeing with Cybr1d here, who was spot on with your fix. - When your resources get devoured and you're not running Norton, it's probably Nvidia. I use their products and they're quite the resource hog if you let them.

I still not really sure what the problem was, but its working now. I kinda did a little bit of everything at once and slowly made changes back. Go NVidia.
Sorry, also running SP2.