Hi folks,

FYI ... my laptop is Gateway M-6862 with Vista Home Premuim, SP1, 64-Bit. And I have all the Updates installed as per Microsoft suggestion.

I believe about 2 or 3 weeks ago when Microsoft pushed down one of their Screwed up Updates ... has caused my problem. Unfortunately somehow my Restore Points have been deleted and I only can go back 2 or 3 days and not several weeks back.

Since then anytime I have Explorer open ... even one instance ... my CPU jumps to 50% and stays there ... if I happen to open up 2 instances of Explorer the CPU just goes crazier ...

I open Winodws Task Manager and I see "IExplorer.exe*32" going at 50% plus. The only way I can stop this crap is to shut down my Explorer and Re-Boot and restart my laptop ... just so I can start this routine over and over.

I have searched the Internet for couple of days ... and as usual ... everyone right off the back suggests that might be a Virus Infection ... which I doubt I am infected.

But I took those suggestion and here is what I have done so far ...

1. I ran latest MBAM (Malwarebytes) in "Safe Mode with Networking" and I was clean!

2. I also ran latest SAS (SuperAntiSpyware) in the "Safe Mode" ... clean again.

3. I ran Anti-Rootkit programs: F-Secure Blacklight, Sophos 1.5 in Regular Windows mode and again Clean.

4. I tried to run "GMER RootKit Remover 1.0.15.15077" but I get Error that program does not start correctly (which I have posted a separate Thread for this problem). But basically I get the following ERROR when I try to run it ... "C:\Windows\system32\config\system: The system cannot find the file specified." But it won't tell me what FILE is looking for!?!?

Anyway ...

Q: Can anyone please tell me how to fix this 50% CPU problem due to IExplorer.exe?

Thanks,

G!

Hi gonwk -
The operation of Malwarebytes should be in normal mode as too many infections will be unavailable in safe mode - Same with S A S -
Too many people download it in safe mode and then run scans and report no problems - You must try to run a quick scan in normal mode -
Safe mode only "partially" opens your system so that you can usually download or perform basic operations when infected and need to bypass them -
Someone will check on the CPU thing later - At the moment mine is at 20-60% but I just noticed Avira scans had started -
Try Firefox for just a while -

Hi noknojon,

First of all THANKS for Your HELP and Reply ...

Sorry that I have not posted my FIX any sooner, been super busy with family emergencies.

Noknojan ... the Reason I ran the MBAM in "Safe Mode with Networking" because on some Forums people were suggesting it as the way to go to truly catch any Bad Virus or Trojan!!! But since You Folks (MBAM) suggest against ... it is GOOD ENOUGH for me! THANKS!

Noknojan ... I have fixed my problem ... as a reminder I am running Vista Home Premium, SP1, 64-Bit, and IE7.

The problem is really with EXPLORER.EXE of the Windows and not the Internet Explorer. Because when you right-click on the Explorer.exe when is running at 50% plus ... and tell it to take you to the Source of the File ... you will see that is the Windows Explorer and not the IE.

In Vista if you do a Search in Help Section and look for "Fix a Corrupted User Profile" ... it will walk you step-by-step ... how to fix your problem. I followed it and since then my problem has been fixed ... no more 50% CPU usage and I have had like 6 or 7 Explorer Windows open at the same time ... No Problem!

But now I need help from you the Experts before I do something dumb and wipe my laptop and be forced into doing a "Clean" install which then I will loose some of my Freebies proggies.

HERE is my new problem ... when I was following the Fix from Corrupted User Profile ... I Named my New Users Names G1, G2, G3 ... here is what my problem is my User Name and USer Profile Name do NOT match each other ... as follows ... G being my Name and the No. 1 corresponds to No. 1 and so forth ...

User Name
1. G
2. G-1
3. G-2

User Profile Name
1. G-2
2. G-3
3. G-1

Q: How can I make my "User Name" be the Same as my "User Profile Name" as it was when my laptop was FRESH!?!?

Thanks,

G!:)