High CPU usage while browsing

Hi there

Basically I'm using Mozilla Firefox and over the last few days when I am browsing the internet, stuff like BBCsport/news, my browser stops loading tabs pages and my M14x CPU literally hits about 30-40% usage and the fan kicks in, I sometimes also get 'this program is not responding' thing. This is while I'm only browsing so it shouldn't be that high.

I thought it was something to do with my internet but downloads ect still carry on at a fast speed so I'm thinking it's something to do with the laptop or Firefox itself. I've reinstalled Firefox twice but it hasn't fixed anything.

This is really starting to annoy me now after a few days because it doesn't seem to be going away and when it happens I have to close firefox down let the CPU usage drop and then open firefox for it to work.

Also the fan is a pain in the when it happens. I'm fine with the loud fan while gaming but while browsing...no no no !

My M14x is the basic one with i5 but 900p screen.

Edit:
There isn't anything else running while this happens as well by the way like a anti virus ect.

 

There was a bug with earlier builds of the M14x where the Realtek Audio driver was activated on startup and would act up a lot, with a major hit to CPU usage, and with the fan spinning loudly for no apparent reason.
The "cure" was to launch MSConfig and uncheck Realtek from the startup list.

I think there was also a fix in a BIOS update.

Search the forums for Realtek audio, you should find if this applies to you.

 

I actually made a thread a while back about the m14x having high cpu usage. I solved it by unchecking realtek in msconfig start up menu like kimjo said. If you look at processes, you can see something along the lines of a realtek program just hogging up cpu usage. Just uncheck it, no more high cpu usage, and no drop in sound quality.

 

Thanks for the replies, appreciated.

I've unchecked the realtek in misconfig but I'm still getting the high CPU every now and again and the jet fan kicking in. Gets rather annoying when just simply browsing the net. Not sure how to sort it out myself.

 

Well you'd have to restart the computer, I'm thinking you already did that, just making sure. If you're cpu is high, look in processes in msconfig, there has to be a reason there.

 

You're not using an antivirus program while browsing? Have you looked into a potential malware issue?

 

The CPU is high only at certain points. Probably about every 15min while browsing which makes firefox non responsive and freezes my internet and the fan kicks in.

I use spyware Doctor anti virus while browsing but I don't think it's that. I did a full scan only yesterday and was all clean.

 

Some antivirus programs (AVG was terrible for this) can take up a ton of system resources while browsing. Have you tried another antivirus program and see if that changes anything?

 

I don't think it's my Spyware Doctor. This problem has only been happening for the last week and a half and i've had the laptop for over a month and have had no problems previously.

 

If spyware doctor has been compromised by a virus or other malware, that's a good explanation why it's only been occurring for the last week or so. You always should have a backup antivirus/malware scanner in case one gets compromised.

Try Panda Activescan or malwarebytes and see if they show anything.

Or maybe it's Firefox. Their latest development philosophy of pushing new versions out the door as fast as possible lets quite a few bugs slip through. Do you get the same problems with another browser like Chrome?

 

Its probably Firefox since I have the same issue on other computers using a certain version of it. It has many memory leaks...

 

I have had the same problem with Firefox on my old inspiron 1720 and my current m14x. It slows down and sometimes it also becomes unresponsive while its thinking. To get over this close firefox and restart it. If this doesn't work, restarting your pc might help.

 

have you upgraded firefox recently as there has been a few upgrades depending on what track you are on (release or beta)