System, not System Idle Process shows CPU Usage at 100%

[RocheMac]

I have a P4 2.4 on a Intel MB, with 768 Ram & Windows XP Pro. The other day I installed a new printer on the system and right after that, Task Manager shows System:SYSTEM at 99%. Usually the bulk of CPU usage is listed in System Idle Process, not System. The printer is an Epson 825 Photo printer. I'm reaching here but the only thing that I changed was the printer and now my system is going crazy. Any ideas???

 

[linney]

It may be a printer driver problem that could be solved by an updated XP driver for your printer. See if the manufacturer has one available.

Does the problem go away if you uninstall the printer?

 

[RocheMac]

linney;

I tried deleting the printer and drivers but that did not reverse the CPU problem. I am going to try and restore to an earlier poin tonight and I will let you know how that goes.

 

[RocheMac]

Well, I ended up removing my LPT printer, rebooted and it worked. So it looks like I either have a bad cable or a bad LPT port. Thanks for your help.

Roche

 

[bcastner]

Make sure you use a bi-directional cable. The older parallel cables can cause this problem.