100% CPU usage

[n30phYte]

the cpu in my 2nd pc is maxed out from start up till i shut down. it's an old pc that is used just for internet and music.

2.2ghz p4 northwood in a dell 2400. 1gb of corsair value ram. but like i said it's doing nothing heavy and all of a sudden it is using 100% of the cpu all, i mean ALL, the time. i have no idea.

any suggestions?

 

[b1gapl]

Do CTRL+ALT+DEL, and check for processes that are taking up alot of CPU usage.

 

[JeremyTM]

Do CTRL+ALT+DEL, and check for processes that are taking up alot of CPU usage.

Exactly

 

[n30phYte]

thats the thing. its just SYSTEM and taskmgr.exe

they fluctuate back and forth steadily equalling 100.

i've shut down everything else.

*edit* explorer.exe chimes in with about 10 or so every once in a while but thats it.

 

[JeremyTM]

How long has this been going on?

 

[n30phYte]

thought i had it fixed a couple days ago. it's cuttin' up again tonite.

 

[fr34ky]

Reformat or get security task manager

 

[poorman]

http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/taskmanager.html

 

[n30phYte]

um...thanks for the help but i already know what tasks are causing the constant spike. i'm asking how to fix it. i already have security task manager. i really would rather not reformat either.

any other suggestions?