100% CPU - Win XP?

Hi there!
My problem is that my computer starts using alot cpu whoitout me doing anything particulary with it. I have a a internet explorer, winamp and my msn messenger running, and just like that my comp. starts using 100% cpu. The processes that uses them are system wait procedure (=translation from swedish), explorer.exe & taskmanager. I takes like 5 min. Before it's going down to normall cpe usage... please help
/ AndyPandy
P.s I have the latest driver & bios updates installed also everything fro winupdate.

Specs
Dell optiplexGX260
CPU4 2,4 ghz
RAM:765 mb ddr
GFX:Geoforce4 mx
NIC:Intel PRO/1000 MT (integrated)
SFX:Creative SB!Live 5.1(PCI)
DVD+RW:NEC
HDD: 2X IBM deskstar 60GB
OS:WinXP
Apps:Office XP, Nero, DVDXCOPY, Adobe Acrobat5, PowerDVD

 

hmm.. you sure you dont have any DC programs (like SETI, SOB etc..) running? done an antivirus scan recently?

Try looking at this:
right click my computer, properties
Advanced tab
performance
advanced
what is the radio button for each of the options at?

 

try going to run -> msconfig startup tab, is realshed listed anywhere there, or real scheduler or anything. i just today had the same problem, and disabling fixed it

 

I believe Halo nailed it.

 

btw have you tried bootvis

http://www.majorgeeks.com/article.php?sid=664

taskmanager does take up lots of resorces for some reason, dunno why. system idle uses the rest of processing power for do things like start services (i think) and get windows in a usable state. (also starts indexing service, i belive).

you can tweak explorer to take up less memory and cpu usage. do you use themes etc. (squidgey buttons in other words) and lots of visual effects? that may also cause high CPU usage at startup.

 

Just a quick note... if your task manager shows some process taking up tons of processor time (and it's not the system idle), then you prolly have a trojan on board.

There are lots of nice little apps to clean up the trojans.

Apologies if this post is "post-fix."

Spaz