new xp install, slow computer, high cpu usage from... nothing?

Hi there,

this thing is driving me crazy! I read through a bunch of posts but nothing has helped so far. I'm not even sure where it should be posted.
Here's the facts:
3.2 Ghz 2 core processor, 3gb ram, XP Pro, sp3

I had problems with my OS so finally I decided to do a complete fresh install.

I wrote zeros on the whole drive, tested it and installed windows xp pro sp3.
Now, the install already seemed to take pretty long but hey, maybe it just seemed that way, it's been a while since the last install and I didn't time it.
The computer was really slow and cpu usage always between 20%. and 50% and then when I do anything up to 60% - 100%.
The thing is though, I had nothing really installed yet and in task manager the only processes drawing cpu were normal, a little of svchost, taksmgr, system idle, all taking turns, nothing staying very long.

It just seems the computer is overwhelmed with anything. But everything works - eventually. Sound is of course totally distorted due to cpu going crazy but you can recognize what it is supposed to be.
It starts slow and stays slow.

So I put some new ram in. Same.

I checked if I am running on PIO or whatever. Nope, ultra dma 2.

Certainly no virus because it wasn't even hooked to the net but I tested anyway. Nope.

I updated bios and the chipset drivers. Same.

I followed every setting I read about in posts all over the web for days. Same.

So I read maybe the HD is going bad even though it tested fine. Ok, I had
another one laying around so back to square one, zeros, install and... SAME DOG GONE THING!
There are 18 processes, nothing other than taskmanager open and it remains between 12 -20% cpu? And as soon as you change the tab on the taskmanager up to 60-100%? Really?!?

I mean Damn! Did the XT/286 fairy come by or what?

what else could it be!?!

Please help, that fireaxe, starts looking reaaly inviting!

 

First off thanks Dave for replying!

ok so the motherboard is a Biostar P4M900-M7 FE.
I have the cd that came with the motherboard which I used first then I went to http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/driver.php?S_ID=401 and downloaded everything x86. As far as I know these are the latest.
I can't install the downloaded serial ata raid driver because there is a problem with the self extracting, it wants to extract to a:/ and quits when it doesn't find it before I can do anything.

On the first install I had multiple HD's but I disconnected them all and only plugged in my test HD because I thought too that it might cause the trouble.
I tried your suggestion and unplugged all dvd drives but same result.

I used indeed a burnt disc but I installed XP on that computer before with that disc and it never gave me trouble. But I then burnt a new copy and same thing...

On both installs no yellow on the device manager other than PS2 keyboard in hidden view because I use USB.

Starting from disc is much slower than regular booting... it loads the drivers and says "starting windows" but takes an eternity to finally load it.