SYSTEM file running @ 100%

My PC is taking longer to boot, and once it is up there is a Process called System running at 100% CPU. This is a problem even in Safe Mode. At the same time this started, my mouse does not work. The infra red goes on when the PC boots, but when the windows splash screen is up it goes out.

Any ideas how I start troubleshooting this. I tried to boot with my UBCD4WIN disk, and it never gets past the windows splash screen. Whats going on here!!! Could this be a hardware problem, what does the System process do?

 

Don't know if this will help, but you can check it out.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295714

 

Thanks for deleting my reply. :cry The link posted only refers to

The odds are against either of these programs being used.

Bazza

 

Per posting guidelines, advice that does not adhere to them will get removed.

As we already know what process is causing the problem, we do not need to be playing with task manager to see which process is taking the cpu time...

While the article above may be for different OSes, often times they can give ideas, or even work for different OSes. In this case, great idea, but bad implmentation due to the app not being for XP.

The most correct answer in this case is to check out a different process viewer, such as http://www.majorgeeks.com/Process_Explorer_d4566.html

You can then break down what system is doing moreso than task manager.

 

I was going to suggest Process Explorer (one of my favourites) but thought Windows Task Manager might be quicker (and point the way) as it is already installed on XP. Bazza