CPU usage 100% (or nearly) regularly

[Edel]

Running Windows XP, my computer is "hanging" on different
applications - Word, IE, Outlook Express, etc. The only
consistent thing I can see is that CPU usage on the task
manager is close to or at 100% when the problem occurs.

Just now, Word hung on me. I shut down Word (and sent an
error report) but now CPU usage is still 100% and
winword.exe process is running (although I do not have
Word open).

Any advice?

 

[Epona]

Running Windows XP, my computer is "hanging" on different
applications - Word, IE, Outlook Express, etc. The only
consistent thing I can see is that CPU usage on the task
manager is close to or at 100% when the problem occurs.

Just now, Word hung on me. I shut down Word (and sent an
error report) but now CPU usage is still 100% and
winword.exe process is running (although I do not have
Word open).

Any advice?

What process is taking 100% CPU power?

 

[Gatekeeper]

I had this problem myself today. The culprit turned out to be RealOne
player. It was using 97-98% CPU on only one account (I have five active
accounts on my computer). After uninstalling RealOne player, CPU usage
has returned to normal. I have not tried reinstalling the RealOne
player, because I hardly ever used it.

I do not know what caused RealOne to malfunction. Until today, it was
working fine, with zero problems.