CPU Usage at 100% on Compaq Presario

[Caroline]

My 1.5Ghz Compaq Presario 5000(model 5320US)constantly hits 100% CPU
utilization and the whole system comes to a grinding halt. When I
look at the running application, there isn't one particular app
hogging the resources. It might be task manager for a couple of
seconds, then AOL, then something else. The problem seems to have
started when I upgraded from XP Home to HP Professional.

What I've done:

I've added a new hard drive and reinstalled the operating systmem. I
know I don't have a virus and have run a number of spyware
applications. The problem come up on the new hard drive before I put
the old hard drive back in so I know it's not related to any of the
data.

I've updated the bios. If anything, this seems to have made the
problem worse. It now seems to hit 100% faster.

I've tested the dimms. I have 2- 256 MB modules and I've tried them
one at time. Problem exists with each modules no matter which slots
it's in.

I've restored the system defaults in the setup.

I've gone over the motherboard and made sure everything is snugly
seated.

Any ideas? This is making me nuts!!

TIA
Caroline

 

[Unknown]

Check and/or delete your virus programs especially the scanning varity..

 

[Guest]

Just a guess, maybe take your BIOS version back one notch. BIOS programs are not always perfect, MSI motherboard bios's have been known to have glitches

also, tell it to use "default" or "safe" settings, and see if the problem still remains.