CPU intermittently runs at 100%

[Allied]

My computer crashed at the weekend as a set up file was corrupt and would not let me boot up. I wiped it and reinstalled Windows XP and Service Pack 2 which I was what I had used before. Now, for some reason, as I am using the computer, the CPU usage after a while at a very low percentage suddenly goes up to 100% and I have to restart the computer to get it back to normal. It does not seem to matter whether I am playing a game or typing a letter in word or whatever. It just seems to happen after a couple of hours 'working normally'. Any ideas as to what the problem could be? I have done all the diagnostics and cannot find anything wrong anywhere.

[peanut]

What diagnostics did you do ? Did you try ctrl-alt-delete ? if not, try it and go to processes and see what is using your cpu @ 100%

[peanut]

you obviously need to do this when you experience the problem.

[Allied]

I have done that each time and there is just a blank window after shuting whatever window I am using. There is nothing running at the time!!

[Nemesis9]

You need to type 'Ctrl- Alt- Delete' to bring up the windows 'Task Manager', then click on the processes tab, then click the 'CPU' tab to see which computer function is eating your memory.

In my experience it is likely to be dumprep.exe', a program used to shut down other programs that 'hang', if it fails you can sometimes hear your hard drive spin faster due to the memory demands, often taking 100% of your capacity.

Don't be afraid to right click, and 'end the process', which will allow you to continue what you're doing (not too mention save your work) without having to restart.

[peanut]

Congrats on the three star rating Nemesis9, apparently i didnt word my response in the exact same manner you did. I'll have to be more careful next time.

[Allied]

Thank you both (feel better peanut?) - for some reason I downloaded a Registry Repair programme and it found quite a few things on the computer and fixed them - It may be coincidence but I haven't had the problem since. (Not yet anyway)

[peanut]

I was just kidding Allied, it's very possible that cleaning your registry did the trick, keep in mind that it wont work that easy all the time.