CPU at full capacity all the time

[dpoindexter]

This problem begam very recently, after a power outage due to a thunderstorm. I have everything in my computer plugged into a surge protecter, but I came home to find my broadband router not working and my PCI network card not being recognized by my device manager.

I replaced the network card and everything worked fine. Since that time, however, my CPU is constantly working, even when no active programs are running, according to the XP task manager. I ran the Performance Monitor, which showed similar results. The system opens programs sluggishly, but it does not cause a noticable performance hit with standard desktop apps.

When I try to play WoW, which my computer normally runs at high framerates, the framerate fluctuates between 5-15 frames a second. Basically unplayable, in other words. Defragging the computer, ending all nonessential processes, and checking everything for errors have all failed to have any effect.

Can anyone help me diagnose the problem? I'm competent enough to put together some computer components, but beyond that I am just a sad little windows user who can't tell a C Prompt from a CMOS. I appreciate any help you can offer.

 

[Mavtech]

Try resetting the bios to default or updating the bios. When you look at the Task manager CPU usage, it doesn't show any processes using the CPU?

 

[cprince]

I recommend that you backup all your data, format, and reinstall windows.

 

[John]

1) Look in the task manager to see which process is eathing up the cpu. Use process explorer to narrow it down even further

2) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932494

 

[redbeard1]

Check down the page in the linked thread and try installing the new Windows update client. What you describe can be caused by the Windows update service running the cpu at 100%.

Svchost.exe at 100%

 

[John]

My #2 reply from a few days ago covers the same thing that you just posted.