CPU problem?

Question

When I boot my PC, the machine doesn't boot all the way until the desktop appears, it stops shortly after the Windows Welcome screen. However, I can use Ctl/Alt/Delete to open then Task Manager, and use Task Manager to open up my applications, and see my files etc. Because of this I don't think the hard drive is knackered.

Using task manager, it shows the 'CPU usage', and this is going up and down all the time from 0 to 100% - any ideas? Does this seem like the CPU is knackered? It's a Dell Dimension 2400

Answer 1

It is not necesarily your CPU.

Especially when starting up, some programs use the CPU and Memory more than normal , resulting in the bouncing use.
If you want to know which - click on the CPU% button on the task manager - then you`ll see what program uses it the most.

Now, since you cannot start up normally, i would suggest you make a backup of all your documents and files - then clean the harddrive (format) and then reinstall the operating system.
Then, one by one, you install your programs, and see when you reboot, if one is being the trouble maker.
If on a clean operating system you still have this problem, then it might be the CPU, but in that case you need to contact Dell if you still have warranty.

Answer 2

It's not the CPU so don't worry (what the task manager is showing is processor usage) the processor will go up to 100% when booting after the boot it should drop to about 3% with the odd peak to about 10% if it's still there open the task manager again and click the processes tab and look to see what's using all you processor run time then uninstall it
have you done virus and spyware scans lately if you haven't they may be your problem

Answer 3

the CPU usage is normal if it jumps it could be a few things most would be the hard drive i am sorry to say you may just have a corrupt system some files may be missing or just a ding on the hard drive. also could be the memory having a dump but like i said probably just hard rive corruption from spy ware or virus or just from improperly shutting down system try to save all your information to an external or another hard drive by putting the hard rive into an external case and save everything then reformat your hard rive then put all the information back on the hard drive. hope this help

Answer 4

Sounds like you have some bogus program trying to load with Windows, spiking the CPU usage. Try booting into safe mode. If you can, check what is set to load at startup. I suspect some sort of Spyware unless you have recently installed something.

Answer 5

usually if cpu is duff then it wont boot at all, it could be a corrupted OS, try doing a repair with your xp disk(do not run repair console) or if you have a spare hard drive you could try this,

take out your hard drive you have now and put other one in,

load up your OS onto it as if you are doing a fresh install(which is what you are doing),

see if it works ok now,

if so, then connect up your old drive as well and transfer all your files over from your documents etc and reformat the old drive then use that as a slave to your new working one.

Answer 6

CPU's don't have "problems", they either work, or they don't work. What's happening is some piece of software, be it part of the operating system, a driver or an application process is running wild.

First thing to try is booting into "Safe Mode" and running a system restore.

Answer 7

CPU usage going up and down is normal.Problem lies else ware.Could be some start up files are missing.

Answer 8

99% a virus problem try to scan it for viruses or re install windows

Answer 9

Format and all of your random slowness will be solved.

If you want a walkthrough on how to format, email me.