Clean install still 100% cpu usage

start with posting all the facts
system specs
history of the system
what happened and when

It's a Dell Dimension 3000. History unknown. It has 1G ram a small HD something like 36

CTRL+ALT+DELETE
Click on Processes
Sort by CPU usage

What process(es) are using the most CPU?

This sounds like a software issue, not hardware.

The only process that shows usage is the task manager while it's open. The pc hasn't been connected to the internet since the new install. Oh and I did an install from an xp disk. I don't have any dell disks... I pulled each ram chip independently and swapped in other chips with the same result. Yes I know it's an old unit but it's not mine. I am trying to repair it for someone. I can find 5 newer used models for sale right now but... thanks.

Drivers, drivers, drivers. Go to Dell and download all the drivers for the system you have, after the fresh install of XP, install all the dell drivers.

As stated the only process that shows usage is the task manager. All others are at 00.

Good catch, I forgot to mention that.

All of your usage should add up to 100. How much is CPU usage for "System idle process"?

You say CPU usage is pegged at 100%, what makes you come to that conclusion? What is telling you that it's at 100%? Task manager?

Whats his CPU?

The 'System Idle Process' is SUPPOSED to be at 99% most of the time; it represents how much of the CPU is NOT doing work.

Are you sure you got the correct mobo drivers since you didn't use a dell restore disc? You may want to remove the drivers and start over. Something like driversweeper should get rid of the old ones. Then you can get the correct drivers from Dell's website.

Just thought that i would add a little follow up to my post, different to the first issue that was reported here, but in case anyone else is having problems.

It appears to be related to Acer Laptops, and their batteries.

The ACPI has had issues with the battery, simply remove it and the CPU usage drops down to normal levels.

hello
im havin acer aspire 1522 with winxp pro sp3
i had same problem,
system process 100% cpu use age all time

i did some research about it

first thing i had two anitvirus b4. 1 of which i uninstalled .
i had bitdefender v10 and avg 8.5 which i uninstalled

even after that it was same

I had a clean install of os and antivirus no virus is detected even use spybot

So wen i went to safe mode everything was normal so i decided it must be a driver issue.

But b4 that i had a serious problem my pc used to reboot just after coming to desktop mode but in safe mode it was ok so it was not a hardware problem.

Then after i uninstalled avg it was ok there was some conflict. i also and removed the acer screen saver kept it disabled . when ever it was on pc used to get frozen and dint come out of screen saver for long may be it doesn't support on sp3 as its old.

Then i tried goin to windows update and updated everythin except a driver update even then there was no help so wen i checked for driver it was a canon printer driver. so i downloaded latest printer driver from canon .

So after that i updated and re started pc it is less than 100% cpu

so if u don't hav any virus on ur pc please check if ur usb driver is giving some conflict with system please update it . for me it was a printer 2006 driver now its june 2008 driver. past few hours its ok.

Go into msconfig and click the startup tab. Uncheck any startup programs that you don't need. Now go to the services tab and remove any services that you don't need. I had the same problem on my HP laptop and this did the trick.

I am Having same issues. Clean install of XP on dell 3000. Savvy here and it is not one of the normal culprits. It's not system idle but 35-66% for the taskmanager with rest of cpu on system or Windows update. I am hoping after downloading all the updates to SP3 it will resolve the issue. I am getting headaches for two days_so Far_ during this excrutiating problem. I had installed from XP cd then install the drivers from dell. No resolve. It takes 5-10 minutes to load up and another 5 before I can do anything. Once again bringing up the task manager shows just basic processes running after clean install. Nothing extra nothing hidden. I tried running one program and it took almost 1/2 hr to load up. processor at that point 64-67% Program running-rest on tskmgr. I tried closing the task manager to see if the speed would increase however it did not. This I am sure is what the original poster is experienceing. Have done all usual steps to increase speed but to no avail. If the mobo or CPU is fried would be an issue. Seems to be video related. Using the current onboard VGA. If anyone knows more about this please reply with a solution, No repeat of info already provided, No new to computers answer--system idle is doing it--- Something that would make sense as so I can collect payment from customer for fixing there issue.

I would go for a completely new pc if you have the money. A decent pre-made rig can be bought, but I would build a pc from scratch if I was you. It allows for upgrades easier if something like this comes up again

id just redo all the drivers and see, maybe the chip itself is flawed.