cpu problem

[sdoherty1000]

hi, when im using my computer with task manager closed it runs abit sluggish if i open task manager to see why, it shows cpu at 100% then drops down to between 0-5% within a matter of seconds. I have reformatted the drive and reinstalled xp but to no avail. I have come here to see if anyone is experiencing the same problem or if someone can offer a solution. I have no avi's on either drives and as i said just reinstalled windows.I have also ran adaware and spybot to ensure no spyware as well as my antivirus each program shows no spys or viruses. I have 3 sticks of 512 ram could one of these be defective? Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[lemon40]

Originally Posted by sdoherty1000

hi, when im using my computer with task manager closed it runs abit sluggish if i open task manager to see why, it shows cpu at 100% then drops down to between 0-5% within a matter of seconds. I have reformatted the drive and reinstalled xp but to no avail. I have come here to see if anyone is experiencing the same problem or if someone can offer a solution. I have no avi's on either drives and as i said just reinstalled windows.I have also ran adaware and spybot to ensure no spyware as well as my antivirus each program shows no spys or viruses. I have 3 sticks of 512 ram could one of these be defective? Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

If you suspect it could be the RAM, run the computer with only one stick in at a time and see if one of them triggers it. It may also be that just the three together don't work well.

-d

[sdoherty1000]

process of elimination.... good idea. ill try that and report back on here.