Windows XP running really slow

Im having some troubles with my PC, the computer is running really slow, when it shouldn't.

It's a P4 - 2.4GHz with 512mb ram and 120gb HDD running Windows XP.

Just to explain how slow it is, when you click on the start bar, it takes roughly 20 seconds for the menu to display... BUT the wierdest thing is, if I open the task manager and watch the computers CPU Usage history and other graphs, the system is running at 100% all the time... I have checked the system for Spyware and virusis and none were found...I have also reinstalled Windows but it didn't help...

So basically, my question is, what could be wrong with the PC? The lag on the system is incredible.....

 

in the task manager, click on processes.

What program is using all of your CPU power? Your computer shouldn't be under 100% load all the time.

 

I can see that a program called svchost.exe consumes most of the CPU.

 

That is weird, you said you recently reinstalled windows? So it's running a fresh install and still using 100% of the cpu?

svchost is a native windows process, but some... thing has it wacked out. It could be many things, a process that is continually trying to start perhaps?

Google "svchost.exe at 100%" or something along the lines.

I looked a little bit for you and found this thread on a different forum.
http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/forum/windows-xp/2240-svchost-exe-has-cpu-100-a.html

Unfortunately, i have to go. Goodluck.

 

Thanks ZT3000! I found the solution to my problem from the forum.

 

Everything working good now?

If so, glad to hear you got it all figured out.

 

Yes, my CPU power is now back to normal and my system is stable. Thanx!