Vista - 100% CPU Usage - Lockup

Hi Everyone, I have a desktop computer with Windows Vista Basic 32 bit (dual core Celeron, 2 GB RAM). After it has been running for a while (typically an hour or 2) it frequently hangs up. I have a gadget that looks like an analog speedometer & tachometer that, when this happens, the CPU usage is pegged at 100% (RAM usage is low). Most of the time when this occurs, I can't get to Task Manager - I frequently have to do a hard shutdown, but sometimes it will let me shut down from the start menu. Sometimes I can put it in sleep and wake it back up and it will be ok, other times it will waken with 100 % CPU usage again. The times I can access task manager, it doesn't show anything running. This can happen while I'm using the computer (usually just surfing the web) or while it is just sitting idle. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks, Entropy

> Hi Everyone, I have a desktop computer with Windows Vista Basic 32 bitTry using a more detailed task manager, such as Anvir Task Manager (there's
a free version) or Process Monitor (sysinternals). These will show you what
process is taking the CPU cycles.

Thanks Victek,

Thanks for the suggestion, I installed Anvir Task Manager this morning, hopefully this will help me figure the situation out.

Several days ago, I installed Advanced System Protector (free that day from Give Away Of The Day), and ran the scan. I thought it had fixed the situation (it did greatly reduce the number of occurrences) but I did have one 100% CPU usage lockup since. I'm hoping Anvir will help identify the problem.

I appreciate the suggestion.