CPU output continusly at 100%, HELP!!!

[omidr]

Hi, I am new here.
I have an intel pentium 4 with 2800Hz. using win xp pro. for some reason my cpu usage is continuesly at 100%. i dont have many application running. i even tried closing all active application, but the usage is still at 100%. i thought of viruses and scanned the pc with 2 different anti-virus program. also cleaned the pc from all spy programes.
any idea? could this lead to any dammage to my pc?
any help or suggestion is appreciated in advance. :confused:

[PrntRhd]

It sure sounds like a virus.
Try downloading the free Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/averttools.asp) tool to a clean PC, load to a floppy, write-protect it and then boot the problem PC in SAFE mode (F8) and scan with the Stinger tool with the PC off the network/Internet.
Do you have a firewall? (recommended)

[david eaton]

What application is using the CPU? Task manager should show that information.

[saphalline]

could this lead to any dammage to my pc?Not really. It will shorten the total lifespan of your CPU, but you aren't OC'ing or anything, so that CPU will be looong outdated by the time it finally dies! I still see working 386 CPU's to this day, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[Paleo Pete]

I'm going to go with a hunch and send this one to the security guys, I've seen a bunch of PCs loaded up with spyware and browser hijackers sit on 100% CPU usage non-stop until it's all removed. I wish I could remember specific malware that does it, but nothing jumps out at me right now.

Run AdAware, Spybot, the antivirus mentioned above or an online scan, run Hijack This and post a log here but DO NOT fix anything unless instructed to by the experts here. You'll find links to all those applications in the sticky threads in Applications and Security (where I'm sending this thread) and in Budfred's signature. Read through Apps & Security and he'll be there...