I have a strange problem. My laptop used to run fine, now it's running VERY SLOW. I have repartitioned/refromatted the Hard drive and reinstalled windows XP. I have not put the computer on the internet yet. The problem remains, so it can't be spyware/virus related.
Whenever a program is running, the CPU remains at 100%. If a program is not running, the CPU is at 3-8%.If I check the General Tab of the system properties, the RAM shows up at 1 GB (correct) but the CPU shows up at 574 Mhz NOT 2.5 GHZ that it is rated. Now, I go into the BIOS, and the CPU shows it is runing 1.5 Ghz.
This is a Dell Laptop, so I can't change much in the BIOS (can't change CAS Latency, DRAM clock, L2 cache, etc.)
Any suggestions, or ways I can identify the culprit????

Since you have a laptop, all the components within the system has "power saving" feature such as when you are not doing anything, the screen dims, CPU slow down or graphic card slow down. It is very common for laptops. If you are using AC power, the CPU will run at full speed and if you are using battery, it will run at 1.2Ghz for P4 (Northwood) and 1.6Ghz for P4 (Prescott). In order to get 2.5Ghz, try these settings..

Right click on desktop -> properties -> screen savers -> power schemes -> change _______ to Always On.... Now check back if your CPU now run at 2.5Ghz... (Note: you will only get 2.5Ghz full speed when AC is plug...)

TMP-Man

Asus P5P800-SE
P4 506 @ 4100Mhz 1.525v
Thermaltake CLP0024 w/ 2000RPM FAN + AS5
1GB Corsair 2-3-3-5 DDR400
40GB 5400RPM/120GB 7200RPM HD
Radoen 9500 mod 9700 @ 375/600 CHS+RHS

I have the AC power plugged in, I never run the laptop off the battery, so this cannot be the issue. Thank you for the reply, though. ANy other ideas???