Windows 7: 100% CPU Usage?

Just today I installed windows 7 on one of my older machines. The problem is that I get really crappy performance and 100% usage.... kind of. Let me clarify. When I first start up the computer I can surf the web, listen to music and even do some light gaming with no problems, and the performance is quite snappy. But, if I try to open the control panel, or view the system specs, or change my home group or anything like that I get problems. First, the window will take forever to open and run the CPU up to 100%, and when the window opens it will still be maxed out. If I open Task Manager all the processes will read 0% even though the manager itself reds 100% usage. My system has a 3.4 Ghz P4 with 2 Gigs of RAM. It had Vista previously (Bleh) and ran it quite well. Any ideas? Oops, almost forgot. I'm running Windows 7 Ult. 32 bit.

Add more RAM. 2 GByte is just not enough to run Windows 7 well.

Regards....Mike Connor

Exast 2go of ram is just for execute windows 7 and Vista too. What is use your PC?

Turns out wasn't RAM wasn't the problem at all. I went to bed last night with the intention of installing antivirus in the morning. Should have known better because my little brother woke up early and paid a visit to some mighty shady websites. Good thing I didn't put much work into getting drivers and such installed. A fresh install fixed it right up. And, since I don't do any hardcore gaming 2Gbs of RAM is sufficient.

Memory 1024 MBytes DDR2, as in the OP spects equals 1 Gig. Not enough ram to allow Windows 7/32 to be all it can be. It will work with 1 Gig but a whole bunch better with more ram.

2GB is plenty for browsing and movies, 4GB is for when you run more intense apps.