My computer reaches 100% CPU resources all the time and starts beeping. This happens while running any mildly resource-intensive programs (like spybot, windows file search, etc). When the prgram finishes the task that caused it, it goes back down and the alarm stops.

Do you think that I need a new processor or would adding more memory might help?

Here are the my computer specs from Everest:


Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 4
Internet Explorer 5.50.4134.0600 (IE 5.5)
DirectX 4.09.00.0900 (DirectX 9.0)

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)
Motherboard Name ECS P4ITA (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 CNR, 4 RIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Tehama i850
System Memory 256 MB (RDRAM)
BIOS Type Award Modular (10/12/01)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter RV100 (64 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI RV100 DDR

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801BA(M) ICH2 - AC'97 Audio Controller [B-4]

Storage:
IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive MAXTOR 6L040J2 (40 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
Disk Drive WDC WD400EB-00CPF0 (37 GB, IDE)
Disk Drive LEXAR JUMPDRIVE SECURE USB Device (988 MB, USB)
Optical Drive ARTEC WRR-52Z (52x/32x/52x CD-RW)
Optical Drive SONY DVD-ROM DDU1621 (16x/40x DVD-ROM)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 38170 MB (22590 MB free)
E: (NTFS) 38162 MB (23483 MB free)
G: (FAT32) 986 MB (840 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface (4.226.0.31)
Modem HCF 56K PCI Modem

Peripherals:
Printer Acrobat Distiller
Printer Acrobat PDFWriter
Printer Fax
Printer PaperPort Color
Printer PaperPort
Printer Samsung ML-1710 Series
USB1 Controller Intel 82801BA(M) ICH2 - USB Controller 1 [B-4]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801BA(M) ICH2 - USB Controller 2 [B-4]
USB1 Controller NEC PCI-USB Open Host Controller
USB1 Controller NEC PCI-USB Open Host Controller
USB2 Controller NEC USB Enhanced Host Controller [B-1]
USB Device Composite USB Device
USB Device Composite USB Device
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device
USB Device USB Printing Support
USB Device Visioneer OneTouch 9320