Unstable System - Need Help

S

sodamhall

New Member
Recently my computer has been acting funny. First of all it states my second hard drive is not formatted but I was using this hardrive about 15 minutes ago and had been for the last year or so. I have now reformatted this disk and can access it fine.

Now whenever im running a program or listening to music my system runs really slow with the music juttering and mouse juttering across the screen. On pressing alt+ctrl+del system idle information shows 85-100 but upon looking under the performance tab it states cpu capiticty at around 30%. My system is not top of the range but should be able to handle the task no problem. This is a custom built machine and here isrough specs.

2.4 phz p4 processor
728mb ram 333mhz
128mb graphics card

Also before the second hard drive decided to go haywire I found my system was humming along nicely then suddenly would click down and sound as it was in standby mode.

I have check all connections and computer temps are fine. If you need any further info just ask. Thanks for your help.
 
Now the problem hdd is reformatted, what is the current data transfer mode (Device Manager / IDE Controllers / Properties / Advanced Settings)? Should be similar UDMA mode to the "good" hdd. If it is not, you may have to go into BIOS to set.

In Task Manager processes tab, what does it show that is using the 30% cpu?

If you play an mp3 from the other "good" hdd, does the same problem occur?

Starman*
 
Current data transfer mode is showing dma.

Under the process tab in task manger it is showing around 18% cpu usage when playing a mp3. I also use a program called dvd shrink that reduces the size of a dvd to fit on a standard 4.7gb disk. When using this program I can preview cells from the film but since my computer decided to reformat the other hard drive previewing becomes very slow and jumping with sound skipping.

I have also tried playing a mp3 from the other hard drive and this gives the same outcome.

I have also decided to have a clean up on my machine deleting all programs that I do not use and files that were not needed. Have scanned my machine for virus and spyware + adware and nothing was found.

I will using try removing the second hard drive and see if this makes any difference. Also check running temps mother board is at 32c and cpu around 20c. Any other things I can try?

Thanks again for all you help.
 
In Device Manager, IDE, you say it's running in DMA. It should list the actual mode "Current Transfer Mode" typically UDMA Mode 5 or 6 for hdd. What is it? Check for the other hdd too.

An mp3 should put no more than a few % on the running cpu rate. If you have 18%, what processes are using that 18%? Task Manager, Processes tab. With nothing running, what processes are using the processor? How much each? Ignore System Idle. Take a look in the Performance tab. What are the Total and Available physical memory on idle.

Try to be a bit more informative. I can't ask every possible question. You are the only person who can report what you are seeing.

You need to run through all your system settings to see if anything has changed. It could be almost anything. Page file, RAM, video or audio hang up etc. Do you have usb devices, game controllers etc?

Your cpu temps are OK but CPU looks impossibly cold unless you are in winter. It has to be above room temp. Normally 40-55 degC. If your bios shows temps, worth checking there.

Starman*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top