Lag spikes

I'd like to ask you guys to help me out with a really troublesome problem which is driving me crazy.

The problem is that aprox. every minute my WHOLE system freezes for 3 seconds and then goes back to normal, and again...

This has been happening for 3 days now. I restarted my net, my pc, I have free room on all discs, my pc is not overheated...

Maybe you guys know what the problem is.. Tnx for all the replies in forward.

What are your PC stats?

This is my backup PC meaning I have really bad stats such as:

1500 MHz
1.50GHz
640 MB of RAM
SAPPHIRE Radeon X1550 Series (graph card).. everything is low

Do me a favor and post an output of all the installed programs on your system. You can use the Belarc Advisor to do this if you are unfamiliar with what I am talking about.

http://www.download.com/Belarc-Advis...-10007277.html

Operating System System Model

Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Enclosure Type: Desktop

Processor a Main Circuit Board b

1,50 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: First International Computer, Inc. VC11 1.X

Bus Clock: 100 megahertz

BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 09/12/2001

Drives Memory Modules c,d

246,26 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
229,03 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

_NEC DVD_RW ND-3520A [CD-ROM drive]
QN3324X MNL103D SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

Apple iPod USB Device [Hard drive] (2,01 GB) -- drive 2
HDS728080PLAT20 [Hard drive] (82,35 GB) -- drive 0, s/n PFD215S5UMRJPL, rev PF2OA21B, SMART Status: Healthy
Maxtor 6B160P0 [Hard drive] (163,93 GB) -- drive 1, s/n B42A27DH, rev BAH41E00, SMART Status: Healthy 640 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' has 256 MB
Slot 'A1' has 256 MB
Slot 'A2' has 128 MB
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 41,94 GB 33,40 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive 0) 40,39 GB 31,79 GB free
f: (NTFS on drive 1) 163,92 GB 163,85 GB free
Network Drives
None detected

Display

SAPPHIRE Radeon X1550 Series

Virus Protection

Kaspersky Internet Security Version 7.0.1.325
Realtime File Scanning On

Installed Microsoft Hotfixes [Back to Top]
.NETFramework
1.1
no verification data S867460 (details...)
no verification data M928366 (details...)
Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office system
no verification data KB947801 on 22.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB951808 on 22.5.2008 (details...)
MSXML 2
SP6
passed verification KB887606 (details...)
MSXML 4
SP2
passed verification KB887606 (details...)
MSXML4SP2
no verification data KB936181 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
MSXML6
no verification data KB933579 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
Office Professional Edition 2003
no verification data KB907417 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB923618[SP] on 3.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB943973 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB943985 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB945185 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB945432 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB947355 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB950213 on 15.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB950241 on 15.5.2008 (details...)
no verification data KB950380 on 15.5.2008 (details...)
WGA
SP0
passed verification KB892130 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
Windows Media Format 11 SDK
no verification data KB929399 (details...)
SP0
passed verification KB929399 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
Windows Media Player 10
no verification data KB936782_WMP10 (details...)
SP0
passed verification KB895181 (details...)
passed verification KB907658 (details...)
SP2
passed verification KB936782_WMP10 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
Windows Media Player 11
no verification data KB936782_WMP11 (details...)
no verification data KB939683 (details...)
SP0
passed verification KB939683 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
SP2
passed verification KB936782_WMP11 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
Windows Media Player 6.4
no verification data KB925398_WMP64 (details...)
SP0
passed verification KB925398_WMP64 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
Windows Media Player
SP0
passed verification KB911564 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
Windows Presentation Foundation
no verification data KB932471 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
Windows XP
no verification data KB923689 (details...)
no verification data KB941569 (details...)
SP-1
passed verification KB909520 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
SP0
passed verification KB923689 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
passed verification KB938127-IE7 on 3.5.2008 (details...)
passed verification KB941569 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
passed verification KB944533-IE7 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
passed verification KB947864-IE7 on 2.5.2008 (details...)
SP10
passed verification MSCOMPPACKV1 on 2.5.2008 (Microsoft Compression Client Pack 1.0 for Windows XP)

When you say "my PC is not overheated" - are you absolutely certain of that? Try running CoreTemp and posting the results.

(p.s. - people use SMART? oO)

(also: lol at the gwbbcode parsing [pre]KB923618[SP][/pre] as Savage Pounce ^^)

Message

This is not an intel "Core" Architecture based processor. This program will not continue.

But anyway, I'm pretty sure my PC is not overheated. It's all cool + I have like 3 fans to cool it down. I had unpleasant experience with overheating troubles before.

Couple things.

That BIOS you have posted is an older version. That would leave me to believe that your drivers are out of date. Go to your manufacturers website and hit up their Support section for the latest BIOS and driver updates for your computer.

Where are your programs? I am only seeing updates for your computer. The remaining are coming up empty. I don't even see guild wars on there.

Also, check your Kaspersky settings and make sure that you are not running scans during usage hours. Also, if you have an ignore section on your Kaspersky, select your guild wars program and ignore it. I have seen some antivirus programs focus heavily on the network chatter that guild wars creates, and the constant read/writes. Kaspersky is great, however, there are known issue where it detects the Catalyst Control Center from ATI as a potentially dangerous program, which creates system instability.

Last... I would suggest posting how much memory you are using while in GW. You should be able to post both committed memory and paging memory.

I will help until I don't have anything else to offer you.

Like I said, I have a crap PC, but my BIOS is up to date.. sadly in a way.

2. I apologize for my non-awerness and not scrolling down to the very bottom of Belarc.. so here are the programs:

3ivx.com - 3ivx D4 4.5 Version 4, 5, 0, 12 *
Adacta programska oprema d.o.o. - TIS - Karta Version 2.6.4.8 *
Adobe Acrobat Version 8.0.0.0 *
Adobe Reader Version 8.1.0.2007051100 *
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. - Catalyst Control Centre Version 2.0.0.0 *
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. - CatalystŽ Control Center Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
AFProg *
Ahead Software AG - Nero BackItUp Restore Version 1, 2, 0, 65 *
Ahead Software AG - Nero BackItUp Scheduler Version 1, 2, 0, 65 *
Ahead Software AG - Nero BackItUp Version 1, 2, 0, 65 *
Ahead Software AG - Nero Burning ROM Version 6, 6, 1, 15 *
Ahead Software AG - Nero ImageDrive Version 2, 27, 0, 7 *
Ahead Software AG - Nero StartSmart Version 2, 1, 0, 11 *
Amebis d.o.o. - ASP32 Version 1, 4, 0, 0 *
ArenaNet - Guild Wars Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
ATI External Event Utility for Windows Version 6.14.10.4190 *
ATI Smart Version 5.13.0027 *
ATI Technologies Inc. - Catalyst Control Centre Version 2.0.0.0 *
Belarc, Inc. - Advisor Version 7.2x *
BST - BSPlayer v1.0 Version 1.0.0.0 *
C. Ghisler & Co. - Total Commander Version 6.51 *
Cinematronics - 3D Pinball Version 5.1.2600.2180 *
CoDecS DashBoard Version 1.0.0.0 *
Diskeeper (TM) Disk Defragmenter Version 11.0.709.0 *
DivX 5 Decoder Properties *
DT Soft Ltd - DAEMON Tools Lite Version 4.12.3.0 *
Gabest - VSConv Version 1, 0, 0, 6 *
Gabest - VSRip Version 1, 0, 0, 6 *
GSpot Codec Information Appliance Version 2, 2, 1, 4 *
Hotspot Shield Launch *
Hotspot Shield Service *
Kaspersky Anti-Virus Version 7.0.1.325 *
Ligos Corporation - LSX-MPEG Player Version 3.0.0.4 *
Microsoft (r) Windows Script Host Version 5.6.0.8825 *
Microsoft Application Error Reporting Version 11.0.8163 *
Microsoft Clip Organizer Version 11.0.8164 *
Microsoft Corporation - DirectShow DirectX 9.0 *
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 7.00.6000.16640 *
Microsoft Corporation - Messenger Version 4.7.3001 * Microsoft Corporation - Messenger Version 8.5.1302 *
Microsoft Corporation - Office Source Engine Version 11.0.5525 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Unicode Version 3.1.4000.1823 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Live installer Version 12.0.1471.1025 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Media Diagnostic Tool Version 1.0.0.9 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Movie Maker Version 2.1.4026.0 *
Microsoft Corporation - WindowsŽ NetMeetingŽ Version 3.01 *
Microsoft Corporation - Zone.com Version 1.2.626.1 *
Microsoft Data Access Components Version 3.525.1117.0 *
Microsoft Office 2003 Version 11.0.8215 *
Microsoft Office Document Imaging Version 11.0.8166.2 *
Microsoft Office InfoPath Version 11.0.8161 *
Microsoft Office Isolated Converter Environment Version 12.0.6021.5000 *
Microsoft Office Outlook Version 11.0.8206 *
Microsoft Office Picture Manager Version 11.0.8161 *
Microsoft Officeov čarovnik za shranjevanje mojih nastavitev/profila Version 11.0.8161 *
Microsoft Open XML Converter Version 12.0.4518.1014 *
MicrosoftŽ .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727.1433 *
MicrosoftŽ .NET Framework Version 3.0.4506.648 *
mIRC Version 6.31 *
Mozilla Corporation - Firefox Version 2.0.0.14 *
Nero AG - Cover Designer Version 2, 3, 7, 0 *
Nero AG - InfoTool Application Version 4, 0, 3, 0 *
Nero AG NeroCheck Version 1, 0, 0, 5 *
Nero CD - DVD Speed Version 4, 5, 1, 1 *
Nero DriveSpeed Version 3, 0, 6, 0 *
Nero SoundTrax Version 1, 0, 0, 57 *
Nero Wave Editor Version 2, 0, 0, 63 *
NonExistent CoDecS/FilterS Remover *
[email protected] - MPEG-4 Codec Defaults Version 1.0.0.0 *
Nullsoft - Winamp Version 5.5.3.1938 *
Realtek Sound Manager Version 5, 1, 0, 59 *
Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java(TM) Platform SE 6 U5 Version 6.0.50.13 *
Teledat, d.o.o. - TISWIN Version 2.3.8.1 *
Vanguard Software Solutions, Inc. - VSS Video Codec Version 1, 3, 1, 5 *
Ventrilo Application Version 3, 0, 1, 0 *
VFAPI Reade CoDec Version 1.0.0.0 *
Wizards to adjust .NET Framework security, assign trust to assemblies, and fix broken .NET applications. Version 1.0.5000.0 *

I was posting this thread not because my GW has lag spikes but my whole PC, even when I'm typing this thread, I get a lag spike + I have this backup PC for 5 weeks now and Kaspersky had nothing to do with it, but I will ignore gw.

How do I know how much committed and paging memory am I using for GW. I'm a bit slow when it comes to hardware and stuff.. Sorry and I really appreciate your help.

Silly me - I could see it was a P4 too ><

Speedfan then?

(Sorry - I'm a bit obsessed with temperatures at the moment)

Do you know how to burn ISO images?

If so, download memtest86 and run a full test on your systems memory. Sounds symptomatic with a faulty memory, dying processor, overheated CPU, or too many usb devices powered by a crap power supply.

I wanted to see if you had any torrent client or P2P programs running.

I'll get a program and post my temps on your thread or here tommorow.

Can you explain how to burn ISO images? I probably know how to, maybe I'm just not really familliar with "ISO images"

Which ver. of memtest86 do I download under the "Free Download section"?

Thanks in forward and I will notify you with the data tommorow.

If this JUST started, than I wouldn't look at drivers, BIOS upgrades etc. Sounds to me you got a virus/maleware on your PC. If your PC was over heating, it would BSOD, restart, or shutdown to prevent any more damage. With such low system specs, I can see the smallest of a program, virus, maleware running in the background taking up CPU% which causes your PC to freeze and come back.

Most people that post here have infected systems, it is a part of everyday computing now. If you don't know... you don't know.

In your post, you offer no suggestions, so I offer a suggestion. Install Zone Alaram and get pelted with warnings as your malware attempts to bypass ZA.

Low power consumption doesn't always power down your system. Sometimes you get a lag when devices are shutting down and turning on (ACPI plays a part in that). Because of the increased use of usb devices now, which are often powered on constantly, something like an active Ipod or Printer can screw with older systems (many of which are running on 200-300W units) with 1.1 ports on them.

Anyway, faulty memory is a likely cause for a couple reasons. The off pairing of 256, 256, and 128 in slots A0, A1, and A2. Also, the fact that it is a 100mhz bus and means the shelf life for that memory (factory) would be questionable. Older systems were prone to surge damage during volt spikes.

An overheating CPU would create that exact effect. Anyone here who overclocks too high will tell you that a system will sometimes begin to freeze randomly and then finally crash.

A dying hard drive would cause this (the drive would have to hold your OS, though).

I am helping him rule out somethings before he gets the dumb ass comment to upgrade his system.

I'm noticing a lot of codecs in there - notably the Ace Mega Codecs pack plus divx and possibly the K-Lite as well.

There's a few odd Polish things in there too...

Without me connecting to his system remotely and cleaning the piss out of that mess... lol... I have to walk him through getting familiar with his system.

1: If you think everyone has an infected PC think again. If you have an infected PC you =fail. Fix it.
2: I said nothing about power consumption. CPU usage and power consumption are different things.
3: By suggesting he has a virus/maleware, this would imply VIRUS SCAN!
4: Don't try to be Mr. King Helper, we're all here to help 1 another; so quit your bashing.
5: Want another suggestion? Eat some cake , it makes everyone feel better.

1. Not everyone, however, statistically, most people are.

2. When I post, post for everyone to read.

3. Virus scans don't do anything once your computer is infected. Once infected, I offer manual removal or reinstallation.

4. I didn't bash you, I said you didn't offer any suggestions after discrediting what I had to say. Mr. King Helper is the Burger King's squire. My head isn't big enough to fill that role.

5. Sounds like some good advice to take. Either that or anger management!

Keep on topic and stop with the personal issue's. If you have issue's with each other, please take it to PM rather than here.

I must agree with kamatsu, time to stop fighting kids. If you don't have a real solution or possibility for this poor soul, please don't post your inner arguments with each other in some mindless fashion to assert intelligence. You are both wrong, and you are both fired. Moving on.....


To your problem. I need one test run, and only one test run. I have a very likely hunch, but I can't prove it to the skeptics without a "proper" test.

(WORD OF WARNING: Do not use this command unless you have been specifically told to by a professional in the IT industry, specifically a PhD certified one)

Vaper, do the following and do not mess up a single step, follow it to the letter.

Download CPU Rightmark Lite 2005. It is midway down the page, found here:
http://cpu.rightmark.org/download.shtml

Unzip Rightmark to your desktop.

Close as many programs as you can, including your anti virus, anti spyware, music, internet, everything. Just have explorer.exe open and any of the small unimportant taskbar programs are fine. You might need to print what I am typing here to remember it, because you shouldn't have the internet open while doing this.

Now, press your ALT key, and hold it down. Do not release it at any moment until you have finished the keystroke cycle I am about to tell you.

While holding alt, on your numberpad (make sure your numlock was already on before pressing ALT), enter the following in the exact order.

1 0 1 1 1 6 3 1 9 9 9 1 2

Now, hold CTRL down as well (you are still holding down ATL) and type the following into the exact order.

2 6 6 4 7 1 3

Now release CTRL button, and then, after totally releasing CTRL, release the ALT key. Nothing will happen, but you have engaged via Windows (this also works on any Linux distro) cache reuptake on the processor.

Now, open CPU Rightmark. Once you have the program open, please go over to the CPU Performance tab.

Select the following options (YOU MUST SELECT THESE EXACT OPTIONS)

Frame Size = 1024x768
Frame Buffer = Cached
Start frame = 100
Number of frames = 300


Physical Model = Model 5
Number of objects = 400
Number of lights = 6
Check ALL of the Image Rendering options: Shadows, textures, sky sphere, trilinear filtering.

Number of textures = 32

Solver Instruction Set = FPU ONLY

Renderer Instruction Set = FPU/MMX

Click Run, and run the program for 60 seconds. Watch for it to freeze (it may lockup your PC entirely) If it locks up, please post approx how long it took to do so.

If it stutters like your game does, please note that.

If it completes successfully a 60 second run, then your issue is software related, and you have nothing to worry about; a reinstall of Windows/Linux will fix it.

We will discuss the other alternatives if we must, but let us hope it isn't.