Processor Optimization

[winterdude]

I have a computer with 1.4Ghz processor.  CPU Usage is almost always 100% making the computer deathly slow.  How can I optimize the processor for the best performance??

[patio]

Start by supplying as much info on your system as you can such as OS processor MBoard video etc. and anything else you can think of and someone will be along shortly to assist.

patio.   8-)

Remember we can't see your machine...only you can.
And Sylvia is off on Sundays.

[winterdude]

Ok.

Processor:  1.4Ghz Intel Pentium 4
Video Card:  NVidia Geforce FX 5200
Hard Drive: 14.7 Gigs free

WinXP Home


That's really all I know.

[GX1_Man]

The problem is not the processor it is the processes. Use Ctl+Alt+Del to get into Task Manager and see where all the CPU cycles are going.

What are you using for malware protection? I think it is not working.

Has it always been this way? I imagine not, so what has changed?

Run Everest Home and have it make a report and post it here for analysis.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

[winterdude]

The System Summary report, or Hardware report?

I looked under task manager.  Everything sounds like it needs to run.  Of course I'm not an expert.  But the one that takes up the most space is VSMON.exe

I use ZoneAlarm for PC protection.  Which made it better after kicking Norton out.


And yes its sucked since day 1, but hasn't been this slow.

[GX1_Man]

Antivirus? Spyware protection? If you say "none", you have your answer as to what the problem is.

The System Summary report, or Hardware report?

The little icon that says Report (just under Help)

VSMON.EXE is part of Zone Alarm

[winterdude]

Antivirus.  Antispyware.  Firewall.  E-mail Protection.  IM Protection.  Program Control (lets me choose which programs can run, and which to block).

But it asks what layout to have the report in.  Hardware or System summary, benchmark, or all pages.

[winterdude]

That's What I Got


Summary

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
      
  Computer:  
   Operating System   Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition  
   OS Service Pack   Service Pack 2  
   DirectX   4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)  
   Computer Name   YOUR-85Y1CH5FE9  
   User Name   JJL  
  
  Motherboard:  
   CPU Type   Intel Pentium 4, 1400 MHz (14 x 100)  
   Motherboard Name   ECS P4VXAD(+)/P4VXAS(2)/P4VXMD/P4VXMS / Matsonic MS9107C / Kobian KOB P4X266 NFSX/P4X266 WFSX/P4X266a NDSUX/P4X333 NDSX  
   Motherboard Chipset   VIA VT8753/A/E Apollo P4X266/A/E  
   System Memory   512 MB (PC133 SDRAM)  
   BIOS Type   Award Modular (09/05/01)  
   Communication Port   Communications Port (COM1)  
   Communication Port   Communications Port (COM2)  
   Communication Port   ECP Printer Port (LPT1)  
  
  Display:  
   Video Adapter   NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 (256 MB)  
   3D Accelerator   nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200  
   Monitor   GVision L7EH (114214200048)  
  
  Multimedia:  
   Audio Adapter   VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller  
  
  Storage:  
   IDE Controller   VIA Bus Master IDE Controller  
   Floppy Drive   Floppy disk drive  
   Disk Drive   WDC WD300AB-22BTA0 (27 GB, IDE)  
   Optical Drive   LITE-ON LTR-16102B (16x/10x/40x CD-RW)  
   SMART Hard Disks Status   Unknown  
  
  Partitions:  
   C: (FAT32)   28609 MB (14853 MB free)  
  
  Input:  
   Keyboard   Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard  
   Mouse   Logitech-compatible Mouse PS/2  
  
  Network:  
   Network Adapter   Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC  
   Network Adapter   Speedstream Ethernet USB Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport (192.168.254.2)  
   Modem   Lucent Win Modem  
  
  Peripherals:  
   Printer   hp deskjet 920c  
   USB1 Controller   VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller  
   USB1 Controller   VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller  
   USB1 Controller   VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller  
   USB Device   Speedstream Ethernet USB Adapter  


DMI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
      
 [ BIOS ]  
  
  BIOS Properties:  
   Vendor   Award Software International, Inc.  
   Version   6.00 PG  
   Release Date   09/05/2001  
   Size   256 KB  
   Boot Devices   Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120  
   Capabilities   Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD  
   Supported Standards   DMI, APM, ACPI, ESCD, PnP  
   Expansion Capabilities   ISA, PCI, AGP, USB  
  
 [ System ]  
  
  System Properties:  
   Manufacturer   VIA Technologies, Inc.  
   Product   P4X266-8233  
   Wake-Up Type   Power Switch  
  
 [ Motherboard ]  
  
  Motherboard Properties:  
   Product   P4X266-8233  
  
 [ Chassis ]  
  
  Chassis Properties:  
   Chassis Type   Desktop Case  
  
 [ Memory Controller ]  
  
  Memory Controller Properties:  
   Error Detection Method   None  
   Error Correction   None  
   Supported Memory Interleave   1-Way  
   Current Memory Interleave   4-Way  
   Supported Memory Speeds   70ns, 60ns  
   Supported Memory Types   SPM, EDO  
   Supported Memory Voltages   5V  
   Maximum Memory Module Size   32 MB  
   Memory Slots   3  
  
 [ Processors / Intel Pentium(R) 4 ]  
  
  Processor Properties:  
   Manufacturer   Intel  
   Version   Intel Pentium(R) 4  
   External Clock   100 MHz  
   Maximum Clock   1500 MHz  
   Current Clock   1400 MHz  
   Type   Central Processor  
   Status   Enabled  
   Upgrade   ZIF  
   Socket Designation   Socket 423  
  
 [ Caches / Internal Cache ]  
  
  Cache Properties:  
   Type   Internal  
   Status   Enabled  
   Operational Mode   Write-Back  
   Maximum Size   16 KB  
   Installed Size   16 KB  
   Supported SRAM Type   Synchronous  
   Current SRAM Type   Synchronous  
   Socket Designation   Internal Cache  
  
 [ Caches / External Cache ]  
  
  Cache Properties:  
   Type   External  
   Status   Disabled  
   Operational Mode   Write-Back  
   Maximum Size   256 KB  
   Installed Size   16 KB  
   Supported SRAM Type   Synchronous  
   Current SRAM Type   Synchronous  
   Socket Designation   External Cache  
  
 [ Memory Modules / A0 ]  
  
  Memory Module Properties:  
   Socket Designation   A0  
   Type   DIMM, SDRAM  
   Speed   60 ns  
   Installed Size   256 MB  
   Enabled Size   256 MB  
  
 [ Memory Modules / A1 ]  
  
  Memory Module Properties:  
   Socket Designation   A1  
   Type   DIMM, SDRAM  
   Speed   60 ns  
   Installed Size   256 MB  
   Enabled Size   256 MB  
  
 [ Memory Modules / A2 ]  
  
  Memory Module Properties:  
   Socket Designation   A2  
   Type   DIMM, SDRAM  
   Speed   60 ns  
   Installed Size   256 MB  
   Enabled Size   256 MB  
  
 [ Memory Devices / A0 ]  
  
  Memory Device Properties:  
   Form Factor   DIMM  
   Size   256 MB  
   Device Locator   A0  
   Bank Locator   Bank0/1  
  

[GX1_Man]

With those components it should fly.

Try turning off Zone Alarm and see what happens with processes.

Try the online scanner at Panda as well:

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2factivescan%2f&NRNODEGUID=%7b3B202047-35D4-4DA2-B310-B1DBEC2971F2%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

[winterdude]

Didn't really make that much of a difference.  CPU usage goes to 100% just by maximizing a window.  And it is possible to have sustained 2% usage when zonealarm is open.  So I don't know what else to do.

And while your answering my questions.

I believe my PC has inefficient cooling.  When its hot, it will crash after a half hour.  Would I need a new fan?  Or is the design flawed.

Also, I could never play games without the thing crashing (except for Roller Coaster Tycoon 1).  Any cure for that??

And lastly.  Why does my computer crash when I attempt to watch videos online?

Basically, why does it crash over everything!?!?

[GX1_Man]

Here's some general info. See what applies and post back.

http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1149804407

[winterdude]

Did everything that the post said except for testing the RAM.  No problems detected so far!

[GX1_Man]

Let us know after the RAM test.

[soybean]

Yep, some of the facts in your report on memory just don't gel.  The top of your report says, "System Memory   512 MB (PC133 SDRAM)", but the bottom of your report appears to show 768 MB, as I see it (A0, A1 and A2).

And get this, crucial.com shows the P4VXAD motherboard as using DDR RAM (PC 2700 or PC 3200), not SDRAM.  

What in the world is going on here?

[winterdude]

No clue what you just said