Browser starts skipping

[hiyou]

I'm using WinXP SP3. This problem occurs with both firefox and internet explorer, so I don't think it's a browser issue necessarily.
When I watched video online (hulu, youtube, etc) after a few minutes the video gets jammed and the audio starts skipping, repeating the same noise over and over. Even if i close the browser, the noise persists. After a few seconds the computer gets jammed all together (mouse moves, but no buttons are active, alt-ctrl-del doesnt work). i have to manually shut down and restart.

I've updated graphics and video drivers, scanned for viruses (nothing). I have no idea what is causing this. Could it be hardware? RAM maybe? Is there a way to check for these problems?

[Allan]

What are your system specs?

[hiyou]

2.16 GHz with 2gb ram

[Allan]

Okay. Open Task Manager to the Processes Tab and sort on the cpu column with highest usage at the top (double-click on "cpu"). Play a video. when the problem begins, see if some process is chewing up your cycles.

[hiyou]

With all applications closed I saw the following:

System Idle Process: 80-90
Services.exe: 10-20
System: 0-5

At point of "death", with firefox and video running (then getting jammed):

System Idle Process: 45
Firefox.exe: 30
Services.exe: 22
System: 4

[patio]

What type of internet connection is this ? ?

[Allan]

I know you said you scanned for viruses, but I'd do it again. I don't like the services.exe process using so much of the cpu. Use BOTH your av AND MalwareBytes to scan please.