Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: AlexeyT on September 04, 2007, 06:42:16 PM
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Sorry for a long post but please bear with me and help me if you can. (i think it's a hardware problem)
Recently a couple of my games (namely Bioshock and Dark Messiah) and even a modeling program (Zbrush) are experiencing video stuttering problems (runs smooth for about 5 seconds then freezes for a second repeatedly), but ONLY during gameplay. Cut-scenes and videos are fine, and even when i'm just standing still in the game, as is regular tasks like working in desktop, surfing, etc. VERY FRUSTRATING. I have tried the following solution from the web with no results:
- adjusting video settings and resolutions in the games including Vsync
- tried 4 nvidia card drivers including the latest one (though i don't know which is optimal for my card)
- exiting all non-essential programs in the background including virus scanner (even cleaned up my startup from msconfig)
- downloaded latest directX
- dusted inside my pc with the air-dusting thingy
- did a registry, spyware and virus scan/cleanup as well as defragged my HD, freed HD space.
- yelled and threatened my computer while bashing my head with my keyboard
I then installed two older games (Medieval 2 total war and Unreal 2k4) to see if the problem persists and discovered something interesting. Instead of stuttering/pausing every 5 seconds the program "slides" for both games. Basically, If i take my fingers off the keyboard at exactly the right time (every 5 seconds) my character/camera on screen continues moving as if i hadn't (with no lag whatsoever). Running unreal 2k4 windowed showed me that happens when my cpu usage spikes in task manager (which happens every 5 seconds). Same thing with Bioshock/Dark Messiah stuttering. This lead me to believe that its a processor problem (but i'm no expert). I've also tried these solutions:
- setting single cpu affinities
- installing latest BIOS driver
- installing a hotfix (KB896256) from microsoft having to do with dual core processors and service pack 2 not working together or something (whatever it didn't work)
Unfortunately that's as far as my computer knowledge has lead me. What really annoys me is that i never had this problem up untill about a week ago. Zbrush , Tomb Raider and Medieval 2 ran fine (on max settings). I couldn't think of any particular event that may have triggered this other than installing Bioshock, because that's when i got stuttering (although i can't be sure, as i hadn't played a game for over a week before that). The computer actually started working fine yesterday (i had my hopes up...), but today it's BACK (..and it came crashing down).
Here are my specs:
- Windows XP Media Centre Ed.
- Intel Viiv dual core 3.00 GHz
- 2GB RAM
- Geforce 7800GT video card
- 300 GB HD with 150 free left
I'm at the end of my wits. Any help would be appreciated.
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just taking a stab here, you seem to have a nice grasp anyway*
is this close to what your computer is ie... tv tuner card in there ?
http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp=37901662
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Thank you for replying honvetops.
That's almost the exact same computer (different processor speed). I don't know for sure whether i have the tuner as i never tried to use it. My tower has "...Watch, Record, Pause live TV" on the front though and i think i heard something like that when i was buying the computer. Well hopefully this is going to lead to a solution (crosses fingers).
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2.13GHz Pavilion Intel® Viiv Core™ 2 Duo DVD±RW Media Center Desktop PC w/ HDTV Tuner (m7760)
The easy-to-use HP m7760n Media Center PC is the complete home PC system that delivers more entertainment choices, and brings them together in one place with easy access from anywhere in the room. You can watch, record, and pause live TV programming as well as schedule the PC to record upcoming episodes or entire series. The built-in TV tuner (providing both standard NTSC and high-def ATSC transmission) and personal video recorder (PVR) let you watch, pause, rewind, and record live television--up to 305 hours on the dual 250 GB hard drives (500 GB total storage). An online Electronic Program Guide (EPG) lets you review the TV schedule and select individual episodes or entire series, so you can watch your favorite shows on your own time, at your own convenience. And you can easily burn TV shows and home video to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc. LightScribe technology burns custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled discs, right inside the drive
Great*
you have a purchased unit, not sure whats in there ..... ??????
If under warranty, ... you know~
1# possible... power supply issue
2# if you know how or get someone to help you,( ground yourselves) open up the case and after reviewing the motherboard, check all connections first* ram/card slots, ide & sata cables... Make sure the psu cord and all power is off before removing case door. Solves- ( tuner card not seated tightly ?)
It sounds like something minor verses anything major, the are some great moderators and younger members here who can pin point this better than I
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Just to clarify, i didn't buy this from a website or anything. The computer is actually over a year old and has worked flawlessly (or close too, c'mon it's windows) up until now.
#1. if it is a power supply issue, how do i find out? This is one of those areas I am COMPLETELY unfamiliar with.
#2. Unfortunately I'm the most experienced in the household, but i've opened the cpu many times before. I just don't know what i'm supposed to be looking for. Are there detailed instructions/diagrams somewhere that you can point out to me?
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I have discovered that this problem is widespread. I tried a flash game. Same problem. Typing. SAME PROBLEM. Probably other things as well. Every 6.2 seconds to be precise. But it only stutters if a have a key pressed exactly at 6.2 seconds. Hence the typing. Mouse is fine. Both are connected wireless, however i doubt a keyboard could be causing actual frame stutters in games. Looking at cpu usage history in task manager as I'm typing, it looks like a freaking heart beat.
Just check out this screen
[Saving disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]
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Check your Task Manager Processes, you should be able to see which process is the culprit.
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Thanks - Fed !
I got lucky on his puter but don't have your experience
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What about your graphics...i used to have the same problem but not anymore, so i did the BAck the time for the computer and it got fixed! But it just happen to games with high graphics,.... , but it might not be the same problem....but worth a try....wait its not, well nvm me! and i think that i already am to late ::) :(
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Unfortunately, nothing seems to be jumping in my task manager. This problem is driving me crazy. I have already posted this on over 10 forums. Nobody knows what it is. I am very close to doing a reformat. I've also checked cpu temperature. Everything's fine, fans work fine. I don't even know if this is microsoft xp or hardware problem. And most curious of all is the fact that this problem has "fixed" itself twice. Spontaneously! Without me doing reboot. Of coarse it has always come back the next day.
Btw i am doing an online scan right now. Going to do another one after that from a different site. I will get back if i have any results.
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Does it happen when you are NOT connected to the internet?
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I couldn't think of any particular event that may have triggered this other than installing Bioshock,
sounds to me like you pegged it early on. I'd say uninstall/delete Bioshock and do some scans in safe mode, then boot normal and see what happens.
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I don't see why a legit game would cause these problem.... (but do try an uninstall)
A poke in the dark here but perhaps you could try a different keyboard :P
Check your graphics card's temperature using a utility (Google it) and check it's not sky-rocketing.
What is your CPU usage !?
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Hurrah! I think i found the culprit!!! I checked out Task Manager again, and instead of looking at mem usage tab during spikes i looked under cpu tab and found the process "rundl32.exe" taking up 50% during the spikes! Note the name of the task IS "rundl32.exe" and not "rundll32.exe" which is required system process. Looking in google i found out that this is indeed a worm! As soon as i ended this process, my stuttering dissapeared. How can i permanently remove this, though? ZoneAlarm, SpyBot and Online scans didn't pick this up! but good old google pulled through in the end.
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http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/w32demotrya.html
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Following the directions on the website, i couldn't find the rundl32.exe entry. I actually remember disabling rundl32.exe in the startup tab in msconfig 5 days ago (which apparently didn't do anything). Should i enable it, reboot, and look for the entry agin?
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Sounds like you need some virus advice from our members at this point "still having issues"
I would run a complete everest test and post it in our Virus section and hope CBmatt sees it* OR Others.........