yeah... i tried ctrl-alt-del.. its the very same 3d app eating up the cpu. I also ran msconfig and unchecked unwanted startup items. The problem arises only when I run a 3d app... so I am guessing there's some problem with the graphic card.

Did you check ctrl

Also check which programs are loading up on start up

start

 

good luck,

 

d_may

You didn't say what kind of card you have(or integrated video) or whether this a new problem or not. You should post this info.

 

Dell Dimension 4400
Windows XP Pro SP2 with all updates
Norton AV 2005

2.4Ghz P4 400fsb w/ int. sound mobo
768 PC2100 ddr sdram
15" E151fp flat panel monitor
Ati Radeon 9200 128Mb DVI, TV Out agp card
80 Gb W.D. master H.D.
60Gb W.D. secondary H.D.
Sony DRU 800A DL 16X DVD Burner
Sony DDU 1612A 16X DVD-ROM
Leadtek Winfast TV2000Xp TV tuner card
Soundblaster Live! 5.1 Digital
4 port USB 1.1
6 port firewire USB 2.0 PCI adapter card
Conextant V.92 data/fax modem
Harmon Kardon speakers
H.P. 930c Deskjet printer
H.P. 5400c Scanjet scanner
Sony TRV 330 Digital 8 HandyCam
Olympus Camedia D-390 digital camera
Panasonic PV-4523S VCR

Message Edited by NFFAA on 08-27-2005 10:11 PM

What you have is an integrated video chip on your system mainboard, not a separate video card. I would try reflashing your system bios. Make sure you have the most recent bios for your laptop and follow the instructions provided on the Dell link below.

.http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1150/sm/bios.htm#1084976

There is a driver scan utility that checks to see if there is a malfunctioning driver and reverts it to the previuos working driver. Also, the only intel graphic devices I see for the 1150 are either the intel 855 or 830. I don't see anything for a 82512. Are you sure of this number? The link for the scan utility is below.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R92578&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_1150&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=9309&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=1&formatcnt=1&fileid=120687

Message Edited by techmonk on 08-28-2005 05:25 PM

From all of the checks you have done and the fact you are not getting any warnings or messages about your hardware, the software would be the next area of investigation. I would say your system hardware isn't the problem. Have you checked the settings on your display properties? Can you reduce the acceleration of the controller? I would look into this area of a fix. It's possible that a program you installed changed these settings on you and your video controller is passing the large demand off onto the cpu. Look at the system requirements of the application you are running and see how it matches up with what you have. You also might have a weak cooling fan. Try(don't laugh) putting the laptop on an elevated platform with plenty of airspace underneath. The 3D programs are working the cpu pretty hard. Reducing the acceleration  and the quality of the images will take some of the workload off the laptop. These laptops don't make the best gamers.

Message Edited by NFFAA on 08-28-2005 06:53 PM

Never mind...I've bought this laptop like 6 months ago...and this is gonna be the last Dell I'll ever buy.

Thanks for your help thought...I am installing a wind tunnel in my room...that should work.

Message Edited by techmonk on 08-29-2005 03:06 AM

You should try to create an air space under the machine to allow as much air as possible to the fan opening as possible. The other possibilities you may have to consider is a bad fan or a fried processor. If you move this thread to the inspirion message board, I'm sure there will be someone who can help you determine if that's the case. I'm not familiar enough with the hardware of the inspirion to troubleshoot those areas.

Good Luck