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CLockslett

7 Posts

19044

September 11th, 2004 20:00

CPU usage fluctuates between normal and 100%

I'm trying to fix a problem where my CPU usage fluctuates between normal levels and 100% while running Star Wars Galaxies.  While I'm 90% certain the issue is with them, they do not provide support for laptops, and there is a chance that the issue is still with my computer.

Basically this is what happens.  I load into the game and the system runs normally for a few minutes.  Then for no apparent reason (there is no specific "trigger" for the action as I can have been standing still for minutes with nothing new to load and still have the fluctuation) my ping goes up/frames per second goes down.  The Windows Task Manager shows the sytem at 100% CPU usage, although the number listed under CPU are 60/40 between the swgclient and SystemIdleProcess.  The 60/40 bounces back and forth between the two processes for a few minutes and then return to normal.  After a few more minutes of normal operation, it shoots back up to 100% CPU usage.  (Hopefully this makes some kind of sense).

The CPU spikes have somewhat regular intervals and last about the same amount of time each time it happens.  If I "hard close" the game/process, the CPU immediately goes down (as soon as it is able to process it).  They only occur while using Star Wars Galaxies, although that's the only high-CPU usage program I ever use.

I have updated video drivers and tried Omega Drivers for my video card (that were recommended by other users with similar systems as having better performance with SWG).  I had errors on my hard drive and just replaced it with a new one yesterday (I had actually hoped the problem had been due to the faulty hard drive) so I'm working on a fresh copy of Windows and the game.  I do not have a firewall up or anti-virus that might interfere with the game.  I have also tried the regedit fix for .avi files (reseting the value to 0).

Could this be an issue with my processor or video card?  Or is this just an issue with the game (these problems started up shortly after an update)?

I'm including some information from my DirectX Diagnostics and MSInfo in a reply, which is what SWG Tech Support requested to try and fix the problem.  Any help on this will be HUGELY appreciated!!!

CLockslett

7 Posts

September 11th, 2004 20:00

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/11/2004, 13:40:55
       Machine name: LAPTOP
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
       System Model: Inspiron 600m                  
               BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A13
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1300MHz, ~1.3GHz
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 167MB used, 2757MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0904 32bit Unicode
------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: The file ati2dvag.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).  You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
        Sound Tab 1: DirectSound test results: All tests were successful.
          Music Tab: DirectMusic test results: All tests were successful.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67)
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc. (Omega 2.5.67)
        Chip type: MOBILITY RADEON 9000 AGP (0x4C66)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4C66&SUBSYS_011E1028&REV_01
   Display Memory: 32.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Default Monitor
  Monitor Max Res:
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6467 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 8/3/2004 20:37:08, 208896 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: No
  WHQL Date Stamp: None
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 8/3/2004 20:36:50, 768512 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0F26-11CF-DB6A-1421A0C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x4C66
        SubSys ID: 0x011E1028
      Revision ID: 0x0001
      Revision ID: 0x0001
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
 D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: SigmaTel Audio
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_011E1028&REV_01
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: STAC97.sys
         Driver Version: 5.10.3913.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 5/12/2004 20:30:14, 258704 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: SigmaTel
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xB5B
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 48000, 48000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: All tests were successful.

CLockslett

7 Posts

September 11th, 2004 20:00

From MSInfo:
 
System Information report written at: 09/11/04 13:40:45
System Name: LAPTOP
[System Summary]
Item Value 
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1 Build 2600 
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation 
System Name LAPTOP 
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation 
System Model Inspiron 600m 
System Type X86-based PC 
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 9 Stepping 5 GenuineIntel ~1295 Mhz 
BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A13, 6/30/2004 
SMBIOS Version 2.3 
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS 
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\System32 
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1 
Locale United States 
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)" 
User Name LAPTOP\Anne 
Time Zone Central Standard Time 
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB 
Available Physical Memory 763.42 MB 
Total Virtual Memory 3.86 GB 
Available Virtual Memory 3.45 GB 
Page File Space 2.86 GB 
Page File C:\pagefile.sys 
[Hardware Resources]
 
[Conflicts/Sharing]
Resource Device 
I/O Port 0x00000000-0x00000CF7 PCI bus 
I/O Port 0x00000000-0x00000CF7 Direct memory access controller 
  
I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF Intel(R) 82855PM Processor to AGP Controller - 3341  
I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67) 
  
IRQ 5 Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A Mini PCI Adapter 
IRQ 5 SigmaTel C-Major Audio 
IRQ 5 PCTEL 2304WT V.92 MDC Modem 
  
IRQ 11 ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67) 
IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2  
IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C4  
IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C7  
IRQ 11 Intel(r) 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD 
IRQ 11 Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller 
IRQ 11 O2Micro OZ711EC1 SmartCardBus Controller 
IRQ 11 O2Micro OZ711EC1 SmartCardBus Controller 
  
Memory Address 0xE8000000-0xEFFFFFFF Intel(R) 82855PM Processor to AGP Controller - 3341  
Memory Address 0xE8000000-0xEFFFFFFF ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67) 
  
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF PCI bus 
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF Intel(R) 82855PM Processor to AGP Controller - 3341  
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67) 
  
I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB Intel(R) 82855PM Processor to AGP Controller - 3341  
I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67) 
  
I/O Port 0x0000C000-0x0000CFFF Intel(R) 82855PM Processor to AGP Controller - 3341  
I/O Port 0x0000C000-0x0000CFFF ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67) 
  
[DMA]
Resource Device Status 
Channel 4 Direct memory access controller OK
 
[IRQs]
Resource Device Status 
IRQ 9 Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System OK 
IRQ 11 ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 (Omega 2.5.67) OK 
IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2  OK 
IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C4  OK 
IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C7  OK 
IRQ 11 Intel(r) 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD OK 
IRQ 11 Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller OK 
IRQ 11 O2Micro OZ711EC1 SmartCardBus Controller OK 
IRQ 11 O2Micro OZ711EC1 SmartCardBus Controller OK 
IRQ 10 O2Micro SmartCardBus Reader OK 
IRQ 5 Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A Mini PCI Adapter OK 
IRQ 5 SigmaTel C-Major Audio OK 
IRQ 5 PCTEL 2304WT V.92 MDC Modem OK 
IRQ 12 PS/2 Compatible Mouse OK 
IRQ 1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard OK 
IRQ 8 System CMOS/real time clock OK 
IRQ 0 System timer OK 
IRQ 13 Numeric data processor OK 
IRQ 4 Communications Port (COM1) OK 
IRQ 14 Primary IDE Channel OK 
IRQ 15 Secondary IDE Channel OK 
IRQ 2 System board OK
 
[Running Tasks]
Name Path Process ID Priority Min Working Set Max Working Set Start Time Version Size File Date 
system idle process Not Available 0 0 Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available 
system Not Available 4 8 0 1413120 Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available 
smss.exe c:\windows\system32\smss.exe 436 11 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920) 44.50 KB (45,568 bytes) 9/3/2002 12:02 PM 
csrss.exe Not Available 880 13 Not Available Not Available 9/11/2004 1:22 PM Not Available Not Available Not Available 
winlogon.exe c:\windows\system32\winlogon.exe 1128 13 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920) 504.50 KB (516,608 bytes) 9/3/2002 12:12 PM 
services.exe c:\windows\system32\services.exe 1172 9 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148) 99.00 KB (101,376 bytes) 9/3/2002 11:59 AM 
lsass.exe c:\windows\system32\lsass.exe 1184 9 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920) 11.50 KB (11,776 bytes) 9/3/2002 11:39 AM 
ati2evxx.exe c:\windows\system32\ati2evxx.exe 1352 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 6.14.4104 380.00 KB (389,120 bytes) 7/25/2004 6:16 PM 
svchost.exe c:\windows\system32\svchost.exe 1380 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148) 12.50 KB (12,800 bytes) 9/3/2002 12:05 PM 
svchost.exe c:\windows\system32\svchost.exe 1448 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148) 12.50 KB (12,800 bytes) 9/3/2002 12:05 PM 
s24evmon.exe c:\windows\system32\s24evmon.exe 1492 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 3.1.8.0 292.07 KB (299,075 bytes) 1/12/2003 4:09 PM 
svchost.exe Not Available 1704 8 Not Available Not Available 9/11/2004 1:22 PM Not Available Not Available Not Available 
svchost.exe Not Available 1760 8 Not Available Not Available 9/11/2004 1:22 PM Not Available Not Available Not Available 
spoolsv.exe c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe 188 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148) 50.00 KB (51,200 bytes) 9/3/2002 12:04 PM 
regsrvc.exe c:\windows\system32\regsrvc.exe 372 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 4, 0, 0, 1 120.00 KB (122,880 bytes) 1/12/2003 4:08 PM 
roammgr.exe c:\windows\system32\roammgr.exe 384 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:22 PM 1, 0, 0, 2 136.00 KB (139,264 bytes) 2/3/2003 10:58 AM 
scardsvr.exe Not Available 512 8 Not Available Not Available 9/11/2004 1:22 PM Not Available Not Available Not Available 
zcfgsvc.exe c:\windows\system32\zcfgsvc.exe 780 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:23 PM 1, 0, 0, 1 308.00 KB (315,392 bytes) 2/3/2003 10:57 AM 
wdfmgr.exe Not Available 992 8 Not Available Not Available 9/11/2004 1:23 PM Not Available Not Available Not Available 
roamsvc.exe c:\program files\intel\switching\user\roamsvc.exe 1188 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:23 PM 2.0.80.0 400.00 KB (409,600 bytes) 1/10/2003 1:36 PM 
ati2evxx.exe c:\windows\system32\ati2evxx.exe 1992 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:23 PM 6.14.4104 380.00 KB (389,120 bytes) 7/25/2004 6:16 PM 
explorer.exe c:\windows\explorer.exe 296 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:23 PM 6.00.2800.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920) 980.50 KB (1,004,032 bytes) 9/3/2002 11:32 AM 
pctspk.exe c:\windows\system32\pctspk.exe 1888 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:23 PM 1, 0, 0, 1 160.00 KB (163,840 bytes) 9/10/2004 7:23 PM 
stacmon.exe c:\program files\sigmatel\sigmatel ac97 audio drivers\stacmon.exe 1896 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:23 PM 1, 0, 0, 3 88.06 KB (90,169 bytes) 9/10/2004 7:40 PM 
wuauclt.exe c:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe 568 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:24 PM 5.4.3790.2182 built by: srv03_rtm(ntvbl04) 111.27 KB (113,944 bytes) 9/10/2004 6:41 PM 
iexplore.exe c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe 1416 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:26 PM 6.00.2800.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920) 89.00 KB (91,136 bytes) 9/10/2004 6:43 PM 
helpctr.exe c:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\helpctr.exe 696 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:40 PM 5.1.2600.1515 (xpsp2.040410-0905) 723.50 KB (740,864 bytes) 4/14/2004 5:50 PM 
wmiprvse.exe Not Available 168 8 Not Available Not Available 9/11/2004 1:40 PM Not Available Not Available Not Available 
helpsvc.exe c:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\helpsvc.exe 216 8 204800 1413120 9/11/2004 1:40 PM 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920) 687.00 KB (703,488 bytes) 9/10/2004 6:43 PM 
[Startup Programs]
Program Command User Name Location 
desktop desktop.ini NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Startup 
desktop desktop.ini LAPTOP\Anne Startup 
desktop desktop.ini .DEFAULT Startup 
desktop desktop.ini All Users Common Startup 
PRONoMgr.exe c:\program files\intel\ncs\proset\pronomgr.exe All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 
PCTVOICE pctspk.exe All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 
SigmaTel StacMon c:\program files\sigmatel\sigmatel ac97 audio drivers\stacmon.exe All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 
AtiPTA atiptaxx.exe All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 

ipunek01

77 Posts

September 13th, 2004 01:00

your computer might be overheating, download the dell fan monitor (http://www.diefer.de/i8kfan/) , and see what your temps are,
you may need a new motherboard if the heat has caused some damage,

i had the same problem only trying to play prince of persia/battlefield 1942, went away when they replaced the motherboard...
try playing another game and see if you get the same slow downs.

search this forum for overheating or video slowdown,
how long have you had the system? how often do you play games/use it at high capacity?

CLockslett

7 Posts

September 13th, 2004 03:00

I've run the Dell diagnostics full set (including the fan/temp checker) and everything came out fine.

I've had the system for over a year now (got it in July 2003) and have gone through two hard drives.  I run SWG on a daily basis for several hours at a time.

I'm really beginning to think it's mainly a problem with SWG and my video card.  I was running the Beta test for the SWG expansion (based off SWG with new bits) and only had this come up once during a 3 hour session.  While running the regular version it shows up in the first 10 minutes or so and continues throught the rest of my session.

Everyone I've talked to so far is pointing at an out-of-date v/c.  I'm still not sure where to go from here with it.

 

ipunek01

77 Posts

September 13th, 2004 04:00

also, just because your temps are normal now, doesnt mean overheating hasnt damaged your systemboard (mother board)

 

ipunek01

77 Posts

September 13th, 2004 04:00

if you play SWG daily, i'd say overheating is a strong suspect,

what are your temp's?  try canned air, blow out the vents, search for overheating on this forum,
and see if dell will replace your motherboard if you are still under warranty

what v/c do you have?

ipunek01

77 Posts

September 13th, 2004 04:00

try another game and see what happens- do this no matter what,

it'll narrow down the possibilities, or see if anyone you know/find on the forum has the same laptop and can try SWG to see what happens on their system.

long shot, but worth a try

CLockslett

7 Posts

October 15th, 2004 19:00

Still having this issue with no resolution.

I've tried the overheating route.  Done all the things suggested for that.  No effect.  A complete diagnostic of the system came up clean.

My warranty ran out in July, so any replacing that's going to be done comes out of my pocket.  I don't see the point in replacing something that's not showing as broken.  I'll save the money for a new system before I do that.

I've run a stress test using Prime95 and everything checked out ok.  Updated/flashed the BIOS and it worked for about an hour before coming up with these issues again.

At this point I'm not sure what else to try, nor am I certain that it is entirely an issue with my system.  Would a video card upgrade help (or be possible?  I haven't a clue as to how to go about one of those on a laptop.)?

 

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