Computer freezes while downloading stuff off the net.

Question

Hi everyone,     I have a Dell Dimension 8400. 3.2 Ghz HT processor and 1 gig of RAM. I've been using it for a year now with no problems. However recently I had to reinstall/repair windows using the Dell Recovery procedure. Since then I have noticed that whenever I am downloading anything off the internet, the whole computer freezes up or gets really slow with CPU usage going very high (However none of the system processes show up as the ones hogging the CPU). This occurs even if I am downloading only at 50-100K/sec. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me figure out how to fix this issue. I have scanned for viruses/spyware and my computer shows up as completely clean.   Thanks and cheers.

jmwills · Answer

Are your drivers up to date?

orion20001 · Answer

Yep I'm thinking the same...only I'm not entirely sure how to check on which drivers I need. Is there anyways I can figure out which drivers I need for my mobo/network card? Or do I have to open up the case and try and figure out what Mobo I have?   Thanks for the help, Cheers   PS- Previously I was using the default drivers my computer came loaded with and things worked fine then. Thats why I figured it probably isnt a driver issue coz the system restore, restores it to the exact same factory settings. Message Edited by orion20001 on 02-06-2006 01:28 AM

jmwills · Answer

The most cuurent drivers offered by Dell are here. You might also want to check the Broadcom site to see if their drivers are more current than the ones Dell has listed. Message Edited by jmwills on 02-06-2006 09:33 AM

orion20001 · Answer

Hi,    I installed the latest drivers from Broadcom, but it still did not help. It still shows 40-90% CPU usage when I'm downloading at 50K/sec. Am really not sure what the problem could be....maybe some resource conflict?   Cheers

jmwills · Answer

Do you still get the same CPU usage when you are not downloading?

orion20001 · Answer

Nope, when Im not downloading, everything is perfectly fine. 99% idle time and everything works smoothly like it used to. I'm very definite that this is purely linked with downloading/the network card because this only happens when I am downloading things or loading big webpages, and the moment I pause the download everything returns back to normal. Thanks for all the help so far. Do let me know if you have any other idea regarding this.

Cheers

jmwills · Answer

The only other thing that comes to mind would be your anti-virus doing an active scan on the file being downloaded rather than waiting for you to try and open it. Scans usually take around 30% CPU cycle time or at least I have noticed Mcafee takes that much.

Try to see if yours is set to scan all downloads rather than scanning a file when opening.

orion20001 · Answer

I shut down my AV and terminated all related processes. Still no luck :(( Anyone have any other ideas? Im getting desparate now!! Thanks a ton for all the help jmwills

jmwills · Answer

Sorry, but I.m out of ideas at the moment.  Brain lock.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Computer freezes while downloading stuff off the net.

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