CPU Utilization SPIKES! Fixed!

[bloodthirster]

I need help guys I just built a new system for a friend and am experiencing wierd CPU spikes.
Every 20-60 seconds the CPU will spike out of no where up to around 45%.
This causes any program running to Pause/skip(DVD player or playing MP3) and the mouse also pauses 1-2 seconds.
Everything in the background is shut off.
Heres my specs.

WinXP with all the latest drivers
Athlon 2200+ Running at about 48 celsius
350W PS ( Ive also tried my 450 enermax)
MSI Kt3 Ultra ARU
512MB PC2700 Kingston
16X Lite-oon DVD
40x10x48X Lite-on CDRW.
2 40GB WD HDD on the raid Partitioned into 3 25GB drives.
Using the Onboard sound
Dlink 10/100 card
USR 56K PCI modem
Gainward GF4 4200.


Please HELP!

Thanks!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I've been seeing several posts lately about the pause/freeze for a second or 2 issue and XP but no one so far has posted that they resolved it despite trying numerous different potential fixes 🙁 I guess you could try shutting down backround processes 1 at a time to see if it has any effect but other than that I got nothin'.

 

[KillerCow]

What task is taking the CPU?

 

[Bananas4me]

I've seen this before....Do a virus scan, specifically for a trojan...perhaps "js/noclose"?

Good luck!

 

[DaiShan]

Update to the latest chipset drivers, and latest drivers for all components in the system.

 

[mee987]

why dont you just use task manager to see what app is taxing the cpu? check the processes tab

 

[FluxCapacitor]

I wonder if this could be caused by incorrect network settings? For instance, having TCP/IP on your NIC set to DHCP when there is no DHCP server available. Perhaps XP is trying to locate a server?

I don't know for sure, that's just an idea to check on. An easy way to find out would be to remove your NIC temporarily and see if the problem goes away.

 

[bloodthirster]

I managed to fix it by removing the Single drive only jumpers off the WD Hard Drives. Ive never seen a problem like this but leave it to Western Digital to make screwwy drives.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: bloodthirster
I managed to fix it by removing the Single drive only jumpers off the WD Hard Drives. Ive never seen a problem like this but leave it to Western Digital to make screwwy drives.

Looking back I see that you said, "
"2 40GB WD HDD on the raid Partitioned into 3 25GB drives"I mean, I could be wrong, but how can you put the drives as "Single drive only jumpers " when you have more than one???? WD drives can be a PIA at times but maybe this is something that could have been avoided??

 

[mee987]

his board has onboard raid, he probably has one drive on each channel. 4 drives, 4 channels

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: mee987
his board has onboard raid, he probably has one drive on each channel. 4 drives, 4 channels

Yeah but as I so recently and also "rudely" found out, WD drives are a PIA. Yes, the buyer/user have to assume some sort of responsibilty but this is stretching it a bit. I recently had a very similar problem in XP Pro that required a "similar" response.