Hardware or OS Conflict Please help.

[chaknchngo]

Okay guys, this is the problem I am facing. From time to time, I get a lag while I'm surfing the web or doing any desktop work. For Example, I am surfing the web, and then I try to close the window by pressing the "X" but it doesn't close. Meanwhile I can move my mouse, therefore I move the mouse to the start button and click; nothing. I move away and click away. Seconds later, windows plays this catch up game where everything I did while the period it was "frozen" is caught up.

I know this is not a windows problem because I have installed 2 different kinds of windows XP on my PC, yet I still have the same problem.

This does not occur in any games that I play such as WC3.

My Rig The P4 1800 is the one I'm having the problems with.

HDD is set as Master
Burner is set as Slave
DVD is set as Master

I am thinking this is either a CPU or Memory problem, any tips advice would be greatly appreciated.

The Highly Technical Forum is not for Troubleshooting.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[blahblah99]

1. Insert Windows 2000 CD
2. Reboot

 

[chaknchngo]

Why install windows 2k and reboot? This is not an upgraded version of Windows XP Pro.

 

[blahblah99]

it looks like a memory or a clock setting problem... did you play around with the bios settings to make sure the settings are good? and btw, this post will be locked once the mods see it

 

[chaknchngo]

Clock setting problem? Could you be more specific? What should I do with the BIOS? I haven't O/C ed or nething to this, but I guess I will take a look at it. Did I post this on the wrong forum? Thanks.

 

[sao123]

If the system isnt overclocked or customized.... Possible solutions.

Run msconfig... disable any programs which may be running at start up. (except for virus scan)

Disable system restore permanently.

Remove all your pci cards and run the machine... see if it stops the problem.
Then insert them one by one and test run again....to see which card may be causing the problem. (maybe a resource conflict or hardware incompatibility)

Make sure your RAM is seated properly. Make sure your swap file is exactly 2x the size of your ram (both initial and max values.)

Turn off Power management in Windows. Your HDD's might be going to sleep. Then having to spin up again.

Flash update your BIOS.

Run Virus Scan with a full intensive scan. then run lava-softs adaware with a full scan (free ad removal program)
If you have Norton Utilities - run Windows Doctor.

Defrag.