Problem with Hardware Interrupts

[Vidda]

I've been having problems lately with hardware interrupts taking up too much processing. I can't really say what's triggered it. But I have a neat, clutter-free computer, and I did a reformat about a month ago. Just wondering if anyone has had this and can give me some advice. I can post some HiJack this etc, if it's actually that serious, but any general advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Nothinman]

How did you come to the conclusion that it's the interrupts causing your problems?

 

[kmmatney]

Run ProcessExplorerNT to see if that gives you any new information. Then starting disabling devices, like your sound card, etc... in device manager to see if you can pinpoint which application is causing the issue. Hopefully, you'll at least be able to figure out the hardware or driver compmenent causing the problem.

 

[Vidda]

Oh, the reason I know it's hardware interrupts is from Process Explorer. I've used it for a long time and suddenly I'm getting very high spikes and sustained activity from the interrupts.

 

[Nothinman]

Interrupts are generated by hardware, if they've gone up recently it's either because you're using your hardware more (i.e. more network packets) or a piece of your hardware is going bad. Doesn't process explorer tell you how many of each interrupt is being generated?

 

[Vidda]

Hmm...I don't believe so. I thought at first it was my sound card, as it was crackling pretty badly for a few days, but trying several other ones, I still get some crackle and hardware interrupts, so I'm not quite sure. Any other parts that are notorious for generating too much interruption?

 

[Nothinman]

So Process Explorer really won't tell you the numbers of each interrupt being generated so that you can tell which device is the one generating all of them?

 

[Vidda]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
So Process Explorer really won't tell you the numbers of each interrupt being generated so that you can tell which device is the one generating all of them?

No. It mainly serves to tell me what process is using up what percentage of CPU cycles. And interrupts are now getting a very unfair share. However, most of the interrupt problem comes in spikes. When I open a program, the interrupts usually rocket up to 80-100% and my sound will get scratchy for a few seconds.

Also, I have tried disabling sound and video drivers, and neithe one. I guess I'll have to test out the proc and see if I can't swap it out with something.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Vidda

Originally posted by: Nothinman
So Process Explorer really won't tell you the numbers of each interrupt being generated so that you can tell which device is the one generating all of them?

No. It mainly serves to tell me what process is using up what percentage of CPU cycles. And interrupts are now getting a very unfair share. However, most of the interrupt problem comes in spikes. When I open a program, the interrupts usually rocket up to 80-100% and my sound will get scratchy for a few seconds.

Also, I have tried disabling sound and video drivers, and neithe one. I guess I'll have to test out the proc and see if I can't swap it out with something.

Is your operating system fully patched?
Are you overclocking any components?
Do you have the latest WHQL-certified drivers for all your hardware (motherboard chipset, video card, sound card, etc.)?

 

[Nothinman]

No. It mainly serves to tell me what process is using up what percentage of CPU cycles. And interrupts are now getting a very unfair share. However, most of the interrupt problem comes in spikes. When I open a program, the interrupts usually rocket up to 80-100% and my sound will get scratchy for a few seconds.

Well the interrupt spikes make sense because when you open a program the hard disk controller is going to issue an interrupt for every read that's completed. And the sound getting scratchy could be anything from bad drivers to electrical interference.

 

[Vidda]

Resurrecting this thread because I am once again having problems. I formatted and the problem went away. However, now the spikes are back. Could it possibly be a bad hard drive. This time was ridiculously. I literally restarted the computer and these problems started happening. The day before, all was fine. A big confused...

 

[EagleKeeper]

If you suspect taht it is the HD; then image it to another and see if when using the second drive, the same thing happens.

Did you install any programs since the reformatting and/or do you have anything that may be scheduled that has kicked in.

Some programs will leave shred of headaches behind when used even once.

 

[Vidda]

Well, I pride myself on keeping a very tight ship when it comes to my apps/startup, etc. The only things I've installed lately are PowerDVD and PainKiller. The only thing I can remember is slightly bumping my HD when I was putting the cover back on. IIRC, the computer froze, and I rebooted and voila - there were the interrupts. This is what made me think it might be the physical hardware. However, I've never heard of this happening before, and plus it's never had a hitch before.

 

[doan]

I hace seen a marginal hard drivr really slow a system down...hve you checked the event logs?