Problems with computer hitching

[Atvar]

For some reason, my computer will do this thing that I can only describe as a hitch. Basically, it locks up for a second or less every now and then. Completely random as far as I can tell. I don't have many apps running and I Have done virus/spyware scans out the ass so I don't believe that is the problem. I am running windows xp pro sp2 if that helps at all. Funny thing is, my friend complains about the same thing.

I just did a fresh format last month and it seemed to help, but now its doing it again. I am wondering if it is an update that windows installed that could be causing it? I have updated everything possible through windows update as far as critical updates go. Maybe a driver issue? I really don't know what it is. I do know its annoying as hell though! Does anyone have a clue as to what might be causing it?

 

[Atvar]

No ideas?

 

[huesmann]

If you can monitor it for a while, check the CPU usage in Task Monitor and see what's sucking up CPU cycles.

 

[Atvar]

the weird thing is, it doesn't seem like anything is

 

[jmagg]

Check that your drives are running in DMA mode.

Device manager>ide controllers>primary>advanced settings

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Can you give more details - then we can help you.

 

[Atvar]

Well, I don't really know how else to describe the problem, but I can give more info about my system.
Athlon XP 2100+
Asus A7V333 Mainboard
512 Megs Corsair XMS
NVIDIA Geforce TI4200
Two Harddrives (Maxtor 80GIg and WD 40 Gig)
LiteOn DVDRw
SoundBlaster Audigy
DLink Wireless Adapter

Hope this helps a bit Thanks

 

[Sp33d]

Are you sure that your HSF is working full? If the system is too hot, it will constantly freeze to try and lower the heat. Case infor please.

 

[Atvar]

I thought about heat as well, but it doesn't seem like it. It only hangs for a split second or so. Just enough to be annoying. In any even, this is my case Text.

I recently cleaned my hsf as well as the case fans (1 on the side, one in the front and one in the rear). Didn't make a difference unfortunately. Thanks

 

[smaky]

I have had 2 pcs with this problem. One had bad power supply (replacing psu and reloading windows fixed that), the other just had to reinstall xp.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Well, could be a few things. What programs does it freeze for? What PSU?

You can check something by hitting CTR+ALT+DEL at the same time. Go to "processes", and close everything with your user name beside it. Do'nt close any "system" processes. Then see if it improves, and try running one program at a time to trouble shoot.

 

[Atvar]

Thats the thing, I haven't been able to narrow it down to a particular program. I notice it hitching pretty bad in games though (specifically mvp baseball 2005). Since I disables indexing on the hd's my computer seems to be running more smoothly but it still hitches from time to time. Someone on another board seems to think it could be my wireless adapter. I don't know at this point lol. It does seem much better without the indexing though. Still hitches like crazy in game though :-(. More that game than any other. I don't notice it in HL2 which is strange. And it just hitched as I was typing that lol.

smaky: Well, the reinstall of windows helped it for a bit but then it came right back. Maybe the psu is going south. I am almost wondering if it might be a windows patch doing it since I am fully patched through windows update.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Atvar
Thats the thing, I haven't been able to narrow it down to a particular program. I notice it hitching pretty bad in games though (specifically mvp baseball 2005). Since I disables indexing on the hd's my computer seems to be running more smoothly but it still hitches from time to time. Someone on another board seems to think it could be my wireless adapter. I don't know at this point lol. It does seem much better without the indexing though. Still hitches like crazy in game though :-(. More that game than any other. I don't notice it in HL2 which is strange. And it just hitched as I was typing that lol.

smaky: Well, the reinstall of windows helped it for a bit but then it came right back. Maybe the psu is going south. I am almost wondering if it might be a windows patch doing it since I am fully patched through windows update.

What does your event log (system and application) say?

 

[Atvar]

Just checked the logs....no errors under application and no warnings either, but under system this warning appears 4 times today:

TCP/IP has reached the security limit imposed on the number of concurrent TCP connect attempts.

Other than that its lots of information entries.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Atvar
Just checked the logs....no errors under application and no warnings either, but under system this warning appears 4 times today:

TCP/IP has reached the security limit imposed on the number of concurrent TCP connect attempts.

Other than that its lots of information entries.

On another computer, download Service Pack 2 (if not already installed), Microsoft's AntiSpyware (see my .sig). Remove your computer from the network. Install both packages of software and allow Antispyware to scan and remove ALL issues it sees in your system. Put your computer back on the network. Get all Microsoft updates from WindowsUpdate.com. Also, confirm you aren't running any P2P programs - if you are, uninstall them, -- all of them.

And make sure you're behind a router and not directly on the public internet.

If you'd like me to look at your setup, run MPSReports (Setup-Perf version) and send me the resulting .cab file.

 

[Sp33d]

Sounds like you have a worm or a trojan. It probably infected the kernell32.dll file, and anyone correct me if i'm wrong, but you are in it deep.

 

[imported_redlotus]

I hate to be the one to have to ask an obvious question, but have you tried running with your AV program disabled (preferably while not connected to the net)?

-red

 

[Atvar]

On another computer, download Service Pack 2 (if not already installed), Microsoft's AntiSpyware (see my .sig). Remove your computer from the network. Install both packages of software and allow Antispyware to scan and remove ALL issues it sees in your system. Put your computer back on the network. Get all Microsoft updates from WindowsUpdate.com. Also, confirm you aren't running any P2P programs - if you are, uninstall them, -- all of them.

Already have SP2 Installed and every update currently available. I don't use p2p apps at all so I am ok there. I run spybot, adaware, msantispyware almost daily but I'll run them once more off the network in safe mode just to be sure. Also, my comp is behind a hardware router. I just made a cab file with mpsreports so I'll e-mail that to you shortly. Thanks for the help everyone. I am determined to get this solved

Redlotus: Nothing wrong with asking that. I was having the problem before I installed an antivirus package

 

[Atvar]

Ok, just finished running msantispy with a deep scan and it found nothing. I am sending the cab file now. Thank you

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Atvar
Ok, just finished running msantispy with a deep scan and it found nothing. I am sending the cab file now. Thank you

You appear to have several P2P apps. You have BitTornado. I suggest removing it and all associated programs. For now I suggest removing Ajooblast; it's essentially P2P MP3 sharing (although I'm aware that's not exactly what it is.) You can always reinstall it later. In short, remove anything that would allow someone else to connect to your machine.

Then see if you can reproduce the problem. If so, keep going:

Does this problem happen if you boot up in safe mode? What about safe mode with networking?

Do you have the Via-specific drivers for your MB installed, from viaarena.com (I think that's it... there's Via's driver site - go there and grab the drivers for the chipset on the motherboard. I saw a MS-generic AGP driver in there, which looked odd - so can you quickly confirm you have that installed already?)

As I think was mentioned, remove the machine from the network (disable the wireless NIC) and tell me if it still stutters from time to time.
Try the same by uninstalling (!!) - not just removing - your AV software....while you're off the internet/network.

You have a LOT of software installed. Can you remove this:
Module[174] [C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\NSYNAS32.SYS] (Source Enabled)
Company Name: Syncrosoft Hard- und Software GmbH
File Description: Internet Protection Hardware Driver
and
Module[199] [C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\PTILINK.SYS]
Company Name: Parallel Technologies, Inc.
File Description: Parallel Technologies DirectParallel IO Library
Product Version: (5.1:2600.0)
File Version: (1.1:0.0)
File Size (bytes): 17792
File Date: Thu Aug 23 07:00:00 2001

and try again?

And this too:
Module[176] [C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\NTMTLFAX.SYS]
Company Name: Smart Link
File Description:
Product Version: (5.0:1877.1)
File Version: (3.80:1.0)
File Size (bytes): 180360
File Date: Wed Aug 04 00:41:39 2004


Note that WHENU is typically considered spyware; I'm a bit surprised MS Antispyware didn't flag it.

Let me know.

 

[Atvar]

I'll give all of that a shot and report back. I wasn't thinking of Ajooblast in terms of p2p hehe. I use it more for listening to my music from work. I'll remove it thought just to see. It generally crashes anyway after a while

 

[Atvar]

Ok, I tested the heck out of it and it is definitely the network card. When I run with it, the computer hitches. Take the comp off the network and it runs like water. Is there a better wireless card to try?

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Atvar
Ok, I tested the heck out of it and it is definitely the network card. When I run with it, the computer hitches. Take the comp off the network and it runs like water. Is there a better wireless card to try?

Your connection to your router was very poor - I saw frequent disconnects. Are there any 2.4Ghz wireless phones interfering with your connection? Can you drag a CAT5 cable to your computer and connect via plain ethernet?