System is slow..can't really multi-task...why?

[WildViper]

Hi,

From the moment I have set this gig up, I have noticed that something is not right with it. It seems it can't really multi-task without noticing a slow-down.

For example, when I have a video playing from one of the harddrives, I start IE or Firefox..I can see the video pause for a second. If I move any windows...the video pauses and starts again.

Not sure why that is the case. Here is the config of my system:

Chaintech VNF3-250 board
AMD 64 2800+
1 Gig Ram - generic
3 HDs - 2 160Gigs and one Seagate 500 Gig - All connected through ATA
1 DVD-DL writer - Pioneer I think
ATI 9000 video card with 64MB AGP 4x
350W power supply. Orion brand I think. This is new. I had a 300W supply in there from Antec that I took out. It was hesitating with that as well. When Antec was in, I had taken off the DVD and the 500 gig HD to see if that would help. No help.
Running XP Pro SP2 with all updates
Avast AntiVirus

I also have a TV capture card from Haupauge that I don't use in the system.

I have run all sorts of tweaking and clean up software. It was custom build so no crapware loaded.

Defragged regularly and kept in good shape. As I said, this problem has been there from the beginning...from first install.

Thanx for any guidance.

Oh, I do not overclock. so I have not adjusted any settings. I do not game either. Just regular usage with photo editing.

 

[mechBgon]

I'd drop a dual-core processor in there if you can afford it. Going from a 3000+ (one 2GHz core) to a 3800+ X2 (two 2GHz cores) really helped my system's multitasking.

 

[WildViper]

well I don't think I can upgrade anymore. The mobo is 754 chipset. I can't even find an upgrade to my AMD 64 2800+ cpu. Am I missing something? Can I upgrade to 3800+?

 

[mechBgon]

Ooops, my mistake 😱 You're correct, there aren't dual-core Socket754 processors.

🙁

 

[WildViper]

Oh, one more thing my system has done from the beginning....when powering up(during the windows loading), sometimes it won't show the XP logo and will just re-boot itself and comeback with "Windows crashed, would you like "Safe mode" and Normal and so on. Can't remember the exact wordings, but that screen.

Really strange. I press start under "Normal" mode and it starts ok then.

There is no rhythm to this restarts.

Edit: I have replaced the RAM stick in here. Problem continues. Replaced PS, problem continues. Just an FYI.

 

[Ninjazx]

Originally posted by: WildViper
Oh, one more thing my system has done from the beginning....when powering up(during the windows loading), sometimes it won't show the XP logo and will just re-boot itself and comeback with "Windows crashed, would you like "Safe mode" and Normal and so on. Can't remember the exact wordings, but that screen.

Really strange. I press start under "Normal" mode and it starts ok then.

There is no rhythm to this restarts.

Edit: I have replaced the RAM stick in here. Problem continues. Replaced PS, problem continues. Just an FYI.

This makes me question your OS hard drive, or controller. How long after your first install was it before you noticed the first hangup?

 

[WildViper]

pretty much immediately. it has never run smooth. I always thought it was something with memory or ps or software. Slowly, over couple of years I have replaced things and problem continues. Perhaps I need to do a re-install? How can I check if my controller is messed up?

 

[mythlogic]

So which HD is connected to the same ATA port as the DVD? Mixed devices on your nForce3 250 chipset will cause some buffer issues.

 

[WildViper]

Well, I have tried 3 different setups. One HD only on IDE0 / 2 HDs on IDE0 and now HD+DVD on IDE0. All with same results.

I just updated my nvidia drivers for IDE to v2.6. Should I even be using the Nvidia IDE drivers? Should I just delete them and have XP manage this?

Btw, the issue I illustrate about the video is just an example. This happens with everything I do. It could be music playing or just another program running.