General computer lagging problems

[Kanadwen]

Alright, let me explain. The past month, my computer has been "lagging", as in random chokes in the CPU usage. Every thing from music playing, to playing games, I would get this "choke" or "lag" that would hit for about 1 second, and would do it very often. Well, I figured it was time to reinstall XP, so I reformatted my hard drive (37GB), and installed a new copy of XP. It worked a little, but not as often. Now, I've learned that it has to be a hardware problem. Here's my specs:

1.5ghz AMD Athlon XP 1800+
768mb RAM (pc2700, 512mb, 256mb)
Geforce FX5200.

Yes, I know it's time to upgrade, but I'd still like to use this computer of course. Now, I did some research and I found out that it could of been my video card, so I switched out my FX5200, with another FX5200, yeah, I have these things laying across the house. Well it turns out that my first fx5200 was bad or going out, I no longer have any problems with the "spikes" or "lagging" in Windows when a video is playing or music, but I still get it horribly in FF and other games. So I figure it must be my RAM. I've ran RAM checks, everything seems ok. Now, I do have some old hard drives, a 37GB with only XP and other essential Windows programs, and a kinda old hard drive (120GB with all my other files, including Steam and FF) that I've been using for awhile, and this one has not been defraged in a while, or even once reformatted.

All in all, I'm open for suggestions, I know I need to upgrade, which I am currently in the middle of, but I would like to keep using this computer, and give it to the kids when I finally build my new computer.

[Gigiya]

Well, it wouldn't hurt to start off by defragging the hard drive. I wouldn't expect any huge improvements but who knows. Besides that, I can't think of anything to point out except the obvious upgrade that you're planning on.

How was your computer's performance with Source games before the random lag started cropping up? Are you saying you were expecting better FF performance, or just asking for how to get all you can from this PC before you upgrade?

[Kanadwen]

Originally Posted by Gigiya

or just asking for how to get all you can from this PC before you upgrade?

=) Correct!


It's not that big of a deal, this problem just randomly started happening (before FF release, noticed it on other games as well). I'd just like to resolve it before I upgrade. Hell, I'm even thinking about buying new RAM for it if must.

[Gigiya]

Well, by RAM checks, do you mean something like memtest86, or trying the sticks individually and switching slots? Since you can't test out a Source game that well on 256MB of RAM it might be hard to determine if the RAM's a problem, but hey it's worth a shot too.

I'd think it'd be worth throwing $20 or so towards a RAM upgrade before building your new PC.

[Kanadwen]

Originally Posted by Gigiya

Well, by RAM checks, do you mean something like memtest86, or trying the sticks individually and switching slots? Since you can't test out a Source game that well on 256MB of RAM it might be hard to determine if the RAM's a problem, but hey it's worth a shot too.

I'd think it'd be worth throwing $20 or so towards a RAM upgrade before building your new PC.

Trying the sticks individually and switching slots. It seems that my 512 stick might be going out.

[~kev~]

In this thread I touch on certain topics that can slow your system down - http://www.fortress-forever.com/foru...ad.php?t=11397

I am going to copy what I posted in that thread and paste it here, as the same questions, suggestions, answers might be related.

Do you play counter-strike:source? If so, what fps do you get?

Hit ctrl-alt-del, click "task manager", bottom left hand corner - how many Processes are running? Example "Processes:32"

When was the last time you did a virus scan? What about a scan for ad-ware or spy ware?

When was the last time you defragged your system?

Do you have the latest video card drivers installed?

do you have an up-to-date anti virus software installed?

Are you running windows XP? If so, do you have service pack 2 installed and is your system up to date with the latest security patches?

Do you have high speed internet, if so do you have a hardware firewall?

I used to work for an Cable modem ISP in Houston, Texas. People would call us complaining that their internet was slow. One of our customers - the FBI kicked in their door for uploading pictures of children doing sex acts. Come to find out the customer was in their 70's and barely knew how to turn their computer on. Someone had hacked their system, and turned it into an FTP server. The FBI figured all this out after they seized ever computer part in the house.

Another customer complained their system was running really slow. Upon checking the computer, the first thing I noticed it did not have an anti virus software installed. After running a quick removal tool, the system showed to be infected with all kinds of viruses and trojans. Another 3 - 4 hours later and the system was finally clean.

Yet another customers system, from the time you hit the power button, to the time windows finally loaded was about 30 - 45 minutes. Pop-ups were slowing the system down that much!!!

Your question gives little insight as to why you might be getting poor performance. There are too many variables, just like the older couple who had their door kicked in. Its hard to tell why your system might be running slow if its ate up with bugs or running too many processes.

As far as I know, your system has been hacked and you are uploading warez to china while you are playing FF.

So how about some more information?