Resolved Hardware interruptions- possible fixes?

What are the leading causes of Hardware interruptions, and how the heck can I kill it? I have a high CPU usage w/o anything else showing CPU demand on Process Explorer. What I have researched has shown to switch the Primary IDE channel from PIO mode to "DMA if Available" including a fix in the registry to do that, however it didn't work, and the other switching suggestions seem over-complicated (but will try if necessary). My secondary IDE channel has a "Multi-word DMA mode 2" option that doesn't show up for the Primary channel, and I was wondering if there's a way to switch that, or at least configure the secondary channel to work as a primary one. That's if that IS the case of the interrupts. Thank you!

Symptoms:
- Jerky mouse usage and stalling
- Internet browsing interrupted and freezing
- Video playback and general sound interruptions
- printing errors
- General jerky computer reaction (yes, I know it's old ...bare w/ me!)

I've done the general viral/malware cleanup, turned off Content Indexing, and it still continues even after my Anti-virus finishes updating in the background. I try and keep as LITTLE on it as possible to keep it light and functioning at a moderate but do-able speed. =)

 

The first thing I would start with is to upgrade RAM.

Download hdd manufacturer utility & give your hard disk a thorough testing. There could be some bad/falling blocks on the hard disk.

Run chkdsk /f on all partitions.

Run Disk cleanup & ccleaner.

Run disk defragmentation.

 

Your system specs say

That is a very good life in computer terms.

If you start to get problems after 9 years or so, we can only help you to a certain degree without suggesting to get a new system. I expect a life-span of 4-5 years, any more is a bonus, yet I have owned systems that could probably be still running now.

If your computer was made in 2001, the hardware might be breaking down (a lot of my 2001 hardware has!).

You might want to decide if you want to try to keep old hardware running or upgrade. 2001 hardware is reaching the end of it's lifespan, keeping it running could prove costly.

Matt

 

I suppose you have seen this

Do you have more than 20% free-space on the Windows partition? I don't think HP want you to modify the system from original.

Are you using the HP version of Windows? That is probably the only way you will get the correct chipset drivers. HP only supplied the original drivers with the "image" that was supplied with the machine. I expect the chipset is Intel and if you go to the Intel website to find the drivers, they refer you back to the OEM manufacturer (HP).

The first thing to try is to uninstall the IDE controllers in Device Manager and reboot. That should reset the mode. It is explained in an MS KB article
http://support.microsoft.com/search...pio+mode&spid=global&catalog=LCID=3081&res=20

Check the HDD jumper settings.
http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/news.jsp?DocId=174367&Hilite=
Along with what Arie suggested, test the drive without any other drives on the cable, have the optical drives on the secondary channel.
Check the drive with SeaTools and MaxBlast
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=3b17fbbad0f89210VgnVCM1000001a48090aRCRD
Maxblast has identified/isolated problems for me in the past.

Check if Seagate/Maxtor have a firmware update.

MS have registry modification, but it was for pre-Sevice Pack 1.

You should find the source of the errors.

Matt

 

I have found this Latency program useful to solve similar problems
http://www.thesycon.de/eng/latency_check.shtml

 

Did this problem just start?

If the computer in your My System link is this computer, then upgrading your RAM will be difficult as RDRAM, while great stuff, is the Betamax of RAM, and now very difficult to find.

Printing problems suggests more than one problem.

Is your system clean of malware?

As suggested earlier, you need sufficient free space on your boot disk, as well as on the disk that contains your page file, if different.

 

RE: Hardware Interrupts response - part 1

OH WWOOOWW! I didn't know I had any more responses to my thread, or I would've posted sooner. =D The only emails I've received are from the very first responder, RSINFO, and the one from ARIE requesting feedback today. Of course, I didn't change the email address on my account here, or I would've never gotten Arie's request, and I double checked email SPAM but nothing in that folder either, even though normally I never mark anything from WINDOWSBBS as SPAM. It usually just goes straight to my INBOX, as it should. So I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to any of you until now. I've been working most of my birthday weekend trying to get this thing fixed! It's insane!

Well, I'm reading your responses now, so I'll answer questions first before giving a rundown on what I've done. I REALLY APOLOGIZE how long this is.

But thank you SOO MUCH for your feedback, I can seriously use the help. I jumped on here when I saw ARIE's email on my phone - that was at noon. It's 1:45 now...that's how long it took to get my computer to cooperate and speed up enough to double check my email for your replies and get on here. Luckily, I have 4 browsers on my desktop, and for good reason - 'cause I think my IE8 is now corrupted.

I read somewhere on here how TFC Cleaner is somebody's FAVORITE cleaner?? I posted another thread a while back about computer cleaning-and that one's my biggest complaint. I've learned a few things about each one since then, but it's BECAUSE I used that cleaner that my first alternate FIREFOX isn't working and has to be reinstalled, as well as a few other settings redone. I just don't get it. Unfortunately, NOW It takes ALL of those cleaners to get my computer running at a decent speed to be used. Yes earlier, it was overkill-now it's a freakin' lifeline: TFC, ATF, CCleaner, CleanAfterMe-yes all of them. It's bad. lol So IE8 is corrupted, Firefox isn't working, Sandboxie decided to quit on me (which technically works off my main browser-which is IE8), so my last option is CHROME. I jumped on here and it's running nice and speedy...or as speedy as my computer will LET IT! But at least it's not jerking and freezing the way IE8 is right now. Jumping on this browser is what's convincing me that it's gotta be corrupt. But honestly, with my main computer problems, I really can't tell which is at fault. A combo of both is NOT good. yikes! But a bad browser, and a faulty system took me an hour and a half to get on this forum informed. You see why'm cryin'! haha.

So last week I got RSINFO's reply and I jumped right on it. I didn't want to get on here saying that I've been twiddling my thumbs trying nothing, so I did what he suggested. Only problem was I didn't know how to run a proper check disk - full vs. individual partition, or even all the options to run with it. I had to learn how to find the basic LOG on here, so that was fun researching-especially since I still have no Idea what it means or how it's helpful. It doesn't seem very thorough in my opinion..so any comments on chkdsk? I also found a website that said if chkdsk is run in READ-ONLY mode that it wouldn't find any bad sectors if there are any. So I assume if you use the /r /f functions...that's not read-only mode is it? considering it has to FIX which means writing and altering things? or am I wrong? =)

And I can't defragment: my system is WAAAAAAYYYY to sloow for that, considering it erks to grinding halt every few minutes anyway. It would NEVER finish. You know those old DOT-Matrix printers from way back when? How loud , jerky and sloooow they are? That's how my computer is behaving at the moment. But it's not always loud. I found a site somewhere that has soundbites of the different noises disks make when somethings wrong. Mine just STARTED to sound off. I only heard it the once and that was it. I'd say a few days ago. On that site it said the harddisk or something else around it inside the tower is failing, so I'm trying to find the right disk diagnostic for my MAXTOR 80 gb IDE hdd. I'll let you know what all that comes up with. But I also found something about a DRIVER diagnostic which could determine if bad software drivers could be the cause of HARDWARE INTERRUPTS?? I have to look that up. Originally, I reformatted a couple months back because my cd-writer refused to write on any disk in there, (and my computer was slow). So my hardware problems started with my cd-writer/dvd-player. I suspect their to blame. But it could be various things.

I'm afraid to use system restore because I heard that it doesn't erase anything on the HDD, it just sort of resets it, and in the mean time all the files from programs installed since the trouble started are still just sitting on the hdd, just not being accessed. And I read somewhere that it's better if you first UNINSTALL the post-installed programs (since the time you want to restore back to) so that it won't cause any interference if you want to reinstall them back on after the REstore is done. Not to mention, whatever viruses are on your system won't get adjusted, erased or fixed. So is system restore pointless? It would be like erasing files from the recycle bin, but they're still just there not being over-written, right? Just because you don't have icons to access these viral & program components doesn't mean they're not still effecting your system right? If I did try a system restore, would it be prudent to use CCLEANER or ERASER to fully erase the spaces where post-installed program components used to be before the restore (where the hdd just reads as empty now?) Would that work?

I use Process Explorer and kill ANY little thing higher than 2 under CPU usage. and all the other usual suspects: content index, updates, etc. Because these H.I.'s are greedy enough as it is.

Right now, I refuse to get on the internet on my laptop unless I have a whole HOST of protection. If it comes to be the only computer in the house to rely on, I can't have it **** out on me. Winpatrol, Threatfire, Comodo firewall, AVAST AV, Sandboxie, Spyware blaster, Spyware terminator, Spybot S&D, malware scanners, the whole she-bang. I'm still playing around with the anti-malware programs to see which ones conflict, and which ones have the better protection settings and what they offer.

ONe further question: how do you save user configuration settings and Program application settings? in case I do have to nuke it one more time if it all turns out to be another hidden virus I haven't yet discovered? I spend quite a bit of time trying to get things where I like it, or where my family likes it, and I was just wondering how to just insert a file and have it back the way it was? I was also wondering if you can insert that same system-state type file into saaaay your security programs? (THAT ONE would be nice. Where you can just scan your present state into your firewall/anti-virus and it'll read and configure itself accordingly...and anything beyond that it'll defend against) I know that some security software have an option to export configurations so you can just reinsert it back and it'll be automatically setup the way you want it right? I want to know how to save and reinsert all of these system/setting configs. It'll make nuking and revising a lot less scarier and time consuming. Also, is it reasonable to back up all restore points in the "_RESTORE" folder?Can you insert those in a freshly reset computer?(That's another thread)....let's deal with things one at a time: Hardware interrupts. OUCH!

Anyway, again: THANK YOU. VEEERY MUCH for all of your feedback and suggestions. I'm determined to figure this sucker out so I know how to diagnose and fix anything that goes wrong with my new computer, when I have the money for it. And learn what NOT to do. This system is officially my scratching post. I'm getting a MONSTER computer: i7 or i7E processor, 16 GB RAM, 500+ HDD or maybe try the INTEL Solid-state drive-if it's really any better than any other HDD make out there. =) I'm patient. Work with what I have. The aforementioned LAPTOP is NOT MINE. But It's always thrown at me to fix, haha. So I get to borrow it from time to time.

 

RE: Hardware Interrupts response - part 2: direct replies

Hello, all!

My first response was just in detail of various things I had come across, tried, and am confused over. It was all before I had read any of your responses. First off thank you again for the detailed help. Here's what I've got:

1. @ RSINFO

: as in my previous response, there's only so much I'm able to do, but your chkdsk suggestion got the ball rolling for me. I've learned a lot just in chain-link research w/ trial-and-error. THANK YOU! For Malware: I've run my AVAST and Panda Anti-virus, then inserted the locations of the results into CCLeaner to track and erase it all. I found a few files in " %systemroot%/windows/SYSTEM " folder that were self-labeled "windows killer" minor viruses and took those out. But that was all I was able to do for that since they took so long on this computer system. I'm next going to try for ESET-NOD32, Kaspersky, NORTON, and Bitdefender scanners. But each one takes forever. I'm wondering if it's possible to just download the scanners, update, and do them completely offline - if I can find the log it produces, and if it'll run that way. I tried MalwareBytes anti-malware and SuperAntiSpyware - both of which came up clean. That's what I meant by "I've already done the anti-virus/anti-malware cleaning." It wasn't as thorough as I would've liked it, but it was the simple stuff that I could do. So I'm still working the anti-malware aspect of it...at this point I'm ready just to nuke it all over again and try all of the rest of the suggestions on this thread from scratch/fresh system state..and reset it up the way you guys are suggesting it. It may just be faster. it's why I was asking about all of the System configuration, program, and security software settings, and restore point-backups and such. Luckily I have an external hDD, so anything I need to save is relatively safe. (eeeee... <:/ lol, HDD's: can't win with them-can't live without 'em) AS for the RAM - as BILL has stated, RDRAM is outdated and obsolete....I'd be lucky to find it on the black market...even for a horrendous price, and even then it wouldn't go up more than a Gig. *****. hehe

@ MATT (reply post 1): The year on the Windows XP software cd booklet says ©2001, but I found purchase docs that say we got it in 2005. So it's not that old. (I'd like to boast that I've kept it running that long, haha! But It definitely hasn't been without it's creeping corrosive crud that makes it act it's age. Yeah, I don't expect it to last forever, I mean use is use- there is no keeping hardware in mint condition! (I would LOVE that, =D ). But since it is going, I'm trying to squeeze as much as I can out of it, so I know how to take proper care and facilitate a brand new monster, how to diagnose, doctor and configure and such. It's schooling me! I'm wondering if driver updates would increase it even slightly....or even if I give it a physical internal cleaning-which I'm reserved to do as IIIIII "Ve never done it, and I'm to afraid of short-circuiting, demagnetizing accidentally, or blowing it out in someway. But at least I would know HOW to clean it, and how to update every driver right? Speaking of, have you ever heard of PC Inspector - EMAXX? It's supposed to read your drivers and alert you of updates for all of the outdated ones. I've been looking for a good app/driver-updater program, but I can't get this one to work. Any thoughts? Thank you again for everything, this forum is the most helpful I've ever found!



@ ARIE: Hey again... (*treading lightly*)! hehe, am I on your "S-List" yet? I know my posts tend to be excrutiating. I'm sorry, I'm trying to fix what I can to give proper updates and input. But some of this goes WAAAAAAAAY over my head. Thank you for giving this your attention despite as many problems and posts you have on here. It's really time consuming. The last thread I did I'm still working out all of the kinks for, but I'll try to adhere to the forum guidelines in the future. =)

Ok, on device manager, I see 1 primary channel and 1 secondary channel under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. Is THAT what I'm supposed to be looking at? I don't know HOW everything's hooked up or routed. I know that when I researched Hardware interrupts, I came across a suggestion to switch the primary to "DMA if Available" since it IS on PIO mode. but DMA 2 is availabe on the secondary channel. So they also suggested (another random site) to uninstall the secondary channel to transfer DMA to the primary channel, reboot and it'll just reinstall right back again, but refresh it. I tried, nothing worked, the primary stayed on PIO. As far as hardware channels concerned, it's all I've tried. <:/

@ MATT (2nd reply post): hahaha, okay. That really went WAAAY over my head, but I can at least try find and run the maxtor disk diagnostics. Is there any special instructions I should know on it to get accurate readings or certain results from it? Or is it just download and run, or does it have to be in an offline bootdisk mode? And I have no idea how to drives onto their own cables or channels, all of this I'm still steadily learning.

On my C:\ drive (which is what I assume you're referring to? It's my boot partition that my OS is intstalled on) I have 20gb-10-1/2 of which are used.

What particularly will tell me the source of the errors and how exactly will I know when I've seen it may I ask? =) Thank you for all your detaiiled assistance!

@ CANEMAN: AWESOME! Thank you! I hope this helps! Because my both video and audio is really jerky.

@ BILL: What is a QuinQuagenarian? (try saying that 5x's drunk, haha ^.^) Um, this has all been steadily coming around for the past couple of months really. At first it started with my CD/DVD-drivers not recognizing some disks, and then not writing to them. So I suspect they're starting this whole mess, plus at the time my computer was slow then, and I nuked and reinstalled everything. So far they've written to and recognized everything I've put in, but maybe they're effecting the system in a different way now? Possibly? And yes, this computer I'm on is the brat. It's funny. I took it into Geeksquad, and they laughed at me! haha, I might as well have just brought in a typewriter. I like my old junk, I'm proud to say it lasted this long!! haha. Hey does overheating have any fix, like CPU temp-monitoring/controlling software, or any kind of cooling agent that can be installed? Does that components last longer overall? And RDRAM- was it better designed or built-more endurable and long-lasting than DDR Ram? Did they replace it because it can't hold as much space, or too bulky, or not laser-compatible? It sounds like RDRAM was made better than DDR RAM to me...??? Just wondering why it all switched. Is it more fragile and less endurable then RDRAM is? and what's the highest you can update DDR Ram? I want a MONSTER computer. haha.

AS I replied to RSINFO, I'm still working on the malware cleansing as best as I could, but as slow as my computer is, it only lets me do so many scans. And then I'm constantly installing and uninstalling cleaning programs to get a different take from each scanner, because most anti-malware progs conflict if installed all at once. I'm still trying to find how to run AV scans from DOS mode offline (I think that's what's it's called when you do it at bootup).

AS I've replied to MATT: On my C:\ drive (which is what I assume you're referring to? It's my boot partition that my OS is intstalled on) I have 20gb-10-1/2 of which are used. and I have one partiton of 2 gb for paging-only 550 MB are used on that one.

***@ARIE & MATT: is it possible for you to walk me through exactly what you're suggesting? THANK YOU! I want to make sure I can follow you guys accurately.

@ ravn87: WHAT THE HEL-- oh wait. that's me, hahaha.

I'm trying to sift through all of my notes for my links of reference. I have have notepads on top of notepads for links and bookmarks. I need to learn how to use content index. But I'm trying to be as thdetailed and precise as I can for you all to make this easier. however on my end, all of these scans seem daunting! ok, I'll let you know what I come with. Anything else or any other scans you'd like for me to post at anytime? I may need help interpreting some of these results. THAAANK YOOOOU!

 

Good to know at last somebody gained some knowledge from our collective efforts.

You can try Panda Online Scan to scan for virus. If everything fails & you still suspect some virus, head over to Malware & Antivirus Forum.

The System restore Does NOT touch any user file. It only backups & restores System files. So you shouldn't be alarmed over loosing any of your files, but its better to be safe than sorry. . Always backup.

You seemed to have problem with your DVD drive. Did you replace it ?

 

If the hard disk drive is reverting to PIO mode, that could well be the problem. It should have nothing to do with malware, but check as Broni suggested.

You have strong knowledge in some areas, but you need to research more thoroughly on others. [You are doing a good job ]

I will see if I can post back and give you some information on your questions.

You know about PIO mode. Your HDD should be working in DMA mode and it should be at running at UltraDMA mode 5 (ATA100).

We can try to answer some of your questions, but for my reply you said

You need to do your research.

For my reply:

• Find out how free space you have on the Windows drive (usually the C: drive, unless you have installed Windows onto a different drive).
• How did you install Windows? (You said you reinstalled.) Did you use a Hewlett-Packard installation or did you use a MS Windows disk?
• Go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware tab and click the Device Manager button. Open IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers (where you find the DMA/PIO mode), right-click on the controllers and select Uninstall.
• Look in my search of the MS knowledgebase about why Windows sets the HDD to PIO mode and what are the possible resets...see above.
• Test the Maxtor drive (agreed).
• Look on the Maxtor website for information, they might tell you why Windows is setting the drive to PIO mode.
• You said you modified the registry, Microsoft have some instructions for modifying the registry to fix a PIO mode problem, BUT those instructions were "fixed" by Service Pack 1 and later.

Matt

 

Quinquagenarian

 

Hello!

@ RSINFO: Yeah, it's FUUUN getting into all this mess, especially in a slow-as-molasses system, haha. HONESTLy, I really do like getting into computers...except when it's mine that's all messed up and I can't figure out what the heck to do with it. BUt I try. When I post on here, I don't ignore or just mess around, I genuinely need assistance, and am willing to provide it as well if it's within my area of knowledge that is. I just wish Windows BBS would alert me of new messages and replies on this thread. Nothing shows up unless I check. Is there a setting somewhere on here that I can check to get email alerts on replies? I'll check around on here and see what I find.

Panda was the first online scanner I went to, and it took FOREVER. but at least it found stuff that AVAST missed. No AV is perfect, sadly! AAAAAARRRGGHHH! But that's what I was referring to- if there was a way to download, update and just run it offline- maybe it'll catch more and work faster with everything else disabled??? It was a thought maybe that was possible, I don't know *shrugs* I'm going for Kaspersky, Eset-NOD32, Housecall, Norton, and Bitdefender scanners next. I here they're the top virus scanners.

MALWARE & Antivirus forum was the first thing I stumbled on when I found this awesome site. I'm still running all of these different scans. But again, I need patience for it- my computer ***** right now!! haha. But What I do need help with is the malware DEFENSE program calibration to be defensive but not obtrusive. That part is what gets me. lol ^.^

I haven't replaced anything yet- I want to make sure I have the right piece of hardware malfunctioning first before I jump.

@ BRONI: ON IT! THANK YOU!! =D

@ MATTMAN: Yeah I haven't spent a whole lot of time researching different hardware malfunctions. I just touched on what direction I was sent in, and what I stumbled on. Pretty light, but that's what I'm here for! Need a pointguard, lol.

• I actually have no idea what PIO mode is, but I'm getting it's not that useful a mode to be in. ;D Is UltraDMA mode 5 even available for my old computer? Or is that a recent addition for "modern" computers? Because I don't see that option anywhere. If it's on here, do I have to uninstall both Primary and secondary to get it to reactivate? (I'll do the suggested research) And how do I check what's attached to what channel before I mess with things?
  
  
• I have only one internal harddrive: the 80 gig MAXTOR, but I separated it into 4 different partitions (I think I posted that in my system specs): C-drive is the active boot w/ OS and progs - 2o gigs w/ 9 gigs fre, D-drive=extra paging file - 2 gigs, E-drive = Temps and cache - 2 gigs, and F-drive = data = 52.3 gigs (not sure if E and F are worth it, but ARIE covered that in another post for me ). The 9 free gigs on c-drive should be sufficient if that's what you're referring to, correct?
  
  
• It took me a minute figure out what you meant by this, but think I got it. You're asking about the HP backup installation Hard disk with the initial OS and hardware drivers, installers and components, correct? The disk that all computers used to come with? The INITIAL OS this computer came with was Windows Millenium. XP was an external upgrade. I always install the Millenium OS and re-install the XP over it to keep some of the components that millenium installs specifically for this computer and what the hardware is compatible with. I wasn't sure what wouldn't work if I didn't do that first, instead of just installing the hardware components and installing XP straight. I know there was a way to do that and keep millenium off it completely, I remember messing around trying to do it right and stumbling on that, but I don't remember how to do that. However, To erase the whole computer, I used DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke, the Super FDisk to partition it. And somehow I got things formatted, figured out and activated. But I can't remember how to block MIllenium from installation if it's useless.
  
  
• For the Maxtor scan, do I post results back here? or is it pretty straightforward? (I'm on it)
  
  
• When you say fixed, you mean it was already included in the SP1 and higher upgrade? I have WinXP sp3. Am I exempt from messing up the registry further? lol?

@ BILL: aah-haa..SCRABBLE! hehe. ^.^ That's just a fun word to say.

Okay I've got a system chore list to kill. Thank you guys for everything. I'll get back and let you know the "que-pas" =) I'll try and keep in touch, but again patience- I have to coax my computer into doing all this .

 

Hey Broni?

Considering I have these hardware scans to do, do u want me to go ahead and KEEP w/ all the malware scanning, or should I just post the DDS scans straight away as is?

 

Understand malware removal takes precedence so follow Broni's guidance before moving on to anything else. I noticed you asked me some other questions that were not answered so in the meantime, I'll answer those.

Depends on the cause. If overheating is caused by inadequate cooling, then keeping the components clean of heat trapping dust and ensuring there is a good front-to-back flow of cool air will keep it cool. If overheating is caused by too much current in the circuit, then there is a faulty/failing device that is short (has zero or abnormally low resistance to ground) and replacing the faulty component is required, but may not be cost effective. But also, additional damage may have already been done - including irreparable damage to the board itself.

If you mean does keeping electronics cool make them last longer the answer is absolutely yes. On sites that allow more lines for signatures, mine usually also says "Heat is the bane of all electronics! "

RDRAM was the BetaMax of RAM. It was superior in many ways, but considerably more expensive. It was also backed by IBM and at the time, the computer industry was still all about moving away IBM standards and towards "clones ". For the record, until I built this Win7 machine last year, my primary workhorse PC was a RDRAM based P4 system built on a Gigabyte board in July 2002. It still runs great and I use it for network storage.

Depends on the motherboard.

 

I am not working on the machine, you are. You are the pointguard. You had better tread lightly, don't edit the registry when you don't know the consequences.

You may have had advice from other sources, you should weigh up the value of everyone's suggestions. Did I mention "Do your research "?

It appears that you haven't checked the PIO or DMA mode for the primary IDE controller (although you did a registry edit ) Although I could do it, run a websearch and find out how to check the PIO/DMA mode settings for yourself.

One of my aims on the WindowsBBS is for questioners to improve their experience level. Telling them to do Step 1, then Step 2, then..., does not allow them to work out why the problem occurred in the first place. They will only come back to ask the same question again when the problem re-emerges.

Don't jump all over the place trying to find solutions that fit the problem. Try to isolate the problem.

Your DMA mode might be OK. (Hint - it is in Device Manager, under the properties for the [Primary] ATA IDE controller). Your motherboard might not support UDMA mode 5, it will only run at the limitation of the motherboard.

If you ran the HP installer, then did an upgrade, that should be fine...but...check on the HP website for updated drivers. Some OEM computer manufacturers offer drivers for the next/following version of Windows (if they feel generous...the most updated drivers you will find could be a year or so after it was manufactured). They don't want you to run the computer forever, they want you to buy a new one, preferably the same brand

Did you run it successfully on Service Pack 2? Can you roll back the Service Pack, then find any updated drivers and software updates before you install SP3 again?

Matt

 

DDS scan logs posted.

Hi Broni. As Requested, I decided to go ahead with the DDS scan submission now and let you take a look at where I'm at.

Thread Link @ Malware forum: "Scans requested by BRONI- RE: "Hardware Interruptions"

The reason I asked if now or later is because as slow as my computer was moving, the malware scans take forever, especially if the Diva "Mother (-board)" decides she's having a bad hair day. I was looking for ways to make this process go a little faster if there were any tweaks I could do now. That's one. If I start doing any malware removal scans and fixes, would it deny or prevent any needed installed scans for hardware, or if it would in anyway id a necessary software component as viral and render my system useless before I can rule out actual hardware malfunction. That's two. If I try and do anything without consultation, I might either lose you or make this all even more unnecessarily complex for any division of expertise. If I could check the hardware scans first, it may either go straight to id-ing the problem, or try and discover something that makes the malware process go somewhat faster... I know, LAAAAME, but it's a shot. lol That's three. So a before and after shot I figured would suffice. I'm doing the hardware scans first - see what I come up with before my system goes poof.

I also have registry shot scanners: REGSHOT, and WHAT CHANGED if you guys need to see anything in my registry.

 

@ Bill:
- I did read that not internally cleaning your physical system can do more harm than taking the risk and being extremely attentive during the process, but I guess goes without saying in general, lol. Typical though, the best made things are always the first to go. BLLAAAAHH! No one cares for genuine quality, just genuine pricetags.

- The motherboard does hold precedence for any means of attributes and quality, but I was asking what is overall available out there- the highest quantity available in the DDR RAM model. I've heard up to like 16GB chips-which would be nice, but I'll look around for a good deal. I was curious.

- Is a liquid cooling system even a worthy investment? I haven't found anybody that knows too much about it or experienced with it. My next computer is GOING. TOO. LAAAAST....dang it. haha. I can look around, but I try and get userr's opinions and feedback on things first.

- I would love to know how to build my own system....mine would be a freakin' monster: Ultra processor, RACKS of RAM, a decent HDD model, some kinda cooling system, upgraded internet connnection line the whole 9 yards...it's gonna take some time to earn that. I NEVER want to deal with a slow computer again. I want to have it where I can have like 80 viruses going on it, and it's STILL lightning fast (not that I want any viruses to begin with) but at least I'll be able to clean it with good time. I need to learn wise set-up and calibration. Because clearly what I have is not working. >_<

@ MATTMAN:
WWWHHOOOOAA, hang on there DOC! hehe, yikes! I didn't mean to cramp on anything, I just feel better with the RIGHT moves before firing down any circuits here. Firstly, I'm doing my best on what I have. A lot of the times, yes I will do the homework on my own, and I have been for QUITE some time now, I'm not coming at you completely blind. Sometimes it's better having live feedback that just reading cold text-style instructions without real instructive context. I mean just because you can read about what does what doesn't necessarily mean you'll understand EXACTLY what you're doing and what will happen. A lot of this gets very technical, and I'm not a computer techy. Not too mention I don't find a whole lot of forums that give me the direction, PATIENCE, or even an answer for that matter on what I need to do. I have been left to do this on my own, and I need this computer for a lot of my work and other research as well. It's a tool like any other- unfortunately one that we've come to rely on quite a bit in these times. It would be easier to just scrap this, but then I wouldn't learn anything, and it would set me back a bit at a time I'm not prepared for a long-term replacement. Plus, with a system like mine: system scanning + hardware interruptions = High CPU usage, making it impossible to do much. Sometimes I may have to rely on your answers if you know them. And if you so ardently point out that I'm doing things blind and wrong, wouldn't it justify even more that I refer to a forum like this one? ( I know reading cold text can reflect very poorly on one's vocal tone and position...I'm not argumentative. )

I understand your view to learn things for oneself and put the work into it instead of holding a person's hand. I agree - Nothing comes with being a dead sack and having other people do the work for you. TRUST ME, I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME DOING THIS. I've neglected other things, and am frustrated. It's been an on-going battle with this thing. If I had HAD my way, we've would've replaced it a long time ago. =) My computer should not have to be this inconvenient, I don't keep anything on it! I need to make sure it IS the hardware failing from old age to find the right components to replace, or else deem it a lost cause, then invest in a temporary one (although to me it sounds like a waste of money- temporary then a whole new one altogether? It's been suggested at Bestbuy).

I've used Device Manager quite a bit to get hardware to register and be activated. I did check the IDE/ATAPI devices, but it doesn't tell me anything I understand. It doesn't say in detail what's linked with what, and under the Hard disk section, I don't see where it tells me it's linked up to. I've never seen the inside of this computer before, so I don't know how things got installed, what drive is connected to what channel, or any of that. Where am I not looking? What did I miss? I looked up specifically "Hardware interruptions" and found SEVERAL pages that all suggested the same registry fix. I don't just click on the top link in google and just assume it's the correct source. Of course not. Trial-and-error, it just popped up a couple months ago. I just wanted it to stop. My computer was slow enough as it was. But I can only spend so much time t&E'ing it when the problem just needs to get fixed. I'm the only one doing this, I'm the only one who can. I don't have very much time left- more important things have to get done. WE all have other obligations, just like this site is not your first priority, you're volunteering your help, which I much appreciate. I give you feedback on how much I know and where I'm at so we're not wasting time covering things we both already know. If I get lost, I let you know. I don't mean to be a brat, but I appreciate your patience on this, and would you PPPLLEEEEAAAAAASE help me see this through?

Step one: Isolating the problem...meaning diagnostic scanning....doing that. I will give you the feedback necessary to make sure I'm interpreting it correctly.

Some of the hardware updates I'm told come in from Microsoft (for whatever reason) when you set the automatic updates. I did check the HP site, it only gave me a couple. I can't remember which ones, but I think it did with the audio and video graphics...I thiiink. But when I did an NVidia card upgrade from MS's updates, EVERYTHING went WONKY. The display was just AAALLL FUBAR. My mom's work technician said it conflicted with the video graphics software from HP that was initially installed and didn't need to be upgraded, or couldn't. So not all upgrades I learned were helpful. Second, by rolling back the Service Packs, it's an actual component you can uninstall correct? But aren't current things like Java and some MS applications reliant on SP2 or higher to work mess up a lot of program-functions that's possibly calibrated itself to SP3? I suppose I could try it, but if I remember correctly, SP3 was the very last update I did. i was advised to keep it that way by the technician at my mom's work. Something about it would make installing certain programs after that particular update harder. But I'll see what I can do about rolling it back for further updates. Also, that's what I was asking earlier: is there a good scanner that scans for outdated programs and software? It may help, because I can't get PCI-EMAXX to work. I tested it out on the laptop and it wouldn't read (.ISO install).

Thank you MATT, yeah...getting the kinks out of this old geezer is one heck of science lab. WOOO! I'm tellin ya... I'm so ready for a round of shots on this one...shot-gun THAT IS , haha. Right through harddrive! Not even gonna try to make it look like an accident. and THEN a round shots. lol.