Resolved Low CPU bandwidth

I am moving a thread from the software forum to here since I have discovered what may be the problem. Here is the post from there. Basically, it deals with dropped frames while using Studio 11 to capture video.

Through email support from Pinnacle, it seems that I have developed a problem with my bandwidth. I can not capture video on the DV setting without dropping frames. If I choose the MPEG setting, no frames are dropped. This has never been an issue in the past. I've always used the DV setting and captured with no dropped frames.

My question is, what can I do to recover the lost bandwidth? And why did this start all of a sudden? I keep my system clean by running scandisk, defrag, and clearing out the temp files. I also keep the inside of the case clear of dust buildup. My system does seem to be having a slow down problem right now, so I don't know if that is the problem. That problem can be found on this post.

All suggestions appreciated!

Mike

 

Hi Mike,

You can try going into Task Manager. You can see the total CPU usage at the bottom. Go to the Processes tab, click on the CPU heading, to list the processes by highest CPU usage. See if you can identify something hogging the processor (bandwidth).

Windows, software or drivers may have had an update that has caused it. I might check if there was a System Restore point back before the problem started, but keep it as a last resort.

You can turn off startup programs in msconfig, but not being able to go into Safe Mode might be the reverse, when whatever program or driver is not loaded, Windows can't run (so something may have changed basic system files).

Try going into Safe Mode with only the old OR the new RAM. Disconnect and reconnect the cables to drives. Try removing or disconnecting any hardware you don't need to boot.

Matt
PS You can also run Error Checking (CHKDSK) on all the drives (you have to do one at a time).

 

Hi Matt,

I checked for CPU usage and nothing is over 5%. Most are listed at 0%. As far as Restore Points, I'm not sure what I have and I don't even know exactly when this all started. That's what's making this tough to find. I have everything unchecked in msconfig that I don't need. I have also run Disk Error and Defrag on all my drives in the last few days. Nothing seems to help.

Here's another example of the slow down. I have Nero and just copied a CD for my son. What use to take 5 minutes tops took 23 minutes today. Crazy.

I will try the different configurations for the memory and see if it makes a difference. As far as hardware, I just have 2 hard drives, 1 CD burner, and a DVD burner. Should I disconnect any of them? Any chance the processor is going bad and creating this problem. I could run my hard drive diagnostic software on the drives to see if something shows up. I'll let you know if I have any luck. Thanks for the suggestions.

Mike

 

Pete,

I tried the CPU program and the CPU is rated at 1.8GHz and the core speed is 1794.4MHz. I assume that the CPU is fine then.

I have uninstalled my Pinnacle Studio program and will reload to see if it helps with my video capture problem. After I uninstalled, I ran Error Check and Defrag. The defrag, which I had run less then two weeks ago, took about an hour to run. It never takes that long. Oh, the Studio program was installed on my F: drive, so it's not like it took a big chunk out of the C: drive. I'm not sure if that (defrag time) means anything, but I thought I would mention it.

Should I assume that I have a software problem, or do I start removing any hardware that I can? Thanks.

Mike

 

Hi Pete,

The drives are running in DMA mode and I have checked the drives with the WD Lifeguard Diagnostics. Both drives passed the SMART Status tests. I will run the extended tests today and I will see if they have a DOS version of their software.

Mike

 

Wow, that is one long test. After running for 20 hours (no kidding) the drive came back clean. No errors of any kind. Since the drive is fine, I'm probably looking at a software problem which is going to be hard to pin down. Am I looking at a reload of Windows to actually clean this up? I hate the thought of reloading it, but I need to get things running smooth again. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Mike

 

Pete,

I have a question. In another post that you are helping with, you mention using eXtreme Power Supply Calculator. I tried that and my results came to a recommendation of 280W. I checked mine and I have a 200W supply. I'm pretty sure it's the original also. Any chance that the PS is going bad and I need to replace it? Would that cause the problems that I am having? That would be an easy fix. Thanks for your help.

Mike

 

All the voltages seem to be where they are suppose to be. I'm running out of things to test. Any thoughts?

 

Hi Pete,

I have uninstalled my Pinnacle Studio program and the capture card. It did not help any of the problems. I have been holding off on the reinstall for now. I have also considered a repair install of Windows. I'll have to look into that a little more.

As far as the SAFE mode problem, no, it isn't fixed yet. I assume if it was a hardware problem it would show up in Device Manager. The only new things that I have added this year are my 2nd drive and additional memory. Both of which I have removed and tried running the system without. No difference in performance. That is pushing me towards a software problem. Figuring out what software is causing the problem is a tough one. It's hard to remember what has updated over the past few months. I was hoping it was the Pinnacle program, that is why I uninstalled it. I think I did have to reinstall that program earlier this year due to a problem with it.

Mike

 

Thanks Pete. I will search for updated chipset drivers and, if that doesn't help, move on to the repair. I have most of my important data backed up, so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll let you know how it goes.

Mike

 

Pete,

The reinstall of the latest drivers did not help. I will make a backup of my C: drive and try the repair install. I'll let you know how it goes.

Mike

 

Pete,

I finally finished the repair install along with getting Windows back to SP3 with all the updates. That takes a bit of time. Any ways, things are running quicker for me, so it must have gotten rid of the driver that was causing the problem. Thanks, I appreciate your help!

One problem does continue though. I still can not get into SAFE mode. Granted, I hardly ever have the need, but now that I know I can't, I want to find the reason and fix it. I do not get the error message that I was getting about the hardware/software not being installed properly. Now, it just cycles back to the screen that gives me startup options. If I select SAFE mode, it starts running like it's going to go into SAFE mode, but then it takes me back to the screen to select my start up option. Sometimes, it kicks me back to the Dell splash screen and then asks if I want to start Windows XP or the recovery console (or something like that). Any thoughts of getting past that?

Mike

 

Try going into msconfig and setting (putting a check in) Safeboot.

Not being able to boot into safe mode would ring alarm bells for me.