Windows Vista My computer is "Stuttering"

Ok so basically I have owned my computer for just over 3 years now. I moved about 2 weeks ago and when I got my computer all set up again, I noticed this sort of "stutter" that would happen completely randomly every now and then. It never did this before I moved so I am posting this with the mentality that it is more than likely damaged hardware or something of the sort, but I'd like to make sure before I open my wallet. I originally thought the stutter might have been just a slight lag in my internet, but even while I wasn't online it was happening. As far as the stutter goes, its basically the image on my screen looks like its having FPS problems for about 3-4 seconds and the audio sounds like its echoing almost, then it will stop and happen again later. I've already redone my entire operating system, but to no avail. I've done a hard disk scan, nothing wrong there. So please if anyone has any suggestions as to how I might be able to fix this or what is causing the problem, I'd be more than happy. Thanks for your time.

 

Everything seems to be securely in its place.

 

I cleaned out my comp with canned air and started in safe mode, still doing the stutter.

 

I am just a novice, but I will share my personal experience with a "stutter" of my computer, (I call it a gremlin sneeze.) In my home, this "stutter" could be a problem with power "surges" or "drains "? In my 75-year-old home, which benefited from a lively old do-it-yourself retiree prior to my purchase, has random power glitches. For example, the plugs in my office run on the same fuse as my master bedroom (though on different ends of the house), and hence there are times that flipping the light switch in the bedroom causes a "stutter" on the computer (all dependent on absolutely nothing! Sometimes it will, sometimes it won't...I've finally learned that for sanity, buy a protected power circuit.) Perhaps your new home has a similar moody wiring scheme?

 

I would actually pull out and reseat the connections. That is, the drive connectors, power connectors and reseat the RAM.

If you have more than one stick of RAM you can take one out at a time and test it.

 

Ok I reseated everything listed and its still doing the stutter. If it is of any help, I notice the stutter far more often when I'm playing a game or watching a video than doing anything else, is it possible that it has something to do with the workload my computer is facing?

 

Have you cleaned out your Temp files and done a defrag lately? Have you checked for Malware/Spyware?

 

I have cleaned out my temp files within the past week, I haven't tried a defrag yet but I'll do that asap, and I've checked for malware/spyware 3-4 times already, with nothing coming up. All my drivers are up to date and all windows updates are installed, including the optional ones. My temps do sound high so I'm going to start running a fan pointed directly on my graphics card because its at 150 degrees Fahrenheit....

 

What did you check with for Spyware/Malware/Viruses?

 

Stuttering, to me, means that a processor is being overly occupied. It cannot throughput the data fast enough, so you see it stop while the processor manages to get the data in-putted, processed, then out-putted.

You have reinstalled/reformatted Windows ( "...redone my entire operating system "), so if it is something in the system, the problem must have been reinstalled or something has been left out.

You may be using a bad set of drivers. Do you only get them from Windows Updates? Get them from the hardware manufacturer's website instead.

Malware? Is that occupying your processor? Possibly, but you specify that it happens mainly during games.

See if you can monitor the CPU using Task Manager.

When you mention games...they are graphics intensive. I would investigate graphics drivers.

What is causing the stalling (bottlenecking) of your processor?

Matt

 

Ok so with a game and a video both running (usually whats up on my PC) at the same time my CPU usage is about 50-60%. My graphics drivers are completely up to date and I'm not 100% sure on the rest of my hardware's drivers but I'm not sure how to update those, other than windows updates.

 

Your System Details say it is a HP, so that's where you get your drivers (apart from hardware you have added yourself, of course).
www.hp.com/support
See if the automatic "finder" will assess you system, otherwise find and input the model/type number.

Avoid anything with the term "BIOS" unless your computer is completely stable.

 

Ok so I'm still encountering the problem and I've tried all posted possible solutions. One other thing I noticed is that every time I turn on my computer, the Blue HP screen where you can see the diagnostics and what not, is taking about 5-7 minutes longer than it did before I started to experience this stutter. Is it possible that whatever is causing the stutter could also be causing my extremely long boot-up screens? If so, any ideas as to what might be the source of this?

 

Possibly a failing hard drive.

 

Just run a complete hard disk utility scan and it found no signs of my hard drive failing.