CPU usage

Over the last couple of days (when playing Freecell), the mouse pointer is
very slow and jerky. This is unusual as I play this thing quite often and it
always ran smoothly. On running the System Moniter facility, I notice that
the CPU usage jumps from around 20% to 100% as soon as I place the curser
within the game window. As soon as I move the curser out of the game window,
it returns to around 20%. Oddly, other games such as Spider don't have this
problem.
I have scanned eveything for a virus/Trojan etc and run Scandisk and all are
ok. The drive was last defragmented about 2 weeks ago.
All drivers are up to date as far as I can tell and the only thing I have
done in the last few days is to download mIRC (which I have now uninstalled
and deleted).
Specs: Pentium lll 866 256RAM running WinMe. Resources 74% free (that stayed
the same when CPU usage went to 100%) Intel 82810E Graphics chip.
It does suddenly go up to 100% on some other occasions but the Freecell
problem is consistant and repeatable which is why I specify it.
Can anyone suggest where I start to find out what has happened please?
Thanks.
Hillneerg

Win Me's system monitor is a very poor indication of cpu usage due to the
use of a faulty algorithm. You will get a more reliable reading by using
a process viewer such as the aged WinTop (still available from Microsoft -
"Windows 95 Kernel Toys Set"
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/d...oy/Default.asp).
Note though that it is referred to on that page as "Windows Process
Watcher" and can be happily used with Win Me despite the warnings about
not using the tools with Win 98) or a product such as Process Explorer
from SysInternals
(http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html).
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Over the last couple of days (when playing Freecell), the mouse
pointer is very slow and jerky. This is unusual as I play this thing
quite often and it always ran smoothly. On running the System Moniter
facility, I notice that the CPU usage jumps from around 20% to 100%
as soon as I place the curser within the game window. As soon as I
move the curser out of the game window, it returns to around 20%.
Oddly, other games such as Spider don't have this problem.
I have scanned eveything for a virus/Trojan etc and run Scandisk and
all are ok. The drive was last defragmented about 2 weeks ago.
All drivers are up to date as far as I can tell and the only thing I
have done in the last few days is to download mIRC (which I have now
uninstalled and deleted).
Specs: Pentium lll 866 256RAM running WinMe. Resources 74% free (that
stayed the same when CPU usage went to 100%) Intel 82810E Graphics
chip.
It does suddenly go up to 100% on some other occasions but the
Freecell problem is consistant and repeatable which is why I specify
it.
Can anyone suggest where I start to find out what has happened please?
Thanks.
Hillneerg

Thank for that quick response.
I downloaded both programs and both show the same thing.
Actually running the programs (Freecell for instance) hardly uses anything
at all (less than 1.0) but as soon as I move the mouse pointer into the
window, it goes up to 90-100%. If I move the pointer out of he Freecell
window, it falls back again. A stationary mouse pointer in the window takes
6.8. so it seems to be the actual movement within the window that causes the
extra usage. Does that make sense?
The same thing happens with solitaire but not with Spider.
Is there anything in particular I should be looking for?

"Mike M" wrote:

Win Me's system monitor is a very poor indication of cpu usage due to the
use of a faulty algorithm. You will get a more reliable reading by using
a process viewer such as the aged WinTop (still available from Microsoft -
"Windows 95 Kernel Toys Set"
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/d...oy/Default.asp).
Note though that it is referred to on that page as "Windows Process
Watcher" and can be happily used with Win Me despite the warnings about
not using the tools with Win 98) or a product such as Process Explorer
from SysInternals
(http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html).
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Over the last couple of days (when playing Freecell), the mouse
pointer is very slow and jerky. This is unusual as I play this thing
quite often and it always ran smoothly. On running the System Moniter
facility, I notice that the CPU usage jumps from around 20% to 100%
as soon as I place the curser within the game window. As soon as I
move the curser out of the game window, it returns to around 20%.
Oddly, other games such as Spider don't have this problem.
I have scanned eveything for a virus/Trojan etc and run Scandisk and
all are ok. The drive was last defragmented about 2 weeks ago.
All drivers are up to date as far as I can tell and the only thing I
have done in the last few days is to download mIRC (which I have now
uninstalled and deleted).
Specs: Pentium lll 866 256RAM running WinMe. Resources 74% free (that
stayed the same when CPU usage went to 100%) Intel 82810E Graphics
chip.
It does suddenly go up to 100% on some other occasions but the
Freecell problem is consistant and repeatable which is why I specify
it.
Can anyone suggest where I start to find out what has happened please?
Thanks.
Hillneerg

Just to add a little to this,the three main culprits for nearly 100% CPU
usage are Explorer.exe, msgsrv32.exe and the exe file for certain programs
(some of which I have mentioned).
Just before this started, I had tried to install a program (mIRC) which
"hung" after installation and didn't close it's installation box (although
all the files seemed to be in the folder and the program worked). I tried
re-installing several times (over writing each time) with the same results. I
fear that this may have corrupted something in the process or that some entry
somewhere is causing the problem but I am not confident messing around with
the registry - (nor would I know how to or what to look for). Un-installing
the program does't seem to have made a difference. I could just do with some
pointers as to my next course of action rather than just try system restore.
Thanks.

"Hillneerg" wrote:

Thank for that quick response.
I downloaded both programs and both show the same thing.
Actually running the programs (Freecell for instance) hardly uses anything
at all (less than 1.0) but as soon as I move the mouse pointer into the
window, it goes up to 90-100%. If I move the pointer out of he Freecell
window, it falls back again. A stationary mouse pointer in the window takes
6.8. so it seems to be the actual movement within the window that causes the
extra usage. Does that make sense?
The same thing happens with solitaire but not with Spider.
Is there anything in particular I should be looking for?

"Mike M" wrote:

Win Me's system monitor is a very poor indication of cpu usage due to the
use of a faulty algorithm. You will get a more reliable reading by using
a process viewer such as the aged WinTop (still available from Microsoft -
"Windows 95 Kernel Toys Set"
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/d...oy/Default.asp).
Note though that it is referred to on that page as "Windows Process
Watcher" and can be happily used with Win Me despite the warnings about
not using the tools with Win 98) or a product such as Process Explorer
from SysInternals
(http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html).
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Over the last couple of days (when playing Freecell), the mouse
pointer is very slow and jerky. This is unusual as I play this thing
quite often and it always ran smoothly. On running the System Moniter
facility, I notice that the CPU usage jumps from around 20% to 100%
as soon as I place the curser within the game window. As soon as I
move the curser out of the game window, it returns to around 20%.
Oddly, other games such as Spider don't have this problem.
I have scanned eveything for a virus/Trojan etc and run Scandisk and
all are ok. The drive was last defragmented about 2 weeks ago.
All drivers are up to date as far as I can tell and the only thing I
have done in the last few days is to download mIRC (which I have now
uninstalled and deleted).
Specs: Pentium lll 866 256RAM running WinMe. Resources 74% free (that
stayed the same when CPU usage went to 100%) Intel 82810E Graphics
chip.
It does suddenly go up to 100% on some other occasions but the
Freecell problem is consistant and repeatable which is why I specify
it.
Can anyone suggest where I start to find out what has happened please?
Thanks.
Hillneerg

The fact that msgsrv32 is involved leads instantly to the thought of problem
drivers and/or hardware.
Have a look in Device Manager - both in Normal Mode, and in Safe Mode - and
delete any error-flagged entries from Safe Mode - post back with results,
and a list of any other anomalies

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Hillneerg" wrote in message
...
Just to add a little to this,the three main culprits for nearly 100% CPU
usage are Explorer.exe, msgsrv32.exe and the exe file for certain programs
(some of which I have mentioned).
Just before this started, I had tried to install a program (mIRC) which
"hung" after installation and didn't close it's installation box (although
all the files seemed to be in the folder and the program worked). I tried
re-installing several times (over writing each time) with the same
results. I
fear that this may have corrupted something in the process or that some
entry
somewhere is causing the problem but I am not confident messing around
with
the registry - (nor would I know how to or what to look for).
Un-installing
the program does't seem to have made a difference. I could just do with
some
pointers as to my next course of action rather than just try system
restore.
Thanks.

"Hillneerg" wrote:

Thank for that quick response.
I downloaded both programs and both show the same thing.
Actually running the programs (Freecell for instance) hardly uses
anything
at all (less than 1.0) but as soon as I move the mouse pointer into the
window, it goes up to 90-100%. If I move the pointer out of he Freecell
window, it falls back again. A stationary mouse pointer in the window
takes
6.8. so it seems to be the actual movement within the window that causes
the
extra usage. Does that make sense?
The same thing happens with solitaire but not with Spider.
Is there anything in particular I should be looking for?

"Mike M" wrote:

Win Me's system monitor is a very poor indication of cpu usage due to
the
use of a faulty algorithm. You will get a more reliable reading by
using
a process viewer such as the aged WinTop (still available from
Microsoft -
"Windows 95 Kernel Toys Set"
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/d...oy/Default.asp).
Note though that it is referred to on that page as "Windows Process
Watcher" and can be happily used with Win Me despite the warnings about
not using the tools with Win 98) or a product such as Process Explorer
from SysInternals
(http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html).
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Over the last couple of days (when playing Freecell), the mouse
pointer is very slow and jerky. This is unusual as I play this thing
quite often and it always ran smoothly. On running the System Moniter
facility, I notice that the CPU usage jumps from around 20% to 100%
as soon as I place the curser within the game window. As soon as I
move the curser out of the game window, it returns to around 20%.
Oddly, other games such as Spider don't have this problem.
I have scanned eveything for a virus/Trojan etc and run Scandisk and
all are ok. The drive was last defragmented about 2 weeks ago.
All drivers are up to date as far as I can tell and the only thing I
have done in the last few days is to download mIRC (which I have now
uninstalled and deleted).
Specs: Pentium lll 866 256RAM running WinMe. Resources 74% free (that
stayed the same when CPU usage went to 100%) Intel 82810E Graphics
chip.
It does suddenly go up to 100% on some other occasions but the
Freecell problem is consistant and repeatable which is why I specify
it.
Can anyone suggest where I start to find out what has happened
please?
Thanks.
Hillneerg

Further to Noel's comments I'd suggest you look at your video drivers.
Try booting to Safe Mode, open the Device Manager and delete all entries
relating to your video/graphics adapter. Boot back into Normal mode and
let Win Me redetect your hardware and reinstall your graphics driver.
Repeat your checks of cpu usage. Any improvements?

You mention system restore. There's little point in using system restore
unless you know when the problem started, have a check point that was
created before the problem started and that this was not more than say a
week ago at most.
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Just to add a little to this,the three main culprits for nearly 100%
CPU usage are Explorer.exe, msgsrv32.exe and the exe file for certain
programs (some of which I have mentioned).
Just before this started, I had tried to install a program (mIRC)
which "hung" after installation and didn't close it's installation
box (although all the files seemed to be in the folder and the
program worked). I tried re-installing several times (over writing
each time) with the same results. I fear that this may have corrupted
something in the process or that some entry somewhere is causing the
problem but I am not confident messing around with the registry -
(nor would I know how to or what to look for). Un-installing the
program does't seem to have made a difference. I could just do with
some pointers as to my next course of action rather than just try
system restore. Thanks.

Ok I will try that.
In the meantime, this is the result of Noel's suggestion.
Device manager shows everything ok with the exception of a question mark
next to Intel 82801AA USB Universal Host controller and a USB storage device
(which isn't plugged in at the moment).

In safe mode, there is a red cross next to a USB cotroller and it says
"status not available in safe mode" and the above ? next to the Intel 82801AA
and The only other "odd" thing is that some devices are repeated (2 DVD Roms
shown), more USB discs than I have and a total of 5 display monitors plus the
default.
As you expected, those games play ok in safe mode although the PC did decide
to switch itself off after about 10 minutes. No idea why but I had to switch
it on again and it ran scandisc saying it hadn't been shut down properly.
When back in normal mode, msgsrv32 and Explorer were both alternating near
100% while connecting to the internet and reaching this site.
I'll get back with the results of Mike's suggestion.
Thanks.

"Mike M" wrote:

Further to Noel's comments I'd suggest you look at your video drivers.
Try booting to Safe Mode, open the Device Manager and delete all entries
relating to your video/graphics adapter. Boot back into Normal mode and
let Win Me redetect your hardware and reinstall your graphics driver.
Repeat your checks of cpu usage. Any improvements?

You mention system restore. There's little point in using system restore
unless you know when the problem started, have a check point that was
created before the problem started and that this was not more than say a
week ago at most.
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Just to add a little to this,the three main culprits for nearly 100%
CPU usage are Explorer.exe, msgsrv32.exe and the exe file for certain
programs (some of which I have mentioned).
Just before this started, I had tried to install a program (mIRC)
which "hung" after installation and didn't close it's installation
box (although all the files seemed to be in the folder and the
program worked). I tried re-installing several times (over writing
each time) with the same results. I fear that this may have corrupted
something in the process or that some entry somewhere is causing the
problem but I am not confident messing around with the registry -
(nor would I know how to or what to look for). Un-installing the
program does't seem to have made a difference. I could just do with
some pointers as to my next course of action rather than just try
system restore. Thanks.

If the USB Storage device isn't plugged in I wouldn't normally expect it
to appear in the Device Manager but this could be the result of the
problem you are seeing with the USB controller. Such entries are quite
likely to cause problems with both msgsrv32 and explorer. Boot to Safe
Mode, open Device Manager and delete these two entries. Boot back into
Normal Mode and hopefully the USB Controller should now reinstall its
drivers. Whilst in Safe Mode I would also remove all other questionable
entries (DVD-ROMs, monitors, etc.). When you boot back into Normal Mode
the drivers required for the devices that are present should be
automatically reinstalled.
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Ok I will try that.
In the meantime, this is the result of Noel's suggestion.
Device manager shows everything ok with the exception of a question
mark next to Intel 82801AA USB Universal Host controller and a USB
storage device (which isn't plugged in at the moment).

In safe mode, there is a red cross next to a USB cotroller and it says
"status not available in safe mode" and the above ? next to the Intel
82801AA and The only other "odd" thing is that some devices are
repeated (2 DVD Roms shown), more USB discs than I have and a total
of 5 display monitors plus the default.
As you expected, those games play ok in safe mode although the PC did
decide to switch itself off after about 10 minutes. No idea why but I
had to switch it on again and it ran scandisc saying it hadn't been
shut down properly. When back in normal mode, msgsrv32 and Explorer
were both alternating near 100% while connecting to the internet and
reaching this site.
I'll get back with the results of Mike's suggestion.
Thanks.

The only thing I could find re Video/grahics was the 82810E Intel graphics
controller so I removed that in safe mode and rebooted to normal mode. It
reinstalled it (7 references to older files being copied and did I want to
keep the newer one, to which I answered "yes"). It doesn't seem to have made
any difference.
In the half hour I have been running WinTop, it is showing 16.9 for Idle,
2.28 for msgsrv and 4.43 for explorer (everything else is minimal). During
the times they were running, msgsrv and explorer were using over 90%. msgserv
was mainly running when connecting to the Internet and loading this
discussions page and explorer seemed to be running for no reason (I wasn't
doing anything at all and all windows had loaded).
I'll try deleing those things. I did add some extra memory (an extra 128Ram
- which is allowed by my PC according to the sticker on the front of it) and
a couple of extra USB ports (PCI slot) - but that was some weeks ago and
this problem only started a couple of days ago.
I'll get back with the results.
Thanks again.

"Mike M" wrote:

If the USB Storage device isn't plugged in I wouldn't normally expect it
to appear in the Device Manager but this could be the result of the
problem you are seeing with the USB controller. Such entries are quite
likely to cause problems with both msgsrv32 and explorer. Boot to Safe
Mode, open Device Manager and delete these two entries. Boot back into
Normal Mode and hopefully the USB Controller should now reinstall its
drivers. Whilst in Safe Mode I would also remove all other questionable
entries (DVD-ROMs, monitors, etc.). When you boot back into Normal Mode
the drivers required for the devices that are present should be
automatically reinstalled.
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Ok I will try that.
In the meantime, this is the result of Noel's suggestion.
Device manager shows everything ok with the exception of a question
mark next to Intel 82801AA USB Universal Host controller and a USB
storage device (which isn't plugged in at the moment).

In safe mode, there is a red cross next to a USB cotroller and it says
"status not available in safe mode" and the above ? next to the Intel
82801AA and The only other "odd" thing is that some devices are
repeated (2 DVD Roms shown), more USB discs than I have and a total
of 5 display monitors plus the default.
As you expected, those games play ok in safe mode although the PC did
decide to switch itself off after about 10 minutes. No idea why but I
had to switch it on again and it ran scandisc saying it hadn't been
shut down properly. When back in normal mode, msgsrv32 and Explorer
were both alternating near 100% while connecting to the internet and
reaching this site.
I'll get back with the results of Mike's suggestion.
Thanks.

I tried removing the USB items and it re-installed everything but still shows
up with a question mark by it.
Removed all the montor references bar default and it reinstalled the drivers
for that. Still no change.
I am sure that this originated after the faulty install(s) of the mIRC
program (I had been playing freecell only minutes before that and when I
played it a couple of hours afterwards, the problem was there.) Can't figure
the relationship though. Maybe just a coincidence.
I'll try a system restore if there is one available I think.
Thanks again.

"Hillneerg" wrote:

The only thing I could find re Video/grahics was the 82810E Intel graphics
controller so I removed that in safe mode and rebooted to normal mode. It
reinstalled it (7 references to older files being copied and did I want to
keep the newer one, to which I answered "yes"). It doesn't seem to have made
any difference.
In the half hour I have been running WinTop, it is showing 16.9 for Idle,
2.28 for msgsrv and 4.43 for explorer (everything else is minimal). During
the times they were running, msgsrv and explorer were using over 90%. msgserv
was mainly running when connecting to the Internet and loading this
discussions page and explorer seemed to be running for no reason (I wasn't
doing anything at all and all windows had loaded).
I'll try deleing those things. I did add some extra memory (an extra 128Ram
- which is allowed by my PC according to the sticker on the front of it) and
a couple of extra USB ports (PCI slot) - but that was some weeks ago and
this problem only started a couple of days ago.
I'll get back with the results.
Thanks again.

"Mike M" wrote:

If the USB Storage device isn't plugged in I wouldn't normally expect it
to appear in the Device Manager but this could be the result of the
problem you are seeing with the USB controller. Such entries are quite
likely to cause problems with both msgsrv32 and explorer. Boot to Safe
Mode, open Device Manager and delete these two entries. Boot back into
Normal Mode and hopefully the USB Controller should now reinstall its
drivers. Whilst in Safe Mode I would also remove all other questionable
entries (DVD-ROMs, monitors, etc.). When you boot back into Normal Mode
the drivers required for the devices that are present should be
automatically reinstalled.
--
Mike Maltby



Hillneerg wrote:

Ok I will try that.
In the meantime, this is the result of Noel's suggestion.
Device manager shows everything ok with the exception of a question
mark next to Intel 82801AA USB Universal Host controller and a USB
storage device (which isn't plugged in at the moment).

In safe mode, there is a red cross next to a USB cotroller and it says
"status not available in safe mode" and the above ? next to the Intel
82801AA and The only other "odd" thing is that some devices are
repeated (2 DVD Roms shown), more USB discs than I have and a total
of 5 display monitors plus the default.
As you expected, those games play ok in safe mode although the PC did
decide to switch itself off after about 10 minutes. No idea why but I
had to switch it on again and it ran scandisc saying it hadn't been
shut down properly. When back in normal mode, msgsrv32 and Explorer
were both alternating near 100% while connecting to the internet and
reaching this site.
I'll get back with the results of Mike's suggestion.
Thanks.