AMD XP 2500 Problem

anniehoang · #1 01-02-2005, 03:30 PM

Hi there,
My friend has an issue with his CPU and was wondering if anyone could help.

His CPU runs at 100% usage with even the simplest of games such as Diablo 1. It's not overheating, the chip stays in the low to mid 30's. But the usage is completely maxed out, and of course after a little while the system crashes severely.

He has 512MB DDR Ram, and an ASUS 87VX-X or something like that as a MoBo. 87NX-X maybe...
400Watt PS, so the system is fairly decent. Especially when using a game that old. He's running XP Pro I believe.

Any help is greatly appreciated thanks. Trying to get it all fixed up before he goes back to University tomorrow.

curtybob · #2 01-02-2005, 05:36 PM

Any stray processes using all that up? I'd check to be sure it wasn't something like that, and make sure he has all updtaes and stuff like that.

anniehoang · #3 01-03-2005, 05:49 AM

Yup checked for processes, hardly anything is running. The system was very recently formatted. The system is also running SP2, with all updates.

It's really strange, only when a game is actually selected does the cpu jump to 100%. If it's in the background minimized the CPU is back to normal. The game itself though doesn't even have to be running we noticed. Diablo one has a load menu, asking to play, test the system, install directX, etc. Even if that window is selected, not even in game yet and the cpu jumps up. But once you click on another window, back down to 1%.

curtybob · #4 01-03-2005, 07:29 AM

Well, if that's the case, I'd try taking the sound card (or onboard sound whatever the case may be) completely out of the picture to see if it is a conflict.If it is onboard sound, uninstall the drivers and disable in the BIOS and if a card, uninstall the drivers, then shut down and pull the card out.

anniehoang · #5 01-03-2005, 03:40 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.
We tried the sound, it's onboard. Still didn't help. He decided to buy a new Sempron chip so we'll see if that helps... If not, then he's in a pickle for sure.

Monkeeman · #6 01-07-2005, 03:36 AM

To be honest it sounds like a virus.. use a good virus checker and scan (also get latest updates) and check. Lost of virus's use 100% cpu to listen to other ports to send the virus or just to damage your pc.. either way scan

anniehoang · #7 01-07-2005, 06:50 PM

We thought about it being a virus but it also happened right after a fresh format.

The new CPU didn't correct the problem unfortunetly either. It's a real mystery.

Monkeeman · #8 01-07-2005, 07:16 PM

ok when you installed a fresh copy did you have the computer modem connected to the internet? because some virus's can enter within seconds... so always fresh install not on the net, add firewall like norton etc., then go on the net. I can't really see any other reason for your problem... hmm also check the memory usage in task manager to see its not running low of memory cos than can sometimes make the cpu work harder.

anniehoang · #9 01-08-2005, 08:01 PM

It wasn't connected to the internet at all during the clean install. And all the memory is fine, barely used. Just the CPU jumps to 100% during a game. And only a game apparently.

Really mind boggling.

sergonet · #10 01-10-2005, 02:41 PM

Hi to all!
I have absolutely the same problem. Exactly as described in this thread my CPU hits 100% when a game started ANY GAME, no matter how old or new (Heroes III, NFS Underground 2).
I have Athlon XP 2500+ (Barton)
GA-7VT880
GF FX5200
512 DDR RAM
LG Combo drive

I haven't made big effort to resolve the problem because I had very little spare time but this is really irritating. I'll try to fix this problem at the weekend and will be very grateful for any help provided.

At least you know you are not alone

P.S. This thread is the only place in Internet describing the problem (at least the only I managed to find). So it's obviosly not something trivial or often happening.

Good Luck, Boys!!!

anniehoang · #11 01-11-2005, 06:40 PM

A strange problem isn't it?

And now I know it's not the video card. Thought maybe it was something wrong with it but yours is an FX and this one is a G2. Back to the drawing board.

Play_The_0dds · #12 01-11-2005, 09:20 PM

ok, let's say it's a perfect world and we know it's not a virus. only other things that cause this are :
Hardware:
bios settings like video caching not set correctly
bios may need updated to support updated driver versions you are installing.
driver versions, MS's updates are causing major issues with older driver version, make sure you have the latest ones, or go through a few and see which one works best.
overclocking causes problems of this nature if not done correctly.
hardware going bad like ram...remove you ram and clean the contacts carefully with a pencil eraser to make sure you are getting good contact.

Software:
even though some programs worked great before they may not with newer updates from MS.
Drivers have to be updated to provide support for the changes to the system made by MS updates.
and anything you added differently may need to be weeded out.

sergonet · #13 01-16-2005, 04:14 PM

Hi again,
I've spent some time trying to fix this. I've update all my drivers and the BIOS too. Didn't help!!! Now I am almost sure it is a hardware problem, may be with the RAM...