Stuttering XP :-(

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

I too have this problem on one of my computers. It seems to happen after a
variable amount of time. Sometimes it occurs at startup. Sometimes it
happens after using the computer for a few hours. Sometimes I can use the
computer all night without it happening. When it does happen it's like
Graeme described: everything freezes for a moment ( less than a second ),
continues normally for a short time ( a couple seconds? ) and then keeps
repeating like that.

Rebooting seems to temporarily stave off the problem, but I can't remember
whether the amount of time it takes to recur shortens - which might suggest a
heat problem or power supply issue. I also recall that this problem started
sometime after I installed SP2.

System info:

OS: Windows XP Pro SP2
CPU: Intel PIII 1.2Ghz
Mobo: Abit ST6-RAID ( latest BIOS )
RAM: 512 MB PC133 ( 2 x 256 MB DIMMs. Both are from Crucial, but one stick is
CAS 2, the other is CAS 3 - tried replacing
both)
HD: 150 GB RAID 0 ( 2 x 80 GB WD Caviar 8MB 7200 RPM)
Video: BFG GeForce FX 5900 ( running at 2X AGP )
NIC: Intel Pro 100S


I have searched many forums & knowledgebases and this is the first mention
I've seen of this problem. Any help / links / suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.




"graeme_smith77@hotmail.com" wrote:

> Please Help! My XP Sp2 PC has developed a stutter :-(
>
>
> I've never had a problem with it until this weekend when I did a few
> things with it and one of them appears to have messed it up...
>
>
> I backed up a TomTom Go 500 Navigator (basically just acts like a USB
> memory device)
>
>
> The kids installed a Tonka fire rescue game.
>
>
> I tried to connect a sony DV Camcorder to the Firewire port (with
> little success).
>
>
> Now when I put a game or video on it run for about 3 seconds then
> stutters, then carries on then stutters etc.
>
>
> Running with 512 MB RAM
>
>
> Athlon 1.8
>
>
> XP Home SP2 with all updates
>
>
> I've checked it with ADAware and Spybot and it looks clean.
> AV up to date and clean
>
>
> I've tried removing all the extra cards (firewire, vid capture etc),
> all the USB connections etc.
>
>
> The Graphics card was changed a couple of weeks ago, I've put the old
> one back but no change.
>
>
> I installed a new additional HDD a few months ago so most of the
> firmware is current (and worked fine before the weekend)
>
>
> Can't see anything obvious on Process or Performance.
>
>
> I've tried disconnecting from the network, stopping Zone Alarm,
> Stopping AV (which appeared to work the first time but then the problem
>
> returned.
>
>
> I've tried restoring to a restore point but same problem???
>
>
> I've reseated the cables, cards and memory.
>
>
> Could someone suggest something else to check out please?
>
>
> Regards
>
>
> Graeme
>
>