Strange performance issues

**Watchman** · 05-22-2007, 21:26

...and now it's been running smoothly for half a day without a hitch, and shows no signs of freezing up thus far.

I swear this thing is actively trying to drive me nuts. Well, better it tries that by working properly if nothing else...

Side note: were I to try updating the BIOS at some point, would it be a good idea to use the chip's built-in update utility accessed at system start (the new BIOS file being supplied via floppy), or should the Windows-based update utility be good enough ? I'm a bit wary of the latter as the last time I tried to use one I managed to bugger the whole BIOS and ended up changing virtually all the hardware... although this MB seems to have a built-in reinstallation feature.

**Bijo** · 05-22-2007, 22:07

Originally Posted by Watchman

Side note: were I to try updating the BIOS at some point, would it be a good idea to use the chip's built-in update utility accessed at system start (the new BIOS file being supplied via floppy), or should the Windows-based update utility be good enough ? I'm a bit wary of the latter as the last time I tried to use one I managed to bugger the whole BIOS and ended up changing virtually all the hardware... although this MB seems to have a built-in reinstallation feature.

Just look for the easiest and surest way, I'd say. But please don't do anything stupid. And another thing: I'm not responsible :)

Xiahou might have a point that it may not be necessary to update the BIOS, but it shouldn't hurt the machine either. What motherboard is it you have by the way?

**LeftEyeNine** · 05-22-2007, 22:39

Ensure that you'll not get any power cutouts during the BIOS flashing process and do it through Windows. The other way is a bit of mess.

**Watchman** · 05-22-2007, 22:40

ASUS P5B, unless everything associated with the thing (and all the diagnostics/recognition program thingys) have formed a grand conspiracy to mislead me.

And the package it came in.

...and the store that sold it to me.

...they're everywhere!!11!1!!

**Watchman** · 05-22-2007, 23:59

It appears that unpleasant system freeze thing isn't a heat problem anyway. It just reared its ugly head entirely in spite of the fans running at full blast and the monitors claiming the component temperatures were well within safe limits.

Most annoying.

I wonder if there's some obscure snag somewhere in there which the systam randomly stumbles upon on occasion. There seems to be no rhyme or reason in how these happen. Wonder if I should go and reinstall just about all the drivers, just in case...

**caravel** · 05-23-2007, 10:20

Personally I wouldn't flash the BIOS unless there is a real need. In the case of the previous "disaster" there was a real possibility (incompatible CPU), and if the flash hadn't gone bad, it probably would have solved your problem. In this case I've see no evidence so far that it is necessary or indeed the cause of your problem. If you can find something in the list of bug fixes relating to random crashes, etc then it would be worth it. If it only lists cpu compatibility fixes (that don't relate to your CPU) or minor error fixes then it may not be worth it.

The lock up you're having. Is there any hard disk activity (check the HDD LED)? I expect that you tried CTRL+ALT+DEL first, so you've got a total freeze with no response from anything including he keyboard and mouse? IF the only solution is a hard reset or forced power off, hardware is likely to be the problem. I would put money on it being the CPU or poorly connected adaptor card or memory module. Memory in itself even if defective or running on incorrect timings/settings should not cause a complete lock up. The worst you would get from that is a blue screen error.

Carefully check that any adaptor cards are firmly seated. An uneven break where the edge connection sits in the slot caused by a unevenly seated motherboard will cause a lot of problems.

Run a continuous real time temp monitor and keep it on screen and visible. You can then leave the PC on and check it later to see the final temperature.

Now that you've removed a lot of the bloat that was causing your initial problem post a fresh hijackthis log so we can see what else may be still there.

**Watchman** · 05-25-2007, 22:41

Originally Posted by Caravel

The lock up you're having. Is there any hard disk activity (check the HDD LED)? I expect that you tried CTRL+ALT+DEL first, so you've got a total freeze with no response from anything including he keyboard and mouse?

That sound like my thing all right; the LED is in the "standby" brightness it has when the comp's on but there's no HD activity, and the machine doesn't respond to anything short of reset or power off.

I would put money on it being the CPU or poorly connected adaptor card or memory module.
---
Carefully check that any adaptor cards are firmly seated. An uneven break where the edge connection sits in the slot caused by a unevenly seated motherboard will cause a lot of problems.

The only thing slotted to the MB that's in use is the graphics card - and if that was the problem, it should have turned up long ago rather than only recently right ? The same should be the case with the CPU and memory modules. The hard drive cable connections seem to be okay assuming those could be the culprit - I checked that they were firmly attached at both ends, which didn't keep a lock-up from happening.

Run a continuous real time temp monitor and keep it on screen and visible. You can then leave the PC on and check it later to see the final temperature.

It's not a heat-accumulation issue far as I can tell; the interval of the freezes is too random, and the sensors show no real tendency in any of the monitorable parts to develop excessive heat levels. Sometimes the comp merrily runs half a day and never has any issues, other times a freeze occurs within three or four hours after the previous one.

Now that you've removed a lot of the bloat that was causing your initial problem post a fresh hijackthis log so we can see what else may be still there.

Certainly. Here you go:

Code:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.0 (BETA)
Scan saved at 0:23:35, on 26.5.2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\ASUS\AASP\1.00.05\aaCenter.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WF2K.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\ASUS\AI Suite\AiNap\AiNap.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\RamBooster 2.0\Rambooster.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\KHAL\KHALMNPR.EXE
C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\ASUS\PC Probe II\Probe2.exe
C:\Program Files\Asus\AI Suite\AiSuite.exe
F:\Program Files\Azureus\My Shared Folder\Ohjelmat\ProcessExplorer\procexp.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Wizard 2007\PC Wizard.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Wizard 2007\pcwizard.dll
F:\Program Files\Azureus\My Shared Folder\Anime\HiJackThis_v2xxx.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://fi.msn.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = 
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = Linkit
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Megaupload Toolbar - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-CCB0-B130EEDBE97C} - C:\PROGRA~1\MEGAUP~2\MEGAUP~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: Mega Manager IE Click Monitor - {bf00e119-21a3-4fd1-b178-3b8537e75c92} - C:\Program Files\Megaupload\Mega Manager\MegaIEMn.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Megaupload Toolbar - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-CCB0-B130EEDBE97C} - C:\PROGRA~1\MEGAUP~2\MEGAUP~1.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: ImageShack Toolbar - {6932D140-ABC4-4073-A44C-D4A541665E35} - C:\WINDOWS\ImageShackToolbar\ImageShackToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [JMB36X Configure] C:\WINDOWS\System32\JMRaidTool.exe boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EM_EXEC] C:\PROGRA~1\MOUSEW~1\SYSTEM\EM_EXEC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Hardware Abstraction Layer] KHALMNPR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinFast2KLoadDefault] rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\wf2kcpl.dll,DllLoadDefaultSettings
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AsusServiceProvider] C:\Program Files\ASUS\AASP\1.00.05\aaCenter.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinFoxV2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\WF2K.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAX] "C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe" /tray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ai Nap] "C:\Program Files\ASUS\AI Suite\AiNap\AiNap.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe AcRdB7_0_9
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RamBooster] C:\Program Files\RamBooster 2.0\Rambooster.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] F:\Games\Valve\Steam\\Steam.exe -silent
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Paikallinen palve')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Verkkopalve')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download Link Using Mega Manager... - C:\Program Files\Megaupload\Mega Manager\mm_file.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Post Image to Blog - res://C:\WINDOWS\ImageShackToolbar\ImageShackToolbar.dll/5003
O8 - Extra context menu item: Tag This Image - res://C:\WINDOWS\ImageShackToolbar\ImageShackToolbar.dll/5002
O8 - Extra context menu item: Transload Image to ImageShack - res://C:\WINDOWS\ImageShackToolbar\ImageShackToolbar.dll/5004
O8 - Extra context menu item: Upload All Images to ImageShack - res://C:\WINDOWS\ImageShackToolbar\ImageShackToolbar.dll/5000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Upload Image to ImageShack - res://C:\WINDOWS\ImageShackToolbar\ImageShackToolbar.dll/5001
O8 - Extra context menu item: Vie Microsoft E&xceliin - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://toolbar.imageshack.us
O16 - DPF: {0D41B8C5-2599-4893-8183-00195EC8D5F9} (asusTek_sysctrl Class) - http://support.asus.com/common/asusTek_sys_ctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1174923773792
O16 - DPF: {67A5F8DC-1A4B-4D66-9F24-A704AD929EEE} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/sysreqlab2.cab
O16 - DPF: {6932D140-ABC4-4073-A44C-D4A541665E35} (ImageShack Toolbar) - http://toolbar.imageshack.us/toolbar/ImageShackToolbar.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1175133190406
O16 - DPF: {E8F628B5-259A-4734-97EE-BA914D7BE941} (Driver Agent ActiveX Control) - http://driveragent.com/files/driveragent.cab
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Scheduler (AntiVirScheduler) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: Loogisen levyn hallinnan valvontapalvelu (dmadmin) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: Tapahtumaloki (Eventlog) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: CD-levyjen kirjoittamisen IMAPI COM -palvelu (ImapiService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\imapi.exe
O23 - Service: NetMeeting etätyöpöydän jakaminen (mnmsrvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\mnmsrvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Plug and Play (PlugPlay) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
O23 - Service: Etätyöpöydän ohjeen istunnonhallinta (RDSessMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sessmgr.exe
O23 - Service: Älykortti (SCardSvr) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\SCardSvr.exe
O23 - Service: Resurssilokit ja -hälytykset (SysmonLog) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\smlogsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Telnet (TlntSvr) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\tlntsvr.exe
O23 - Service: Aseman tilannevedos (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\vssvc.exe
O23 - Service: WMI resurssisovitin (WmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Windows Media Playerin verkkojakamispalvelu (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNetwk.exe

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