Vista - Monitor causes strangely high CPU usage

My computer (Dell XPS 1330) runs fine without the monitor (Dell 20" SP2008WFP) but intermittently hits 100% CPU usage with the monitor plugged in - usually if I am running more than 3 or 4 standard office programmes - and then returns to running normally if the monitor is unplugged. I have 4GB of RAM and 2 x 2.5 GHz processors, so don't think this should be a problem. The laptop and monitor seemed to work fine together for a few months but subsequently the problem got progressively worse over a few months.

I have tried stopping all processes in TM when the problem occurs - none stand out as being the culprit. The only common occurrence is that the task manager process itself runs at 20%+ to 40% CPU usage when the problem occurs. I have already tried defragging, spyware, cutting out all visual effects and all sorts of other performance improvement options - I even totally reformatted the hard disk before I realised that the problem was related to the monitor being plugged in! I have tried rolling back and then re-updating the drivers for the monitor and the display adapters, but the problem persisted. Any idea of other ways of attempting to solve this problem?

You might want to check to see if Dell has an updated driver for that
monitor. Look especially for one that is Vista compatible. While my
pre-Vista monitor is not having any problems another might.

"rf13" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:1332857608979497bc368cc1ca268356@xxxxxx-gateway.com...
--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

"rf13" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:1332857608979497bc368cc1ca268356@xxxxxx-gateway.com...Since you are plugging in the monitor to a laptop what is probably happening
is the "marginal" video capability of the video card in the computer is
having problems pushing the appropriate signal to the monitor and the
laptop's screen. I wouldn't blame it totally on the monitor (try a
different monitor under the same situation to rule out) but the video system
in the laptop. Follow Joseph's advice to see if there is an updated driver
for the onboard video adapter in the computer. You may also try adjusting
the memory allocation to the video system (in the bios) to see if that
helps.

Only other suggestion would be to switch the laptop's display off and use
just the external port (FN + whatever F key toggles the display.)

I had a similar odd problem last week with an XP machine, HP Desktop.

Someone bought an Acer LCD for it and adjusted the resolution down, that
worked okay but she didn't like it and then tried to go back up. No go,
everything "Grayed" out, resolution stuck around 640X480 and 4 colors or
something stupid. System was reporting "Plug and Play" monitor.

Several reboots, still no go, monitor not identified.

Downloaded driver from Acer and bingo, problem solved after a reboot.
Methinks maybe she set a resolution that monitor cannot do and the
driver fell over or something.

Never seen XP do that before so maybe we are entering a period where
XP's normally excellent P&P handling is going downhill?

Anyway, not Vista related really but it does illustrate that monitor
drivers can cause other problems, something one might not expect,
especially the inability to change resolution when it had worked fine
before.

So in this case I suggest checking both Video and Monitor drivers with
manufacturer's websites, and if no go try Windows update with optional
updates enabled instead of "Express", just in case there is something there.

rf13 wrote:

Thanks LVTravel

I have updated to all the latest video adapter drivers and monitor drivers.

I switched the laptop screen off a while a go and am working from the monitor alone, but still have the problem

Will try plugging in another monitor if i get the chance.

I dont know how to adjust the memory allocation in the BIOS??

current allocation is as follows - i think this is what you are referring to:

total avail;able graphics memory - 1663mb
dedicated video memory - 128mb
system video memory 0mb
shared system memory 1535mb

have updated to latest drivers but no result, thanks.

"rf13" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message news:1332857608979497bc368cc1ca268356@xxxxxx-gateway.com...Have you had a look at the Resource Monitor ?
Task Manager > Performance > Resource Monitor > CPU.
Maybe a clue in there.

Are you running BOTH (internal & external) at
the same time?

You never really say...

"rf13" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:1332857608979497bc368cc1ca268356@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

yes, I am using an external hard drive, just to backup files.

"rf13" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:88adaeeef4e33b3237af187ca47eb14f@xxxxxx-gateway.com...The poster meant laptop's video and external monitor at the same time.