Random CPU Spikes

[Speggy]

firstly, thanks for taking the time to look at this.

i'm running Vista Home 32-bit on a Toshiba Satellite with 2x AMD turion 2.2ghz processor, running a integrated ATi Radeon x1200 graphics card.

my problem is that every few seconds my PC suffers from a quick CPU spike that lags the PC's frame rate, but not sound.
I've tried running safe mode and this problem does not happen, which says to me that it's a driver problem. i've checked through Windows and my drivers are all up to date and i have problems updating my graphics drivers manually from the website.

the spikes arn't a major problem for generally use but it makes reaction based gaming (FPS for example) incredibly hard.

i've also tried:
• checkdisk
• sfc /scannow
• defragmantation
•virus scans
and some other possible "solutions" i've found across the web.

Thanks for reading this and any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[garysgold]

Welcome to the Vista Forums.

How much Ram and how much graphics ram. I don't know a lot about the ati cards, but from what I'm seeing on the net, this is a low end card. What is the problem with updating the graphics driver? Do the spikes occur when not running the game?

Gary

 

[Speggy]

oh, sorry i always miss important details.

i have 2GBs of RAM and i have 128mbs of graphics RAM.
i'll admit the ATi Radeon X1200 is a very low end card and i'm thinking of replacing it if it's possible.

My problem with the driver update is that when i use the manufacturer's installer program it comes with an unspecified error and won't finish the installation.

the CPU spikes happen all the time, not just when playing games. but they never used to.

 

[garysgold]

Are you trying to install the whole software suite or just the driver? At the ATi site I see both downloads. Drivers & Tools | GAME.AMD.COM

If this is a recent problem, you could try doing a system restore to a point before this started happening. Info here if needed: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html

Also you could open task manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc). Go to processes tab and click on 'show processes for all users' (continue at UAC prompt if necessary). Then click on the CPU column header so the busiest processes will come to the top. Watch and see if you can determine which process is causing the spikes.

On a side note, if you go to User CP and click on edit system specs on the left, you can fill in as much info as you can and then we won't have to ask and you won't have to answer whenever you have a question.

Hope this helps. Please keep us posted.

Gary

 

[Speggy]

ok i was installing the entire suite, but it was from a different site i found on a google search. so i probably had the wrong file.

for the Task manager processes 99% of the time i have System idle process at 99%CPU and the extra 1% used by random programs.

but all i noticed is during a spike Safari went up to 56% usage, but i normally have safari 4 closed. don't know if this is any use.

Will edit after installing new graphics drivers and testing.

EDIT: i'm getting the error

"Source install package not found"

if that's any help.

 

[garysgold]

Don't know what would cause that. Try installing the driver through the device manager.

99% is the percent of time the cpu is idle. That's pretty normal. Safari at 56% seems high to me even for a second but I could be wrong.
You could open Reliability monitor and see if anything shows in there. Start button/type 'Reliability Monitor' (no quotes) into the search box/hit enter.

Gary

 

[Speggy]

i've done a bit of further research and tried some apps that came with one of my PCFormat CDs to see if there was anything in there. came across Speedfan.

According to speedfan my core temperature is around 87 degrees C when i start spiking, and that my lappy does not contain a fan. i'm thinking this could be the main culprit. any ideas with this?

EDIT: thought i'd add that it's around 45 when i'm just browsing but over 80 while playing games (WoW Usually)

EDIT2: actually it's around 65 at rest

 

[garysgold]

Don't know what the operating temps are for that cpu are, but you ought to be able to find them at AMD. Seems high to me though and heat could be the problem.

Gary