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[coldfire]

Okay, so I'm fairly computer savvy, but this problem has eluded me for over a year now. So maybe one of you may know. My problem is that the System process has regular spikes every couple seconds (cpu usage sequence: 2%-13%-34%-18%-4%-22%-43%...); it regularly cycles in this type of pattern. This occurs when nothing else is running (application-wise). Here is an image of my cpu performance:

http://img507.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cpuperformpq7.jpg

I have an older desktop (circa 2004):

HP Media Center pc m470n
Windows XP Media Center Edition
P4 HT 3.0GHz
1 GB RAM
SP3
GeForce 6600GT Graphics (latest drivers)
ESET NOD32 Antivirus (run nightly)
Windows Defender (run nightly, might be unnecessary, I admit)

It hasn't really bothered me horribly, since I don't use many CPU intensive apps these days--I mostly do this on my Linux box at work. But recently, it started a new issue when the System process will stop the cycling and simply stay at 50% usage. Now this is very bad, and if it does this very long the fan goes crazy and my room gets warmer by a few degrees. Then if I try to restart the computer (once the System process locks at 50%), the computer cannot fully shut down; it gets stuck at the 'Shutting down windows....' part. So I have to manually turn off the computer. Then when I start it back up, the first time it never works and instead will just spin the hard drive wildly and does not boot. Usually the second or third time it will actually boot up, sometimes I have to unplug the computer and wait for a while for it to start.

I have great Antivirus, and I run a pretty tight ship, so I'm not sure what's causing all the fuss.

Any ideas?

[H-kon]

Hi coldfire Welcome to H-kon.net

What processes are doing the cycling? Can you check with task manager?

As for the second issue with shutdown and reboot, it sounds like there is a problem with the power management drivers. Does it hang the computer on "Shutting down Windows..." ?

When you installed Windows, was it a clean install?

[coldfire]

The process cycling is the "System" Process.

And yes, when the computer hangs on shut down, it is during the "Shutting down Windows..." But keep it mind, that my computer will shut down normally as long as the "System" process is still in the cycling state. It only hangs when the "System" process has hit a constant 50% CPU usage state.

I won this computer in a raffle, so it was already built by HP. Windows came installed on this computer, and worked fine fro the first 2.5 years I used it.

There may be an issue with the power because the power supply is only 230W, and it's in a mini-tower. I tried to get a larger power supply when I purchased the GeForce graphics card, but they don't make a bigger size that fits this tower.

[coldfire]

Also, I had to purchase an additional cord to connect my graphics card to the power supply (since the graphics card requires a direct connection--insufficient to simply use the AGP connection).

Though possibly unrelated, I had to replace the fan on the graphics card, but these were known to be of poor quality.

[H-kon]

do you have onboard graphics on the same computer?

230W sounds awfully small - Do you have any onboard graphics together with the 6600GT?

I'd try that first to see if that would make a difference since it's easy to check.

If that doesn't work, you can try the Windows System File Checker by opening the command line:

Start - Run - cmd

type: "sfc /scannow" without the quotes.

You may need the Windows CD (although i think it asks) . What it does is that it goes through the system files and replaces any that might be the wrong version or damaged ones. If there is a rogues system file somewhere, this tool will replace the bad one with a fresh one.

You might need to install some Windows updates after this check, but it's better than to re-install to begin with.

[coldfire]

No on board graphics. Came with ATI Radeon 9200 AGP; later I swapped for the Geforce 6600GT. Under Device Manager, the 6600GT is the only display adapter--I'm pretty sure this verifies this.

Also, I ran the "sfc /scannow" command, and then restarted the computer. But no change.

I think you were on the right track with a possible error in the power management. I know that people have had issues with laptop batteries doing this. Is there something similar for a low-wattage power supply with drawing more power than it can supply?

Because now that I think about it, the issues only arose sometime after I upgraded to the 6600GT graphics--which requires a direct power input... I think for the fan. And I replaced the fan this January with this model:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118117

Again, I found an unused power cord in my tower, bought an extension cord (with a splitter), and plugged the graphics card in to the power supply.

[H-kon]

The minimum power supply required for a 6600GT is 300W according to Nvidia, so you're stretching the one you got thin.  The AGP port alone can only supply maximum 45W, so the rest needs to come from the PSU.

How much does your PSU deliver on the 12V? It should say on the sticker.  Also remember that if it says 230W, it doesn't meant that it is able to deliver it.  No one is 100% efficient, the best ones are 80+ efficient, the worst, 60% efficient.

If you are going to spring for a new one, check the 12V rails. 20A should be minimum, although 18A can be okay.  Bonus if you get a rated 80+ one, it should say on the box

[coldfire]

Well, I've tried to upgrade the power supply before but since I have an odd-sized mini-tower, they do not make a power supply greater than my current model that will fit into my machine.

Could I instead just unplug devices that I don't really use like an extra cd-rom drive, floppy drive, and built-in media card reader? Also, I could remove an unused PCI card.

Or do they make an external power supply?

[coldfire]

Actually, I was surfing around, and I may have found a good replacement.

This is my current power supply:
http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/230-watt-power-supply-bestec-atx-1953f.php
6" Wide X 3.5" Tall X 4" Deep, 15A at 12V

And this is a possible upgrades:
http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/400-watt-power-supply-lpm2-20-p4.php
6.00" Wide X 3.25" Tall X 4.25 " Deep, 17A at 12V

http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/400-watt-power-supply-ap-mps3atx40.php
6" Wide X 3.25" Tall X 4" Deep, 21A at 12V

(The second one looks like the best option, since it's only 4" deep and it offers 21A at 12V)

Do you think it will work?

[H-kon]

The third options seems to be the best, although i still think it's too little on the 12V rail. It doesn't provide you with any upgrade options beyond the 6600 GT.  Both the CPU and the graphics card uses the 12V rail. Removing other parts does nothing as they use different currents, but to reduce the overall load on your current system, you could try to remove the things that you do not use.

I am assuming you're located in the US, so i went hunting a bit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

Click on "combo deals "view all" about half way down the page. You can get this power supply which is one of the best together, check the combo with the Antec three hundred case. You'll get it for $20,- which is a steal. Those cost about $80,- here.

You can also figure out how much power you need, and the correct power supply here:

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp


But first of all, i'd check with a different psu by just hanging it outside the case to see if this really is the problem.

[wareup]

I suggest installing another process explorer and check if it will give the same result.
and how about check Hijackthis for any hidden processes.

I understand the what you feel about that, its like someone is stealing your resources huh hehehe.

Good luck