Laptop freezing - CPU usage

[JohnS]

Hi all, I am a forum newbie and would really appreciate some assistance. I am running FS2004 on a Compac nc6000 laptop (Intel (R) Pentium(R)M, 1.6GHz, 512MB RAM) with XP Ver2002. It used to work fine for approx. 3 weeks but the game now freezes just after the intro screen. The task manager shows that the CPU usage exceeds 100%. Why this all of a sudden? Did try to re-install about 5 times but to no avail. Please help.

Thanks, JohnS

[ozzy72]

John have you added any new drivers or applications to your laptop? Also have you shut down all background programs. XP is a bit of a hog like that, try using a program called EndItAll to stop the excess background programs (use carefully!)

[JohnS]

Hi Ozzy72, thanks for the prompt response. I did download some of the addon planes and was flying the South African AT6 the last time, left the machine on standby during the night and the next morning tried to access the game again but with no success. How will I know whether there are some background programs running? If I look at the task manager it shows ACOF only but not responding. Prior to this problem I could safely run MS Word, Outlook etc at the same time while just pausing the game.

Is EndIt All a freeware program and where can I get it? Why should it be used carefully  (because it sounds like suicide....just joking)?

Regards  

[jordonj]

I prefer FSAutoStart as it gives you advice as to what to shut down when you configure it.  It is available here.

[JohnS]

Thanks jordonj. Have downloaded it and will attempt the game again.

[JohnS]

Nope the problem still persists. I installed FSAutostart successfully, stopped most of the suggested programs and started up. The intro screen comes up and one can hear the HDD working for a few secs and then the task manager shows ACOF not responding. Anyone with more suggestions an how to address this?

 

[logjam]

You mentioned that this problem surfaced after leaving your PC on all night. I don't suppose you were connected to the internet via cable modem or somesuch High speed accesss? In that case I would try and look for a trojan or spyware using up your resources.

[JohnS]

Beautiful Chippy that (or is it not a Chipmunk). Still one or two tandem seat ones flying out here in ZAR.

No, the machine was not connected to the net at all. It gets checked by VirusScan every morning when connecting to a LAN. I am not too clued up on the whole antivirus thing. Do you think that a trojan or spyware could slip past in any way?

[Liam]

You mentioned that this problem surfaced after leaving your PC on all night. I don't suppose you were connected to the internet via cable modem or somesuch High speed accesss? In that case I would try and look for a trojan or spyware using up your resources.

That's exactly what I thought, you should definately run an Anti virus & adaware...and get a firewall if you haven't already got one.

[logjam]

Not all Trojans or Spyware programs can be detected with antivirus programs. They usually sneak in using an unprotected port rather than via e-mails. Ad-aware is a free spyware detector which will update regularly. Use Microsoft's free firewall which is included with Win XP. It won't slow your machine down like Norton's or other software firewalls. If you really want to protect your machine, buy a router with a hardware firewall. Meanwhile go to add/remove software and remove any programs you don't recognise. BTW the Chipmunk is the Canadian version with the clear canopy. The Brit version has a "Greenhouse" canopy.  ;D

[JohnS]

Thanks for the good advice - will do and keep you updated.

[Daz]

for removal of spyware try a program called ad aware 6. its free to download and does an entire search of the registry and files for any spyware programs

forgot the url of download just google it

daz

[Iroquois]

I use dual firewalls. I have Microsoft's and Zone Alarm running. There are several things you could try. Use Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Under the processes tab click "username" to align everything. You'll see some processes with your name next to them. Close them all down except for firewalls, anti-virus, and explorer.exe. Some stuff that runs in the background can be real mem hogs.

You could try reinstalling FS.

Is this computer constently being left on. If so, shut it off when your not using it. Heat can still build up even when its in standby mode. Turn it off and let it rest.

Also, what graphics adapter does it have. If you don't know, right click the desktop and select properties. Click settings and click advanced under that tab.

[JohnS]

Hey thanks for the advice - really appreciate the care with a fellow flight simmer in distress!

Iroquois, I have enabled the XP firewallas suggested by logjam and I have tried closing down the processes as you suggested. There were about 10 (decimal) processes running on my name of which explorer were the largest. I stopped all except explorer and started up again with FS Autostart and the same happened after about 15 secs - Not *#$@ responding. I will try reinstalling again tonight.

The machine does not get turned of but is left on standby most of the time - will turn it off for a change to "rest" as suggested.

The graphics adapter is an ATI Mobility RADEON 9600 with 32MB memory.

Personally I am still blaming that North American AT6 (or Harvard as we in ZAR know it) for all the problems cause that was the last plane that managed an electronic takeoff....... just kidding, the plane is great. I guess it must be something else.

Gonna try that Ad-aware and see if some foreign e managed to slip through.

[JohnS]

Ok I installed Ad-aware, ran it, killed 23 bugs and reloaded the game. I stopped all unneccesary processes, started up with FS Autostart and same thing happened. I attempted without FS autostart and kept the task manager on to monitor the strain on the CPU - as you click on the ACOF icon the intro screen comes up and the CPU usage goes to 100% and task manager reports not responding. In one of the attempts to start ACOF the machine gave a message about not being able to activate 3D graphics due to lack of memory or something. Perhaps I should test the servicability of the graphics card - can someone advise on how to do that ?