Why do screensavers start out fine, then stutter and halt? (No virus)

Dell XPS Gen 2
NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
Intel Pentium R 2.13 GHz
2 GB RAM
DirectX 9.0c

Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine
but eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not
happened before and I cannot determine what is causing it.

I have updated to the latest version of DirectX and updated my NVIDIA
drivers to the latest available (v. 175.19). This is a fresh WinXP Pro
install and there have been no virus infections (just scanned again with
ESET to confirm).

What can cause a 3D screensaver to start out fine, but "wear down" over
less than an hour - until it is barely moving?

Thanks,
John

"Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."

Merchantprince wrote:
> Dell XPS Gen 2
> NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
> Intel Pentium R 2.13 GHz
> 2 GB RAM
> DirectX 9.0c
>
> Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine
> but eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not
> happened before and I cannot determine what is causing it.
>
> I have updated to the latest version of DirectX and updated my NVIDIA
> drivers to the latest available (v. 175.19). This is a fresh WinXP Pro
> install and there have been no virus infections (just scanned again with
> ESET to confirm).
>
> What can cause a 3D screensaver to start out fine, but "wear down" over
> less than an hour - until it is barely moving?
>
> Thanks,
> John
>
> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>

Not very clever usage of memory ? Like a memory leak ?

Paul

"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message
news:g5h80q$vv1$1@aioe.org...
> Merchantprince wrote:
>> Dell XPS Gen 2
>> NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
>> Intel Pentium R 2.13 GHz
>> 2 GB RAM
>> DirectX 9.0c
>>
>> Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine
>> but eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not
>> happened before and I cannot determine what is causing it.
>>
>> I have updated to the latest version of DirectX and updated my NVIDIA
>> drivers to the latest available (v. 175.19). This is a fresh WinXP
>> Pro install and there have been no virus infections (just scanned
>> again with ESET to confirm).
>>
>> What can cause a 3D screensaver to start out fine, but "wear down"
>> over less than an hour - until it is barely moving?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> John
>>
>> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>
> Not very clever usage of memory ? Like a memory leak ?
>
> Paul

How would one go about identifying such a leak and correcting it?

- J

Merchantprince wrote:
> "Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message
> news:g5h80q$vv1$1@aioe.org...
>> Merchantprince wrote:
>>> Dell XPS Gen 2
>>> NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
>>> Intel Pentium R 2.13 GHz
>>> 2 GB RAM
>>> DirectX 9.0c
>>>
>>> Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine
>>> but eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not
>>> happened before and I cannot determine what is causing it.
>>>
>>> I have updated to the latest version of DirectX and updated my NVIDIA
>>> drivers to the latest available (v. 175.19). This is a fresh WinXP
>>> Pro install and there have been no virus infections (just scanned
>>> again with ESET to confirm).
>>>
>>> What can cause a 3D screensaver to start out fine, but "wear down"
>>> over less than an hour - until it is barely moving?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> John
>>>
>>> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>> Not very clever usage of memory ? Like a memory leak ?
>>
>> Paul
>
> How would one go about identifying such a leak and correcting it?
>
> - J
>
>

For system memory, you could open Task Manager and watch the graph for
memory usage. When the screensaver slows to a crawl, break into the
screen, and then immediately look at Task Manager. That is the quickest
thing I can think of. There are probably some utilities around that
could do something similar.

For graphics memory, I don't even know if a leak is a good theory or not.

Paul

'Merchantprince' wrote, in part:
> Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine but
> eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not happened
> before and I cannot determine what is causing it.
_____

You posted this question first on 29MAY08:
"Merchantprince" <spyderman.john@gmail.spam.com> wrote in message
news:75idnUvUF7bSrKPVnZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@ptd.net...
>I have been having an odd problem. After recently ridding my laptop of the
>Virtumond virus, I noticed that my screensavers will only run normally for
>a short period of time (less than an hour) before their animations turn to
>molasses. The screensavers stutter and freeze, like my video card is gimped
>in some way.
..
..
..
and got eleven replies.

Not adding this follow-up question to the original thread makes this a
guessing game, and wastes time. Especially since you now say "this had not
happened before". Is this another computer? Since posted in May that you
had this problem, what gives? A different computer, operator error,
short-term memory problems, or just trolling?

Phil Weldon

"Merchantprince" <spyderman.john@gmail.spam.com> wrote in message
news:4fOdnaRdC6rLkuHVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@ptd.net...
> Dell XPS Gen 2
> NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
> Intel Pentium R 2.13 GHz
> 2 GB RAM
> DirectX 9.0c
>
> Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine but
> eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not happened
> before and I cannot determine what is causing it.
>
> I have updated to the latest version of DirectX and updated my NVIDIA
> drivers to the latest available (v. 175.19). This is a fresh WinXP Pro
> install and there have been no virus infections (just scanned again with
> ESET to confirm).
>
> What can cause a 3D screensaver to start out fine, but "wear down" over
> less than an hour - until it is barely moving?
>
> Thanks,
> John
>
> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>

Phil Weldon wrote:
> 'Merchantprince' wrote, in part:
>> Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine
>> but eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not
>> happened before and I cannot determine what is causing it.
> _____
>
> You posted this question first on 29MAY08:
> "Merchantprince" <spyderman.john@gmail.spam.com> wrote in message
> news:75idnUvUF7bSrKPVnZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@ptd.net...
>> I have been having an odd problem. After recently ridding my laptop of
>> the Virtumond virus, I noticed that my screensavers will only run
>> normally for a short period of time (less than an hour) before their
>> animations turn to molasses. The screensavers stutter and freeze, like
>> my video card is gimped in some way.
> .
> .
> .
> and got eleven replies.
>
> Not adding this follow-up question to the original thread makes this a
> guessing game, and wastes time. Especially since you now say "this had
> not happened before". Is this another computer? Since posted in May
> that you had this problem, what gives? A different computer, operator
> error, short-term memory problems, or just trolling?
>
> Phil Weldon

http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.co...2af0892f563079

Does that mean the original question was asked after an OS reinstall,
or after the attempted virus cleanup (leaving the OS in original state) ?

(OP posts question here also)
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/...howtopic=19591

This popped up, even without entering any details into the search engine.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=133765

"Windows Media Center Edition: Screen Saver stutter"

Cooling issue mentioned here (i.e. temperature related stutter)
http://www.pcekspert.com/articles/print-127.html

If the cooling system wasn't working while the screensaver was
running, that might have something to do with it.

Paul

>
> "Merchantprince" <spyderman.john@gmail.spam.com> wrote in message
> news:4fOdnaRdC6rLkuHVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@ptd.net...
>> Dell XPS Gen 2
>> NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
>> Intel Pentium R 2.13 GHz
>> 2 GB RAM
>> DirectX 9.0c
>>
>> Sometime after reinstalling my OS, all my screensavers start out fine
>> but eventually stutter badly and slow almost to a stop! This had not
>> happened before and I cannot determine what is causing it.
>>
>> I have updated to the latest version of DirectX and updated my NVIDIA
>> drivers to the latest available (v. 175.19). This is a fresh WinXP Pro
>> install and there have been no virus infections (just scanned again
>> with ESET to confirm).
>>
>> What can cause a 3D screensaver to start out fine, but "wear down"
>> over less than an hour - until it is barely moving?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> John
>>
>> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>>
>

Gentlemen, the reason the question has been asked more than once is
because (for one) the situation has changed. I stated I completely
reinstalled the OS after the last viral infection. As it happens, my
attempts to repair what I thought was 'damage' to Windows (by using
System File Checker and a Repair Install of the OS) had no effect since
it would seem that my graphic problems were unrelated to the banished
virus or any defect of the OS.

The second, and most obvious, reason for my posting again is that in
fact the problem was never solved in my prior posts. No one could know
for sure or even recommend a fix. As soon as they heard "virus" all most
would say was "clean and reinstall". Phil, even you suggested a memory
leak but couldn't recommend a fix - should that be the problem.

My post at LaptopVideo2Go has also gone unremarked upon. You can imagine
how frustrating all this must seem.

I am now left to wonder if you may indeed be on to something in regards
the heat. I have noticed over many weeks that the fans on my XPS Gen 2
run far more loudly and frequently than they ever did before. When I
first bought this machine, I often remarked to others how
extraordinarily quiet it was compared to my previous Toshiba laptop.

Earlier today, I was even beginning to think dust was causing heat to
buiild up and considered taking everything apart to look. If the PC
Ekspert team is on to something, that may be the solution to both the 3D
screensaver issues and my fan.

Might scrolling back to that previous 2005 driver you linked to at Dell
be the answer to the overheating? I could swear I ran all these
screensavers in the past with no difficulty. Perhaps it did start when I
first began updating my old drivers to these newer versions...

In summary, I appreciate what you have offered so far. I usually spend
hours scouring the Internet trying to solve my own computer problems,
but this particular issue has me stumped.

-- John
"Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."

Merchantprince wrote:
> Gentlemen, the reason the question has been asked more than once is
> because (for one) the situation has changed. I stated I completely
> reinstalled the OS after the last viral infection. As it happens, my
> attempts to repair what I thought was 'damage' to Windows (by using
> System File Checker and a Repair Install of the OS) had no effect since
> it would seem that my graphic problems were unrelated to the banished
> virus or any defect of the OS.
>
> The second, and most obvious, reason for my posting again is that in
> fact the problem was never solved in my prior posts. No one could know
> for sure or even recommend a fix. As soon as they heard "virus" all most
> would say was "clean and reinstall". Phil, even you suggested a memory
> leak but couldn't recommend a fix - should that be the problem.
>
> My post at LaptopVideo2Go has also gone unremarked upon. You can imagine
> how frustrating all this must seem.
>
> I am now left to wonder if you may indeed be on to something in regards
> the heat. I have noticed over many weeks that the fans on my XPS Gen 2
> run far more loudly and frequently than they ever did before. When I
> first bought this machine, I often remarked to others how
> extraordinarily quiet it was compared to my previous Toshiba laptop.
>
> Earlier today, I was even beginning to think dust was causing heat to
> buiild up and considered taking everything apart to look. If the PC
> Ekspert team is on to something, that may be the solution to both the 3D
> screensaver issues and my fan.
>
> Might scrolling back to that previous 2005 driver you linked to at Dell
> be the answer to the overheating? I could swear I ran all these
> screensavers in the past with no difficulty. Perhaps it did start when I
> first began updating my old drivers to these newer versions...
>
> In summary, I appreciate what you have offered so far. I usually spend
> hours scouring the Internet trying to solve my own computer problems,
> but this particular issue has me stumped.
>
> -- John
> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>

For now, I'd work on the heat and dust theory. Cleaning out the
laptop is at least going to give you a quieter computer, if
nothing else.

Paul

'Merchantprince' wrote, in part:
> Gentlemen, the reason the question has been asked more than once is
> because (for one) the situation has changed. I stated I completely
> reinstalled the OS after the last viral infection. As it happens, my
> attempts to repair what I thought was 'damage' to Windows (by using System
> File Checker and a Repair Install of the OS) had no effect since it would
> seem that my graphic problems were unrelated to the banished virus or any
> defect of the OS.
_____

It is very important to connect ALL the information about a problem. You
don't have a new problem since May, you have the SAME problem, just more
information about it. That is why you should have added your recent post to
the original thread.

Neither I nor anyone else can solve this problem for you via Usenet
postings, especially without complete information. Back in May I suggested
it might be a memory leak, and told you how to find a memory leak. Only you
can use a Microsoft performance tool to find a memory leak.

Have you ever posted the MANUFACTURER and MODEL of your computer? Have you
contacted technical support at the website of the maker of your system?
That would be the most likely source of specific diagnosis and a fix for
your problem.

A complete reinstall does NOT guarantee that malware is not the problem.

If there is indeed a connection between the perceived fan noise and your
'stuttering' problem, then the system manufacturer would be the place to go.
Notebook graphics adapters many times have modifications specifically for
the particular notebook manufacturer and model; for example, clock and
voltage changes depending on graphics demands to reduce power consumption
and consequent heat production. The standard nVidia drivers may not operate
properly with notebook graphic adapters.

Phil Weldon

"Merchantprince" <spyderman.john@gmail.spam.com> wrote in message
news:vOydnZJlHLOnHODVnZ2dnUVZ_j6dnZ2d@ptd.net...
> Gentlemen, the reason the question has been asked more than once is
> because (for one) the situation has changed. I stated I completely
> reinstalled the OS after the last viral infection. As it happens, my
> attempts to repair what I thought was 'damage' to Windows (by using System
> File Checker and a Repair Install of the OS) had no effect since it would
> seem that my graphic problems were unrelated to the banished virus or any
> defect of the OS.
>
> The second, and most obvious, reason for my posting again is that in fact
> the problem was never solved in my prior posts. No one could know for sure
> or even recommend a fix. As soon as they heard "virus" all most would say
> was "clean and reinstall". Phil, even you suggested a memory leak but
> couldn't recommend a fix - should that be the problem.
>
> My post at LaptopVideo2Go has also gone unremarked upon. You can imagine
> how frustrating all this must seem.
>
> I am now left to wonder if you may indeed be on to something in regards
> the heat. I have noticed over many weeks that the fans on my XPS Gen 2 run
> far more loudly and frequently than they ever did before. When I first
> bought this machine, I often remarked to others how extraordinarily quiet
> it was compared to my previous Toshiba laptop.
>
> Earlier today, I was even beginning to think dust was causing heat to
> buiild up and considered taking everything apart to look. If the PC
> Ekspert team is on to something, that may be the solution to both the 3D
> screensaver issues and my fan.
>
> Might scrolling back to that previous 2005 driver you linked to at Dell be
> the answer to the overheating? I could swear I ran all these screensavers
> in the past with no difficulty. Perhaps it did start when I first began
> updating my old drivers to these newer versions...
>
> In summary, I appreciate what you have offered so far. I usually spend
> hours scouring the Internet trying to solve my own computer problems, but
> this particular issue has me stumped.
>
> -- John
> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>

'Paul' wrote:
> For now, I'd work on the heat and dust theory. Cleaning out the
> laptop is at least going to give you a quieter computer, if
> nothing else.
_____

Opening up a laptop is a last resort, AFTER checking with the manufacture's
technical support, and AFTER all other diagnostics.

Phil Weldon


"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:g5k0p7$ssu$1@aioe.org...
> Merchantprince wrote:
>> Gentlemen, the reason the question has been asked more than once is
>> because (for one) the situation has changed. I stated I completely
>> reinstalled the OS after the last viral infection. As it happens, my
>> attempts to repair what I thought was 'damage' to Windows (by using
>> System File Checker and a Repair Install of the OS) had no effect since
>> it would seem that my graphic problems were unrelated to the banished
>> virus or any defect of the OS.
>>
>> The second, and most obvious, reason for my posting again is that in fact
>> the problem was never solved in my prior posts. No one could know for
>> sure or even recommend a fix. As soon as they heard "virus" all most
>> would say was "clean and reinstall". Phil, even you suggested a memory
>> leak but couldn't recommend a fix - should that be the problem.
>>
>> My post at LaptopVideo2Go has also gone unremarked upon. You can imagine
>> how frustrating all this must seem.
>>
>> I am now left to wonder if you may indeed be on to something in regards
>> the heat. I have noticed over many weeks that the fans on my XPS Gen 2
>> run far more loudly and frequently than they ever did before. When I
>> first bought this machine, I often remarked to others how extraordinarily
>> quiet it was compared to my previous Toshiba laptop.
>>
>> Earlier today, I was even beginning to think dust was causing heat to
>> buiild up and considered taking everything apart to look. If the PC
>> Ekspert team is on to something, that may be the solution to both the 3D
>> screensaver issues and my fan.
>>
>> Might scrolling back to that previous 2005 driver you linked to at Dell
>> be the answer to the overheating? I could swear I ran all these
>> screensavers in the past with no difficulty. Perhaps it did start when I
>> first began updating my old drivers to these newer versions...
>>
>> In summary, I appreciate what you have offered so far. I usually spend
>> hours scouring the Internet trying to solve my own computer problems, but
>> this particular issue has me stumped.
>>
>> -- John
>> "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it."
>
> For now, I'd work on the heat and dust theory. Cleaning out the
> laptop is at least going to give you a quieter computer, if
> nothing else.
>
> Paul