I am using XP Home Edition, Build 2600 SP2, fully updated, on an Intel P4
3.2Ghz, with 1Gb of memory. ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. Paging File is
system-managed.
When playing Spider Solitaire from the integral games pack, with an
otherwise blank taskbar, and ONLY when playing Spider, I have been getting
BSOD's, and crashes. Monitoring Task Manager whilst playing, I have found
that at any point while playing the game, CPU usage will suddenly shoot up
from between 0%-20%, up to 40%-55%. Even if at this point I exit the game
completely, CPU usage continues at this level for a while until it climbs
briefly to 100%, at which point Windows shuts down and I get the dreaded
BSOD; DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I have also seen this behaviour
commence AFTER exiting Spider. The only escape is to reboot before CPU usage
climbs to 100%. (Or of course to refrain from playing Spider, but I do not
consider that a fair workaround!)
I have tried copying and renaming Spider, configuring it to work in
compatibility mode for Win 2000, with no improvement.
Short of uninstalling Spider, any ideas, anyone?

Peter T wrote:
> I am using XP Home Edition, Build 2600 SP2, fully updated, on an Intel P4
> 3.2Ghz, with 1Gb of memory. ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. Paging File is
> system-managed.
> When playing Spider Solitaire from the integral games pack, with an
> otherwise blank taskbar, and ONLY when playing Spider, I have been getting
> BSOD's, and crashes. Monitoring Task Manager whilst playing, I have found
> that at any point while playing the game, CPU usage will suddenly shoot up
> from between 0%-20%, up to 40%-55%. Even if at this point I exit the game
> completely, CPU usage continues at this level for a while until it climbs
> briefly to 100%, at which point Windows shuts down and I get the dreaded
> BSOD; DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I have also seen this behaviour
> commence AFTER exiting Spider. The only escape is to reboot before CPU usage
> climbs to 100%. (Or of course to refrain from playing Spider, but I do not
> consider that a fair workaround!)
> I have tried copying and renaming Spider, configuring it to work in
> compatibility mode for Win 2000, with no improvement.
> Short of uninstalling Spider, any ideas, anyone?

Scan for various malware including viruses, trojans, worms, adware and
spyware. These scans normally require multiple utilities. Typical
Antivirus applications don't scan for adware or spyware. Search for
"Spybot Search and Destroy", "Ad Aware", and the Microsoft Anti-Spyware
Beta. Remove any malware the utilities detect.

Make sure a firewall is running whenever you are online, even on dialup.
Firewalls are usually built into routers some use for cable or DSL
access, but you have to make sure you have a seperate router OR
combination router/broadband modem. If you are using a broadband modem
that does not include a firewall you need to use a software firewall.

Open the "Processes" tab on the Windows XP task manager and watch to see
what process is using so many CPU cycles.

Make sure your CPU and video accelerator aren't overheating. Some
computer, motherboard and video accelerator manufacturers either include
tempreture monitoring software with their product or offer the utility
as a download on their web site. Tempreture monitoring functions are
also available from third parties includeing Everest Home Edition from
http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1 . If
you are able to check inside your computer case you can also verify that
the power supply, CPU and any other fans in your computer are spinning.

Run the video and sound accelerator tests in the DirectX Diagnostic
(DXDIAG). Post the test results, DirectX version and driver versions
(sound and video) reported by the diagnostic. After you have run the
tests in the diagnostic you can click the "Save All Information..."
button to creat a log file from which you can use the Windows cut and
paste functions to add the information to future posts. Others with
similar hardware can then compare their driver versions to yours.

"RobertVA" wrote:

> Peter T wrote:
> > I am using XP Home Edition, Build 2600 SP2, fully updated, on an Intel P4
> > 3.2Ghz, with 1Gb of memory. ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. Paging File is
> > system-managed.
> > When playing Spider Solitaire from the integral games pack, with an
> > otherwise blank taskbar, and ONLY when playing Spider, I have been getting
> > BSOD's, and crashes. Monitoring Task Manager whilst playing, I have found
> > that at any point while playing the game, CPU usage will suddenly shoot up
> > from between 0%-20%, up to 40%-55%. Even if at this point I exit the game
> > completely, CPU usage continues at this level for a while until it climbs
> > briefly to 100%, at which point Windows shuts down and I get the dreaded
> > BSOD; DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I have also seen this behaviour
> > commence AFTER exiting Spider. The only escape is to reboot before CPU usage
> > climbs to 100%. (Or of course to refrain from playing Spider, but I do not
> > consider that a fair workaround!)
> > I have tried copying and renaming Spider, configuring it to work in
> > compatibility mode for Win 2000, with no improvement.
> > Short of uninstalling Spider, any ideas, anyone?
>
> Scan for various malware including viruses, trojans, worms, adware and
> spyware. These scans normally require multiple utilities. Typical
> Antivirus applications don't scan for adware or spyware. Search for
> "Spybot Search and Destroy", "Ad Aware", and the Microsoft Anti-Spyware
> Beta. Remove any malware the utilities detect.
>
> Make sure a firewall is running whenever you are online, even on dialup.
> Firewalls are usually built into routers some use for cable or DSL
> access, but you have to make sure you have a seperate router OR
> combination router/broadband modem. If you are using a broadband modem
> that does not include a firewall you need to use a software firewall.
>
> Open the "Processes" tab on the Windows XP task manager and watch to see
> what process is using so many CPU cycles.
>
> Make sure your CPU and video accelerator aren't overheating. Some
> computer, motherboard and video accelerator manufacturers either include
> tempreture monitoring software with their product or offer the utility
> as a download on their web site. Tempreture monitoring functions are
> also available from third parties includeing Everest Home Edition from
> http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1 . If
> you are able to check inside your computer case you can also verify that
> the power supply, CPU and any other fans in your computer are spinning.
>
> Run the video and sound accelerator tests in the DirectX Diagnostic
> (DXDIAG). Post the test results, DirectX version and driver versions
> (sound and video) reported by the diagnostic. After you have run the
> tests in the diagnostic you can click the "Save All Information..."
> button to creat a log file from which you can use the Windows cut and
> paste functions to add the information to future posts. Others with
> similar hardware can then compare their driver versions to yours.
>

"RobertVA" wrote:

> Peter T wrote:
> > I am using XP Home Edition, Build 2600 SP2, fully updated, on an Intel P4
> > 3.2Ghz, with 1Gb of memory. ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. Paging File is
> > system-managed.
> > When playing Spider Solitaire from the integral games pack, with an
> > otherwise blank taskbar, and ONLY when playing Spider, I have been getting
> > BSOD's, and crashes. Monitoring Task Manager whilst playing, I have found
> > that at any point while playing the game, CPU usage will suddenly shoot up
> > from between 0%-20%, up to 40%-55%. Even if at this point I exit the game
> > completely, CPU usage continues at this level for a while until it climbs
> > briefly to 100%, at which point Windows shuts down and I get the dreaded
> > BSOD; DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I have also seen this behaviour
> > commence AFTER exiting Spider. The only escape is to reboot before CPU usage
> > climbs to 100%. (Or of course to refrain from playing Spider, but I do not
> > consider that a fair workaround!)
> > I have tried copying and renaming Spider, configuring it to work in
> > compatibility mode for Win 2000, with no improvement.
> > Short of uninstalling Spider, any ideas, anyone?
>
> Scan for various malware including viruses, trojans, worms, adware and
> spyware. These scans normally require multiple utilities. Typical
> Antivirus applications don't scan for adware or spyware. Search for
> "Spybot Search and Destroy", "Ad Aware", and the Microsoft Anti-Spyware
> Beta. Remove any malware the utilities detect.
>
> Make sure a firewall is running whenever you are online, even on dialup.
> Firewalls are usually built into routers some use for cable or DSL
> access, but you have to make sure you have a seperate router OR
> combination router/broadband modem. If you are using a broadband modem
> that does not include a firewall you need to use a software firewall.
>
> Open the "Processes" tab on the Windows XP task manager and watch to see
> what process is using so many CPU cycles.
>
> Make sure your CPU and video accelerator aren't overheating. Some
> computer, motherboard and video accelerator manufacturers either include
> tempreture monitoring software with their product or offer the utility
> as a download on their web site. Tempreture monitoring functions are
> also available from third parties includeing Everest Home Edition from
> http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1 . If
> you are able to check inside your computer case you can also verify that
> the power supply, CPU and any other fans in your computer are spinning.
>
> Run the video and sound accelerator tests in the DirectX Diagnostic
> (DXDIAG). Post the test results, DirectX version and driver versions
> (sound and video) reported by the diagnostic. After you have run the
> tests in the diagnostic you can click the "Save All Information..."
> button to creat a log file from which you can use the Windows cut and
> paste functions to add the information to future posts. Others with
> similar hardware can then compare their driver versions to yours.
>

Thanks for that RobertVA.
My computer is, as far as my fully-updated security software can report,
free of all known malware, and all unknown malware it can detect
heuristically. My firewall is operating.
When this behaviour commences, Task Manager shows 41 processes. After
quitting Spider, with no applications running, the System Idle Process is the
one using all the CPU cycles - between 97 and 99% - as would be normal, I
think, except for the high total CPU usage.
I have downloaded the Everest program you recommended - thank you.
Something odd here. The Everest software reports that it does not fully
support my ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip. Perhaps that is why the
temperatures it reports are all over the place. It tells me that the
motherboard temperature is at a fairly constant 76-77C (171F), but the CPU
temp is shown as varying wildly and very frequently, on a timescale of only
seconds, at values anywhere between 3C - 41C. There are 3 fans in the
computer case; power supply, the case itself, and of course the CPU. On
inspection, all are spinning at constant and satisfactory speed, so far as I
can tell from the sound. Certainly the air being expelled at each vent seems
fairly cool.
DirectX is ver.9.0c (4.09.0000.0904), all tests reported no problems.
Video card;
Card name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5A41)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5A41&SUBSYS_0A55174B&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6583 (English)
Sound card;
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_5215174B&REV_01
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5750 (English)
I hope this includes all the information you need for now. Thanks.

You have a serious heat problem, your motherboard should not exceed 50
degrees Celsius. Try open the side of your desktop and point a fan at
it. If that helps you know where the problem is.

Peter T wrote:

>"RobertVA" wrote:
>
>
>
>>Peter T wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I am using XP Home Edition, Build 2600 SP2, fully updated, on an Intel P4
>>>3.2Ghz, with 1Gb of memory. ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. Paging File is
>>>system-managed.
>>>When playing Spider Solitaire from the integral games pack, with an
>>>otherwise blank taskbar, and ONLY when playing Spider, I have been getting
>>>BSOD's, and crashes. Monitoring Task Manager whilst playing, I have found
>>>that at any point while playing the game, CPU usage will suddenly shoot up
>>>from between 0%-20%, up to 40%-55%. Even if at this point I exit the game
>>>completely, CPU usage continues at this level for a while until it climbs
>>>briefly to 100%, at which point Windows shuts down and I get the dreaded
>>>BSOD; DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I have also seen this behaviour
>>>commence AFTER exiting Spider. The only escape is to reboot before CPU usage
>>>climbs to 100%. (Or of course to refrain from playing Spider, but I do not
>>>consider that a fair workaround!)
>>>I have tried copying and renaming Spider, configuring it to work in
>>>compatibility mode for Win 2000, with no improvement.
>>>Short of uninstalling Spider, any ideas, anyone?
>>>
>>>
>>Scan for various malware including viruses, trojans, worms, adware and
>>spyware. These scans normally require multiple utilities. Typical
>>Antivirus applications don't scan for adware or spyware. Search for
>>"Spybot Search and Destroy", "Ad Aware", and the Microsoft Anti-Spyware
>>Beta. Remove any malware the utilities detect.
>>
>>Make sure a firewall is running whenever you are online, even on dialup.
>>Firewalls are usually built into routers some use for cable or DSL
>>access, but you have to make sure you have a seperate router OR
>>combination router/broadband modem. If you are using a broadband modem
>>that does not include a firewall you need to use a software firewall.
>>
>>Open the "Processes" tab on the Windows XP task manager and watch to see
>>what process is using so many CPU cycles.
>>
>>Make sure your CPU and video accelerator aren't overheating. Some
>>computer, motherboard and video accelerator manufacturers either include
>>tempreture monitoring software with their product or offer the utility
>>as a download on their web site. Tempreture monitoring functions are
>>also available from third parties includeing Everest Home Edition from
>>http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1 . If
>>you are able to check inside your computer case you can also verify that
>>the power supply, CPU and any other fans in your computer are spinning.
>>
>>Run the video and sound accelerator tests in the DirectX Diagnostic
>>(DXDIAG). Post the test results, DirectX version and driver versions
>>(sound and video) reported by the diagnostic. After you have run the
>>tests in the diagnostic you can click the "Save All Information..."
>>button to creat a log file from which you can use the Windows cut and
>>paste functions to add the information to future posts. Others with
>>similar hardware can then compare their driver versions to yours.
>>
>>
>>
>
>Thanks for that RobertVA.
>My computer is, as far as my fully-updated security software can report,
>free of all known malware, and all unknown malware it can detect
>heuristically. My firewall is operating.
>When this behaviour commences, Task Manager shows 41 processes. After
>quitting Spider, with no applications running, the System Idle Process is the
>one using all the CPU cycles - between 97 and 99% - as would be normal, I
>think, except for the high total CPU usage.
>I have downloaded the Everest program you recommended - thank you.
>Something odd here. The Everest software reports that it does not fully
>support my ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip. Perhaps that is why the
>temperatures it reports are all over the place. It tells me that the
>motherboard temperature is at a fairly constant 76-77C (171F), but the CPU
>temp is shown as varying wildly and very frequently, on a timescale of only
>seconds, at values anywhere between 3C - 41C. There are 3 fans in the
>computer case; power supply, the case itself, and of course the CPU. On
>inspection, all are spinning at constant and satisfactory speed, so far as I
>can tell from the sound. Certainly the air being expelled at each vent seems
>fairly cool.
>DirectX is ver.9.0c (4.09.0000.0904), all tests reported no problems.
>Video card;
> Card name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
> Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
> Chip type: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5A41)
> DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
> Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5A41&SUBSYS_0A55174B&REV_00
> Display Memory: 128.0 MB
> Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
> Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
> Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
> Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
> Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6583 (English)
>Sound card;
> Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
> Default Sound Playback: Yes
> Default Voice Playback: Yes
> Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_5215174B&REV_01
> Manufacturer ID: 1
> Product ID: 100
> Type: WDM
> Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
> Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5750 (English)
>I hope this includes all the information you need for now. Thanks.
>
>



---
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 0547-4, 11/24/2005
Tested on: 11/24/2005 8:15:18 PM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2004 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com

"Thomas Kuck" wrote:

> You have a serious heat problem, your motherboard should not exceed 50
> degrees Celsius. Try open the side of your desktop and point a fan at
> it. If that helps you know where the problem is.
>
> Peter T wrote:
>
> >"RobertVA" wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>Peter T wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I am using XP Home Edition, Build 2600 SP2, fully updated, on an Intel P4
> >>>3.2Ghz, with 1Gb of memory. ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. Paging File is
> >>>system-managed.
> >>>When playing Spider Solitaire from the integral games pack, with an
> >>>otherwise blank taskbar, and ONLY when playing Spider, I have been getting
> >>>BSOD's, and crashes. Monitoring Task Manager whilst playing, I have found
> >>>that at any point while playing the game, CPU usage will suddenly shoot up
> >>>from between 0%-20%, up to 40%-55%. Even if at this point I exit the game
> >>>completely, CPU usage continues at this level for a while until it climbs
> >>>briefly to 100%, at which point Windows shuts down and I get the dreaded
> >>>BSOD; DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I have also seen this behaviour
> >>>commence AFTER exiting Spider. The only escape is to reboot before CPU usage
> >>>climbs to 100%. (Or of course to refrain from playing Spider, but I do not
> >>>consider that a fair workaround!)
> >>>I have tried copying and renaming Spider, configuring it to work in
> >>>compatibility mode for Win 2000, with no improvement.
> >>>Short of uninstalling Spider, any ideas, anyone?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>Scan for various malware including viruses, trojans, worms, adware and
> >>spyware. These scans normally require multiple utilities. Typical
> >>Antivirus applications don't scan for adware or spyware. Search for
> >>"Spybot Search and Destroy", "Ad Aware", and the Microsoft Anti-Spyware
> >>Beta. Remove any malware the utilities detect.
> >>
> >>Make sure a firewall is running whenever you are online, even on dialup.
> >>Firewalls are usually built into routers some use for cable or DSL
> >>access, but you have to make sure you have a seperate router OR
> >>combination router/broadband modem. If you are using a broadband modem
> >>that does not include a firewall you need to use a software firewall.
> >>
> >>Open the "Processes" tab on the Windows XP task manager and watch to see
> >>what process is using so many CPU cycles.
> >>
> >>Make sure your CPU and video accelerator aren't overheating. Some
> >>computer, motherboard and video accelerator manufacturers either include
> >>tempreture monitoring software with their product or offer the utility
> >>as a download on their web site. Tempreture monitoring functions are
> >>also available from third parties includeing Everest Home Edition from
> >>http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1 . If
> >>you are able to check inside your computer case you can also verify that
> >>the power supply, CPU and any other fans in your computer are spinning.
> >>
> >>Run the video and sound accelerator tests in the DirectX Diagnostic
> >>(DXDIAG). Post the test results, DirectX version and driver versions
> >>(sound and video) reported by the diagnostic. After you have run the
> >>tests in the diagnostic you can click the "Save All Information..."
> >>button to creat a log file from which you can use the Windows cut and
> >>paste functions to add the information to future posts. Others with
> >>similar hardware can then compare their driver versions to yours.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Thanks for that RobertVA.
> >My computer is, as far as my fully-updated security software can report,
> >free of all known malware, and all unknown malware it can detect
> >heuristically. My firewall is operating.
> >When this behaviour commences, Task Manager shows 41 processes. After
> >quitting Spider, with no applications running, the System Idle Process is the
> >one using all the CPU cycles - between 97 and 99% - as would be normal, I
> >think, except for the high total CPU usage.
> >I have downloaded the Everest program you recommended - thank you.
> >Something odd here. The Everest software reports that it does not fully
> >support my ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip. Perhaps that is why the
> >temperatures it reports are all over the place. It tells me that the
> >motherboard temperature is at a fairly constant 76-77C (171F), but the CPU
> >temp is shown as varying wildly and very frequently, on a timescale of only
> >seconds, at values anywhere between 3C - 41C. There are 3 fans in the
> >computer case; power supply, the case itself, and of course the CPU. On
> >inspection, all are spinning at constant and satisfactory speed, so far as I
> >can tell from the sound. Certainly the air being expelled at each vent seems
> >fairly cool.
> >DirectX is ver.9.0c (4.09.0000.0904), all tests reported no problems.
> >Video card;
> > Card name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
> > Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
> > Chip type: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5A41)
> > DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
> > Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5A41&SUBSYS_0A55174B&REV_00
> > Display Memory: 128.0 MB
> > Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
> > Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
> > Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
> > Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
> > Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6583 (English)
> >Sound card;
> > Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
> > Default Sound Playback: Yes
> > Default Voice Playback: Yes
> > Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_5215174B&REV_01
> > Manufacturer ID: 1
> > Product ID: 100
> > Type: WDM
> > Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
> > Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5750 (English)
> >I hope this includes all the information you need for now. Thanks.
> >
> >
>
>
>
> ---
> avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
> Virus Database (VPS): 0547-4, 11/24/2005
> Tested on: 11/24/2005 8:15:18 PM
> avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2004 ALWIL Software.
> http://www.avast

Thanks for that suggestion, Thomas. I did try the trick with the fan - not
an iota of difference. As I suspected and as admitted by Everest, their
software does not at present fully support my hardware, so the temps shown
are not to be relied upon, particularly as the CPU temp shown is leaping
about so erratically - If the readings were true, I doubt if the use of dry
ice and a blowtorch could achieve such variation within the timescale it
occurs.

"Peter T" wrote:

>
>
> "Thomas Kuck" wrote:
>
> > You have a serious heat problem, your motherboard should not exceed 50
> > degrees Celsius. Try open the side of your desktop and point a fan at
> > it. If that helps you know where the problem is.
> >
> > Peter T wrote:
> >
> > >"RobertVA" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >>Peter T wrote:
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>>I am using XP Home Edition, Build 2600 SP2, fully updated, on an Intel P4
> > >>>3.2Ghz, with 1Gb of memory. ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. Paging File is
> > >>>system-managed.
> > >>>When playing Spider Solitaire from the integral games pack, with an
> > >>>otherwise blank taskbar, and ONLY when playing Spider, I have been getting
> > >>>BSOD's, and crashes. Monitoring Task Manager whilst playing, I have found
> > >>>that at any point while playing the game, CPU usage will suddenly shoot up
> > >>>from between 0%-20%, up to 40%-55%. Even if at this point I exit the game
> > >>>completely, CPU usage continues at this level for a while until it climbs
> > >>>briefly to 100%, at which point Windows shuts down and I get the dreaded
> > >>>BSOD; DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I have also seen this behaviour
> > >>>commence AFTER exiting Spider. The only escape is to reboot before CPU usage
> > >>>climbs to 100%. (Or of course to refrain from playing Spider, but I do not
> > >>>consider that a fair workaround!)
> > >>>I have tried copying and renaming Spider, configuring it to work in
> > >>>compatibility mode for Win 2000, with no improvement.
> > >>>Short of uninstalling Spider, any ideas, anyone?
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>Scan for various malware including viruses, trojans, worms, adware and
> > >>spyware. These scans normally require multiple utilities. Typical
> > >>Antivirus applications don't scan for adware or spyware. Search for
> > >>"Spybot Search and Destroy", "Ad Aware", and the Microsoft Anti-Spyware
> > >>Beta. Remove any malware the utilities detect.
> > >>
> > >>Make sure a firewall is running whenever you are online, even on dialup.
> > >>Firewalls are usually built into routers some use for cable or DSL
> > >>access, but you have to make sure you have a seperate router OR
> > >>combination router/broadband modem. If you are using a broadband modem
> > >>that does not include a firewall you need to use a software firewall.
> > >>
> > >>Open the "Processes" tab on the Windows XP task manager and watch to see
> > >>what process is using so many CPU cycles.
> > >>
> > >>Make sure your CPU and video accelerator aren't overheating. Some
> > >>computer, motherboard and video accelerator manufacturers either include
> > >>tempreture monitoring software with their product or offer the utility
> > >>as a download on their web site. Tempreture monitoring functions are
> > >>also available from third parties includeing Everest Home Edition from
> > >>http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1 . If
> > >>you are able to check inside your computer case you can also verify that
> > >>the power supply, CPU and any other fans in your computer are spinning.
> > >>
> > >>Run the video and sound accelerator tests in the DirectX Diagnostic
> > >>(DXDIAG). Post the test results, DirectX version and driver versions
> > >>(sound and video) reported by the diagnostic. After you have run the
> > >>tests in the diagnostic you can click the "Save All Information..."
> > >>button to creat a log file from which you can use the Windows cut and
> > >>paste functions to add the information to future posts. Others with
> > >>similar hardware can then compare their driver versions to yours.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >Thanks for that RobertVA.
> > >My computer is, as far as my fully-updated security software can report,
> > >free of all known malware, and all unknown malware it can detect
> > >heuristically. My firewall is operating.
> > >When this behaviour commences, Task Manager shows 41 processes. After
> > >quitting Spider, with no applications running, the System Idle Process is the
> > >one using all the CPU cycles - between 97 and 99% - as would be normal, I
> > >think, except for the high total CPU usage.
> > >I have downloaded the Everest program you recommended - thank you.
> > >Something odd here. The Everest software reports that it does not fully
> > >support my ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip. Perhaps that is why the
> > >temperatures it reports are all over the place. It tells me that the
> > >motherboard temperature is at a fairly constant 76-77C (171F), but the CPU
> > >temp is shown as varying wildly and very frequently, on a timescale of only
> > >seconds, at values anywhere between 3C - 41C. There are 3 fans in the
> > >computer case; power supply, the case itself, and of course the CPU. On
> > >inspection, all are spinning at constant and satisfactory speed, so far as I
> > >can tell from the sound. Certainly the air being expelled at each vent seems
> > >fairly cool.
> > >DirectX is ver.9.0c (4.09.0000.0904), all tests reported no problems.
> > >Video card;
> > > Card name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
> > > Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
> > > Chip type: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5A41)
> > > DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
> > > Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5A41&SUBSYS_0A55174B&REV_00
> > > Display Memory: 128.0 MB
> > > Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
> > > Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
> > > Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
> > > Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
> > > Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6583 (English)
> > >Sound card;
> > > Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
> > > Default Sound Playback: Yes
> > > Default Voice Playback: Yes
> > > Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_5215174B&REV_01
> > > Manufacturer ID: 1
> > > Product ID: 100
> > > Type: WDM
> > > Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
> > > Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5750 (English)
> > >I hope this includes all the information you need for now. Thanks.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---
> > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
> > Virus Database (VPS): 0547-4, 11/24/2005
> > Tested on: 11/24/2005 8:15:18 PM
> > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2004 ALWIL Software.
> > http://www.avast
>
> Thanks for that suggestion, Thomas. I did try the trick with the fan - not
> an iota of difference. As I suspected and as admitted by Everest, their
> software does not at present fully support my hardware, so the temps shown
> are not to be relied upon, particularly as the CPU temp shown is leaping
> about so erratically - If the readings were true, I doubt if the use of dry
> ice and a blowtorch could achieve such variation within the timescale it
> occurs.

Aha...can anyone tell me if this is connected with the observed symptoms?...
In MS Device Manager, under System Devices, is something called ATI SMBus.
On the General tab it says that no driver is loaded, although a driver
version No. is shown on the drivers tab. On the Resources tab, it shows a
conflict with motherboard resources, at I/O range 00400-040F. I have tried to
install a driver from CD, and the installation appeared to proceed on screen,
but it still shows the same conflict and absence of driver as before in
Device Manager.
1) Does ATI SMBus need a driver? If so, why won't it install?
2) Is the I/O conflict important, and the likely cause of my problem with
Spider?
3) If so, how do I cure it?