Video from net or CD/DVD player freezes and buffers after a shot while.

[rogerb]

Thanks BeeCeeBee. All backed up and am trying to find my Windows XP valiadation code before tackling the "restore to factory setting."

[BeeCeeBee]

If its a laptop it should be on a sticker on the bottom of the machine.

[rogerb]

Sorry for delay in coming back. Took some time to backup, recover key numbers, restore factory settings and get connected again. Has not resolved the problem with video from CD freezing etc but downloads from You tube now seem OK with little CPU usage when they are being run.

 

Still getting high CPU usage when CD is running and freezing. CD's themselves with video seem to take c 50% of CPU usage but now not showing high "services.exe" usage at time of "freezing". just "system idle" taking the bulk of the rest of CPU usage % .

 

I havn't re-installed iTunes yet so can't try downloaded vids from them at the moment.

 

Is this suggesting CD hardware drive is faulty? What else can I try?

[rogerb]

Just seen reference on another thread to high and spiked CPU usage caused by cooling fan and wonder if this might provide a clue to my problem.

 

My laptop is 4 years old and is turned on most of the time. The fan runs a lot of the time and the machine is quite hot most of the time.

 

I didn't realise the fan would effect CPU usage but if it does could this explain why I get the freezing on video from CD? When playing video the CPU usage from the CD player is c 50% - could the spike in CPU usage caused by the fan take up the hearoom and cause the problem? When watching fron YouTube the usage by explorer is much lower and would give more headroom when the fan kicks in so CPU is not "maxed out". - Just novice's guess!!

[BeeCeeBee]

As this is thread number 55 I do knot know if this has been asked and answered already. It is far easier to simply ask again. Has there ever been a time when you removed the heatsink from the cpu even just to clean it?

[rogerb]

No I have never touched the heatsink/fan etc and the fan runs most of the time!!

[BeeCeeBee]

The fan runs a lot of the time and the machine is quite hot most of the time.

 

Laptops do that Roger. The thing is the high cpu usage seems to only be related to the use of the optical drive. I take it that all other issues in this regard are gone, is that correct?

 

If so, it may be prudent to try another drive. Even an external one to see if you get the same result. It would be a shame to format your drive and go to all that trouble only to find it was a hardware issue all along.

 

Unfortunately the reverse is also true if you go out and buy a new drive.

[rogerb]

I'm holding my breath and hoping now. The problem seems to be solved - at the moment. just wonder if the apparent cause and solution surprises people.

 

I backed every thing up and worked through the restore to factory settings and then re-installing the basic programs and driver updates etc. No difference at all and the problem still persisted. Tried the get to the fans to clear and clean dust etc but I was not brave enough to dismantle as much as seemed necessary to get access so gave up and resorted to a brush and strong vacuum of the air vents surrounding the fans.

 

Result = at the moment video from the CD Drive works perfectly no other issues with the operation of the laptop. The machine is running noticeably cooler with fans cutting in far less frequently.

 

Seems like overheating was causing the problem and causing high CPU usage - or do you think I have inadvertantly done something during my efforts to dismantle and re assemble (coincidentally) to cure?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Roger, from my much earlier post I have been watching this thread with interest to at least improve my knowledge, so I am probably as surprised as yourself that overheating was the simple problem, and cure. However you do say it is over four years old and constantly in use, so it is no surprise that it was full of dust.

Laptops are difficult to open up any way as you found out, but I hesitate at the use of a vacuum cleaner, the suction is quite strong and could pull something loose being the worse case, but also they can create high levels of static which could do even worse damage.

In future I would recommend just a low volume of compressed air from one of those air cans and a soft non nylon brush.

[rogerb]

Hi Plastic Nev, Sounds like I might have just struck lucky. Will take your advice re the vacuum cleaner etc in future. All still running fine at the moment - will post again if the problem recurs.

 

I appreciate the support from all of you.