7 x86. CPU usage 100% when playing video with old rig

Hi again, well I got new problem when trying seven x86 on an old rig I have. This pc is composed by abit nf7s v2.0 fsb 200, athlon tbred @ 2.0 ghz (200*10), 1gb RAM (1 512 stick burned), seagate sata hdd, nvidia 6800, ...

Well I´ve tried with some players (wmp, bsplayer, wmclassic) with same result, each time I load any divx, xvid, ... my cpu goes up to 100% and stays flying on there when with same hardware on xp doesn´t reach 20% with any file.

All the drivers seems to be properly installed, windows update updated some of them, audio, smbus, sataraid,...

Using 186.18 for 6800, tested 190.38 too, but same result.

I dunno wth can be happening here but is weird cos with xp I can even downclock both cpu and gpu with that 20% usage while playing any film.

I´ve been reading for long, and I think this can be caused for the nvidia drivers, it seems like all the work is done by the cpu while the gpu is smoking a cigarette xD.

This rig is used mainly for divx and surfing attached to my TV, so if I can´t solve this isue I will have to go back to XP.

What would you test guys before throwing the towel and going back to XP?

Thanks in advance. Regards.

You don't happen to be running SpywareBlaster, Ad-Aware (beta) or Microsoft Security Essentials (beta) do you?

I have seen this issue on both x86 and x64 RTM.

Microsoft Security Essentials (beta) is fine, but as soon as I install SpywareBlaster and/or Ad-Aware (beta) I immediately get the 100% CPU issue and frequent Windows Explorer crashes.

Just a thought.

R

Could you open task manager and tell us what app/service is pining the cpu?

Ken

I tried this when it happened to me Ken, only to discover that there was basically nothing using any (or at least a notable amount of) CPU cycles at all.

Still, it's certainly worth checking.

I would also make sure you are running the very latest drivers (from NVIDIA and the like, not WU), and maybe update your Codec package, I've always found the Win7codecs package to be perfect.

Dazeon said:

I tried this when it happened to me Ken, only to discover that there was basically nothing using any (or at least a notable amount of) CPU cycles at all.

Still, it's certainly worth checking.

I would also make sure you are running the very latest drivers (from NVIDIA and the like, not WU), and maybe update your Codec package, I've always found the Win7codecs package to be perfect.

Click to expand...

If your HD light is churning (constantly on) something has to be eating cpu cycles

ken

Dazeon said:

You don't happen to be running SpywareBlaster, Ad-Aware (beta) or Microsoft Security Essentials (beta) do you?

I have seen this issue on both x86 and x64 RTM.

Microsoft Security Essentials (beta) is fine, but as soon as I install SpywareBlaster and/or Ad-Aware (beta) I immediately get the 100% CPU issue and frequent Windows Explorer crashes.

Just a thought.

Click to expand...

No, atm I have a clean install of RTM x86, any of those programs are installed, but was an idea.

zigzag3143 said:

R

Could you open task manager and tell us what app/service is pining the cpu?

Ken

Click to expand...

Well, the process who leachs the cpu is the player itself, bsplayer.exe, wmp.exe, ...

Dazeon said:

I tried this when it happened to me Ken, only to discover that there was basically nothing using any (or at least a notable amount of) CPU cycles at all.

Still, it's certainly worth checking.

I would also make sure you are running the very latest drivers (from NVIDIA and the like, not WU), and maybe update your Codec package, I've always found the Win7codecs package to be perfect.

Click to expand...

I´ve tried with the last whql for the nvidia 6800 and other older but happens the same. About the other really dunno wich one to install, cos this chipset is quite old and isn´t supported now for nvidia (it´s a shame). WU updated the sataraid, smbus, pci, wifi card and audio. The rest are the RTM defaults.

Hmm, I haven´t tried thw win7codecs package. Are these?

When it happened to me the HD light was more or less static, it was very weird. I do agree though, that would and should be the norm.

Yeah, that's the correct link mate, if I were you I would uninstall every player/codec/package that you have installed yourself.

This would leave you with WMP, which I am not saying use, but it's always better to start from scratch.

I would then install the Win7codecs package and VLC media player, in that order.

VLC media player - Open Source Multimedia Framework and Player

Maybe give that a go?

In my experience WMP will play anything I throw at it, and well, with that codec package installed. The odd time I find something that doesn't play, it's a knocking bet that VLC will play it.

Installed win7codec pack but still the same.

Which build of Windows 7 x86 are you using by the way?

Have you checked your ISO/source files and made sure that you haven't got a bad burn?

Hehe, yeah, my iso was checked and it´s the correct one .

Can´t believe it but with vlc the cpu usage is normal like in XP!

Why can happen this? On my main rig all works fine with any player. With this one just VLC works correctly?

Thanks, thanks.

I'm really not sure my friend, maybe one of the other media players calls on a different codec or file that is causing the issue?

I found this on another forum:

I had an issue with ffdshow_beta6_rev2527 on my P4 was at a 100% CPU all the time.

Installed CoreAVC pro, disabled codecs for H.264 in ffdshow and now CPU is on 4% - 10% usage like normal.

Also my PC can now playback 720p MKV files with DTS with very little frame drops in Media Center.
1080p is too much for it still but considering its a AGP 8x Video Card I dont think I can complain.

Click to expand...

If you go to 'Shark007 Codecs' in the Start Menu and Right-Click on 'Settings Application' and choose Run as Administrator.

Once it loads have a look under the H264 tab, there is an option in there to disable FFDshow for that codec. You could experiment with that?

Otherwise, if you're happy with VLC, then all is good.

I´ve been testing that about H264 but still the same issue, just works fine VLC. I´m not happy with just VLC, I would like all players work fine, but hey, this is a good begin, I was thinking about going back to XP till I´ve posted here. I will give to seven another chance with this rig and will go trying things to resolve this issue.

Thanks for the help!

No, I agree, I wouldn't be either. It's always better to try and get to the bottom of these things.

I could never go back to XP!

Anytime mate, and best of luck.

I was just thinking, maybe it could be your soundcard?

When you're playing a video file the media player is going to make calls to that also...

Might be worth checking your drivers for that?

Hehe, XP still good SO, many people using it, but seven is much better, that´s obvious atm.

I´m almost sure this is driver related and I think finally will resolve it, but who knows when.

I will see now some film I have over here to check all really goes fine with VLC.

Same for you mate, best of luck. Regards.

Dazeon said:

I was just thinking, maybe it could be your soundcard?

When you're playing a video file the media player is going to make calls to that also...

Might be worth checking your drivers for that?

Click to expand...

Yeah, thought that too, and disabled driver but still the same. I will disabled it from BIOS and will check.

Nah, disabled sound in BIOS and still the same, just VLC working.

Well, time to see one Fringe episode. If someone has some idea I will try it and reply asap. Thanks again. Night.