Still no resolution to dual core problem

[Guest]

Apparently MS is unwilling to deal with this problem. I have been unable to
get a response to my emails and their telephone support will not connect me
with anyone but people who say that they have no authority to resolve this
problem. If MS employees keep turning away reports of bugs in Windows, it is
no wonder that a problem can go on for months or years without a resolution.

The problem is this: a bug fix is need in order for Windows XP Pro to run on
machines with dual core processors without locking up all the time and
slowing down to the point where nothing useful can be done on them. The
average speed of my new, 2.66 Core 2 Duo system with 4 GB of RAM is slower
than the slowest processor on the market at this time with 1/8 the RAM.

This is not the "memory leak" issue, the excessive battery power issue or
the GDI "themes" bug purportedly addressed by previous MS hot fixes.
Basically, what happens is that, Windows allows any service, dll, or
application to erratically and unpredictably hog all CPU cycles so that
nothing else can happen. This results in everything freezing for as much as
10 minutes at a time. Multiply this by every instance when a piece of
software needs CPU time and you can see how this often results in more time
staring at an unmoving screen than actually getting any work done. I did not
pay over $3,000 for a new system to run slower than the slowest computer from
pre-Windows days (and far buggier).

A simple test: Open Task Manager. Then open Windows Help (click "Help and
Support") on the Start menu. When I do this on my 3-year-old Pentium 4 system
(with 1GB of RAM) CPU usage spikes to 100% for no more than a couple of
seconds. Once the Help Window has opened, it CPU usage drops to zero -- or
close to it. If I do the same thing on my dual core system (with 4 GB) of RAM
it will do essentially the same thing. But, as often as not, what will happen
is that both cores will spike at nearly 100% and stay there or keep spiking
to that point for from 5-10 minutes. During this time, both Help and
everything else is unusable. I used Windows Help for this example to
demonstrate that this problem is not limited to third party applications, or
those that use complex features such as streaming audio or video. I also want
to make the point that, if you have only one computer, you can't even get
help while this is happening.

 

[Sharon F]

Apparently MS is unwilling to deal with this problem. I have been unable to
get a response to my emails and their telephone support will not connect me
with anyone but people who say that they have no authority to resolve this
problem. If MS employees keep turning away reports of bugs in Windows, it is
no wonder that a problem can go on for months or years without a resolution.

The problem is this: a bug fix is need in order for Windows XP Pro to run on
machines with dual core processors without locking up all the time and
slowing down to the point where nothing useful can be done on them. The
average speed of my new, 2.66 Core 2 Duo system with 4 GB of RAM is slower
than the slowest processor on the market at this time with 1/8 the RAM.

This is not the "memory leak" issue, the excessive battery power issue or
the GDI "themes" bug purportedly addressed by previous MS hot fixes.
Basically, what happens is that, Windows allows any service, dll, or
application to erratically and unpredictably hog all CPU cycles so that
nothing else can happen. This results in everything freezing for as much as
10 minutes at a time. Multiply this by every instance when a piece of
software needs CPU time and you can see how this often results in more time
staring at an unmoving screen than actually getting any work done. I did not
pay over $3,000 for a new system to run slower than the slowest computer from
pre-Windows days (and far buggier).

A simple test: Open Task Manager. Then open Windows Help (click "Help and
Support") on the Start menu. When I do this on my 3-year-old Pentium 4 system
(with 1GB of RAM) CPU usage spikes to 100% for no more than a couple of
seconds. Once the Help Window has opened, it CPU usage drops to zero -- or
close to it. If I do the same thing on my dual core system (with 4 GB) of RAM
it will do essentially the same thing. But, as often as not, what will happen
is that both cores will spike at nearly 100% and stay there or keep spiking
to that point for from 5-10 minutes. During this time, both Help and
everything else is unusable. I used Windows Help for this example to
demonstrate that this problem is not limited to third party applications, or
those that use complex features such as streaming audio or video. I also want
to make the point that, if you have only one computer, you can't even get
help while this is happening.

I don't see the same results as you. I've been running 64 bit dual core
(AMD) since April. XP x86 and Vista 64 bit both perform without lockups.
Sorry to say, I can't duplicate the results you're seeing.

 

[Guest]

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66, 4GB of RAM, Win XP Pro. We may never know what the
differences are that cause this to happen on my machine no matter how it is
configured and why (other than the fact that you are using a much older AMD
processor) yours is not because MS will not respond to my inquiries and is
apparently not interested in obtaining feedback from those of us that are
having this problem. If you ignore bug reports, how can the bugs ever be
fixed.

 

[Guest]

Need a step by step reply:

1. Goto the Vendor from whom you have brought the computer and ask him if he
can resolve the issue or give you some hint if it is a hardware or software
(windows) problem.

2. Secondly, check your BIOS settings. There might be some advance feature
for Core 2 Duo Processor. Like enabling / disabling Hypher Threading. Try
changing those options and see if they helps you. You must know that "How to
reset BIOS?" in case something goes wrong with your settings.

3. Was Windows XP previously installed on your system?
4. Do you have a CD of Windows XP? Have you tried to clean reinstall Windows?
5. Have you tried running in Windows in Safe Mode? Some unsigned drivers or
other application may cause the Windows to run slower.
6. Is your computer behaving like this from birth? Why you didn't notice on
that time and ask your vendor or it starts happening after sometime?
7. Have you assembled it yourself? If yes, then do HDD and CD drive both
installed on one data cable? If yes then temporarily unplug your CD drive and
see if it helps.
8. Have you checked your motherboard configuration? That how much and which
processor and how much RAM amount it can support?
9. How many RAM cards are there for 4GB? If more than one then try reducing
the RAM and see if it helps?

Maybe that is all for the day. Try this carefully and see if any of them
helps you. Let us know point by point replies.

 

[needlove]

I could have built you you an AMD platform PC that surpasses Intel in every
respect for 2 grand with a nvidia duel core graphics card to boot. Check
theses specs: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6389077-1.html?tag=hed

Intel CPUs are way over priced and do not have onboard memory controllers.
Your problem sounds like a BIOS setting is wrong somewhere.

 

[Guest]

1. Goto the Vendor from whom you have brought the computer and ask him if he

can resolve the issue or give you some hint if it is a hardware or software
(windows) problem.

I have been dealing with the manufacturer (vendor) since receiving this
machine more than a month ago. He says that Microsoft is not responding to
his requests for assistance. Neither is Intel. (I believe him because these
companies are not responding to me either.) The only remaining course of
action is for him to take back the machine and reassemble it, piece by piece,
swapping out components, drivers and software one at a time to try to find
which is causing the problem -- He has done this once all ready. That's why I
think it is a bug in Win XP Pro -- and why I think MS and Intel are not
responding.

2. Secondly, check your BIOS settings. There might be some advance feature
for Core 2 Duo Processor. Like enabling / disabling Hypher Threading. Try
changing those options and see if they helps you. You must know that "How to
reset BIOS?" in case something goes wrong with your settings.

There is only one BIOS setting -- to use both cores or only one. The same
problem occurs with only one core enabled. I updated the BIOS yesterday. It
has not made a difference and Intel's lengthly list of fixes to the BIOS do
not include any mention of attempting to remedy this problem (which has been
repeatedly reported to their company.)

3. Was Windows XP previously installed on your system?

Windows XP Professional SP2 is the first and only OS installed on this
system, manually, by the manufacturer. It has not been reinstalled. I have
applied all updates recommended by MS Update.

4. Do you have a CD of Windows XP? Have you tried to clean reinstall Windows?

No. There is no point. This was all done correctly the first time. There is
nothing that I would do differently in re-installing it.

5. Have you tried running in Windows in Safe Mode? Some unsigned drivers or
other application may cause the Windows to run slower.

I cannot run the audio and video editing applications that this computer was
designed to run in safe mode.

6. Is your computer behaving like this from birth? Why you didn't notice on
that time and ask your vendor or it starts happening after sometime?

It started as soon as I received the machine and it has gotten steadily worse.

7. Have you assembled it yourself? If yes, then do HDD and CD drive both
installed on one data cable? If yes then temporarily unplug your CD drive and
see if it helps.

No. This was assembled by a company that specializes in building machines
for recording studios. Only the highest quality components were used,
selected for speed, quiet, robustness and reliablity.

8. Have you checked your motherboard configuration? That how much and which
processor and how much RAM amount it can support?

It has 4GB of RAM which is the maximum than XP Pro will allow. The
motherboard is Intel's DP965LT which is intended for dual core processors. We
are getting no help from Intel on this.

9. How many RAM cards are there for 4GB? If more than one then try reducing
the RAM and see if it helps?

There are two banks of 2 DIMMs each (4 modules total). The same problems
occur with one bank (2GB of RAM) installed as with two banks (4GB of RAM)
installed.

Maybe that is all for the day. Try this carefully and see if any of them
helps you. Let us know point by point replies.

We have tried all this stuff before. The manufacuter is stumpped and my
impression is that Intel and MS are as well -- or they know and just don't
want to admit it. But this is not getting resolved by their failure to
respond. All they are doing is making everyone upset and frustrated.

I note that there are many posts throughout the web, on this forum and
others, describing similar problems with dual core processors. The only posts
from Mac users with dual core Intel processors that I have seen so far are
from users that are trying to run Windows on it. Clearly, this seems to be a
problem with Windows running with dual cores. They will have to solve this
problem or they will not be allowed to continue marketing it as compatible.
Delaying a resolution and refusing to respond do nothing but discourage users
from buying Intel or Windows. I have had so many clients switch to Macs in
the last couple of years it isn't funny. And people go out of there way to
ask for non-intel processors these days. You would think that both companies
would not want to do further damage to their reputations, but there it is.
They keep giving us reasons to switch. IBM had this type of attitude when it
dominated the pc market and look where it is today.

 

[Thomas Wendell]

Not since Intel Core 2 Duo camo out...

I could have built you you an AMD platform PC that surpasses Intel in
every respect for 2 grand with a nvidia duel core graphics card to
boot. Check theses specs:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6389077-1.html?tag=hed
Intel CPUs are way over priced and do not have onboard memory
controllers. Your problem sounds like a BIOS setting is wrong
somewhere.

--
Tumppi
=================================
A lot learned from these newsgroups
Helsinki, FINLAND
(translations from/to FI not always accurate
=================================

 

[Robert Moir]

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66, 4GB of RAM, Win XP Pro. We may never know what
the differences are that cause this to happen on my machine no matter
how it is configured and why (other than the fact that you are using
a much older AMD processor) yours is not because MS will not respond
to my inquiries and is apparently not interested in obtaining
feedback from those of us that are having this problem. If you ignore
bug reports, how can the bugs ever be fixed.

Can't repro this on a Core 2 Duo e6400 running XP Pro, either. Both cores
spiked at about 25% the first time I ran the help centre and haven't even
done that much on subsequent runs.

Have you considered this might not be a bug in Windows itself, but possibly
a driver issue or something like that?

 

[Robert Moir]

I could have built you you an AMD platform PC that surpasses Intel in
every respect for 2 grand with a nvidia duel core graphics card to
boot. Check theses specs:

And how does fanboi BS help solve this problem? Free clue: IT DOESN'T!

 

[needlove]

Could it be an "interrupt storm" or "live lock"? See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrupt_storm

You can check your deferred procedure calls and interrupts under System
Idle Process by downloading Process Explorer from Sysinternals and running
it. Maybe new hardware or new drivers causing it?


| needlove wrote:
| > I could have built you you an AMD platform PC that surpasses Intel in
| > every respect for 2 grand with a nvidia duel core graphics card to
| > boot. Check theses specs:
|
| And how does fanboi BS help solve this problem? Free clue: IT DOESN'T!
|
|