Undeterminable system slowdown problem

[IndecisveJoe]

I'd estimate for the past two months or so I've been suffering with absolute terrible system slowdown while gaming and I've been unable to trace it to a specific cause. These forums may well be my last and only hope. I'm currently using a laptop as my main machine, a Sony PCG-GRT 170 and I will provide the specifications below, along with a fairly detailed description of my problem.

So far I've only noticed this problem with 3D games since I don't really have anything else to test it with. After a period of time playing, apparently, any 3D game, my system will slow down dramatically for a few minutes... usually no more than two or so, at which point the system seems to be functioning fine again and framerate is restored. I first noticed this with EverQuest, but I've now determined it to be with any game that uses 3D acceleration. Star Wars: KOTOR, Unreal Tournament 2004 Demo, it doesn't matter.

I attempted to fix this problem by installing the latest available drivers for my video card, which unfortunately are only available from Sony and they are, quite frankly, piss poor about keeping updated video drivers. I turned of all unnecessary processes using Windows Task Manager and have attempted running games, but again, the slowdown remains.

My system statistics are as follows:
Pentium 4 2.80 GHz
768 MB of PC2100 DDRRAM
60.0 GB 5400 RPM Hitachi HDD
Sony UW-510A DVD-RW+- Drive
Creative SoundBlaster Extigy (onboard audio provided by SigmaTel Audio device)
NVIDIA GeForceFX go5600 64 MB

I have installed all the latest firmware updates for all hardware and I have the latest drivers available for all my hardware. I have tried a variety of solutions and talked to a ton of different friends who have far greater technical knowledge than myself and yet we all remain stumped. Hopefully someone here can shed some light on the subject...

Some other common problems that might be causing this that we have tried are Power Options in Windows XP; I have everything set to Never turn off since its runs off AC power. I have scanned for the latest spyware and adware with AdAware 6 and I got the most recent profile available for it. I have searched for viruses with Symantec Anti-Virus Corparate Edition. The system is clean. Hopefully someone here can shed some light on this. I'll be happy to repost with any requested information that might lead to a solution to this problem.

 

[LemonHerbWRX]

What is your virtual memory settings like? If you have very low HDD space you may not have a big enough swap file to handle some things, and so your computer is having to work to move things around. Also you should check your laptop vendor's website for diagnostic utilities and run them just to make sure there are no hardware problems. And of course, you could always try a reinstall of everything.

 

[egale]

I wonder if it is slowing down when the system starts to overheat. Once the system cools enough, it cranks itself back up to speed.

 

[LemonHerbWRX]

It seems like to me heat has become a popular scapegoat for PC problems all over the place. While I realise that it is an important factor, and can effect things, I don't think it is as common as people seem to believe.

 

[gurpstar]

look at the post i just left there, ADWARE6 is al boo boo...stay away, could be more , download.com is going to be the death of the internet
Thread