FS Slowwwwdown

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Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

I've finally got a graphics card that can run FS2004 at any decent rate (Nvidia 7600GS, however I am finding that there is a sporadic slow down when ever I've been testing it out.

The frame rate is going from 30-40, dipping to around the 8fps level for 30 seconds, then returning to normal. Starting to get a bit annoying. Does anyone have even a vague idea what this is...please? :D

Original post

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 1,381

What processor and RAM has your computer got?

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Intel D820 2.8GHz and 1 gig Ram.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Murph

Have you got the latest drivers for the card? you can get them from the NVidia website, also turn off VSync in your display settings, set your target frame rate in Flight Sim to about 20-25, you shouldn't need any more than this.
Also try having all the sliders about ½ way then increase them, and what resolution are you trying to run flight sim at?

Member for

17 years 1 month

Posts: 6

Hi everyone!

I am new here. Thanks to the administrator for such a nice forum!

I am running a Core 2 Duo 2.66 (would overclock, but under warranty), Windows Vista home premium, 2 GB ram, Nvidia 7900 GS (didn't know enough about video cards when I ordered to get the best I could afford), 250 GB 7200 rpm hardrive, 22" digital widescreen flat panel (1680X1050, 800:1, 5ms), and Extreme X-Fi sound card. I was told to not bother with FSX with this video card unless I wanted to keep it turned down halfway, so I got FS 2004 and Combat FS 3. I have them both turned up all the way on all settings, resolution turned up all the way to 1680X1050 and they are clear with no stutters and smooth lines and as realistic as it can get. The sound is absolutely awesome! I have decided the heck with upgrading, this is good enough for me!!!

How do I take a screen shot?

:) :) :)

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Charming, thread hijack.

Just tested out a theory. Even with the sliders on MINIMUM there is still a slowdown sporradically.

I cant think what the issue is since putting the new card in :mad:

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Murph

Have you checked to see whether you have spyware? even if you have run a spyware program it may not have detected the most viscious, if you press CTRL ALT DEL to bring up the task manager, then hit "processes", then hit "username" to list the applications in alphabetical order, make sure the name of your PC i.e. Murph etc is listed together, take a screenie and post here, sounds like spyware to me.

Dean

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Here we goes.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2614/systemyi6.th.jpg

Like I say, the problem has only been since sticking the 7600GS in it but I've system restored as early as I could as well.

Appreciate the help deano!

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

I'll check out what you have running with my special "exe" URL :D

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Your what now? :D

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7987/screen1uu6.th.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/897/screen2ve7.th.jpg

Thats the whole process tree for you.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Bear with me mate, this is taking a while ;)

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

OK Murph

Mate, you have a serious amount of programs running in the background, now it "may" not be the issue, but it cannot help.
Each one of these can be shut down, I'll give a description of what they are too.

SMax4.exe - Sound tray
smax4pnp.exe - Sound tray again
Jusched.exe - Java Runtime
PDVDServ.exe - Power DVD remote
PCMService.exe - Cyberlink Service
ehtray.exe - Microsoft Media Centre
rapimgr.exe - Microsoft Activesync
Wcescomm.exe - Microsoft Activesync again
CTDetect.exe - Auto detects and plays DVDs
LVCOMSX.exe - Logitech QuickCam Driver
ctfmon.exe - Language Bar
rundll32.exe - Not needed, close it
MDM.exe - Microsoft debug manager
ehSched.exe - Media Centre Scheduler
CLMLService.exe - Cyberlink Service
CLMLServer.exe - Cyberlink Service again
CTSVCCDA.exe - Creative Auto CD detect
CLSched.exe - Cyberpower Systems

And this baby..........

LEXPPS.exe - Lexmark Printer port scanner

This one has been cited as giving people the most problems with their PCs, let me list what is written about it

Lexmark Printer Port Scanner. Background task which auto-loads with the rest of the printer drivers and which allows your Lexmark X or Z Series to be shared over a Windows peer-to-peer network using the conventional method of setting up a shared networked printer (without it, you will not be able to share the printer using the conventional Windows method).

Recommendation :
This task is a comprehensive nightmare. From preventing your PC from booting up, to interfering with your network card, to asking your Internet firewall for permission to install itself as a server application, to general PC instability, this task has everything to make you instantly return your Lexmark X or Z Series printer and go for something else, and some users have done so !! In order to regain your sanity the first thing to do is to rename LEXPPS.EXE to LEXPPS.EXE.OLD (do it in Safe Mode if you cannot boot your PC normally) – this will ensure that this task never loads and will cure all the problems that it causes. If you need to network the printer over a peer to peer network, do not use the standard manner, instead install the printer as a local printer on the remote PC, and then go and change the port from a local port to the network share that the printer is known as.

The other thing I have noticed is that you have AVG Antivirus running? at the same time as Zone Alarm? mate this is not a good combination if your ZA is more than a firewall, try closing one of them down, preferably Zone Alarm.
I'd also recommend running Disk Defrag, then reboot, shut the programs down that I listed, then boot flight sim and then have a look.

Another thing just to worry you, the following applications can be disguised as a Trojan, namely the top 2.

lsass.exe
rundll.exe
csrss.exe
CLMLServer.exe

We'll look at these if the rest does not work.

Can you confirm anything "Logitech" on your PC? also can you confirm you have THE latest video AND Sound Card Drivers available?

Dean

Member for

17 years 1 month

Posts: 6

Sorry.

Didn't mean to 'hijack' the thread. I was just looking for some help, and this thread seemed most relevant. No need for rudeness. If you don't wanna help a newbie, fine with me. Cheers.

:cool:

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Apologies 'hippie' you caught me on a bad day where my computer nearly took a trip outside via the window.:D

Deano: Cheers mate I can see from that I definately do have a load of crap. Your help is appreciated. What I'm thinking of doing is getting it reset to factory settings and starting a-fresh with it, then removing any of the processes you've listed.

If your ever in Coventry, shout up and I'll sort out a pint :)

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

The mystery continues.

Reset the computer to factory settings, first thing I installed after the latest drivers was FS2004 and I still have the same problem. Now I'm at a loss as to what it is.

Edit: Erm, I may just have this now...but I need someone to answer a question.

I have a PCI-E card, is disabling AGP texture acceleration in DXDIAG going to make a difference? My flight sim FPS seems to have stabalised alot more.

Edit 2: This is driving me nuts but I think I'm slowly getting closer. One for the hardware guys out there.

For the Nvidia 7600GS/GT the manual states that a minimum 300W supply is needed. I went to computer shop and asked for 350 to be safe However now when I look at the label I do notice it has two power ratings:

Max: 255W
Peak: 350W

Could this be the cause of my slowdown, that the PSU is unable to sustain the required power for the card+everything else?

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 232

Unlikely.

Under what circumstances do you experiance the 'slow down' ? If it's at certain altitudes or as you turn towards an airport or dense scenery area then it's probably a perfectly normal slow down.

What (exactly) are you FS2004 display settings set to ?

Bruce

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Murph

Can you clarify this info for me please.


Can you confirm anything "Logitech" on your PC? also can you confirm you have THE latest video AND Sound Card Drivers available?

Dean

Also, do you run FS in full screen or in Window mode? whichever it is try the opposite, because if this seems to make it better this could reveal a few things about your system

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Well:

It is the most up to date graphics and sound drivers. The slowdown occurs even at minimal graphics so I don't think it's a case of "where I'm flying." I'm no mug, this occurs even out to see as it was.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Murph, have you tried shutting down the exe's I listed? as well as the Zone Alarm? and also have you changed your flightsim screen setting from window to full or visa versa?
If so then there are a couple more things I want you to try, I'll type them out tomorrow

Dean

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Yes mate, im running a PC with no other extra programs on it now. I formatted my hard drive and installed FS2004 first. All the processes shut down, 1440x900x32 resolution, or any resolution to be honest, still has the same frame rate drop.

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 546

Murph, have you tried shutting down the exe's I listed? as well as the Zone Alarm? and also have you changed your flightsim screen setting from window to full or visa versa?
If so then there are a couple more things I want you to try, I'll type them out tomorrow

Dean

Happens both in full screen and windowed mode. Have used enditall to kill all non essential processes taking the list down to about 25. I've even now removed the graphics card to test out the on-board video and it now has the same problem.