Framerate Issues in Windows Vista

[ThePhoenixKing]

About three weeks ago, I began to notice that the framerate in many of my games was starting to seize up, dropping by a considerable amount for about one to three minutes at a time before returning to normal. Moreover, these games had worked very well in the past, and I had been able to play them for many hours at a time with no problem over the course of several months, but now, every 10-30 mins, the frame-rate drops to a rate that is essentially unplayable.  I'm working on an HP Pavilion p6122f desktop with Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP2, 6 gigs of RAM, and a GeForce 9100 video card built into the motherboard, as well as around 400 gigs free on the hard drive. I've updated the video and sound drivers, defragged, checked for errors, tested the video card, uninstalled and re-installed the drivers, checked for patches for each of the games affected, updated the motherboard and checked for viruses using my ISP's anti-virus program. I've also tried to remove unnecessary programs to free up space and checked to see if any programs or processes were eating up the memory, but no such luck. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem might be, or anything that can help? I'm at my wit's end here, and have tried every option I know on the software side to fix this, aside from re-installing the games or restoring the computer to its factory state.  Every the smallest bit of advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you. If you have any questions or need clarification as well, please let me know.

[1ke]

START >> RUN >> Msconfig

-Startup

-Uncheck lots of boxes, anything that typically opens when needed (like quicktime, adobe, ect.) can be unchecked.

START >> RUN >> Services.msc

-Use this site as a guide

START >> SEARCH >> RECOVERY DISC CREATION

-Make recovery disks

-Backup data

-Use discs

[PhotoOtaku]

You might have already covered these bases, your analysis is pretty thorough:

However, I would check temperatures, and look for spyware again. 

[1ke]

Might want to add dedicated graphics too...

[ThePhoenixKing]

Thanks for all the great info, guys. Talked to HP last night, and they helped me with the MSCONFIG stuff. Not sure if it's going to have an effect or not, as I haven't had the time to thoroughly check it, but hopefully it does so. Checking for spyware is a bit of an issue, my ISP has its own anti-virus/spyware service and it overrides everything else, so if it doesn't show up there, then it doesn't show up. Still, it's something.

And how would I check for temperature (other than sticking a thermometer next to the back of the CPU?)

[PhotoOtaku]

I think one of the most accepted programs is SpeedFan, to monitor temps.

BTW, I have physically monitored temps with an IR heat sensor, something like this:

[ThePhoenixKing]

Okay then, been playing around a bit, and the problem seems to have improved a bit. The major framerate drop appears to be gone in the games that I play, and while it's not perfect or back at the previous standards of acceptability, it's definitely gotten better. I think the MSCONFIG thing did the trick, HP just told me to Disable All, and it seems to have made a difference. I wouldn't call this issue completely fixed or resolved, and I will probably bring it in to my computer store for some repairs and hardware examination, but it's much improved. Thanks again for all the help, guys!

[Big_Dave]

Go to the NVIDIA web site and do an automatic driver update search.  I have seen a number of the HP 6xxx PCs have major issues with the NVIDIA on board chip set.  I wouldn't be surprised if your video chip has been nearly fried.

Try running with the PC open and see if more air helps.

[ThePhoenixKing]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I've updated both the graphics and motherboard drivers using that resource, but the problem hasn't really gone away. I'll see about running the PC open in the next few days as well.

[Derek962002]

wow i am having the exact same issues and i have a nvidia 9500gt graphics card.What is this msconfig thing u mentioned?And by the way i have done all said above ateempts to fix my framerate issue.Strange thing about it is it started when my warranty ended..lol oh and my comp is a hp a6838f pavilion w/6gigs of ram