From: General Mailbox on
Greetings.
I have a 10yr old HP8705 800Mhz CPU, 512MB RAM that has slowed down
noticeably in opening programs, ect. I have been using this computer
consistantly on the ballpark of 6hrs a day for 10 yrs. You can count on two
hands any significant issues I've had with this and less than a dozen
warnings of viruses in its life so far. Processes at fresh bootup run
between 28 and 34. I have these MS newsgroups to thank for these 10yrs of
helping me keep the machine running well. It had to happen sometime I
suppose. Something is giving out causing memory access to fall below
average benchmark levels. All 3 DIMMs were changed out in guessing it might
be one or more of the memory chips, but did not change anything. My CPU is
showing 797MHz (800Mhz) (6x133), so that hasn't slowed down. In my opinion,
the temperature has always been a bit elevated for the CPU (114F avg) never
exceeding 120F. My readings from Everest Report is:
Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 3

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium IIIE, 800 MHz (6 x 133)
Motherboard Name Asus Pegasus
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT82C694X Apollo Pro133A
System Memory 512 MB (SDRAM)

Memory Read
CPU CPU Clock Motherboard Chipset Memory Read Speed

PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
840 MB/s
for what I think it should be to
PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
281 MB/s
which is what it is now.

Memory Write
PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
190 MB/s
for what I thik it should be to
PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
93 MB/s

which is what it is now.

Memory Latency
C3 800 MHz VIA EPIA PLE133 PC133 SDRAM 3-3-3-6 178.5
ns

for what I think it should be to
PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
2-2-2-5 343.1 ns

which is what it is now.

While it has been recommended by MS for WinXP to have a better machine, this
has done sufficient for me with e-mail and web browsing.
I say this to save time in anyone who would write "Get a new machine",
unless in this case there is no cure for it, then I would.

Thanks to all for your assistance!

B.rgds,
Kevin


From: Bob I on
It may be that the Hard drive access has reverted to PIO mode rather
than using DMA. Look at the IDE Primary Channel Properties in Device
Manager. If it has fallen back to PIO remove the channel and then "Scan
for hardware" to reinstall using DMA access.

General Mailbox wrote:
> Greetings.
> I have a 10yr old HP8705 800Mhz CPU, 512MB RAM that has slowed down
> noticeably in opening programs, ect. I have been using this computer
> consistantly on the ballpark of 6hrs a day for 10 yrs. You can count on two
> hands any significant issues I've had with this and less than a dozen
> warnings of viruses in its life so far. Processes at fresh bootup run
> between 28 and 34. I have these MS newsgroups to thank for these 10yrs of
> helping me keep the machine running well. It had to happen sometime I
> suppose. Something is giving out causing memory access to fall below
> average benchmark levels. All 3 DIMMs were changed out in guessing it might
> be one or more of the memory chips, but did not change anything. My CPU is
> showing 797MHz (800Mhz) (6x133), so that hasn't slowed down. In my opinion,
> the temperature has always been a bit elevated for the CPU (114F avg) never
> exceeding 120F. My readings from Everest Report is:
> Computer:
> Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
> OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
>
> Motherboard:
> CPU Type Intel Pentium IIIE, 800 MHz (6 x 133)
> Motherboard Name Asus Pegasus
> Motherboard Chipset VIA VT82C694X Apollo Pro133A
> System Memory 512 MB (SDRAM)
>
> Memory Read
> CPU CPU Clock Motherboard Chipset Memory Read Speed
>
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 840 MB/s
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 281 MB/s
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Write
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 190 MB/s
> for what I thik it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 93 MB/s
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Latency
> C3 800 MHz VIA EPIA PLE133 PC133 SDRAM 3-3-3-6 178.5
> ns
>
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 2-2-2-5 343.1 ns
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> While it has been recommended by MS for WinXP to have a better machine, this
> has done sufficient for me with e-mail and web browsing.
> I say this to save time in anyone who would write "Get a new machine",
> unless in this case there is no cure for it, then I would.
>
> Thanks to all for your assistance!
>
> B.rgds,
> Kevin
>
>

From: Paul on
General Mailbox wrote:
> Greetings.
> I have a 10yr old HP8705 800Mhz CPU, 512MB RAM that has slowed down
> noticeably in opening programs, ect. I have been using this computer
> consistantly on the ballpark of 6hrs a day for 10 yrs. You can count on two
> hands any significant issues I've had with this and less than a dozen
> warnings of viruses in its life so far. Processes at fresh bootup run
> between 28 and 34. I have these MS newsgroups to thank for these 10yrs of
> helping me keep the machine running well. It had to happen sometime I
> suppose. Something is giving out causing memory access to fall below
> average benchmark levels. All 3 DIMMs were changed out in guessing it might
> be one or more of the memory chips, but did not change anything. My CPU is
> showing 797MHz (800Mhz) (6x133), so that hasn't slowed down. In my opinion,
> the temperature has always been a bit elevated for the CPU (114F avg) never
> exceeding 120F. My readings from Everest Report is:
> Computer:
> Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
> OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
>
> Motherboard:
> CPU Type Intel Pentium IIIE, 800 MHz (6 x 133)
> Motherboard Name Asus Pegasus
> Motherboard Chipset VIA VT82C694X Apollo Pro133A
> System Memory 512 MB (SDRAM)
>
> Memory Read
> CPU CPU Clock Motherboard Chipset Memory Read Speed
>
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 840 MB/s
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 281 MB/s
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Write
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 190 MB/s
> for what I thik it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 93 MB/s
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Latency
> C3 800 MHz VIA EPIA PLE133 PC133 SDRAM 3-3-3-6 178.5
> ns
>
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 2-2-2-5 343.1 ns
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> While it has been recommended by MS for WinXP to have a better machine, this
> has done sufficient for me with e-mail and web browsing.
> I say this to save time in anyone who would write "Get a new machine",
> unless in this case there is no cure for it, then I would.
>
> Thanks to all for your assistance!
>
> B.rgds,
> Kevin
>
>

Use CPUZ to verify the current operating conditions.
See if the frequencies listed are correct or not. You
can also get info on the current RAM timing settings from
this program.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php (use the 32 bit, no install version)

If you need to test the memory integrity, try memtest86+. Doing
two complete passes, without any memory errors, is enough testing.

http://www.memtest.org

One of the on-screen indicators provided by that memory testing
program, is a bandwidth readout for your memory.

In this example, the memory read bandwidth is 1247MB/sec. So
it's where it says "Memory :" that you want to take note of the
number.

http://www.memtest.org/pics/nf2-big.gif

Post back what you find.

One advantage of letting a program like memtest86+ to test the
memory bandwidth for you, is WinXP is not running at the time.
So you know for a certainty, it is not a "Microsoft problem" of
any sort.

Paul
From: "db" databaseben at hotmail dot on
there a multitude of
reasons to explain
why your system is
slow.

but one of the easiest
things you can do to
test system performance
is to boot into safe mode
and then safe mode w/
networking.

if performance appears
to be better in the safe
modes,

then there are a couple
of steps you can take that
would help the performance
of normal mode operations.


--

db���`�...�><)))�>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

>
>

"General Mailbox" <nospampls(a)home.net> wrote in message news:xr5tn.173748$wr5.131671(a)newsfe22.iad...
> Greetings.
> I have a 10yr old HP8705 800Mhz CPU, 512MB RAM that has slowed down
> noticeably in opening programs, ect. I have been using this computer
> consistantly on the ballpark of 6hrs a day for 10 yrs. You can count on two
> hands any significant issues I've had with this and less than a dozen
> warnings of viruses in its life so far. Processes at fresh bootup run
> between 28 and 34. I have these MS newsgroups to thank for these 10yrs of
> helping me keep the machine running well. It had to happen sometime I
> suppose. Something is giving out causing memory access to fall below
> average benchmark levels. All 3 DIMMs were changed out in guessing it might
> be one or more of the memory chips, but did not change anything. My CPU is
> showing 797MHz (800Mhz) (6x133), so that hasn't slowed down. In my opinion,
> the temperature has always been a bit elevated for the CPU (114F avg) never
> exceeding 120F. My readings from Everest Report is:
> Computer:
> Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
> OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
>
> Motherboard:
> CPU Type Intel Pentium IIIE, 800 MHz (6 x 133)
> Motherboard Name Asus Pegasus
> Motherboard Chipset VIA VT82C694X Apollo Pro133A
> System Memory 512 MB (SDRAM)
>
> Memory Read
> CPU CPU Clock Motherboard Chipset Memory Read Speed
>
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 840 MB/s
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 281 MB/s
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Write
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 190 MB/s
> for what I thik it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 93 MB/s
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Latency
> C3 800 MHz VIA EPIA PLE133 PC133 SDRAM 3-3-3-6 178.5
> ns
>
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 2-2-2-5 343.1 ns
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> While it has been recommended by MS for WinXP to have a better machine, this
> has done sufficient for me with e-mail and web browsing.
> I say this to save time in anyone who would write "Get a new machine",
> unless in this case there is no cure for it, then I would.
>
> Thanks to all for your assistance!
>
> B.rgds,
> Kevin
>
From: Anteaus on
My thoughts are that as mentioned, the IDE access-mode (PIO/DMA) is a very
likely culprit. This is often the cause of very slow operation. A symptom
will be that every disk-access causes high processor load.

If the memory parameters are incorrect, though, this might be due to
corruption of the BIOS NVRAM settings. If so, removing the mobo battery for a
while, operating the discharge jumper, or doing a "Load optimum settings" in
the BIOS settings might correct this. Before doing so, take a note of any
BIOS settings which need to be put back.

"General Mailbox" wrote:

> Greetings.
> I have a 10yr old HP8705 800Mhz CPU, 512MB RAM that has slowed down
> noticeably in opening programs, ect. I have been using this computer
> consistantly on the ballpark of 6hrs a day for 10 yrs. You can count on two
> hands any significant issues I've had with this and less than a dozen
> warnings of viruses in its life so far. Processes at fresh bootup run
> between 28 and 34. I have these MS newsgroups to thank for these 10yrs of
> helping me keep the machine running well. It had to happen sometime I
> suppose. Something is giving out causing memory access to fall below
> average benchmark levels. All 3 DIMMs were changed out in guessing it might
> be one or more of the memory chips, but did not change anything. My CPU is
> showing 797MHz (800Mhz) (6x133), so that hasn't slowed down. In my opinion,
> the temperature has always been a bit elevated for the CPU (114F avg) never
> exceeding 120F. My readings from Everest Report is:
> Computer:
> Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
> OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
>
> Motherboard:
> CPU Type Intel Pentium IIIE, 800 MHz (6 x 133)
> Motherboard Name Asus Pegasus
> Motherboard Chipset VIA VT82C694X Apollo Pro133A
> System Memory 512 MB (SDRAM)
>
> Memory Read
> CPU CPU Clock Motherboard Chipset Memory Read Speed
>
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 840 MB/s
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 281 MB/s
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Write
> PIII-E 866 MHz ECS P6VAP-A+ ApolloPro133A PC133 SDRAM
> 190 MB/s
> for what I thik it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 93 MB/s
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> Memory Latency
> C3 800 MHz VIA EPIA PLE133 PC133 SDRAM 3-3-3-6 178.5
> ns
>
> for what I think it should be to
> PIII-E 800 MHz Asus Pegasus ApolloPro133A PC100 SDRAM
> 2-2-2-5 343.1 ns
>
> which is what it is now.
>
> While it has been recommended by MS for WinXP to have a better machine, this
> has done sufficient for me with e-mail and web browsing.
> I say this to save time in anyone who would write "Get a new machine",
> unless in this case there is no cure for it, then I would.
>
> Thanks to all for your assistance!
>
> B.rgds,
> Kevin
>
>
> .
>