Computer acting up? Running slow?

[Skiz]

I've noticed that for a week or so now, my PC has been acting very strange, and it's driving me nuts.

My mouse skips around when I move it instead of being a smooth, fluid motion. When using the wheel to scroll through web pages, the scrolling isn't smooth, it's jumpy.

When I'm playing music, the songs sound like they have static in them. They are basically doing the same thing the mouse is doing, skipping a bit and acting jumpy overall, even when I am not running any other apps and the PC is otherwise idle.

It's as if everything I do is using too much CPU or something. Even opening a simple task or folder will make a song 'glitch' for a moment as that window opens.

I've been watching the Task Manager as well to observe my CPU consumption but no programs are hogging resources. I've tried using a different browser but that doesn't help. The symptoms persist whether the browser is open or closed. I've also checked how many processes are running and it's minimal; I don't see that being an issue at all.

Any ideas about what this could be? Where I should direct my efforts to solve the problem? I'm stumped.

(Yes, I've tried rebooting)

System Model   XFX nForce 780i 3-Way SLI
Processor      Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.40GHz
Memory         8.00 GB
OS             Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit (6.1.7600 Build 7600)

[Spamming]

Reinstall the windows i bet its a virus

[clocker]

Installed any new drivers lately?
Specifically, video drivers.

Even if not, try uninstalling the vid driver and see what happens.

[Skiz]

Just to be sure, would that be one of the "NVIDIA" items listed here

or

uninstall the driver here?

[clocker]

The second.

[Skiz]

I have two GPUs so I did that for each one, one at a time as it causes the monitor to turn off.

I tried the first card (8800) and that shut off the left monitor. I then browsed for a bit on the right side monitor and listened to music but quickly noticed that the problem remained.

I right-clicked on my PC name at the top of the device manager list and selected 'Scan for hardware changes' where Windows found and re-enabled the monitor. I then repeated the process for the other card that controls the right monitor (7600) and found the same results.

Any other ideas? Could it be a hardware issue? I certainly hope not.

I wouldn't be strongly opposed to reinstalling Windows but obviously I'd prefer to solve the problem instead.

[tesco]

So when you checked your CPU usage it was at 0% at idle?
You could try using "End Process" in task manager to start closing running programs to see if any of them cause the problem to stop.

[Skiz]

So when you checked your CPU usage it was at 0% at idle?

Right now in Task Manager:

The Processes tab will show everything at 0% except very small spikes that show Firefox at 2% every few seconds.

The Performance tab reflects similar results. CPU usage stays between 0% - 10%. Memory is at a constant 3.72 GB.

Applications tab shows only iTunes and FF running.

[clocker]

Stop iTunes.
Turn off computer and while off, disconnect the mouse (the cable if it's corded, the receiver if wireless), turn on PC with mouse disconnected.
Let it sit on the desktop for a minute then shut it down again.
Reattach the mouse, restart PC and let it discover the "new hardware".
Is the problem fixed?










Nah, didn't think so...just wanted to see if you'd do it.
I think it's likely you have a software, not hardware problem.

The quick and dirty solution is to reinstall Windows then monitor as you slowly add programs till the problem either reoccurs or doesn't.
If it doesn't, then Windows itself was the problem.

I'll wait as you reinstall the OS...












Kidding.

A third, oddly, as yet unmentioned, possibility is voodoo.
Have you pissed off any of your Creole friends lately?

[Skiz]

You're in a rather jocular mood tonight. I'm in a fine one as well. I've got the side window open in the office and I can hear the rain hitting the metal patio roof. Pure bliss.

I think I'll wait a couple days to reinstall. I probably ought to grab a more up-to-date version of Windows 7 Ultimate as I'm still using the RTM one. I think this one should do just fine - Microsoft Windows 7 ULTIMATE x64 Integrated February 2010 OEM DVD-BIE

I'm also gonna buy an SSD for the "C" drive. Currently mulling these over - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...205007&bop=And

I like the OCZ Vertex Turbo but am always willing to hear arguments to the contrary.