[help] 100% Cpu Usage With Windowfx

Hello,

I need some help with running WindowFX on my new laptop. Whenever I load WindowFX my CPU usage spikes to 100% and does not come down until I manually kill wfxload.exe.

I'm confident the problem is not with the WindowFX installation, because I have installed a copy of the same file onto my PC and it runs fine with no CPU spikes.

My laptop specs.

AMD AthlonXP-M 2800+

512 MB DDR SDRAM

Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 420 Go

My PC specs.

AMD AthlonXP 2500+

512 MB DDR SDRAM

ATi Radeon 9600 Pro

The only difference between my 2 computers seems to be the graphics card. So I'm wondering if the issue is related to Nvidia graphic cards or maybe the MX series.

I have installed Nvidia ForceWare 61.77 drivers for my laptop and ATi Catalyst 4.9 for my PC.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sid

#216956

Come on people? No one?

#217132

does it load ok, though (but with 100% usage)? or does it just seem to hang?

#217136

It loads just fine. I can open the configuration dialog etc. I even tried turning off all transitions/shadows/animations, but the CPU usage refuses to come down.

#217138

If anyone on this board is using a GeForce 4 MX Go video card on their laptop please PM me..

#217174

Iam using a Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 420 on my desktop and it works fine.

#217184

Could you tell me what drivers you are using?

#217189

NVIDIA Driver version 5.2.1.6 thats all it shows.

#217198

Mine shows 6.x.x.x. Maybe I should try downgrading the drivers.

Something else interesting that I just found out. If I'm running WindowFX and I open Task Manager, it displays that Task Manager is utilizing 99% of the CPU.

It's unbelievable but take a look at the screenshot.

wtf

#217212

I have a GeForce4 420 Go with 32MB AGP RAM of its own.

I uninstalled WindowFX because it was clumsy on my hw.

Shadows worked acceptable after I upgraded the 4.x drivers to

6.13.10.3290. This upgrade made YZ-Dock and MobyDock virtually fly

and ObjectDock flicker free. Transition effects started working with a one second

freeze, hence I switched to YZ-Shadow.

I guess your problem is that the GFX card uses normal RAM and doesn't have

AGP-RAM of its own.

My problem is that AGP-Transfers are slow due to a design failure.

Resolution:

Don't expect WindowFX to run on a laptop. HW isn't there yet.

#217690

Thank you for your reply herd. I'm glad to know that it's not just me being paranoid.

#217691

But ... if my 3dfx 16 mb does WinFX fine

as long as I only use it for shadows

(transitions e.a. make my pc C R A W L),

that it shouldn't be a problem with your specs, right?

Must be a driver issue.

#217822

wee-beast, its a laptop, not a PC in discussion here.

Laptops have issues PCs don't have. It may be a driver

issue as well as a hardware issue, who knows?

#217861

Originally posted by herd@Sep 30 2004, 04:09 PM

Laptops have issues PCs don't have. It may be a driver

issue as well as a hardware issue, who knows?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

@herd: Aw c'mon,

Even the laptops of today with non-dedicated (shared) memory

still consist of WAY newer GPU chipsets that my good old 3dfx.

The man has a Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 420 Go in his rig.

That should be way sufficient.

Even HW-acceleration (which mine lacks with WinFX or WB's hyperpaint)

should work, IMHO.

Sid mentions he turned everything off (which leaves nothing left),

and still those 100% CPU peaks. That's not right. Can't be GPU I say, because with every turned off the GPU is not being called. Therefore I stay with the "...it must be a driver issue" -diagnosis ...or a hardware flaw. But the GPU chipset should be way sufficient. :smartass:

@Sid:

Why don't you post over at stardock?

They should be able to confirm/deny my hypothesis and narrow the problem down. Why don't you ask SD's Frogboy, he's around this boards often enough.

Good luck Sid

@Herd: it's wiebe-est, not wee-beast. :rant:

Please no flaming man, there's absolutely no reason too,

thankyouverymuch!

#217884