Resources over-used when CD-ROM is being read

[aaronvvright]

Whenever I stick in a CD and try to install something, or I'm burning something, my CPU usage climbs and my RAM is almost fully used (I've 256mb). Anyone have any idea why this would happen?

 

[cdogg]

Before you insert the CD, do a CTRL-ALT-DEL to see what you have running (For Win2K or WinXP, CTRL-SHIFT-ESC is quicker). You want to make sure you don't have too many processes running. What is too many? It depends. I generally try and keep it down to less than 15 at any one time in Windows 9x/ME.

Also, you may want to double-check settings for other programs (like your antivirus) to make sure their not scanning ALL files.

What OS are you running? How much hard drive space do you have? CPU speed? etc, etc, etc.... ~cdogg
"Drive on parkways and park in driveways?"

 

[aaronvvright]

It was never an issue before... I have 37 processes running at the moment, but none of them are eating much RAM. I've also got some apps open right now, but they'd be closed if I was installing/burning something. There's a memory leak somewhere I'd assume, I just can't understand why or where.

CPU: AMD Athlon 900Mhz
HDD: 30 GB, 3 parts of 10gb. None are even 60% full
OS: Win2k Pro

Burner: SONY CD-RW CRX175E
CD-ROM: MATSHITA CD-ROM CR-588

 

[rwise2112]

Make sure that DMA is checked under the CD drive properties if the drive allows it. This will usually give the same drive performance, but lowers the CPU usage.

 

[aaronvvright]

Not given any options regarding "DMA". I've got "Enable Library" checked, though... And inventory speed set to "fast".

 

[cdogg]

Are you looking in "Device Manager"? DMA stands for "Direct Memory Access" and if it's not enabled, that would explain a lot. Without it, your CD burner has to go through the CPU to get to RAM. This in turn creates a higher CPU usage and could lower system resources... ~cdogg
"Drive on parkways and park in driveways?"

 

[aaronvvright]

Not given the option. I'm in the device manager, too. My burner didn't come with any drivers or even a box (cheaper that way) and I didn't see a drivers section on Sony.com...

 

[cdogg]

Are you in the right place in Device Manager? You have to be looking at the properties for "Primary IDE Channel" under "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers". There ahould be an "advanced settings" tab that will show each device in your system.


There are screen shots here:

http://www.rojakpot.com/Other_Articles/Win2K_Tips/IDE_DMA/IDE_DMA.htm

More info about what DMA really is:

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=67

~cdogg
"We park in driveways but drive in parkways?"

 

[aaronvvright]

Alright, cool I found the setting and am about to restart my comp (it wasn't enabled) so I'll let you know.

 

[aaronvvright]

Alright, well it seems to have done the trick

Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it.

 

[rwise2112]

Glad to hear it!!!