Windows Messenger and 100% CPU

[Stuartp]

Ever since I installed a new video game (and presumably directx 9 as well) Windows Messenger in XP Pro refuses to start. When I try, svchost.exe takes 100% of cpu and the only way to stop it is to kill the messenger process.

I have looked through lots of posts and tried everything including:

Updating to Directx 9.0a
Updating my video card drivers
Running sfc /scannow
Reinstalling Windows Messenger
Disabling the Windows XP firewall.

None of this has worked and I cannot use Messenger. I don't use any type of router I connect straight to the internet through dial up.

Removing Directx 9a isn't something I really want to do as the game probably needs it. Using MSN Messenger instead isn't an option either - it has to be Windows Messenger so I can connect to an Exchange Server.

Has anyone else found a solution to this please?

 

[TheZeDD]

What game is this you are using ?

-Z

 

[Stuartp]

It was Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

I found the problem eventually. Had to do a system roll back to before it was installed, then install DX9.0a then reinstall the game. That fixed it.

 

[TheZeDD]

Hey Stu,

You said you had found the problem but did not post what =( ? What did you find?

As far as DX9 for ViceCity, i could be wrong but I believe VC was released well before DX9 appeared. Unless there has been a download patch for VC to allow intervention with DX9!?

Also, you spoke of Messenger and just for the record which messenger are you speaking of? ie: MSN messenger ?

Thanx!

-Z

 

[Stuartp]

Vice City installs DX 9 automatically. It was not MSN Messenger it was the Windows Messenger that comes with Windows XP.

I found that DX9 stops Windows Messenger from signing in... it causes svchosts.exe to use 100% of cpu. This is a problem with DX9. Microsoft fixed it in DX9a. But simply installing 9a over 9 will not fix the problem. What i found is that you need to do a winxp system rollback, to take out Vice City and go back to DX8, install DX9a and then reinstall the game. Because you have a more recent version of DX than what the game wants to install, it will leave it alone. Messenger then works happily.

Stuart