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cpu spikes

post #1 of 15
7/19/06 at 4:33am
Thread Starter 
Hi all
I got the Travelmate 4272. I repartitioned it as I didn't like the fact that acer gives it in 2 50% FAT partitions. After the reinstallation and everything, I noticed that, after a while, if I look at the task manager, the CPU spikes every 5-10 seconds. In that time if I'm typing anything it gets skipped which is bloody irritating. I narrowed it down to the the graphics process "ati2evxx.exe". There are 2 identical processes as well as 3 "CLI.exe" (also used with graphics.
If I end the one causing problems, the graphics performance drops to the "balanced" setting. The only way to get it going again is to reboot.
I've tried reinstalling graphics drivers.
Any ideas?
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post #2 of 15
7/19/06 at 12:34pm
try re-installing or updating the video drivers
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post #3 of 15
7/19/06 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebuck
Hi all I got the Travelmate 4272. I repartitioned it as I didn't like the fact that acer gives it in 2 50% FAT partitions. After the reinstallation and everything, I noticed that, after a while, if I look at the task manager, the CPU spikes every 5-10 seconds. In that time if I'm typing anything it gets skipped which is bloody irritating. I narrowed it down to the the graphics process "ati2evxx.exe". There are 2 identical processes as well as 3 "CLI.exe" (also used with graphics. If I end the one causing problems, the graphics performance drops to the "balanced" setting. The only way to get it going again is to reboot. I've tried reinstalling graphics drivers. Any ideas?
Have you tried the Omega drivers http://www.omegadrivers.net/ati/win2k_xp.php I am assuming you have ATi radeon x1400 video card. I have the ati hotkey poller disabled in services. This is ati2evxx.exe to me a completly useless service. Use Mike Lin's free program Startup Control panel http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml the CP version not the standalone. When installed it adds an icon to your Control Panel to control startup programs. Make sure ati2evxx.exe is unchecked. Not running this useless process shouldn't affect performance. It has something to do with hot keys the ATi Catalyst control panel uses. If you don't use those hot keys you can safely disable. It appears to interfere with your keyboard. The reason I pointed you to the Startup Control Panel from Mike Lin is that this a great way to keep stuff from starting with XP. Works better than msconfig and you don't need a reboot. If you simply disabled the service and not unchecked the startup item in Startup Control Panel your computer would attempt to start the disabled process causing an error report in the event viewer. Also at Mike's site is Startup monitor which monitors new program installs and warns you when one of them tries to install it's .exe or a component in your startup routine. http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml
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post #4 of 15
7/20/06 at 6:59am
Thread Starter 
Thanks. I installed the program you recommended but for the life of me I cannot find the icon in the control panel. The only one I find is the "stop ..." one in 'all programs'. Could you tell me the name of the icon.

As far as the problem goes, I reinstalled the graphics drivers but not the catalyst control centre and there hasn't been a spike yet. Yet, without the control centre, there's still multiple ati2evxx.exe files. I thought the hotkeys would only be set up with the control centre??
Either way, it seems the control centre is causing the problems. I'll try downloading a new version and see again.

Thanks again
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post #5 of 15
7/20/06 at 7:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebuck
Thanks. I installed the program you recommended but for the life of me I cannot find the icon in the control panel. The only one I find is the "stop ..." one in 'all programs'. Could you tell me the name of the icon. As far as the problem goes, I reinstalled the graphics drivers but not the catalyst control centre and there hasn't been a spike yet. Yet, without the control centre, there's still multiple ati2evxx.exe files. I thought the hotkeys would only be set up with the control centre?? Either way, it seems the control centre is causing the problems. I'll try downloading a new version and see again. Thanks again
Go to Start>Control panel use the option on left to switch to classic view>Startup. That is the name of the icon. While in control panel click on administrative tools>services and double click the ATi hotkey poller entry. Using the dropdown in middle of dialog box choose disable. When you restart ati2evxx.exe should not start. Make sure you uncheck the entry in Mike Lin's Startup program also. When you down loaded Startup Control panel you should have unzipped and clicked on the exe. This will automatically install. If you decide to install the Omega Drivers please read instructions at Omega site. The Omega drivers are optimized drivers with some issues common to factory drivers fixed. There is a tool called ATT or ATi Tray Tool installed with the drivers. Far and away better that Catalyst and doesn't cause the CLI.exe instances you experienced. As far as the hot key poller is concerned you get it whether you want it or not, regardless of driver source. Actually the Omega drivers are the ATi drivers optimized by the the Omega guy apparently with the blessing of ATi. The ATTool gives much more control than Catalyst without it's drawbacks (CLI.exe for one).
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post #6 of 15
7/20/06 at 7:53am
Thread Starter 
Nope. No "startup" option (I've got classic view). I've got all the icons and have studied the s'es till my eyes bleed, but no "startup". Only the standard "security centre", "system", etc. I tried restarting, but nothing. I tried a repair install, nothing.
I'll try remove and reinstalling now.

EDIT: Tried removing and installing = nothing. The program is running though as it asks me if I want to add things to startup
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post #7 of 15
7/20/06 at 12:08pm
It sounds like you might have installed the wrong program. It can be frustrating trying to find the correct program online, when all these other programs are trying to imitate it, to get you to install them. I have Startup Control Panel installed, and it works perfectly. Be sure that this is the one you got: Startup CPL

Good luck,
Ransom
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post #8 of 15
7/20/06 at 2:28pm
Thread Starter 
ahhhh.... thanks. That one gives me the startup icon.
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post #9 of 15
7/20/06 at 2:40pm
No problem. Glad I could help.
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post #10 of 15
7/20/06 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebuck
Nope. No "startup" option (I've got classic view). I've got all the icons and have studied the s'es till my eyes bleed, but no "startup". Only the standard "security centre", "system", etc. I tried restarting, but nothing. I tried a repair install, nothing.
I'll try remove and reinstalling now.

EDIT: Tried removing and installing = nothing. The program is running though as it asks me if I want to add things to startup
Hi,
My original post did say download the CP version not the standalone. Looks
like you got the Startup monitor installed as well. Good, it will warn you
when any program installer tries to add something to your startup
group. A useful little program. A lot of unnesscessary stuff starting with
Windows can contribute to slow boot times and reduced performance.

How does you video/keyboard work now?
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post #11 of 15
7/20/06 at 4:45pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry, I should really read the posts better. Not the first time I didn't notive something like that.

Well, no spikes yet, but haven't installed the control centre. I'm going to leave it like this for a couple of days to make sure, then install the app.

I tried to download a new one, but it says it doesn't support the x1400
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post #12 of 15
7/20/06 at 4:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebuck
I tried to download a new one, but it says it doesn't support the x1400
Do you mean the Omega drivers? I am running them on my x1400 right now. They work great. If you install the Catalyst program and problem reappears make sure you disable the ATi hotkey poller in services. It will be reenabled. and you will see two instances in Startup CP, unless you refuse it when Startup Monitor warns you about it. I would still check Startup CP anyway. Often program installers are very pushy about startup items. To my mind a well thought out program should very clearly (during install) tell you everything it is about to do, including installing startup items. Many don't.
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post #13 of 15
7/21/06 at 7:55am
I just noticed this thread. I had similar problems with the ATI drivers on my Acer 8204. See my detailed description here. I haven't update that post in awhile, but I basically ended up disabling the ATI Hot Key Poller service like you guys have been talking about. I did that several weeks ago and haven't had any issues since.

Also, you don't really need to install any additional programs to disable services. You can just pull up the services utility under Administrative Tools.
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post #14 of 15
7/21/06 at 2:24pm
Before you try other drivers. Go to ATI and search for Driver removal tools. Use that to clean out all legacy driver before you install a new one.
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post #15 of 15
7/21/06 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hungryghost
I just noticed this thread. I had similar problems with the ATI drivers on my Acer 8204. See my detailed description here. I haven't update that post in awhile, but I basically ended up disabling the ATI Hot Key Poller service like you guys have been talking about. I did that several weeks ago and haven't had any issues since. Also, you don't really need to install any additional programs to disable services. You can just pull up the services utility under Administrative Tools.
That is true of services but a lot of stuff starts up as the result of a registry key the parent program creates or an addition to the startup menu. In the case of ati hotkey poller it is a service as well as a registry key entry. Mike Lin's Startup CP is a great free tool to control startup items as well as sysinternals Autoruns. Neither program uses resources when not being used and Autoruns "google" search feature allows you to research whether you truly need the startup item at all. To my mind these programs work better than msconfig and don't require a restart every time you make a change. BTW, I just checked out your posts at Notebook Review. I already subscribe to too many forums so I will comment here. For the record the Omega drivers are the ATi drivers optimized. The drivers (ATi or Omega) are where the hot key poller service comes from. The hot key poller only maps hotkeys for ATi software. It doesn't have anything to do with ATi power mgmt. as far as I know. Just another example of a "freebie feature" from a software provider/maker that does more harm than good. Disable it and be happy.
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