looking for software

[The Fugitive]

Since I installed WIN7 I've been working at stream-lining it and getting things to run smooth. I have had an issue with the the game doing a micro-freeze now and then. I can't time it or link it to anything as far as an updater or something.

Is there some software I can run for an hour or so that will give me a list of which programs are pinging the internet so I can find this sucker?

[Getback]

This is stuff you probably already know but I will throw it out there as a reminder.

Get rid of any toolbars, especially Google. Take out anything in startup that is not needed, which could be about everything. Makes a huge difference.

W7 installs it's own drivers for video and sound. So make sure you have loaded the proper drivers for your devices.

Yes I know you asked for software but these are a few ideas until you find the software you are looking for.

[wabbit]

If you use a good firewall, (not windows firewall - a good one), such as Comodo, and set it on 'Custom' for the firewall, it will pop up a message for every program trying to connect to the internet. Then you'll know which processes/programs are accessing the internet.You will also get the  option of allowing or denying that connection, setting the program as trusted or not, and remembering or not the setting.

There are packet sniffing programs, (some free - some not), that can help you, but they tend to be complicated and not so easy to use for most. You can do a search for 'packet sniffing - Freeware packet sniffing, or variations on that to find them.

Just as an aside, you can go to Black Viper's site and use his custom instructions for turning off/setting to manual unneeded services for whichever version of windows you're using.  That might help if your micro-freezes are due to excessive resource usage. Either way it can help reduce the load on your CPU and memory.

And YES, get rid of all those useless toolbars and other crap you  might have inadvertently installed on your system. If you're anti-malware program isn't finding them, try Spybot, Adaware, or the free Malwarebytes version to scan your system. You might also check any installed software to see if it is automatically connecting online for updates, etc, etc...


Wabb

[The Fugitive]

Thanks for the info. I have a pretty clean box. I've been through Vipers site, NEVER install "add-ons" and keep my browsers pretty tight. Of the few programs I have on this box I think I've found all of the updaters, but I suspect my Adobe stuff might still be doing something. It may be the price I have to pay to have my CS5 

I'll look into comodo. I have my router setup as my firewall. My son suggested "wireshark" as a packet sniffer.

I don't think it's a resources issue. I have a decent set-up. I added a GTX 260 and WIN7 at the same time so tweaking and adjusting is "fun".

[gyrene81]

it's probably the nvidia drivers fugitive...i suffered the same issue for a while on then off through a couple of ah updates...you're going to have to do some tweaking between the nvidia control panel and ah to eliminate it and/or change the drivers then wait for another ah update to see if it returns/goes away.

[DREDIOCK]

I seem to remember somewhere where it was mentioned that often stutters happen if you have too many skins and also from some of the custom sounds. That stutter is caused by the new skin or sound loading.

I may be wrong but Im pretty sure that was mentioned as a cause

[The Fugitive]

it's probably the nvidia drivers fugitive...i suffered the same issue for a while on then off through a couple of ah updates...you're going to have to do some tweaking between the nvidia control panel and ah to eliminate it and/or change the drivers then wait for another ah update to see if it returns/goes away.

I have drivers from August. There are newer one but I hate to jump on the "update drivers" bandwagon as soon as they come out.

I did find that the Nvidia software was set to check for updates and got that turned off.

I seem to remember somewhere where it was mentioned that often stutters happen if you have too many skins and also from some of the custom sounds. That stutter is caused by the new skin or sound loading.

I may be wrong but Im pretty sure that was mentioned as a cause

I've been running Twinbooms sounds for years and have never had any trouble with them. I did think of the skins seeing we just got a new batch, but I tried running with out them and it didn't seem to help.

[Bizman]

Remember the old trick of dropping sound acceleration a notch? AFAIK that advice is still valid.

[BaldEagl]

Open task manager.  Sort it to CPU useage in descending order then sit and watch it for a while.  Watch for those apps that jump momentarily to near the top of the list then figure out what they are and shut them down if possible.

I found that Java Prefetch was causing problems on my old laptop by doing that.