2 similar computer SLOW!

Dark666 · 12-26-2007, 03:34 PM

Hi.
I have two similar computers that no matter what distro I install they run very slow and choppy.
Help me with this, the specs are as follows:

Comp. 1

AMD Sempron Socket A 2500+
1GB RAM DDR400 Dual Channel
PATA 80GB Seagate Barracuda IV
Asus DVD-ROM 16x
Board: Asus A7V600-X
VGA: GeForce 4 MX400
Comp. 2

AMD Sempron Socket A 2400+
768MB RAM DDR400 (Only works DDR333 due to board limitations)
PATA 80GB Seagate Barracuda IV
Asus DVD-ROM 16x
Board: Asus A7V400-MX (Not SE)
VGA: GeForce 4 MX400

pljvaldez · 12-26-2007, 03:52 PM

The only slow and choppy issues I've ever had are related to one of two things: excess heat or a bad RAM chip.

The first thing I'd do is open the cases and make sure the fans/heatsinks for the CPU's are clean (blow them out with canned air) and that the fans spin easily.

As for the memory, you can try running memtest or memtest+.

GushpinBob · 12-26-2007, 10:57 PM

If you mean "choppy" as in windows that tear when you drag them or that scrolling through a web page "brings back the days of Windows 3.1" choppy, then you might need to use the proper video drivers for your graphics cards and also make sure that 2D acceleration is enabled.

Dark666 · 12-27-2007, 12:49 AM

I have 2D enabled.
Also 3D Enabled.
Both computers have the Nvidia Linux drivers.
None of the computers are over-heating.
Funny think.
Windows XP works like a charm on each machine.
Don't know why any Linux version runs slow.
A friend of mine suspected CPU driver or something.
Forcing the kernel to use i686 commands.
I know at least that Fedora wont install i686 unless I use "i686" kernel boot command during install.
Otherwise it installs i586.
ALthou the i686 command doesn't work on most distros.

allend · 12-27-2007, 07:05 AM

I may be way off the mark, but I found this at http://archives.mandrivalinux.com/co...1/msg00001.php

Quote:

Installer cannot run on ASUS A7V600-X

See also bug_small.png Bug #27069. On the ASUS A7V600-X motherboard, and
possibly others, Mandriva Linux 2007 cannot be installed due to problems
with the motherboard's support for the MSI interrupt mechanism. To
resolve this issue, specify the pci=nomsi kernel parameter for the
installer. During the installation process, the parameter should also be
added to the default parameters for future booting of the system. You
can do this in the bootloader configuration stage of the
post-installation phase. You may also need to change some BIOS settings:
make sure INTERRUPT MODE is set to APIC, and Plug 'n' Play mode is set
to NO. It is also recommended that you remove the acpi=ht noapic nolapic
kernel parameters both for the installer and for future boots of the system.

Dark666 · 12-27-2007, 01:19 PM

That applys when you are using the Sata RAID on the A7V600-X.
Not the case. I have SATA disabled on that board.

allend · 12-28-2007, 03:05 AM

Have you tried booting using the pci=nomsi kernel option?
The point is that at least one of your motherboards is known to have issues with implementation of MSI interrupts.