I searched in Google bout this problem.

Seems that every some seconds, my system seems like stucking.

Pointer devices (USB mouse&touchpad), games, browsers, applications, everything.

I formatted my disk, just to see if its something malicious that my scanners cannot find, or if its something damaged with my OS (WinXP/SP2) system files.

Nada.

I updated my ATi graphic card, Windows, CPU chipset; I also scanned with S&Destroy, avast! Home 4.8, Alwil Cleaner Tool, but alas! nothing found.

I am a bit worried, cause I even unistalled pointer devices from device manager and nothing seemed to solve the problem.

What could it be?

Should I scan it with HijackThis! or anything like that?

My programs running @ the backround usually are the same b4 my formatting:

Avast! Home Edition 4.8
PC Tools Firewall
MSN Live
Synaptics/ipoint

Please what could it be?
Any help would be really appreciated...

Hello Shadowdance,

Can you open device manager and expand IDE/ATA/ATAPI controllers Open the Primary IDE controller and select Advanced settings What is the Current Transfer mode?

Hello nigglesnush

It says : DMA when available

Just under the DMA where available it should give the current transfer mode.

Device0: PIO
Device1: Ultra DMA Mode2

Before we proceed, just to clarify. The Current Transfer mode located in Primary IDE controller is set to PIO Is this correct?

If so, you need to click on the driver tab and the uninstall button. It will then ask you to restart. Once the system has restarted it will install the driver again and you should have DMA available.

PIO is a slow transfer mode.
DMA is a fast transfer mode.

Yes, just under DMA where available it gives me PIO for the 1st device and ULTRA DMA mode2 for the 2nd device.

I am proceeding and I am logging in ASAP to inform you about progress.

Could have those mode settings modified by an application? Cause I hadnt any problems since last 3 weeks.

If DMA doesn't work correctly the mode is then switched to PIO by windows.

omg it actually worked!!!!!!!!!

My pc stopped that annoying freezing and I can play audio/video without any interruption :-O
Also my boot time went faster!

You helped me so much!

Now it says:

Device0: ULTRA DMA Mode5
Device0: ULTRA DMA Mode2

I have never ever ever tried to modify IDE etc, how did it changed?

Well that matters zero right now you saved me pal!

Greetings and MANY thanx!

You are most welcome,

From what I remember PIO is activated when DMA fails a certain number of times, think it was 6. PIO transfers data very slowly. DMA mode 5 is a good transfer mode, the higher the number the faster the speed.

Absolutely fabulous, today you educated me to a computer matter I so far ignored its existence!

Thank you very much again!

Its no problem, I'm glad to help.