Microsoft KB Archive/282021

= High CPU Utilization on Compaq Laptops When You Play a DVD Movie =

Article ID: 282021

Article Last Modified on 10/27/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition

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This article was previously published under Q282021



SYMPTOMS
When you play a DVD movie on a Compaq M700 or E700 laptop computer, CPU usage may reach 100 percent after approximately 15-20 minutes, and this may cause the computer to be very slow or to appear to stop responding (hang).



CAUSE
This problem can occur when Windows 2000 excessively (up to 15 times a second) changes the thermal-management mode of the laptop computer.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

  Date     Time   Version        Size       File name -  6/21/00  7:29p  5.0.2195.2096  1,658,816  Ntoskrnl.exe 6/21/00 7:29p  5.0.2195.2096  1,680,960  Ntkrnlmp.exe 6/21/00 7:30p  5.0.2195.2096  1,680,960  Ntkrnlpa.exe 6/21/00 7:30p  5.0.2195.2096  1,701,568  Ntkrpamp.exe 6/21/00 7:28p  5.0.2195.2096  163,024    Acpi.sys



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 2.



MORE INFORMATION
Windows 2000 is able to change cooling policies from Active (use fans first) to Passive (use CPU throttling first). Whether Windows 2000 changes the policy, and how often it does so, is based on the power policy that is selected in the Power Options tool in Control Panel.

Under high CPU loads that cause heat increases on Compaq M700 or E700 laptop computers, Windows 2000 may incorrectly begin switching the cooling policy from Active to Passive approximately 15 times a second, and this can cause the high CPU utilization. This normally occurs only when you are playing DVD movies for more than 15 minutes. However, it could potentially occur with some other program that maintains a high CPU utilization for a long period of time.

Note that this problem does not occur with the Always On or Minimal Power Management power schemes.

Keywords: kbbug kbenv kbfix kbpowerman kbwin2000presp2fix KB282021

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