Steam causes mega lag/spikes on my PC. Fix?

[lukazila1]

Hi, I'm new to the forums and I need some help. I dont know if Im posting this in the right forums section, but Ill give it a shot. Sorry mods! I would post this in the Steam forums but I cant log in (ima n00b)

Specs:
Windows 7 32 bit
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Processor 3.2GHz
4GB RAM
ATI HD4970 (this but not sure, somewhere abouts this)
1Tb hard drive

So my problem is lag, freezing and crashes. When I start my computer (when steam is not turned on, since I dont have it on "turn on when computer turns on", and when its allowed by msconfig, as in I didnt run msconfig yet) it will take a normal time to start however, the lag starts right away and need to leave my PC 15-20 mins and let it process with it needs to process. If I dont leave it, the lagging and freezing starts. The lagging/freezing happens mostly during the first 15-20 mins since start up. The lagging is constant and freezing happens every 20 secs and can last 20 secs-10 mins. Once this 20 min period since start up is over, the PC lags very rarely, at least not enough to make me ram my head into the wall. In-game (after 20 min period), there is lag at least 3% of the time and it lasts for less than 5 secs.

Now, I know that Steam is causing these problems. How? Well, Steam client service is in processes in TaskManager and when I run msconfig, disable PunkBuster and Steam Client Service, and restart my computer, it runs beautifully with almost no lag (I ran msconfig prior to this and its running beautifully).

Fixes I tried:
Well msconfig is the only possible fix, disabled steam CS and Pnkbstr. And it works. However thats not the point, I want to play and use steam daily without having walrus slaying fart.
Also, removing steam completely works, but I need steam so no point in it.
I clean registry weekly, however I do it manually not with any registry cleaner.

Please Please Please help me!

Thanks for reading all of this big a** essay. xxx

edit: Sorry, a little explanation mistake, in the first sentence of the third paragraph, I said "(with Steam allowed)"

I mean when steam is not turned on, since I dont have it on "turn on when computer turns on", and when its allowed by msconfig, as in I didnt run msconfig yet

Thanks

[Jayhmmz]

Sorry, a little explanation mistake, in the first sentence of the third paragraph, I said "(with Steam allowed)"

I mean when steam is not turned on, since I dont have it on "turn on when computer turns on", and when its allowed by msconfig, as in I didnt run msconfig yet

Thanks

I'm not too sure about a fix for your problem, but if you had read the rules, you would have seen that you're not allowed to double post. Delete the post that I have quoted, and go back and edit your original post to add relevant info.

Cheers.

[lukazila1]

I edited, how will the delete these 2 posts?

[Muffincat]

I merged your posts for you, and I moved the thread into the "Computer Help" section of the forum :)

As for your problem, I haven't got a clue... I hope someone else has a better idea for you :(

[LiNuX]

do you know how much memory and CPU is being used? Win7 has that tool (like vista) on the desktop that you can view the Memory and CPU usage directly.

Could be a memory leak issue. If you reinstalled and it still doesn't work, I'm really not sure. I'd suggest you contact steam support and see if they can run a test or something (or give you a patch) that fixes the issue.

It probably isn't a hardware issue as you have better stuff than I do and I run it on Win7 just fine. It's most likely a software issue somewhere. Try running steam "as admin" by right clicking - that might help too. I have to run it that way every time otherwise it either doesn't start or randomly crashes.

[Synge]

Why are you unable to use Steam forums, did you try making a new acc? You'd have much better luck there.

Anyway, I really don't have anything to add to Linux's post, but if it was a memory leak it wouldn't just start to run smoothly after the 20 minutes would it?

20 minutes though... must be frustrating as hell. I have the same amount of RAM and nearly identical CPU (but Black Edition and slightly OC'd) and Steam for me will start up and log me in in like 10 seconds..

Also, you have no problems running any other applications?

[lukazila1]

I will try "running as admin" and contacting steam support as LiNuX suggested. The reason I cant log in to steam forum is coz well, it says wrong username and password when I type my regular steam username and password. And yes I did try making a new acc just for the forum but it still doesnt work. And "forgotten password" I type in the "if you are a human" CORRECTLY, its wrong for some reason. But forget about that

When I enabled steam through msconfig, and its running or its TURNED OFF, google chrome lags and crashes randomly. LIBRARIES also lag and crash.

I believe that it is Steam Client Service thats causing the lag. If you dont know what it is well...Steam requires a constant internet connection to the SCS and the Steam database. If you do not have a constant connection...well if you have steam (running or not) it will be connected.

Thanks a lot

edit:The whole computer lags and crashes randomly whilst steam is enabled, I get SOOO MANYYY AMD crashes its not funny, my pc goes on a banana tear.

Wow, thanks guys, my PC shows no signs of lagging or crashing (appart from AMD crash which is caused by overheating and im used to it so not problem). I restarted my PC a couple of times with running it as administrator and thats what fixed the lagging/freezing. Thanks LiNuX and Synge. I dont need to wait 20 mins of all processes to finish. Although, if I dont want to run steam when I turn on my PC, that I still have not tried but im sure it will not cause any problems as I have set steam to automatically run as administrator once I turn it on.

Cheers!

[LiNuX]

glad the advice helped

[Muffincat]

I don't understand why all programs aren't run as administrator by default if you're the administrator :|

I can't tell you how many times a program has been like "you need administrator permission >:|" and I am like "I AM THE ADMINISTRATOR YOU IDIOT"

[paecmaker]

I don't understand why all programs aren't run as administrator by default if you're the administrator :|

I can't tell you how many times a program has been like "you need administrator permission >:|" and I am like "I AM THE ADMINISTRATOR YOU IDIOT"

I think everyone can agree with that:)

[LiNuX]

I don't understand why all programs aren't run as administrator by default if you're the administrator :|

I can't tell you how many times a program has been like "you need administrator permission >:|" and I am like "I AM THE ADMINISTRATOR YOU IDIOT"

Yeah. Stupid Microsoft. I have to do that for Camstudio too. Well, if I run without admin permissions, it doesn't record sound.

One way to get around it is to right click and select it to always open with admin permissions and stuff, that's what I do for steam, camstudio, and a few other softwares that have the issue. Easier than remembering.